Gifts of the Spirit
Each Christian has a spiritual gift, or "manifestation of the Spirit." 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 God determines." 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. There is a difference between a spiritual gift and a talent A person (regardless of his belief in God or in Christ) is given a natural talent as a result of a combination of genetics (some have natural ability in music, art, or mathematics) and surroundings (growing up in a musical family will aid one in developing a talent for music), or because God desired to give certain individuals certain talents, for example, Bazeleel in; Exodus 31:1-6 (NKJV)1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:. All Believers Have at Least One Spiritual Gift Spiritual gifts are given to all believers by the Holy Spirit the time they place their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins; Romans 12:3-8 (NKJV) 3 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. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 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.. At that moment, the Holy Spirit gives to the new believer the spiritual gift(s) He desires the believer to have; 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NKJV) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills). To summarize the differences between spiritual gifts and talents: 1) A talent is the result of genetics and/or training, while a spiritual gift is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit. 2) A talent can be possessed by anyone, Christian or non-Christian, while spiritual gifts are only possessed by Christians. 3) While both talents and spiritual gifts should be used for God’s glory and to minister to others, spiritual gifts are focused on these tasks, while talents can be used entirely for non-spiritual purposes. Spiritual Gifts are for the common good to build up the Body and each of you if you are a believer and saved has at least one. This is what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth; 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV) Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 (NKJV) 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, Peter writes; 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV) 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. The word gift is translated from the Greek charisma (which is where we get charisma or charismatic) quite often associated with tongues, healings, word of knowledge, prophecy, miracles, and so forth. These gifts were given by the grace of God so they were not earned through study or practice or genetics but by God's grace. |
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Spiritual Gifts - Part 1
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Spiritual Gifts - Part 2
Paul's List of Spiritual Gifts
Now the apostle Paul speaks about spiritual gifts in a number of places in his letters to churches, and the gifts mentioned in Peter are also included in Paul's lists. 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. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV) 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. Ephesians 4:11-12 (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, Spiritual Gift Categories Ministry Gifts
Manifestation Gifts
Motivational Gifts
Spiritual Gifts Without Love Don't 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, so what did he say? 1 Corinthians 12:29-13-3 (NKJV) 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 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me 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. Click this link and download a Spiritual Gifts Inventory what will help you identify yours =========>SPIRITUAL GIFTS INVENTORY |