September 25, 2072 Back To Basics—"Spiritual Gifts"

What the Bible Says about Gifts

"Now about spiritual gifts, I do not want you to be ignorant," 1 Cor. 12:1;

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the grace of God" 1 Peter 4:10

Three Passages That Lists the "Gifts of the Spirit" : Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:10-12

A SPIRITUAL GIFT: Is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion, to be used to minister to others and therefore build up the Body of Christ

10 Truths about Spiritual Gifts

1. Only BELIEVERS have spiritual gifts. 1 Car, 2:14

2. Every Christian has at least one (1) SPIRITUAL gift. 1 Cor, 7:7 3,No one receives ALL OF the gifts. 1 Cor 12:27-30

4. No single gift is given to EVERYONE. 1 Cor, 12:29-30

5. You can't EARN OR WORK FOR a spiritual gift. Eph. 4:7 5. The HOLY SPIRIT decides what gifts I get, 1 Cor. 12:11 7. The gifts I'm given are PERMANENT, Rom. 11:29 8, I am to DEVELOP the gifts God gives me, 1 Tim. 4:14

9. It's a sin to WASTE the gifts God gave me, 1 Car. 4:1-2

10. Using my gifts HONORS God and EXPANDS me. John 15:8 The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

A, NOT FOR MY BENEFIT, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS. (Ephesians 4:12)

B. TO PRODUCE MATURITY AND HARMONY IN OUR CHURCH F MILY.

C. RECOGNIZE THAT YOU HAVE BOTH A PRIMARY AND A SECONDARY MINISTRY IN YOUR CHURCH:

My PRIMARY MINISTRY commitment should be in the area where I am GIFTED.

My SECONDARY MINISTRY includes serving in any other area of the Body when I am NEEDED.

Cautions About Spiritual Gifts

1. Don't confuse gifts with natural talents.

2. Don't confuse gifts with the Fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23 "Fruit" show my Maturity.

"Gifts" show my Ministry.

3. Don't confuse gifts with Christian Roles

4. Be aware of the "gift projection" tendency.

(Expecting others to serve the way you do)

5. Don't feel my gift makes me superior to others. 1 Cor, 12: 21

6. Realize that using my gifts without love is worthless!! 1 Cor, 13: 1-3

* How to Discover Your Gifts

1. ANALYZE - Use the "Spiritual Gifts Survey" .

2. Pray- Ask God for wisdom and direction.

3. TRIAL AND ERROR - Experiment with different areas of service.

4. REQUEST INPUT FROM OTHERS Ask others what gifts they see in me.

5. Humbly and gratefully accept the gift God gives you.