Introduction: Last week we started a series regarding the Gifts of the Spirit and we really focused on the fact that Paul said in I Corinthians 12:1 not to be ignorant concerning Spiritual Gifts. Christians today can be ignorant concerning Spiritual gifts in three different ways:
- A Christian can be ignorant that there are such a thing as spiritual gifts.
- A Christian may not know what spiritual gift(s) God has given him/her.
- A Christian may not know how to properly use such spiritual gift(s).
Today, we want to look at all the gifts of the Spirit listed in Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28, and Ephesians 4:11, starting with those gifts that are not used anymore (*) and which don’t really concern us, then to go on with those that apply to us today. The purpose of this lesson is to understand the gifts of the Spirit found in I Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Some gifts were given in time past and are no longer active others are still active today. Remember, some of these gifts were given at different times for a different purpose.
I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28
- The word of Wisdom– How to apply what you know. Proverbs 1:3 “to receive the instruction of wisdom”. Proverbs 1:6 “To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise”. It is to share the wisdom and truth of God with men in a simple and understandable way that can be applied to life.
Acts 18:26 “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly”. To take the knowledge of the scriptures that you have, coupled with wisdom, to know what to say, how to say, when to say it, that will apply or help with this situation. Apollos was already eloquent and mighty in the scriptures; he just needed a little more help to make him even better. The way they did it, was in such a way that it didn’t hurt him, offend him, discourage him, but helped him, there’s the wisdom.
- The word of Knowledge– Sharing what you know. The ability to show precisely what the scripture says. A person has to really know a lot about the Bible or a specific topic/situation/field, to be able to give a word of knowledge to another. Acts 18:26 “expounded unto him the way of God”. You need to know your Bible in order to expound the scripture, and share the knowledge that you have.
- Faith– Applies to all who get saved Ephesians 2:8-9 “through faith”. After salvation, having the faith for practical works- I Corinthians 13:2 “and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains”. Matthew 17:20 “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say into his mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you”. A faith that enables a believer to do great things for God and His people. Some Christians have little faith others have greater faith. Our faith grows as we grow in the Lord.
- (*) Gifts of healing– A sign for the Jews according to Exodus 4:1-8. This is a person that lays hands on another and is healed. Today, when the “healer” doesn’t heal the sick, he/she will blame the person with the sickness and accuse them of not having enough faith in God, this is wrong. Mark 3:14-15 / Mark 16:17-18. People that were healed, were healed with a word, with a touch, through a messenger, through an item (staff, handkerchiefs, aprons, etc.)
- (*) Working of Miracles– Acts 14:3 “and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands”. II Corinthians 12:12 “Truly the sings of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds”. I Corinthians 1:22 “for the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom”. In Acts 13:11, Paul smites Elymas with blindness and in Acts 28:5 Paul is delivered from a poisonous snake bite. The miracles began when the Jews were called out of the land of Egypt.
- Prophecy– I Corinthians 13:2 “and though I have the gift of prophecy”. Speaking of preaching and future events found in the Bible. I Corinthians 14:22-25 “but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe”. I Corinthians 14:3 “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort”.
II Peter 1:19-21 Regarding future events- All future events have been given to us in this Bible and all we have to do is believe it and tell others about it.
- Discerning of spirits– the ability to know the work of the Holy Spirit and not be fooled. To identify a false prophet or false teacher. I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.
I Thessalonians 5:20-21 “Despise not prophesyings, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”.
- (*) Diverse Tongues– A sign for unbelievers- I Corinthians 14:22-24 “wherefore tongues are for a a sign”. This was not just a gibberish utterance, but a different language- Acts 2.
- (*) Interpretation of Tongues– These are foreign languages given as a sign to the Jews. I Corinthians 14:27-28
- Verse 28: Apostles- Covered elsewhere in this lesson.
- Prophets– Covered elsewhere in this lesson.
- Teachers– Having the ability to instruct believers in the truth of God. To help Christians be rooted and grounded in doctrine, reproof, correction.
- Helps– Being able and willing to help others in time of need. This something that they look for, and are always well aware of, when others need help to be ready to help.
- Governments– Romans 13:1 a person that has leadership abilities and or organizational abilities to organize events or programs. Is able to adjust accordingly and think on the spot to change a plan.
Romans 12:6-8
- Prophesying– Speaking of preaching and proclaiming what Christ has done and of future events found in the Bible. I Corinthians 14:22-25 “but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe”.
II Peter 1:19-21 Regarding future events- All future events have been given to us in this Bible and all we have to do is believe it and tell others about it.
- Ministering– “let us wait on our ministering”. This person serves and ministers to others by helping, aiding, and assisting. To a certain extent we can all help others but some are gifted by God, you don’t have to tell them, they’re on it before anyone thinks or knows about a need. I Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”.
Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of this power”.
- Teaching– Having the ability to instruct believers in the truth of God. To help Christians be rooted and grounded in doctrine, reproof, correction. The word of God must be proclaimed and explained to others. Put in the time and effort to teach well. Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”.
- Exhorting- to incite, excite, motivate, by words or advice; to animate or urge to action. To stir people. Acts 27:22 “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer”.
II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”.
- Giving– The giving of one’s earthly possessions. Money, clothes, food, etc., and do it with simplicity and sincerity. Not giving to attract attention or to think you’ll get a blessing in return, just give without expecting anything in return. II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”.
- Ruling– The ability of leadership and authority. This has to be done with diligence. With haste, zeal, desire. Romans 13:1 “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”. I Peter 5:1-6.
- Showing Mercy – This is to be done with cheerfulness. Forgiveness, compassion, pity, kindness. This person forgives right away, is not critical about it, doesn’t do it grudgingly. He does it cheerfully and a joyful heart. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”. Luke 6:36 “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”.
Ephesians 4:11
- Apostles- These are the original 12 Apostles, Judas was replaced by Mathias Acts 1:26 and James was replaced by Barnabas Acts 14:14. The other apostle was Paul, I Corinthians 15:8 “as one born out of due time”. The work of the Apostles was completed at the conclusion of the period covered in the Acts of the Apostles. When the apostles died out, the gifts with which the apostles were equipped, the apostolic signs, went out with them II Corinthians 12:12 “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds”.
- Prophets– Men whom God gifted to preach future events as God revealed them, Acts 11:27-28, Acts 21:10-11. Today, prophets have the full revelation of God in His Word and they preach it accordingly.
- Evangelist– Phillip was an evangelist, Acts 21:8. These men preached the gospel from city to city. From their preaching churches were planted. Today, evangelist do similar work. Missionaries today fit a biblical evangelist.
- Pastors- These men are called pastors and teachers because Pastors should be I Timothy 3:2 “apt to teach”. Preaching and teaching is what is found in I Peter 5:2 “feed the flock of God”.
- Teachers– These men or women have a desire to help others in the things of the Lord. Primarily Pastors have this responsibility however, other men teach also and women teach women or children. Titus 2:4 “that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children…”.
Conclusion: The purpose of this lesson is for us to see what gifts are active for the church age and what gifts were for a different age and for a different purpose. Once we know those two things, we can ask God to show us what our gift(s) are and we won’t be deceived with those gifts that don’t apply to us today.