Spiritual Gifts: Part 6 "Any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church." - Wayne Grudem 13. HELPS (SERVICE) Overview If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; Romans 12:7 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11 From the Greek word Diakonia, meaning service or minister to; Helps is the spiritual ability to attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of practical and necessary tasks that support the body of Christ. Characteristics A person with this gift sees the spiritual value of and finds God's purposes in the practical aspects of ministry and living. The gift of helps is a tangible expression of what the non- believing world rejects - helping others for the sheer satisfaction of helping. A person with this gift edifies the body of Christ by supporting others in their pursuit of ministry. Like our Helper, the Holy Spirit, gifted helpers derive enjoyment out of serving others. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE GIFT OF SERVICE People who have this gift are always quiet or introverted. People who have this gift just do the behind the scenes stuff People with this gift should be the only ones who serve. Jesus and the Gift of Service Jesus was the greatest example of a servant. In John 13, we see Him taking the role of the servant as he washes his disciples feet. Additionally, the Bible commands that every Christian should have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus who took on the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2). Cautions If you have this gift, you may often need help from the leadership to see clearly what will be most supportive for the church. You may also struggle with false humility. Because the effects are less dramatic and tangible, the tendency is to undermine the spiritual significance of your gift. The challenge is to think through your acts of service beyond their functional end.
You may also struggle with becoming angry with people for not having the same heart you do for serving. Be cautious to not project your gift on to others, but rather look at these situations as an opportunity to teach others about the heart of serving. Also, it is sometimes a struggle for people with this gift to accept help from other people. Don t simply do things by yourself but seek to allow others to serve and expose them to your heart. How to Use Your Gift In any ministry and church there is never a shortage of opportunities to serve. The best way to nurture this gift is to utilize it regularly within one or a few ministries. Try to avoid scattering yourself across many ministries to avoid exhausting yourself. Also, this gift is very helpful in the Life Group setting. You should find ways to support and enhance your Life Group through your gift of serving. Make arrangements to meet with your Life Group leader and talk about ways to use your gift within the group.
14. HEALING Overview To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:8-9 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Cor. 12:28 From the Greek word Iama, meaning remedy or medicine; Healing refers to the spiritual capability to be God's channel to restore people to health. Three Major Abuses 1. Some believe that God will always heal every illness or physical infirmity as long as we have enough faith. Some say that the gift of healing is for everyone and that is manifested only through increased amount of faith 2. Others believe that those who have the gift of healing have the ability to heal anyone they choose, whenever they choose. 3. There are some who assert that God never heals today. Characteristics There are many kinds of healing that can occur among Christ followers. A person with the gift of healing is an avenue of God's power for physical healing, emotional healing, or relational healing. They often see God's power released through personal prayer. God does not always allow healing Paul prays three times for healing of his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12) and God says no. God allows Job to undergo suffering without cause (Job 2:3). (Please note, it states without cause not without purpose ). Related to this, Jesus prays that God would take away the cup of enduring the cross, but God does not allow this (Luke 22:42). While Paul was able to heal people (Acts 14:8-10), he was unable to heal Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:27), Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23), or Trophimus (2 Tim 4:20). The Spiritual Gift of Healing: For those who believe that healing is a spiritual gift used today, they believe: It is a gift exercised through prayer (James 5) Healing does not just include physical healing, but also emotional healing, and the ability to set people free from demonic attack (Luke 6:18, Acts 10:38). Healing is not used for personal advance, but to demonstrate the power of God (Acts 8:6-8, Acts 9:35, Acts 9:42).
Jesus and the Gift of Healing Jesus had an intense ministry of healing. Matthew 4:23-24 and 9:35 speak of Jesus' many healings. In John 11, Jesus heals Lazarus. Cautions Keep this amazing gift in perspective. Although God does miraculously heal, this is not His normative way of working through the church. The Bible is clear that God's primary way of working is through process, such as through His redemptive plan and in personal sanctification. To expect that miraculous healing be normative in the church or that the church should be focused on this ministry is contrary to God's purpose for the Church as expressed in His word to us. Remember that God ultimately decides if a person is to be healed. Sometimes God s purpose is to discipline (Heb. 12:5-6), test (as in the case of Job) or reveal His power (2 Cor. 12:9) through the infirmity. How to Use Your Gift If you feel you have this gift, your primary ministry should be centered on praying for those who are not well physically, emotionally or spiritually. It would be good to join the hospital team at the Medina East Campus.
15. MIRACLES Overview to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Cor. 12:10 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Cor. 12:28 From the Greek word Dynamis meaning power or ability; Miracles is the spiritual capability to obtain exceptional interventions of God's power that glorify Him and give evidence of His grace. Characteristics Biblically, this gift often accompanies the gift of apostleship (2 Corinthians 12) and evangelism. Miracles can accompany preaching of the message where there is a question about its truthfulness (Mark 2). They authenticate God's message but do not always cause faith. Miracles have a supernatural character. While the Bible recognizes a divinely established order in nature (Gen. 8:22, James 5:7), the Bible does not represent nature or natural law as something independent or separate from God. Thus, miracles are direct interventions of God that are contrary to the natural law instituted by God. Points of Clarification Miracles are never used to glorify a person or used for selfish reasons; rather, they are always used to advance the gospel (John 4:29, Acts 8:6-8, Acts 9:35, Acts 9:42). The word for miracles is dynamis or power. This means that the term may refer to any type of activity in which God s power is displayed. o For example, in Acts 5:19-20 or 12:6-11, the apostles pray for deliverance from physical danger and God answers (such as imprisonment). Or miraculous deliverance from injury (Paul and the viper Acts. 28:3-6). Some say a miracle is a direct intervention of God in the world, but this is the wrong way to view miracles because it assumes a distant view of God. The scripture reveals to us that God is not distant and only occasionally intervenes, but He is fully involved in the human drama. There are also false miracles as was the case with Pharaoh s magicians in Exodus 7:11, 2:8:7 and Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-11. In addition, Paul encountered a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying (Acts 16:16).
Jesus and the Gift of Miracles Jesus fed the 5000 from a few loaves of bread and a couple fish (Matt. 14, John 6). Also, Jesus rose from the dead, which was definitively contrary to the pattern of the natural order. Cautions When God uses anyone to do something powerful for His kingdom, there is a great temptation to direct the amazement of the people towards oneself, rather than toward God who is doing the work. Also, it is a common temptation to believe that others and ourselves would take a step in faith if only we would see a miracle to affirm that God will fulfill his promises. However, this is not authentic faith nor is it always effective. In addition, do not attach exaggerated value or importance to miracles. They are not the highest evidence of truth. Many who witnessed the divine works of Jesus refused to believe in Him. And He declared faith that was founded upon His words to be of higher value than that which was based upon His miracles (John 4:48; 14:11; 20:29). How to Use Your Gift The term miracle is a very broad term, therefore it is difficult to identify whether or not a person with this gift has any say in the use of this gift. Humility is the most important to remember for a person who is used by God to perform something miraculous. If God chooses to use you to do supernatural things, be sure to direct the attention directly to the Lord and do not boast about yourself. Miracles never intended to be an end in themselves, but instead they were intended to pave the way for the message of the Gospel to be validated or advanced.
16. FAITH Overview To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:8-9 From the Greek word Pistis meaning belief, conviction, or firm persuasion; Faith is the spiritual capability to trust God's will and act on it with unwavering belief in His ability. The New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines faith as a belief in or confident attitude toward God, involving commitment to His will for one s life. Characteristics A person with this gift lives in constant awareness of the reality of the supernatural as well as the natural. This person is certain that God will bring to pass what He promises and is therefore reliable during trials. He or she can also help others see God working in trials. This gift is often expressed in a strong prayer life. The spiritual gift of faith is different than the basic, saving faith in Christ that is required of all believers in Jesus. More likely, it means special confidence in pursuing God s will when others in the Christian community are unsure, questioning, or perhaps contemplating quitting a course of action. The person with the gift of faith has a supernatural gift, an unshakable trust that God can do miraculous things. Jesus and the Gift of Faith Jesus definitely had faith. Jesus even said that he did nothing he didn t see the father doing. That is radical faith (John 5:19). Jesus even had faith unto the point of death (Phil. 2). Cautions Remember that faith is active. It isn't only God's work; we must be willing to obey His commands. God works through people in reaching the lost and in helping Christians grow. If you have this gift, you might look and critique your group, asking, "Why doesn't our group have the vitality I read about in Acts 2? Is it because the Spirit is different or absent?" Recognize that God is at work in all churches and that human action does matter. Also, while Biblical faith is confidence in God and not in self, it doesn t mean that you should hide behind God to slight your responsibilities. Biblical Faith looks more like trusting God, believing that He can do anything. Sure, Abraham had faith when he went to sacrifice his son but Abraham s faith wasn t just a momentary event. Most often, the Faith of Abraham looked like Abraham holding on to hope in every day living. Faith often looks like patience.
How to Use Your Gift If you have the gift of faith, one of the ways that you can help other believers in Christ is by encouraging and exemplifying a lifestyle of faith. It is essential that you first live out your faith in a tangible way as to validate your gift to others. While you re living out your radical faith, encourage others by lovingly speaking faith into their situations. Your radical faith will often cause others to be uncomfortable as many are challenged out of their comfort zones. Regardless of apprehension from others, your gift is critical to the forward movement of the community of Christ followers.