The following is the manuscript of the second sermon on Spiritual Gifts in the Church. Every believer has at least one gift. It is totally unscriptural for one to say that he or she has no gift, for God has expressly declared that he has bestowed on all of his children a gift to be used, to be given away, for his glory.
1 Peter 4:10 NIV Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
There are three categories of Spiritual Gifts; ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts. Today's sermon is on the manifestation gifts. These gifts; Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge and, Discerning of Spirits, reveal the power of God.
Click the YouTube Link at the end of the manuscript for the audio recording of the sermon.
1 Peter 4:10 NIV Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
There are three categories of Spiritual Gifts; ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts. Today's sermon is on the manifestation gifts. These gifts; Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge and, Discerning of Spirits, reveal the power of God.
Click the YouTube Link at the end of the manuscript for the audio recording of the sermon.
Scripture Reading
Romans 12:3-8 NKJV For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Today I am going to try to finish our introduction to Spiritual gifts. After the sermon today I'm going to give you a tool to help you identify your gift(s) if you don't already know it.
Text
1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
A little review;
The gifts differ, but have these common elements.
(1) Each is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence.
(2) Each is "for the common good," that is, each is intended to build up the body of Christ.
(3) Each is given "as He The Holy Spirit determines."
I Corinthians 12:11 NKJV But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
There is no true Christian in whom the Holy Spirit has not worked, providing a divine capacity enabling him or her to make a significant contribution to other believers. If those gifts operate in love the church will accomplish what God intends for it and that is to show the world His plan of salvation for all people regardless of race, position, status, poverty, or wealth.
God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service. Every Christian has at least one Spiritual Gift
No Christian has all the gifts
Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV)6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
We cannot choose our gifts; God does that.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV)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.
Spiritual Gifts are for the common good to build up the Body
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV)11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Spiritual Gifts indicate God's call and purpose or ministry for a Christian's life
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV)27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
CATEGORIES:
I gave you a list of 20 Spiritual Gifts last week.
- Exhortation/Encouragement
- Giving
- Leadership
- Mercy
- Prophecy
- Service/Ministry
- Teaching
- Administration
- Apostle
- Discernment
- Faith
- Healings
- Helps
- Knowledge
- Miracles
- Tongues
- Tongues Interpretation
- Wisdom
- Evangelism
- Pastor
I’m not going to go over that list again today because I’m going to give you something at the end that will list them all. What I want to give you today is a brief description of the gifts and how you can use them to help build up the body of Christ.
Most Bible scholars classify these gifts into three categories: ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts.
Ministry Gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher
The ministry gifts serve to reveal the plan of God. They are characteristic of a full-time office or calling, rather than a gift that can function in and through any believer.
Manifestation Gifts
The manifestation gifts serve to reveal the power of God. These gifts are supernatural or spiritual in nature. They can be further subdivided into three groups: utterance, power, and revelation.
Manifestation Gifts of Utterance - These gifts say something: Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues
Manifestation Gifts of Power - These gifts do something: Faith, Healing, Miracles
Manifestation Gifts of Revelation - These gifts reveal something: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits
Motivational Gifts
The motivational gifts serve to reveal the personality of God. These gifts are practical in nature. They describe the inner motivations of the Christian servant. Prophecy, Service/Ministry, Helps, Teaching, Giving, Exhortation/Encouragement, Administration, Leadership, Mercy
MANIFESTATION GIFTS
Utterance - These gifts say something: Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues
PROPHECY
The gift of prophecy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance.
The divine enablement to proclaim God's truth with power and clarity in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion for correction, repentance, or edification.
Cautions: These people can lack compassion and may not keep love, unity, and the building up of others as their goal. This leads to discouragement and disharmony. A person with the gift of mercy helps to balance the prophet.
Scripture Example: Agabus
Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "
TONGUES
The gift of tongues is the special ability that God gives to certain
members of the Body of Christ (1) to 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. On occasion this gift may show itself in corporate worship where others are then commanded to interpret.
Cautions: This gift cannot be projected on all believers. Scripture states that it is the least of the gifts. If there is no interpretation then the one with the gift must keep silent in the church. In the early days of the church when there was no official Bible, tongues and interpretation was used to reveal God's word to the people. Today, since the canon is closed, there can be no new revelation and any message of tongues and interpretation must be weighed against Scripture as to its truth and validity.
Scripture Example: Believers in Corinth
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (NLT2)1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.21 It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD.22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
The divine enablement to make known to the Body the message of one who is speaking in tongues (see Tongues). The person with this gift has the ability to interpret a message which is given in tongues to a local assembly. The point of the interpretation is to edify the body and bring glory to God. Often these people have the gift of tongues as well as interpretation.
Cautions: These people can have a fear that what they are saying is not valid or authentic. They may be overly cautious to use their gift. They also need some sound biblical knowledge to know when, where, and how the Spirit may lead them to exercise this gift. It takes lots of unique experiences to develop this gift and often in the early stages of using it, pride and arrogance are the biggest pitfalls. Interpreters can wrongly assume they have some special relationship with God that is not shared by others. Scripture
Example: Believers in Corinth
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (NLT2)1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.21 It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD.22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
Utterance - These gifts say something: Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues
PROPHECY
The gift of prophecy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance.
The divine enablement to proclaim God's truth with power and clarity in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion for correction, repentance, or edification.
Cautions: These people can lack compassion and may not keep love, unity, and the building up of others as their goal. This leads to discouragement and disharmony. A person with the gift of mercy helps to balance the prophet.
Scripture Example: Agabus
Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "
TONGUES
The gift of tongues is the special ability that God gives to certain
members of the Body of Christ (1) to 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. On occasion this gift may show itself in corporate worship where others are then commanded to interpret.
Cautions: This gift cannot be projected on all believers. Scripture states that it is the least of the gifts. If there is no interpretation then the one with the gift must keep silent in the church. In the early days of the church when there was no official Bible, tongues and interpretation was used to reveal God's word to the people. Today, since the canon is closed, there can be no new revelation and any message of tongues and interpretation must be weighed against Scripture as to its truth and validity.
Scripture Example: Believers in Corinth
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (NLT2)1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.21 It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD.22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
The divine enablement to make known to the Body the message of one who is speaking in tongues (see Tongues). The person with this gift has the ability to interpret a message which is given in tongues to a local assembly. The point of the interpretation is to edify the body and bring glory to God. Often these people have the gift of tongues as well as interpretation.
Cautions: These people can have a fear that what they are saying is not valid or authentic. They may be overly cautious to use their gift. They also need some sound biblical knowledge to know when, where, and how the Spirit may lead them to exercise this gift. It takes lots of unique experiences to develop this gift and often in the early stages of using it, pride and arrogance are the biggest pitfalls. Interpreters can wrongly assume they have some special relationship with God that is not shared by others. Scripture
Example: Believers in Corinth
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (NLT2)1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning.11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.21 It is written in the Scriptures: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the LORD.22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
Power - These gifts do something: Faith, Healing, Miracles
FAITH
The gift of faith is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.
The divine awareness to see the Lord's will and act on it with an unwavering belief in God's ability.
Cautions: There may be a tendency to "claim" things for God without seeking His will. There can also be an awkwardness having faith in God to do something in any circumstance, and yet trying not to predetermine God's will in a given situation.
Scripture Example: Abraham
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NLT2)8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
HEALING
The gift of healing is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.
Cautions: This could easily be seen as a special power that the individual wields. There is no magic formula or strategy which brings about healing. It is only the Holy Spirit. The focus of God's revelational gospel in Jesus Christ could be relegated to a back seat with the misuse of this gift.
Scripture Example: Peter and John
Acts 3:6-11 (NLT2)6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
MIRACLES
The gift of miracles is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ 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.
Cautions: Like healing, this gift can be seen as an end in itself. Those blessed with this gift need to use extreme caution so as not to fall into the rut of thinking they are the ones who have the ability or power to perform a supernatural act. On the other extreme, they need to have strong faith what God can and will move.
Scripture Example: Philip
Acts 8:6-8 (NLT2)6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.8 So there was great joy in that city.
FAITH
The gift of faith is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.
The divine awareness to see the Lord's will and act on it with an unwavering belief in God's ability.
Cautions: There may be a tendency to "claim" things for God without seeking His will. There can also be an awkwardness having faith in God to do something in any circumstance, and yet trying not to predetermine God's will in a given situation.
Scripture Example: Abraham
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NLT2)8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
HEALING
The gift of healing is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.
Cautions: This could easily be seen as a special power that the individual wields. There is no magic formula or strategy which brings about healing. It is only the Holy Spirit. The focus of God's revelational gospel in Jesus Christ could be relegated to a back seat with the misuse of this gift.
Scripture Example: Peter and John
Acts 3:6-11 (NLT2)6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
MIRACLES
The gift of miracles is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ 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.
Cautions: Like healing, this gift can be seen as an end in itself. Those blessed with this gift need to use extreme caution so as not to fall into the rut of thinking they are the ones who have the ability or power to perform a supernatural act. On the other extreme, they need to have strong faith what God can and will move.
Scripture Example: Philip
Acts 8:6-8 (NLT2)6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.8 So there was great joy in that city.
Revelation - These gifts reveal something: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
The gift of knowledge is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discover, accumulate, analyze, and clarify information and ideas that are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body.
Cautions: This person can become too absorbed with collecting facts and lose sight of the purpose of "giving the word, or message of knowledge". Many of the same cautions that exist with the teacher (esoteric, too detailed, too profound, etc.) exist with this gift. In fact, this gift is often closely associated with the gift of teaching.
Scripture Example: Apollos
Acts 18:24-28 (NLT2)24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt.25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism.26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.27 Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed.28 He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.
WORD OF WISDOM
The gift of wisdom is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ 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. The divine enablement to apply knowledge and insight in accordance with God's purposes for someone's life.
Cautions: They may not see their gift as spiritual and thus rely too heavily on their own abilities to solve issues rather than resort to prayer and seeking God's will. They also need to enhance their abilities by increasing in knowledge, specifically, God's word.
Scripture Example: Solomon
1 Kings 4:29-31 (NLT2)29 God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.30 In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
The divine ability to sense the presence of spiritual forces and distinguish between truth and error. The gift of discernment is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to know with assurance whether certain behaviors purported to be of God are in reality divine, human, or satanic.
Cautions: They may rely way too much on "feeling" and not on scripture to decide truth from error. There is a potential to either relegate this gift to the back burner, or give it too much credibility in decision making. Usually it takes years of practice to develop this gift and often shy and introverted people have it but they are unwilling to tell their leaders of their experiences and impressions for fear of being mocked. This slows down their gift development.
Scripture Example: Peter
Acts 5:1-11 (NLT2)1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
Spiritual Gifts without love do not accomplish God's intended purpose.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians he was writing to a church where all the spiritual gifts were in operation. God had given them for the edification of the body and each of them, but they were misusing them, they were abusing each other, they thought one gift was superior to another, they were puffed up with knowledge.
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3 (NLT2)27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown anguages.29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Identify Your Spiritual Gift(s)
If you don't know your spiritual gift I encourage you to identify it's needed in the church. If you are sitting on your gift then your congregation is missing it like the body missing a finger. It can’t function at the optimal level without that finger as small and insignificant as you might think it is it still keeps the body from functioning as God would have it.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
The gift of knowledge is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discover, accumulate, analyze, and clarify information and ideas that are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body.
Cautions: This person can become too absorbed with collecting facts and lose sight of the purpose of "giving the word, or message of knowledge". Many of the same cautions that exist with the teacher (esoteric, too detailed, too profound, etc.) exist with this gift. In fact, this gift is often closely associated with the gift of teaching.
Scripture Example: Apollos
Acts 18:24-28 (NLT2)24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt.25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism.26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.27 Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed.28 He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.
WORD OF WISDOM
The gift of wisdom is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ 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. The divine enablement to apply knowledge and insight in accordance with God's purposes for someone's life.
Cautions: They may not see their gift as spiritual and thus rely too heavily on their own abilities to solve issues rather than resort to prayer and seeking God's will. They also need to enhance their abilities by increasing in knowledge, specifically, God's word.
Scripture Example: Solomon
1 Kings 4:29-31 (NLT2)29 God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.30 In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
The divine ability to sense the presence of spiritual forces and distinguish between truth and error. The gift of discernment is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to know with assurance whether certain behaviors purported to be of God are in reality divine, human, or satanic.
Cautions: They may rely way too much on "feeling" and not on scripture to decide truth from error. There is a potential to either relegate this gift to the back burner, or give it too much credibility in decision making. Usually it takes years of practice to develop this gift and often shy and introverted people have it but they are unwilling to tell their leaders of their experiences and impressions for fear of being mocked. This slows down their gift development.
Scripture Example: Peter
Acts 5:1-11 (NLT2)1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”9 And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”10 Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
Spiritual Gifts without love do not accomplish God's intended purpose.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians he was writing to a church where all the spiritual gifts were in operation. God had given them for the edification of the body and each of them, but they were misusing them, they were abusing each other, they thought one gift was superior to another, they were puffed up with knowledge.
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3 (NLT2)27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown anguages.29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Identify Your Spiritual Gift(s)
If you don't know your spiritual gift I encourage you to identify it's needed in the church. If you are sitting on your gift then your congregation is missing it like the body missing a finger. It can’t function at the optimal level without that finger as small and insignificant as you might think it is it still keeps the body from functioning as God would have it.
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