Spiritual GIFTS: A Conversation with TC Ashcraft

What are spiritual gifts?

Hayford’s Bible Handbook Spiritual Gifts

SPIRITUAL GIFTS—endowments, enablements, and energizings of God,which are given to individuals through which empowerings He grants capacities which allow for each one’s serving his or her creative and/or redemptive purpose in the will of God.

How many gifts are there?

1 Corinthians 12:8–11 NKJV

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Faith

Gifts of healing

Working of Miracles

Prophecy

discerning of spirits

Different Kind of tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

Offices

Apostle

Prophet

Teacher

Gifts Again

Miracles

Gifts of Healing

Helps

1. Administration

4. varieties of tongues

Gifts not mentioned in 1 Corinthians:

Ministry

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

How do we obtain these gifts?

Two ways:

God created you, he knew the personality that he would give. The Lord knew that you would have a history ( and a testimony)

then the gifts that are given to us by the laying on of hands.

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Do we decide what our gifts are or are they predetermined by God?

Psalm 139:13 NKJV

13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

they are determined by God

Can we change gifts or learn new ones?

God can give or tale gifts as he needs

conventional wisdom says that we have two or so primary gifts and then secondary gifts.

Can we have more than one gift?

yes of course.

How do we know if the gift is right for us?

fellowship in a local church is the best way. there are tests, but there are many reasons that those test can point us in a direction. walking with a Church body through life and doing ministry together is the point.

How do we know if God is calling us to this gift or gifts?

over time and opportunity we serve, (use them) and then we grow in what God has called us to,

What happens if we don't act on the gifts?

then we don't walk in God’s will for us. when God calls you to do something there will be opportunity to walk in them.

but I am not sure that God will force a person to do the will of God.

Is there any special benefit from acting on or showing our gifts?

yes there is great benefit. to began with we relate to The Lord in a much more intimate relationship with him.

Can gifts be used outside the church walls?

of course they can and are all the time anything creative is coming from the very heart of God.

How can we use our gifts outside the church?

it depends on the gift but using it to serve people is the best way to use them outside the Church.

How can the church help us find our gifts?

through relationships and service and study.

What holds many people back from seeking out their gifts?

fear.

How can the church help people overcome this?

if I figure that out we will write a book.

What holds many people back from acting on their gifts?

same thing that keeps us from trying to find them fear.

How can the church help people overcome this?

making sure there are many opportunities to use them in a non public way.

Should we boast about our gifts?

Never.

What happens if we do?

it will stunt the gift

Using our gifts should do what in our walk in Christ?

make it closer

My heart tells me I should do this gift but I don't have time. What should I do?

is this a season in life or are you ultimately being rebellious.

What if I ignore the calling of a gift?

you wont be full filled.

Do I have to be saved to have spiritual gifts?

not all of them.

Can spiritual gifts bring me closer to God? If so, why?

as God uses me, to fulfill his purpose, I began to see what he’s doing.

Can I use my spiritual gift for my own personal gain?

it depends on what you consider personal gain.

1 Corinthians 9:8–14 NKJV

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Does this go against God?

Again it depends