SPIRITUAL GIFTS - ROMANS PT 2

Spiritual Gifts Romans 12 Pt 2

As we conclude, week 26 what an in-depth study of the Holy Spirit, who He is, what He does, the Fruit He produces and the Spiritual Gifts He bestows when He is welcomed into your life, your heart.

Most of these gifts have personality responsibility on behalf of every believer like knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and faith from 1 Corinthians 12 and prophecy and serving from last week and includes the three final gifts we will discuss today; encouragement or exhortation, giving and mercy. While we are all called to encourage others, give to the ministry of the church and show mercy to others, those that have the Spiritual Gift of exhortation, giving and mercy have it at such a deep level, they probably see it as just “who they are” because it is more instinctual than thought out.

Let us Pray!

Romans 12:4-8 – Spiritual Gifts For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1. Gifts of Encouragement/Exhortation

a. Understanding

From the Greek word Parakaelo – to beseech, exhort, encourage and strengthen.

How is this a Spiritual Gift? The most important use to remind believers of the powerful and amazing work of God. Encourage those who are weakening in the faith or growing weary

Exhortation is also for motivating and challenging people to listen to God’s calling but also rebuke and hold accountable to help grow spiritually deeper and more active.

We have the responsibility to encourage other and exhort others

Ephesians 4:11-12 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

1 Timothy 4:13 – Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

v14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

12:15 – And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

b. Uses and Examples

Those with this spiritual gift take it to a much deeper level

Paul to Titus – Titus 2:11-15 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Titus 1:8-9 – but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Paul to Timothy – 2 Timothy 4:2-4 – preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Barnabas to Antioch – Acts 11:23-24 – When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas in Derbe after being stoned – Acts 14:21-23 – When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 15:30-32 – So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

Hebrews 10:23-25 – Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

2. Gift of Giving

a. Understanding

Paul uses the Greek word – Metadidomi simply meaning to give or to impart to others. But also attaches the Greek adjective Haplotes which is generously, without pretense or hypocrisy, with sincerity.

People who have this gift not only give to the function of the church but people who are not able to provide for themselves or have fallen on hard times. Their joy comes from being to care for a need to extend the love and grace of God to others through giving.

We have a responsibility as believers to give

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Proverbs 28:27 – Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Romans 12:13 – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

But those with Giving as a Spiritual Gift go deeper

1 Timothy 6:17-19 – As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Givers live by Proverbs 11:24-25 – One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

b. Uses and Examples

2 Corinthians 8:2-5 – for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

9:8-15 – And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Acts 2:44-45 – And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 4:32-37 – Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Philippians 4:14-18 –Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

3. Gift of Mercy

a. Understanding

As Christians we the responsibility to show mercy

Matthew 18:33 –

Ephesians 2:4-6 –

The Greek word Paul used was eleeo meaning to be patient and compassionate towards those who are going through a trial or valley, suffering or are being afflicted.

The Spiritual Gift of mercy includes concern and driven to action for both physical and spiritual needs or hurting.

Empathy is a trademark for people with this gift, being able to share in the emotion and understand at their level and is long-term not short-term

They take literally being that hands and feet of God to those suffering and are quick to discern when someone is in need of help and sensitive to the feelings and emotions of others

Those with mercy as a spiritual gift go deeper

b. Uses and Examples

Matthew 5:7 – “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Luke 10:30-37 – Good Samaritan – But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 3:17-18 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jude 22-23 – And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Encourage others as God encouraged Joshua - God encourages us – Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Give because God loves those who cheerfully and joyfully give 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Show mercy because God gives us mercy, Luke 6:36 – Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Psalm 103:8 – The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. It is what God desires first – Hosea 6:6 – For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you about your Spiritual Gifts. Will you please join us on Friday for dinner and personal discovery of the Spiritual Gifts you have? How are you better from the Holy Spirit Series? How are you different about the Spiritual Gifts section?

Let us Pray