Who is Gifted? 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 (NKJV)
Faith Service Worship Vision There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds. These sessions are not about opinion, they are about learning truth, the truth contained in the Bible, together we are going to focus on how we apply God’s truth, black & white in a grey world. To set godly priorities, grow in Christian character and live according to God’s standards so that we are a living witness to others.
Who you believe: Session 8
Ashingdon Elim Bible Study 9 March 2010
Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 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. Unity and Diversity in One Body 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1
1 Corinthians 12 (The Message) Spiritual Gifts What I want to talk about now is the various ways God’s Spirit gets worked into our lives. This is complex and often mis-understood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable. Remember how you were when you didn’t know God, led from one phony god to another, never knowing what you were doing, just doing it because everybody else did it? It’s different in this life. God wants us to use our intelligence, to seek to understand as well as we can. For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say “Jesus be damned!” Nor would anyone be inclined to say “Jesus is Master!” without the insight of the Holy Spirit.
If Foot said, “I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,” would that make it so? If Ear said, “I’m not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,” would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.
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But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into selfimportance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn’t be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, “Get lost; I don’t need you”? Or, Head telling Foot, “You’re fired; your job has been phased out”? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the “lower” the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it’s a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honour just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn’t you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair? 19-24
God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!
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The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. 25-26
You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive. 12-13
I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-butsimilar parts arranged and functioning together.
You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, organizers, those who pray in tongues. 27-31
But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts. But now I want to lay out a far better way for you.
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Four Truths about Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gift giver
Does everyone have spiritual gifts? “God has given different gifts to each of us.” 1 Corinthians. 7:7 (CEV)
The Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. All believers are part of one body, in unity even as a physical body works as one. In this context, the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts (Greek Charismata χαρίσματα) for the good of the whole body: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). The body of Christ is the place where the Holy Spirit teaches a new Christian to grow, learn and serve.
Every believer has a spiritual gift. There is no such thing as a believer without any gifts who just goes to church and loves God. The Apostle Peter said: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another” 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) Your gifts are unique to you. Your gifts are different from others “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6
The work of the Spirit, “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit. There are differing gifts but the same Spirit… the same Lord… the same God works all of them in all men” (Romans 12:4). There are various opinions about the number of spiritual gifts and how to categorise them. The Gifts of the Spirit that are bestowed on Christians are described in the New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Gifts of the spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).
A gift is an ability to do God’s work. In the parable of the property owner, he gave different amounts of money for investment before he went on a trip. The property owner determined the amount of money he would risk on a worker, “To each according to his own ability” Matthew 25:15 (NKJV). God gives us gifts according to our ability. Your gifts come from God. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
The gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 can be divided into three categories, “gifts of knowledge” (wisdom, knowledge, discernment), “gifts of speech” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and “gifts of power” (faith, healing, miracles). Gifts mentioned in the New Testament include:
Natural talent & spiritual gifts Is natural talent and spiritual giftedness the same thing? No. A spiritual gift is not natural ability, nor is spiritual giftedness augmented talent. A spiritual gift is the work of the Holy Spirit through a person.
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Some with great natural talent also are spiritually gifted to use that talent because they have yielded to God.
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Some with great natural talent are not used of God, nor are their spiritual gifts manifested through that talent. The Bible calls these people “sounding brass and a clanging symbol.” They make a lot of noise, but don’t edify anyone.
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Some with little or marginal talent are used of God in a far greater way than their natural talent. Some singers with average talent are used in great ways because it is the Holy Spirit working through them.
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Apostles (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11). Teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11) Help / helping (1 Corinthians 12:28) Administration / guidance (1 Corinthians 12:28) Ministry / serving (Romans 12:7) Encouragement (Romans 12:8) Giving (Romans 12:8) Leading (Romans 12:8) Mercy (Romans 12:8) Evangelists (Ephesians 4:11) Pastors (Ephesians 4:11)
When we use gifts what happens?
The Holy Spirit doesn’t usually give a spiritual gift to someone in an area where they have no talent: Can’t sing, God doesn’t use them as singers. Can’t speak, God doesn’t use them as preachers.
You will have greater results in service when you use your gifts. (Matthew. 25:21). When you use your gifts, you will be obedient (Luke 19:13). You will lose the gifts you don’t use. God commands, “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Timothy 4:14). The landowner took talents from those who didn’t use them (Matthew 25:26-28).
But, every rule has its exception because God can do anything He wants to do. The Holy Spirit powerfully uses people in spite of their human limitations. 3
How to find & use spiritual gifts.
When you use your gifts, you will grow more gifts. When you faithfully use your spiritual gifts, you will get more gifts you don’t have, or you will grow in the effectiveness of your present gifts. You can get other gifts. “Desire earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians. 12:31). Paul wrote to the Romans that he wanted to come see them and help them get some spiritual gifts they didn’t have. “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift” (Romans 1:11).
Know what the Word of God says about gifts. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1. Do everything you can and do everything you have the opportunity to do. If God has given you a desire for ministry and God has given you a spiritual gift to get the ministry done then do it!
You can grow your present gifts. This means you can become more effective. Paul was not satisfied with Timothy’s use of his gifts, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). This is a picture of stirring up the coals of fire to make it hotter.
Serving God with a gift will grow your gift. “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). Growing your spiritual gift is like learning to play the piano. The more you practice the piano, the better you will play. When God gives you an ability, you must practice it to perfect it. The more you teach Sunday School, the better teacher you will become.
When you don’t use your gifts, you feel guilty. The man who was given one talent didn’t use it. He told his boss, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth” (Matt. 25:23). He didn’t do what he was supposed to do. He wasted the talent, so it was taken from him.
Many people use a Spiritual Gift Inventory that is practical and personal, they take an inventory and grade it to discover their strengths. Get the BIG picture of what God is doing. Rather than being limited to your thinking, a Spiritual Gift Inventory is objective, you don’t have to go by feelings or subjective insight. It is not what others think you can or cannot do. It is based on the Bible and you can find out what the Bible says about your gifts.
Fruit and Gifts What is the relationship between the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gift of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is your character. Your character is defined “habitually doing the right thing in the right way.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance (self control)” (Galatians 5:22, 23).
The Big Questions. The biggest question is not “what is my gift?”, but “will you use what you know you have?
The gift of the Spirit is your ability to serve the Lord in His strength. I like the way the Living Bible explains it: “Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in all through all of us who are His. The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
God asked Moses, “What is in your hand?” The answer, a common rod. When given to God, the rod becomes a powerful tool. The next question is not “how can I find more gifts?”, but will you use what you have? The question is not your ability, but your willingness, are you willing to be anything, go anywhere, do anything and say anything?
God will and does use your character (spiritual fruit) even when you serve God where you are not gifted. God will and does use your spiritual gift, even when you lack character. God’s blessing is on those whose gifts and character are a perfect match. 4
Spiritual Gifts Inventory
____ 14. When I am singing, I feel a great joy. ____ 15. I would appreciate being involved in an instrumental music presentation. ____ 16. I appreciate being called on to do things for other people. ____ 17. I have enjoyed relating to a certain group of people over a long period of time, sharing personally in their successes and failures. ____ 18. I feel that I can communicate Biblical truths to others so they are helped. ____ 19. When important decisions need to be made, I sense a confidence in God’s guidance. ____ 20. When I use my ability to write, I know that others will learn and grow from it. ____ 21. I am able to plan and administer programs which will be of benefit to others. ____ 22. I enjoy the times that I am able to create beautiful items with my hands. ____ 23. I enjoy the work necessary for gardening, landscaping, and other projects. ____ 24. I feel comfortable telling others how God has changed my life. ____ 25. I am able to talk with and build up those who are having difficulties in life, whether they are in despair, sorrow, or not sure of themselves. ____ 26. When I am in a group, I am the one others look to for vision and direction. ____ 27. I am ready to forego certain privileges in order to give the money to God’s work. ____ 28. When I serve the Lord, I really don’t care who gets the credit. ____ 29. I enjoy inviting visitors and guests home to dinner after Sunday morning worship. ____ 30. I take prayer requests very seriously and pray until the answer comes. ____ 31. I have the ability to discover new truths for myself through reading and observing a situation first hand. ____ 32. I am able to lead small and/or large groups of people into making decisions. ____ 33. I enjoy helping and working with those people who are ignored by others. ____ 34. In the area of vocal music, I enjoy performing alone and/or in a group of singers. ____ 35. When playing an instrument, I intuitively sense where the music is flowing, rather than relying completely on a written musical score. ____ 36. I enjoy other people asking me to lend a helping hand.
This is not a test so there are no wrong answers. The Spiritual Gifts Inventory consists of 80 statement items. Some items reflect concrete actions; other items are descriptive traits; and still others are statements of belief. Helpful Hints in taking the Inventory: n Take your time. There is no need to rush. n Go with your first response. That is usually your real belief. n Do not ask for help from others. n Select the one response that best describes you. n Allow yourself about 30 minutes to take the inventory. Your response choices are: 4 – Describes me consistently, definitely true 3 – Describes me most of the time, usually true 2 – Describes me half of the time 1 – Describes me some of the time, once in a while 0 – Describes me not at all, never ____ 1. I am able to organise ideas, things, time, and people for more effective results. ____ 2. I receive much joy from working with my hands at various arts and crafts. ____ 3. I find that my skills in building or repairing objects benefits others. ____ 4. I like sharing with other people how God has changed my life. ____ 5. I am able to share words of encouragement with those who are struggling in life. ____ 6. There have been times when I have felt sure I knew God’s specific will for the future, even when others have not been sure. ____ 7. I am so confident that God will meet my needs that I give to God sacrificially and consistently. ____ 8. I find joy in being a help to someone who can utilise my help and concern. ____ 9. My home is always open to people passing through who need a place to stay. ____ 10. When I am asked to pray for others, I feel that my prayers will have tangible results. ____ 11. Often I am able to perceive what is the heart or mind of another person without them telling me. ____ 12. I am able to motivate people into getting things done. ____ 13. I enjoy doing things to comfort people during sickness or times of problems or anxiety. 5
____ 37. I feel comfortable leading a small group in Bible study. ____ 38. I find it rewarding to teach people more about the Lord. ____ 39. When a person has a problem, as a Christian I can frequently see what is best to do. ____ 40. I find pleasure in composing and writing paragraphs and stories for the growth of others. ____ 41. I can easily delegate important responsibilities to other people. ____ 42, I find joy in having a beautiful lawn, flowers, and shrubs which are properly placed and cared for. ____ 43. The repair and maintenance of things comes easily to me. ____ 44. It is easy for me to talk to other people about life and/or spiritual matters. ____ 45. I am able to speak words of encouragement to those who are troubled, discouraged, or not sure of themselves. ____ 46. I am able to trust in the reliability of God when all else looks dim. ____ 47. I am content to maintain a lower standard of living in order to financially benefit God’s work. ____ 48. It pleases me when I do things behind the scenes and others are helped. ____ 49. I am able to provide food and/or lodging graciously and willingly to people who are in need. ____ 50. I find myself praying when I could be doing other things. ____ 51. Through study or experience, I have been able to discern the wisest course of action to take in a major decision. ____ 52. When a group I am in is lacking organization, I tend to step in to fill the gap. ____ 53. Sometimes when I help people out, I know they may not even say “thank you” but I still enjoy helping them. ____ 54. I enjoy singing familiar Gospel songs with a group of fellow Christians. ____ 55. I know my performance of instrumental music has been a blessing to others. ____ 56. I respond cheerfully when asked to do a job, even it is menial. ____ 57. I enjoy leading small groups of people, especially when I am able to show genuine care and concern for them.
____ 58. I enjoy helping others learn things about Scripture which aid in building them up. ____ 59. I can intuitively arrive at solutions to fairly complicated problems. ____ 60. I am able to put my thoughts and ideas into positive, written form. ____ 61. I am able to set goals and objectives, and then make plans to reach them. ____ 62. I find joy in painting pictures or in making handcrafted objects. ____ 63. I find joy in lawn care and other outside maintenance. ____ 64. When I share my faith with others, I see positive results in their lives. ____ 65. I often share words of comfort, cheer, or encouragement with others. ____ 66. I really believe that God will not le me down, even though everything around me seems to be falling apart. ____ 67. I really enjoy giving my time and treasures to God’s work. ____ 68. I am able to assist key leaders to relieve them of detail work, so they can get back to their main job. ____ 69. When people visit me at home, I am confident they feel good about being there. ____ 70. I regard prayer as one of my favourite spiritual exercises. ____ 71. I am able to pick up on important Biblical truths that benefit myself and others. ____ 72. People look at me as a leader when things need to be done. ____ 73. I enjoy working with those less fortunate than me. ____ 74. I am able to lead others in singing. ____ 75. I enjoy using my instrumental music talents for the appreciation of my friends and to the glory of God. ____ 76. I enjoy being a follower more than a leader. ____ 77. I have brought friends or relatives back to faith who have strayed away. ____ 78. I enjoy teaching children or adults about God’s love. ____ 79. If one of my friends is faced with a problem, I am able to sort out what God’s will is for them. ____ 80. I enjoy writing words that will be of benefit to those who read them.
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Scoring Your Survey
Follow these directions to figure your score for each spiritual gift. 1. Write in your numerical response (0-4) to the statement item number. 2. For each gift, add the numbers on the line and write in your total. Administration Craftsmanship (arts/crafts) Craftsmanship (manual) Evangelism Exhortation Faith Giving Helps Hospitality Prayer Knowledge Leadership Mercy Music (vocal) Music (instrumental) Serving Shepherding Teaching Wisdom Writing
Item 1 ______ Item 2 ______ Item 3 ______ Item 4 ______ Item 5 ______ Item 6 ______ Item 7 ______ Item 8 ______ Item 9 ______ Item 10 ______ Item 11 ______ Item 12 ______ Item 13 ______ Item 14 ______ Item 15 ______ Item 16 ______ Item 17 ______ Item 18 ______ Item 19 ______ Item 20 ______
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Item 21 ______ Item 22 ______ Item 23 ______ Item 24 ______ Item 25 ______ Item 26 ______ Item 27 ______ Item 28 ______ Item 29 ______ Item 30 ______ Item 31 ______ Item 32 ______ Item 33 ______ Item 34 ______ Item 35 ______ Item 36 ______ Item 37 ______ Item 38 ______ Item 39 ______ Item 40 ______ 7
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Item 41 ______ Item 42 ______ Item 43 ______ Item 44 ______ Item 45 ______ Item 46 ______ Item 47 ______ Item 48 ______ Item 49 ______ Item 50 ______ Item 51 ______ Item 52 ______ Item 53 ______ Item 54 ______ Item 55 ______ Item 56 ______ Item 57 ______ Item 58 ______ Item 59 ______ Item 60 ______
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Item 61 ______ Item 62 ______ Item 63 ______ Item 64 ______ Item 65 ______ Item 66 ______ Item 67 ______ Item 68 ______ Item 69 ______ Item 70 ______ Item 71 ______ Item 72 ______ Item 73 ______ Item 74 ______ Item 75 ______ Item 76 ______ Item 77 ______ Item 78 ______ Item 79 ______ Item 80 ______
Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______ Total = ______
Using Your Spiritual Gifts
Ideas for Service
1. _____________________________________
Creche Funday Factory Teen bible class 4 Real Bible Study Visitation Welcome Team / Stewards Visitor/New Member orientation Mission programs Prayer chain Prayer Partner Holiday Bible Club Mission projects Worship team Service setup / clear up Tea & Coffee Rota Lunch Bunch After school projects Committees Special activities / events Adult Ministry Community activities / events Publicity Evangelism Witness Leadership help in specific areas Administration help in areas Men’s activities / events Women’s activities / events Office assistance Prayer meeting / groups Discipleship Church AV Church recreation / social Putting out chairs Counselling Preaching Teaching
Some areas of service that might be suitable based on your gifts:
List your gifts with the top three scores below:
2. _____________________________________ 3. _____________________________________ Are you surprised by the top three answers?
Ask God to help you know how you can begin to use your gifts in ministry for God. Is there some current place of ministry in our church that you can serve God?
Is there new ministry that God is leading you to?
Is there something that has been on your heart that God is leading you to discover?
The list goes on and on and on and on.
Look to where God is leading you and take action! Please speak to one of the Ministers to discuss your gifting and how you can use your gifts to serve. 8