This is now the twelfth sermon on Spiritual Gifts.

Over the last seven sermons we have looked in detail at the seven motivational gifts found in Romans 12.

We learned that a person with the motivational gift of prophet is motivated by the Holy Spirit to Proclaim truth and expose sin.

We learned that a servant is motivated to meet physical needs and free others to be used by God.

We saw how a teacher is not necessarily one who stands in front of a crowd and teaches, although they are driven to express what they learn through careful research to clarify truth and validate information.

Then we looked at the spiritual gift of exhortation.

We saw they are motivated to stimulate faith and promote growth in others by setting out steps to grow and heal.

The gift of giving is given to a select few who are able to be entrusted with assets and maximize the results of those assets for the furtherance of the gospel.

The organizer is given to the church to help coordinate the efforts and resources of the church to achieve an agreed upon goal.

And last week we looked at the gift of mercy.

This is someone who can connect with people’s emotions and help remove distress and share burdens.

Each of these have a place in the church that is God ordained and needed for the body to function the way it ought.

There are some stereotypical reactions from each of the people with these various gifts to the same situation.

And it can sometimes even be comical as we look at a situation and see the various reactions to them.

Each Motivational Gift speaks out when someone Dropping plate of Food on the Floor

Prophet:“That’s what happens when you’re not careful!”

Motivation: To correct the problem

Server:“Oh, let me help you clean it up.”

Motivation:To fulfill a need

Teacher: “The reason that it fell is that it was too heavy on one side.”

Motivation:To discover why it happened.

Exhorter: “Next time, let’s take careful steps and watch where you are going.”

Motivation: To correct the future.

Giver: “I’ll be happy to buy a new meal for you.”

Motivation: To give to a tangible need.

Organizer: “Jim, would you get the broom; Sue, please help pick it up; and Mary help me fix her a new plate.”

Motivation: To achieve the immediate goal of the group.

Mercy: “Don’t feel badly. It could have happened to anyone.”

Motivation: To relieve embarrassment.

Each Motivational Gift at a Hospital Visit

Prophet:“What is God trying to say to you through this illness? Is there some sin you haven’t confessed yet?”

Server: “Here’s a little gift! Now, I brought your mail in, fed your dog, watered your plants, and washed your dishes.”

Teacher: “I did some research on your illness and I believe I can explain what’s happening.”

Exhorter: “How can we use what you’re learning here to help others in the future.”

Giver: “Do you have insurance to cover this kind of illness?”

Organizer: “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve assigned your job to four others in the office.”

Mercy: “I can’t begin to tell you how I felt when I learned you were so sick. How do you feel now?”

Spiritual Gifts Test

1. I am able to sense the direction God desires for His people to move and share it with others.

2. I enjoy pitching in on service projects in the church.

3. I am able to organize my thinking in such a way as to systematically present a Bible lesson to others.

4. People often come to me with their personal problems for counsel.

5. I enjoy giving to those in serious financial need.

6. People seem to respect me and follow my lead.

7. I have a tender heart toward the needy and will often do what I can to help those who are in distress.

8. I speak up for what is biblically right even when people think I am narrow-minded and oppose principles.

9. I usually volunteer to help with tasks that need to be done.

10. I enjoy diligent study so as to accurately teach the Word.

11. I enjoy encouraging those who are discouraged and down hearted.

12. I cheerfully give well above a tithe to the work of the Lord.

13. I am good at setting goals and seeing the direction a group of people should take.

14. I enjoy visiting the sick and shut-in.

15. I feel compelled to communicate God’s message from the Word so people know what God expects of them.

16. I am willing to work at a task regardless of how simple or trivial it may seem.

17. Others comment on how much they have enjoyed, learned, or grown under my teaching.

18. I often challenge others to reach their potential in Christ.

19. I am known for my generosity and sometimes sacrificial giving.

20. I am able to guide and motivate people to join in the achievement of my goals.

21. I tend to look out for those who are neglected and alienated.

22. I am not afraid to announce God’s judgment on sin.

23. I feel a sense of satisfaction in seeing a job through to completion.

24. I am able to thoroughly study Scripture and share my finding with others.

25. I make myself available to talk with others.

26. I often give anonymously to those in need.

27. If in a group where there is no leader, I will assume leadership.

28. I empathize with those who are embarrassed and humiliated and seek to comfort them.

29. I speak boldly and with conviction what I believe God wants people to know.

30. I am very dependable for getting things done.

31. I am able to make the Bible clear and relevant for others.

32. I encourage others to go on with the Lord.

33. I am willing to lower my standard of living in order to help out.

34. I am a goal setter.

35. I like to spend time with those who are lonely and hurting to cheer them.

Spiritual Gifts Test