Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual LIFE

Fully Alive

Jesus promised abundant life (John 10:10)

Dream – what does abundant life look like – especially from a spiritual perspective?

Jesus promised streams of living water (John 7:37-39)

Why do we need the Holy Spirit in order to experience this kind of life?

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit results in the Believer being granted spiritual gifts.
(1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4)

What role do spiritual gifts play in our coming into the fullness of abundant life?

Paul said that we should earnest desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31)

This implies that we can pursue specific spiritual gifts.

Read John 16:24-27.

What is our part?


“Some of you have been saying, “Oh, I wish I could know how to get a gift.” Some of you have felt the striving of the Holy Spirit within you. Oh, beloved, rise to the occasion this day. Believe God. Ask God for gifts, and it may come to pass in your life.” Smith Wigglesworth Spiritual Gifts

Discovering My Spiritual Gifts

FOUR PREREQUISITES:


1. You have to be a Christian.

1 Peter 4:10

Spiritual Gifts - carisma charisma {khar'-is-mah} - grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit.



2. You have to believe in spiritual gifts.

Hebrews 11:6

If you don’t believe that God will gift you with His supernatural ability, you will not be able to receive.


3. You have to be willing to work.

Discovering your SPIRITUAL GIFTS is a spiritual exercise, and God’s help is needed toa ccomplish it. He has a ministry assignment that He wants you to accomplish in the Body of Christ, a specific job for which He has personally equipped you.

God knows whether you are serious about working for Him. If He sees that you just want to discover your gift for the fun of it or because it is the ‘in thing’ to do or because if will give you some new status, you cannot expect Him to help you do it.

1 Corinthians 14:12 reminds us of the purpose of the gifts.

These gifts are worth working for, patiently believing that God will reveal what He has planned for you.


4. You have to pray.

James 1:5-6

Let’s do it.


STEPPING INTO KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S GIFTS:

Step One: Explore the possibilities

• Study the Bible
Read the major passages concerning spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12-14
Romans 12
Ephesians 4
Read them in different translations
Study the definitions of spiritual gifts and scriptures that accompany them

• Read Extensively
Never before in Christian history has so much been written concerning spiritual gifts as now. We are richly blessed. Read a variety of authors. I did a search on Amazon.com for ‘spiritual gifts’ and it returned with 662 results.

Here’s a few that I’d suggest:

Books By C. Peter Wagner:

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts: Wagner-Modified Houts Questionaire (Gospel Light)

Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow (Regal Books)

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (Regal Books)

The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts – Sam Storm (Vine Books)

Smith Wigglesworth on Spiritual Gifts – Smith Wigglesworth (Whittaker House)

19 Gifts of the Spirit: Which Do You Have? Are You Using Them - Leslie B. Flynn (Chariot Victor)

What's So Spiritual About Your Gifts? by Henry Blackaby, Mel Blackaby (Multnomah Books)

• Get to know gifted people
Seek out and talk to Christian people who have discovered, developed and are using their spiritual gifts to God’s glory.

• Talk about spiritual gifts.
Make your journey into discovering spiritual gifts a part of your conversation, serving to stimulate others to do the same, as well as gaining valuable insight from others in the journey.


Step Two: Experiment with as many gifts as you can

• Look for needs.
Look around – what needs are there? Be available for any job around the church family you might be asked to do. Shock everyone and volunteer.

When you get a job, undertake it in prayer. Ask the Lord to confirm whether this is your gift or not.

• Use the gift inventory.
Take the Wagner-Houts Modified SPIRITUAL GIFTS Inventory.

Step Three: Examine your feelings

Psalms 37:4

God is able to match your spiritual gifts with your temperament. If you find yourself genuinely enjoying some act of service, it is highly likely that it fits into your gift mix – and vice versa.

Step Four: Evaluate your effectiveness

Since spiritual gifts are task oriented toward doing ministry, it isn’t unreasonable to expect them to be effective. Is God accomplishing spiritual fruit through your spiritual gifts?

Warning: Fruit takes time to develop. Don’t judge prematurely or harshly.

Step Five: Expect confirmation from the Body

The spiritual gifts are for use within the context of the Body of Christ. While we are ultimately accountable to God, we are also accountable to one another. Listen to others who are spiritually mature. Seek guidance from other Christians, and then seek confirmation from the Lord.

Who has Spiritual Gifts?

Romans 12:4-5

Each of the major ‘gifts’ passages (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4) are in the context of ‘body’.

1 Corinthians 12:18

WHO HAS SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
1 Peter 4:10

1 Corinthians 12:17

Possession of one or more SPIRITUAL GIFTS is part of God’s plan for every Christian.

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT?
A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the context of the Body.

THE BENEFITS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
• You’ll be a more effective Christian, allowing God to make your life count for Him.
• You’ll impact the entire church.
• You’ll glorify God.

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28:
Word of wisdom: The special ability to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ.

Acts 6:3, 10, 1 Cor 2:1-13, 12:8, James 1:5-6, 2 Peter 3:15-16

Word of knowledge: The special ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information and ideas that are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body of Christ.

Acts 5:1-11, 1 Cor 2:14, 12:8,
2 Cor 11:6, Col 2:2-3



Faith: The special ability to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.
Acts 11:22-24, 27:21-25, Romans 4:18-21, 1 Cor 12:9, Hebrews 11

Healing: The special ability to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.
Acts 2:1-10, 5:12-16, 9:32-35, 28:7-10, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

v. 10
Miracles: The special ability to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.

Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-20, 20:7-12, Romans 15:18-19, 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 2 Cor 12:12

Prophecy: The special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance.

Luke 7:26, Acts 15:32, 21:9-11, Romans 12:6, 1 Cor 12:10, 28, Ephesians 4:11-13

Discerning of spirits: The special ability to know with assurance whether certain behaviors purported to be of God are in reality divine, human or satanic.

Matt 16:21-23, Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18, 1 Cor 12:19, 1 John 4:1-6


Tongues: The special ability to (1) speak to God in a language they have never learned and/or (2) to receive and communicate an immediate message from God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language they have never learned.

Mark 16:17, Acts 2:1-13, 10:44-46, 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 14:13-19

Interpretation of tongues: The special ability to make known in the vernacular the message of one who speaks in tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:13-14, 26-28

Apostle: The special ability to assume and exercise general leadership within God-assigned spheres such as ecclesiastical, territorial, functional, marketplace, etc., accompanied by an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those within the sphere.

1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 2:20, 4:11

Prophet: See “prophecy” above

Teacher: The special ability to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the Body of Christ and its members in such a way that others will learn.

Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-14

Worker of miracles: See “Miracles” above.

Helps: The special ability to invest their talents in the life and ministry of other members of the Body of Christ, most frequently leaders, thus enabling the leader to increase the effectiveness of his or her spiritual gifts.

Mark 15:40-41, Luke 8:2-3, Acts 9:36, Romans 16:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Administration: The special ability to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the Body of Christ and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals.

Luke 14:28-30, Acts 6:1-7, 27:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Titus 1:5

Romans 12:6-8 gives another list:
Prophecy: See “prophecy” above

Service: The special ability to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God’s work and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired goals.

Acts 6:1-7, Romans 12:7, Galatians 6:2, 10, 2 Timothy 1;16-18, Titus 3:14

Teaching: See “Teacher” above

Exhortation: The special ability to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the Body of Christ in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

Acts 14:22, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 10:25

Giving: The special ability to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

Mark 12:41-44, Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:2-8

Leadership: The special ability to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and to communicate those goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God.

Luke 9:51, Acts 7:10, 15:7-11, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 3:16

Mercy: The special ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals, both Christian and non-Christian, who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into cheerfully done deeds that reflect Christ’s love and alleviate the suffering.

Matthew 20:29-34, 25:34-40, Mark 9:41, Luke 10:33-35, Acts 11:28-30, Romans 12:8

Ephesians 4:11 (without repeating above)
Evangelist: The special ability to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of the Body of Christ.

Acts 8:5-6, 26-40, 14:21, 21:8, Ephesians 4:11-14, 2 Timothy 4:5

Pastor: The special ability to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.

John 10:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-3

Other texts
Celibacy: The special ability to remain single and enjoy it and not suffer undue sexual temptations.

Matthew 19:10-12, 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

Poverty: The special ability to serve God more effectively by renouncing material comfort and luxury and adopting a personal lifestyle equivalent to those living at the poverty level in a given society.

Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-37, 1 Cor 13:1-3, 2 Cor 6:10, 8:9

Martyrdom: The special ability to undergo suffering for the faith even to death while consistently displaying a joyous and victorious attitude that brings glory to God.

Acts 22:20, 1 Corinthians 13:3, Revelation 2:13, 17:6

Missionary: The special ability to minister in another culture other spiritual gifts.

Acts 8:4, 13:2-3, 22:21, Romans 10:15, 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Hospitality: The special ability to provide an open house and warm welcome for those in need of food and lodging.

Acts 16: 14-15, Romans 12:9-13, 16:23, Hebrews 13:1-2, 1 Peter 4:9

Deliverance: The special ability to cast out demons and evil spirits.

Matthew 12:22-32, Luke 10:12-20, Acts 8:5-8, 16:16-18

Intercession: The special ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

Luke 22:41-44, Acts 12:13, Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:14-16

Leading Worship: The special ability to usher a congregation into the presence of God through music, prayer, dance and other visual forms.

1 Samuel 16:23, 1 Chronicles 9:33, Psalms 34:3


DANGER SIGNS TO AVOID

1. Ignorance of spiritual gifts:

“Among born again adults, the percentage that say they have heard of spiritual gifts but do not believe God has given them one jumped from 4% in 1995 to 21% in 2000.” George Barna (www.barna.org)

1 Corinthians 12:1

2. Abuse of spiritual gifts:

• Gift exaltation: “My gift is more important than yours…”
• Gift projection: “Do what I do, and God will bless you in the same way…”

CLEARING AWAY THE CONFUSION

1. Don’t confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents.

• “The GIFT? of basketball?” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and A.C. Green
• The secularization of ‘charisma’ – Was Hitler a charismatic?
• Spiritual gifts are reserved exclusively for Christians – no unbeliever has one, and every true believer in Christ does.

2. Don’t confuse spiritual gifts with the ‘fruit of the Spirit’.
Galatians 5:22-23

Love is not a spiritual gift.

• The fruit of the Spirit is the normal, expected outcome of Christian growth, maturity, holiness and fullness of the Holy Spirit.
• All Christians have the responsibility for growing and developing the fruit of the Spirit.
• Gifts are discovered, fruits are developed.
• Spiritual gifts define what a Christian DOES, fruit helps define what a Christian IS.
• The fruit of the Spirit is the foundation from which the gifts are exercised.
• Gifts are temporal, fruit is permanent.
• Gifts are task-oriented, fruit are God-oriented.

3. Don’t confuse spiritual gifts with Christian roles.

You have certain roles simply because you are born again. Like…

Faith – No one can be a Christian without faith. It is the essential part of our life-style. Yet it is also a ‘gift’ that some members of the Body of Christ have that goes way beyond the normal faith experience of most of us.
The gift of faith: The special ability to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.

Hospitality – All Christians are expected to be hospitable, using their homes, cars and other resources to help people out, but some Christians have the GIFT of hospitality where they have an extraordinary enjoyment and effectiveness in caring for people this way.
The gift of hospitality: The special ability to provide an open house and warm welcome for those in need of food and lodging.

Tithing – The giving of 10% (as a starting point) to God’s work is to be a normative part of every Christian’s lifestyle. But there are some Christians with the gift of giving who give away enormous amounts of money (by percentage of income) with freedom and joy.
The gift of giving: The special ability to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

Prayer – is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian. No spiritual gift of prayer is needed for you to have a living, dynamic and powerful prayer life. And yet, some Christians have the gift of intercession where they regularly spend two, three or even more hours per day in prayer.
The gift of intercession: The special ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

4. Don’t confuse spiritual gifts with counterfeit gifts.

Matthew 24:24
Matthew 7:22-23
See Exodus 7 for further study on how Satan counterfeits the work of God.

God knows all about this deceitfulness and He has given adequate power to His children to prevent it!

1 John 4:4

An Introduction to Spiritual Gifts

• A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the context of the Body.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

• Vs. 1 – “gifts”
o Given – not earned

• Vs. 1 – “spiritual”
o Pneuma
o Matthew 7:11

• Vs. 1 – “ignorant”
o Agnoeo – ‘not to know’
o Paul’s intent is to remove ignorance about spiritual gifts
o Notice that he is talking to Christians – therefore, it is possible to be a Christian and to be ignorant (unaware) of the gifts of the Spirit.
o Soulish Christianity rather than Spiritual Christianity

• Vs. 2 – error of the Gentiles (pagans) – lead astray

• Vs. 3 – serves as an ‘instead of vs. 2, I want you to understand the things of the Spirit of God!
o Our identity as Christians stems from the Holy Spirit revealing truth.

• Vs. 4 – Serves as an introductory statement concerning Spiritual Gifts:
o Diversity --- division, distribution, distinction
o Gifts – charisma --- a gift of grace
⇒ Gifts of the Spirit denote extraordinary powers that enable Christians to serve the church!
o Yet – there is but ONE SPIRIT
⇒ autos = same
⇒ pneuma = spirit

• Vs. 5 –
o Different Administrations = diakonia – services, ministries
o Same (autos) Lord (kurios) = Master, the one to whom someone/thing belongs

• Vs. 6 –
o Different Operations = energeo – effects
o Same (autos) God (Theos)

• Vs. 7 – Manifestations are for the common Good
o Manifestations – showing the gifts in action
o Common Good – to be profitable, expedient, brings together for the good.


1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28 gives us an initial list

v. 8
Word of wisdom
Word of knowledge

v. 9
Faith
Healing

v. 10
Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of tongues

v. 28
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Workers of miracles
Healing
Helps
Administration
Tongues

Romans 12:6-8 gives another list:
Prophecy
Service
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy

Ephesians 4:11 (without repeating above)
Evangelist
Pastor


Other texts
Celibacy – 1 Corinthians 7:7
Poverty – 1 Corinthians 13:3
Martyrdom – 1 Corinthians 13:3
Missionary – Ephesians 3:6-8
Hospitality – 1 Peter 4:9


• WHAT IS THE BODY OF Christ?

• Not a dictatorship
• Not a democracy


• A living organism

Christ is the Head
We are the Body

• The three major texts concerning Spiritual Gifts reinforce the “body-ness” of the church.

Romans 12
1 Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4

1 Corinthians 12:18-27


• WHO has Spiritual Gifts?

• “Not everybody in the world has spiritual gifts. Unbelievers do not. But every Christian person who is committed to Jesus and truly a member of His body has at least one gift and quite possibly more.” C. Peter Wagner Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

• 1 Peter 4:10
• 1 Corinthians 12:7
• 1 Corinthians 12:18


• SPIRITUAL GIFTS and CALLING

• General Call = SPIRITUAL GIFTS

God doesn’t give gifts that He doesn’t ‘call’ you to use.
God doesn’t call you to do something without equipping you with the necessary gifts(s) to do it.

• Specific Call = PARTICULAR MINISTRY

The particular way or particular setting that God has placed you in.


• SPIRITUAL GIFTS defined:

“A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the context of the Body.”

• Special attribute (see gifts list)
• Given by the Holy Spirit
• To every member of the Body of Christ
• According to God’s grace
- gift = charisma
- gifts = charismata
• For use within the Body of Christ

• Benefits of spiritual gifts:

1. You’ll be a better Christian and your life will count for Christ!

2. You’ll help the entire church – Ephesians 4:13

3. You’ll glorify God – 1 Peter 4:11



• BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THE GIFTS:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28:
v. 8
• Word of wisdom: The special ability to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ.

Acts 6:3, 10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-13, 12:8, James 1:5-6, 2 Peter 3:15-16

• Word of knowledge: The special ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information and ideas that are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body of Christ.

Acts 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 12:8, 2 Corinthians 11:6, Colossians 2:2-3

v. 9
• Faith: The special ability to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.

Acts 11:22-24, 27:21-25, Romans 4:18-21, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11

• Healing: The special ability to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.

Acts 2:1-10, 5:12-16, 9:32-35, 28:7-10, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

v. 10
• Miracles: The special ability to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.

Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-20, 20:7-12, Romans 15:18-19, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 2 Corinthians 12;12

• Prophecy: The special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance.

Luke 7:26, Acts 15:32, 21:9-11, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, Ephesians 4:11-13

• Discerning of spirits: The special ability to know with assurance whether certain behaviors purported to be of God are in reality divine, human or satanic.

Matthew 16:21-23, Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:19, 1 John 4:1-6

• Tongues: The special ability to (1) speak to God in a language they have never learned and/or (2) to receive and communicate an immediate message from God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language they have never learned.

Mark 16:17, Acts 2:1-13, 10:44-46, 19:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 14:13-19

• Interpretation of tongues: The special ability to make known in the vernacular the message of one who speaks in tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:13-14, 26-28

v. 28
• Apostle: The special ability to assume and exercise general leadership within God-assigned spheres such as ecclesiastical, territorial, functional, marketplace, etc., accompanied by an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those within the sphere.

1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 2:20, 4:11

• Prophet: See “prophecy” above

• Teacher: The special ability to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the Body of Christ and its members in such a way that others will learn.

Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-14

• Worker of miracles: See “Miracles” above.

• Helps: The special ability to invest their talents in the life and ministry of other members of the Body of Christ, most frequently leaders, thus enabling the leader to increase the effectiveness of his or her spiritual gifts.

Mark 15:40-41, Luke 8:2-3, Acts 9:36, Romans 16:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:28

• Administration: The special ability to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the Body of Christ and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals.

Luke 14:28-30, Acts 6:1-7, 27:11, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Titus 1:5

Romans 12:6-8 gives another list:
• Prophecy: See “prophecy” above

• Service: The special ability to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God’s work and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired goals.

Acts 6:1-7, Romans 12:7, Galatians 6:2, 10, 2 Timothy 1;16-18, Titus 3:14

• Teaching: See “Teacher” above

• Exhortation: The special ability to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the Body of Christ in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

Acts 14:22, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 10:25

• Giving: The special ability to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

Mark 12:41-44, Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:2-8

• Leadership: The special ability to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and to communicate those goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God.

Luke 9:51, Acts 7:10, 15:7-11, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 3:16

• Mercy: The special ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals, both Christian and non-Christian, who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into cheerfully done deeds that reflect Christ’s love and alleviate the suffering.

Matthew 20:29-34, 25:34-40, Mark 9:41, Luke 10:33-35, Acts 11:28-30, Romans 12:8

Ephesians 4:11 (without repeating above)
• Evangelist: The special ability to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of the Body of Christ.

Acts 8:5-6, 26-40, 14:21, 21:8, Ephesians 4:11-14, 2 Timothy 4:5

• Pastor: The special ability to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.

John 10:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-3

Other texts
• Celibacy: The special ability to remain single and enjoy it and not suffer undue sexual temptations.

Matthew 19:10-12, 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

• Poverty: The special ability to serve God more effectively by renouncing material comfort and luxury and adopting a personal lifestyle equivalent to those living at the poverty level in a given society.

Acts 2:44-45, 4:34-37, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 8:9

• Martyrdom: The special ability to undergo suffering for the faith even to death while consistently displaying a joyous and victorious attitude that brings glory to God.

Acts 22:20, 1 Corinthians 13:3, Revelation 2:13, 17:6

• Missionary: The special ability to minister in another culture other spiritual gifts.

Acts 8:4, 13:2-3, 22:21, Romans 10:15, 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

• Hospitality: The special ability to provide an open house and warm welcome for those in need of food and lodging.

Acts 16: 14-15, Romans 12:9-13, 16:23, Hebrews 13:1-2, 1 Peter 4:9

• Deliverance: The special ability to cast out demons and evil spirits.

Matthew 12:22-32, Luke 10:12-20, Acts 8:5-8, 16:16-18

• Intercession: The special ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

Luke 22:41-44, Acts 12:13, Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:14-16

• Leading Worship: The special ability to usher a congregation into the presence of God through music, prayer, dance and other visual forms.

1 Samuel 16:23, 1 Chronicles 9:33, Psalms 34:3

Other Teachings

The Gift of Prophecy - Part One

Prophecy: The special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance.

Key Texts: Luke 7:26, Acts 15:32, 21:9-11, Romans 12:6,
1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, Ephesians 4:11-13

How God Gives Gifts
Sovereign Impartation – 1 Corinthians 12:11
Apostolic Impartation – 2 Timothy 1:6, Romans 1:11
Prophetic Impartation – 1 Timothy 4:14
Personal Prayer for Impartation – Matthew 21:22, James 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:13
If you DESIRE a particular gift, why not ask for it?

Three Revelatory Abilities of the Gift of Prophecy:
1. Accurately predict the future – Acts 11:27-29
2. Accurately reveal the present priorities of the Lord – Joel 1:12
3. Accurately bring light to the mysteries of our lives and/or make sense of our pain – Isaiah 57:1-2, Jeremiah 14:12

In what ways would the expression of this gift help us?

Recognizing the Prophets:
1. A prophet is someone who accurately and consistently bring prophetic words.
2. A prophet doesn’t have to work hard to make it happen (remember: It is a gift – not a learned skill).
3. Faultfinding and anger are not signs of a prophetic calling, but rather of a wounded heart that is in need of God’s healing.

The Purpose of Prophetic Gifts:
The New Testament prophet is called primarily to build up, not to tear down
1 Corinthians 14:4

Am I a Prophet?
Check the desires of your heart – Psalms 37:4
When the Lord is your principle source of joy, then we can trust the desires of our heart to lead us.
Check the counsel of mature spiritual people – Proverbs 15:22
Do you have genuine fellowship with other Christians who will be honest with you?
Check to see if you have prophetic experiences that make a difference.
The best way to experiment with gifts (any gifts) is within the context of a few like-minded friends committed to growing in the gifts.

Revelation defined:
“God making known to us what we did not know
or could not have known through our natural senses.”

The Means of Revelation:
1. Appearances of the Lord

Exodus 33:20 tells us that we cannot see God the Father face to face and live to tell about it. Yet, God shows Himself to man in…

Dreams – Genesis 20:3

Physically – Genesis 18:1ff

Angels of the Lord – Exodus 3:2ff

In Glory – Exodus 16:10

So, Who was it? – John 1:14-18

2. Angels – Hebrews 1:14

Angels…
…Escort us to heaven – Luke 16:22
…Don’t necessarily reveal their identity – Hebrews 13:2
…Are frequently recognized by prophets – 2 Kings 6:15-17

3. Audible voice of God
In scripture this is the one of the rarest forms of revelation.

Numbers 12:6-8
Genesis 22:11-12

4. Audible only to your ears – 1 Samuel 3:1-14

5. Internal, audible voice heard with the mind – Ezekiel 14:1ff

6. Sentence fragments – Isaiah 8:1

Why would revelation come that doesn’t have an easy interpretation?
– Proverbs 25:2 – we are to search it out to discover the glory of God in it!

7. A Knowing – John 4:18, Matthew 22:18 (Mark 2:8, John 6:15)

8. Impressions – Nehemiah 7:5, Acts 14:9-10
A less certain revelation feeling in the heart

9. Dreams, visions and trances

Dreams – in a sleep state – Job 33:14-18
Visions – usually while awake – Job 33:14-18
Trances – in which it seems that we lose awareness of our physical senses – Acts 10:10, Acts 22:17, 2 Corinthians 12:3

Acts 2:17-18

Why does God speak this way?
- We are more than just ‘mind’
- There are realms of truth and experience that transcends human reasoning

10. The Natural World

The design and beauty of Creation reveals the existence of an Intelligent Designer – Romans 1:19-20

The natural world bursts with analogies of the spiritual world – Proverbs 6:6-11

Natural events can sometimes communicate His plans and express His ways
- Locusts – Joel 2:25-27
- Fire, wind and earthquakes – 1 Kings 19:11-13

11. Fleeces – Judges 6:36-40

Caution:
- Make sure your fleece requires supernatural intervention free of manipulation of those with a vested interest in outcomes.
- Use as a last resort after you’ve sought God’s revelation through numerous other means.
- This is the least personal form of revelation that can, if misused turn your perception of God into that of a Genie.

12. Physical manifestations in our bodies – Luke 8:45-46

13. Through the five spiritual senses

Spiritual EYES EARS TASTE TOUCH SMELL

TWO WORDS OF CAUTION:
1. Prophecy is not a panacea to problems.
2. Don’t be enamored with experiences. Love God.


1 Corinthians 13:2