Today we will finalize our study of scripture on the Spiritual Gifts.
However, before we finish up our study I found this “overview “ of the Spiritual Gifts that I wanted to share with you.
“We ought to look at two Greek words used to describe the gifts of the Spirit: pneumatika refers to their source, the Holy Spirit (pneuma) of God; and charismata refers to the fact that they are granted as an act of God’s grace (charis).
The spiritual gifts are given by grace and are not based on our worthiness or personal abilities; they are given according to God’s sovereign choice.
The gifts are given by the Spirit of God; thus, the gifts are a part of the new life granted to us in Christ and may be drastically different from our perceived capabilities or desires prior to salvation.
*First Corinthians 12:4–7 explains: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Believers will differ in their spiritual gifts, but all spiritual gifts are meant to be used for the edification of the body of Christ and to the glory of God.”
(Just a reminder…)
The final two passages we will look at are from Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1 Peter 4:9-11.
Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us…” And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and the teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
1 Peter 4: 9-11 tells us …”Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of Gods varied grace.
Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything GOD may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To HIM belong glory and dominion forever and ever. “
The newly mentioned gifts we read are one of SHEPHERD (Ephesians 4:12) and one who SPEAKS ORACLES OF GOD. (1 Peter 4:11)
A SHEPHERD does not have to be a Pastor! As a matter of fact, many Pastors are not Shepherds! You are very fortunate if you have a Pastor/Shepherd. One of my former Pastors could not do hospital visitations….he would come to visit and break down in tears!!! He was a much better ‘pastor/teacher! That church actually hired a CARE Pastor who was spiritually gifted to be with those in hospitals, those who were ill at home, who were in need of his care and prayers for them as they needed.
When my husband was pastoring the Single and Young Adults of our former church, one of the ‘gifts’ he had was a Pastor/Shepherd. A dear friend gave him a book which taught “A shepherd must smell like the sheep, he must live with them, cry with them, hold them, pray for them and love them like Jesus”.
Are you willing to ‘get smelly’ with those you care for?
Are you willing to cry with people, encourage them, love them like Jesus?
Then….you might just be a Shepherd!!!
Additionally, we see the gift of one who SPEAKS ORACLES of God.
This is a little different than the gift of Teaching……Teaching is a functional category of a spiritual gift. Speaking as Oracles is an attitude, weight and level of reverence required whenever a believer communicates divine truth – whether through formal teaching, counseling, exhortation or public preaching.
While teaching is the ‘content and structure’ of explaining the bible, speaking an ‘oracle’ is the ‘reverent execution’ of that content. “Faith Baptist College”.
First, when employing speaking gifts, we must speak “as one who speaks oracles of God.” The Apostle may be emphasizing gifts of preaching and teaching in public ministry, though not to the exclusion of private and informal words. His guidance applies also to utterances of wisdom and knowledge, words of comfort, and, when necessary, gentle but firm words of rebuke and correction.
To speak these words as we speak oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11a) does not mean that everything we say is divine special revelation, for then our words would be equal to Scripture. Instead, Peter means that we should teach, counsel, and correct with holy and gracious seriousness, as befits the speaking of words that reflect and apply the Bible to specific situations.
Matthew Henry comments, “What Christians in private, or ministers in public, teach and speak must be the pure word and oracles of God.”
The context here in 1 Peter 4 is ~ Peter is instructing those who speak to be extremely careful with the gifts we receive from God (v. 10) When we quote scripture and expound on its meaning, we actually ARE speaking the oracles of God. Peter states the goal of our use of words … “So that all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. “R.C. Sproul.”
So there you have it!! The Spiritual Gifts have been defined!!
NOW….I want to encourage you to take the next step in your journey.
Have you ever wondered how God has uniquely gifted you to serve Him and others? Perhaps you have a gift you recognize, or maybe there is a gift within you that you have yet to discover!
I encourage you to take a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. This is not a test to determine your worth, your level of spirituality, or how you compare with someone else. Rather, it is a tool to help you prayerfully explore how God may have gifted you and how you can use those gifts to bless others and build up the body of Christ.
Remember, God has not called all of us to do the same thing, but He has given each of us a part to play. First Corinthians 12 reminds us that we are members of one body, and every member is important. Your gifts may look different from someone else’s, but they are no less valuable in God’s kingdom.
So, take some time to discover how God has uniquely designed you. Ask Him to reveal your gifts, give you opportunities to use them, and help you grow in them. The goal isn’t simply to discover your spiritual gifts; it’s to use them faithfully for His glory.
You have been gifted by God for a purpose. Are you ready to discover how HE wants to use you?
I have selected a few ‘inventory’ tests for you to use ~ They are all free, however many of them want your email address in order to send you ‘your results’. You may need to ‘copy and paste’ the websites into your browser ~ Have fun and be prepared to begin a life of being blessed, as you use your gifts to bless others, and most importantly, the LORD.
*TEAM MINISTRY SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY (churchgrowth.org)
*GIFTSTESTS.com (spiritualgiftstest)
*UMCSpiritual Gifts Inventory (Discipleship Ministries)
*ChurchGrowth.org (108 questions!)
*CRU.org Campus Crusade for Christ
*Cottonwood Church Spiritual gift assessment cottonwood.org
*Cottonwood Church ~ This assessment has the spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. (72 questions)
Personal note ~ Personally, my spiritual gifts have changed during the over 40 years I have been a Christ Follower. When I first did a Spiritual Gifts test I scored VERY LOW on Evangelism, however, after 43 years as a believer, that has become one of my strongest gifts. (In addition to others!!).
Be encouraged and enjoy the ‘inventory time’!!!
I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions. Message me.
-Cindy
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