UNWRAPPING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS (A Talk on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit) By Pastor Andoni B. Ros Senior Pastor WIN-Calgary
Session 1: Background on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit A. Definition of a Spiritual Gift A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God s grace, for use within the context of the Body. C. Peter Wagner 1. Special attribute given by the Holy Spirit 2. To every member of the Body of Christ 3. According to God s grace 4. For use within the context of the Body B. Purpose of the Spiritual Gifts - Why the gifts are important? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 C. Prerequisites to discovering your spiritual gift 1. Recognize the headship of Jesus Christ & be subject to him in all things. 2. Recognize that you have an important part to play in the church of Jesus Christ. 3. There must be a desire in you to be used by the Lord for ministry in the church. 4. Seek understanding & knowledge of what the gifts are. 5. Seek confirmation from fellow believers with regards to your gifts 6. There must be a willingness to use the gifts. E. Spiritual Gift Cautions 1. Do not confuse gifts with natural talents. 2. Do not confuse gifts with the fruit of the Spirit 3. Do not feel that your gift makes you superior or inferior to others. 4. Realize that your gift without love will not be effective. F. Spiritual Gift Survey Form
Session 2: Understanding the Motivational Gifts of the Holy Spirit A. The Gifts in Romans 12:3-8 Romans 12:3-8 Use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. 1. Prophecy Definition: The gift of prophecy is the special ability that God gives certain members of the body of Christ to receive & communicate a message from God to His people. Motivations: 1. Somebody with this gift has a great desire for the church to walk in holiness & righteousness before the Lord 2. They are very sensitive to what God is saying & doing; and concerned that God is consistently honoured in the lives of His people 1. Need to express message verbally 2. Ability to discern character and motives of people (1 Peter 4:10-11) 3. Desires outward evidences to demonstrate inward conviction (Repentance) 4. Direct, frank and persuasive in speaking (Honest) 5. Concern for reputation and program of God 6. Inward weeping and personal identification with sins of others 1. Frankness may be viewed as harshness 2. Interest in groups interpreted as disinterest in individuals 3. Focus on right and wrong may be judged as intolerance of partial good 4. Emphasis on repentance may appear as neglecting spiritual growth 5. Public boldness and strict standards may hinder intimate personal relationships. 6. Strong desire to convey truth may be interpreted as little interest in listening to another persons view. 2. Service Definition: The gift of service is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the church to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God work, & help accomplish the task & get the desired results, Motivations: 1. Do the little jobs to free leadership from doing them 2. To do the work rather than enlisting aid from others 3. To work with hands rather than speak before a group 1. Ability to recall likes and dislikes of people 2. Alert to detect and meet practical needs 3. Meet needs quickly 4. Physical stamina without regard to weariness
5. Wants to see a job done and will do extra work to accomplish it 6. Involved in a lot because can t say no 7. Likes short ranged goals more than long range goals 8. Need sincere appreciation, they can spot insincerity 1. May appear pushy when trying to meet needs 2. Will do job himself/herself to avoid red tape 3. Eagerness to serve may be misconstrued as wanting to advance self 4. Difficult to accept service from others 5. Meeting practical needs may be judged a lack of interest in spiritual needs 6. Desire of appreciation may result in hurt feelings 7. Desire to help others may interfere with God s dealings with others 3. Teaching Definition: The gift of teaching is the special ability that God gives to some in the body of Christ to communicate information relevant to the spiritual health & maturity of the church. Motivations: They have a strong desire for the church to be firmly grounded in the Word of God, in the faith, & in proper doctrine. 1. Belief that teaching is the foundation to the other gifts 2. Emphasis on accuracy of words 3. Tests knowledge of those who teach them 4. Delight in research to validate truth 5. Usually uses Bible illustrations 6. Resists scriptural illustrations out of context 7. Likes preparing the lessons and researching as much as presenting the materials. Misunderstandings 1. Emphasis on accuracy of Scriptural interpretation may appear to neglect practical application 2. Research may appear to be dependent on intellect instead of the Holy Spirit 3. Use of knowledge in testing others may appear to be pride of learning 4. Details of research may appear to be unnecessary to listeners 5. Objectivity in research may make them appear to lack warmth and feeling 4. Exhortation Definition: The gift of exhortation is the special ability that God gives some members of the church to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement, & counsel to other members in such a way that they feel helped & healed. Motivations: 1. Encourage others to press on in their faith 2. Go out of their way to cheer people up 3. Search and find Scripture to help a person solve a problem 1. Desires to visualize achievement and give steps of action 2. Tendency to avoid systems of information that lack practical application 3. Ability to see how tribulation can produce maturity
4. Enjoys seeing people take steps of action to meet needs 1. Emphasis on steps of actions seem to over simplify the problem 2. Urgency in giving steps may appear as having more confidence in them (overly confident) 3. Desire to win non-christians by living example, may appear as lack of interest in personal evangelism (no talk/all show) 4. Use of Scripture for practical applications may appear to take it out of context 5. Emphasis on steps of action may appear to be unfeeling 5. Giving Definition: The gift of giving is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the church to contribute material resources to the work of the ministry with liberality & cheerfulness. Motivations: 1. To help others with money 2. To make money primarily to give to spread the gospel 3. To sacrifice personally in order to make resources available for ministry 4. To share with the poor 5. To encourage others to give sacrificially 1. Ability to make wise purchases and investments 2. Desire to give quietly to ministries and projects 3. Attempt to motivate others to give by his/her giving 4. Alert to needs others overlook 5. Enjoys meeting needs without pressure of appeals 6. Joy when his/her gift is answer to another s prayer 7. Dependency on partner s counsel to confirm amount of gift 8. Concern that his gift is high quality (giving to Jesus) 9. Desire to feel a part of the work to whom he gives 1. Need to deal with large sums of money may appear to focus on temporal values 2. Desire to give to a ministry may appear as an attempt to control the work or person 3. Attempt to encourage others to give may appear as lack of generosity and unnecessary pressure 4. Living frugally may appear as selfishness in not meeting friends or family s needs. (Example: buying second hand stuff for himself and family rather than new) 6. Leadership Definition: The gift of leadership is the special ability that God gives some in the church to set goals in accordance with God s purposes for the future & to communicate these goals in such a way that people are motivated to work & cooperate that the goals be achieved Motivations: 1. Assume responsibility where leadership is absent 2. Organize and motivate believers to do the Lord s work. 3. Provide leadership to enable believers to reach goals
4. Lead a project to get work done with speed and effectiveness 1. Ability to see overall picture and clarify long ranged goals 2. Motivated to organize what he/she is responsible for 3. Desires to complete tasks as quickly as possible 4. Awareness of resources available and needed to complete task 5. Ability to know what can and can t be delegated 6. Tendency to assume responsibility if no leadership exists 7. Willingness to endure reactions from others in order to accomplish ultimate task 8. Fulfillment in seeing others coming together and enjoying the work 1. Ability to delegate responsibilities my appear to be laziness 2. Willingness to endure reaction appears callousness 3. Neglect in explaining why tasks must be done, makes people feel misused 4. Viewing people as resources appears that projects are more important than people 5. Desire to complete tasks quickly appears insensitive to weariness and schedules of workers 7. Mercy Definition: The gift of mercy is the special ability the God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to feel genuine empathy & compassion for individuals (both Christian & non- Christian) who suffer distressing physical, mental, or emotional problems. Motivation: 1. Alleviate the suffering of humanity 2. Remove physical and emotional pain from people 1. Ability to feel atmosphere of joy or distress in individual or group 2. Attraction to and understanding of people in distress 3. Desires to remove hurts from other s lives 4. Avoidance of being firm 5. Sensitivity to words and actions that can hurt others 1. Avoidance of firmness may appear to be weakness 2. Sensitivity to spirit and feelings may cause people to believe they are led by emotion and not reason
Appendix 1 A List of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Dr. Kenneth Boa, bible.org) A. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, & Ephesians 4 1. Prophecy (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-40; Eph. 4:11)--The ability to receive and proclaim a message from God. This could involve the foretelling of future events, though its primary purpose as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:3 is forthtelling: one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. This gift provides a word from God to a specific group, not the normative Word of God to all believers. Some maintain that prophecy is still operative in this sense today, while others say that the nearest current equivalent is Spirit-empowered preaching. 2. Service (Rom. 12:7)--The ability to identify and care for the physical needs of the body through a variety of means. The Greek word for this gift is the same as that for ministry or deacon, but the gift should not be confused with the office. 3. Teaching (Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11)--The ability to clearly explain and effectively apply the truths of God's Word so that others will learn. This requires the capacity to accurately interpret Scripture, engage in necessary research, and organize the results in a way that is easily communicated. 4. Exhortation (Rom. 12:8)--The ability to motivate others to respond to the truth by providing timely words of counsel, encouragement, and consolation. When this gift is exercised, believers are challenged to stimulate their faith by putting God's truth to the test in their lives. 5. Giving (Rom. 12:8)--The ability to contribute material resources with generosity and cheerfulness for the benefit of others and the glory of God. Christians with this spiritual gift need not be wealthy. 6. Leadership (Rom. 12:8)--The ability to discern God's purpose for a group, set and communicate appropriate goals, and motivate others to work together to fulfill them in the service of God. A person with this gift is effective at delegating tasks to followers without manipulation or coercion. 7. Mercy (Rom. 12:8)--The ability to deeply empathize and engage in compassionate acts on behalf of people who are suffering physical, mental, or emotional distress. Those with this gift manifest concern and kindness to people who are often overlooked. 8. Wisdom (1 Cor. 12:8)--The ability to apply the principles of the Word of God in a practical way to specific situations and to recommend the best course of action at the best time. The exercise of this gift skillfully distills insight and discernment into excellent advice. 9. Knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8)--The ability to discover, analyze, and systematize truth for the benefit of others. With this gift, one speaks with understanding and penetration. Some also associate supernatural perception with this gift. 10. Faith (1 Cor. 12:9)--The ability to have a vision for what God wants to be done and to confidently believe that it will be accomplished in spite of circumstances and appearances to the contrary. The gift of faith transforms vision into reality. 11. Healing (1 Cor. 12:9, 28, 30)--The ability to serve as a human instrument through whom God supernaturally cures illnesses and restores health. The possessor of this gift is not the source of power, but a vessel who can only heal those diseases the Lord chooses to heal. Inner healing, or healing of memories is sometimes associated as another manifestation of this gift. 12. Miracles (1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 29)--The ability to serve as an instrument through whom God accomplishes acts that manifest supernatural power. Miracles bear witness to the presence of God and the truth of His proclaimed Word, and appear to occur most frequently in association with missionary activity. 13. Distinguishing of spirits (1 Cor. 12:10)--The ability to clearly discern the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (cf. 1 John 4:6). With this gift, one can distinguish reality versus counterfeits, the divine versus the demonic, true versus false teaching, and in some cases, spiritual versus carnal motives. 14. Tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 30; 14:1-40)--The ability to receive and impart a spiritual message in a language the recipient never learned. For other members of the body to be edified, this message must be interpreted either by the recipient (1 Cor. 14:13) or by another person with the gift of interpretation (1 Cor. 14:26-28). Because of the controversial nature of this gift, here are several observations: [a] Paul qualified the public use of this gift, stating that in a meeting of the church, two or at the most three could speak in a tongue, it must be done in turn, and a person with the gift of interpretation must be present so that the body would be edified (1 Cor. 14:26-28).
[b] There are a number of differences between the manifestation of tongues at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) and its use in Corinth (1 Cor. 14), and these differences suggest that the two are not identical (see J. Oswald Sanders, The Holy Spirit and His Gifts, p. 125). [c] In his list of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul spoke of kinds of tongues. This, coupled with the statements in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-15, 28 has led many to distinguish a private use of tongues, often called a prayer language (1 Cor. 14:14-15), from the public use of tongues which must be interpreted. Paul wrote that if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God (1 Cor. 14:28). [d] This gift is easily counterfeited and often abused. It can be a source of spiritual pride, excessive preoccupation, and divisiveness. e. Contrary to some teaching, tongues are not the only sign of the filling of the Spirit, and not all believers are to manifest this gift (1 Cor. 12:17-19,30). 15. Interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, 30; 14:5, 13, 26-28)--The ability to translate into the vernacular a message publicly uttered in a tongue. This gift may be combined with the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 14:13), or it can operate separately (1 Cor. 14:26-28). 16. Apostleship (1 Cor. 12:28,29; Eph. 4:11)--In the New Testament, the apostles were not limited to the Twelve, but included Paul, Barnabas, Andronicus, Junias, and others as well (Acts 14:14; Rom. 16:7; 1 Cor. 15:5,7; 1 Thess. 2:6). If the requirement for the office of apostle includes having seen the resurrected Jesus (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1), this office ceased to exist by the second century. However, many believe that the gift of apostleship continues to be given. As a spiritual gift, this is the ability to begin and/or to oversee new churches and Christian ministries with a spontaneously recognized authority. 17. Helps (1 Cor. 12:28)--The ability to enhance the effectiveness of the ministry of other members of the body. This is the only usage of this word in the New Testament, and it appears to be distinct from the gift of service. Some suggest that while the gift of service is more group-oriented, the gift of helps is more personoriented. 18. Administration (1 Cor. 12:28)--This word, like helps, appears only one time in the New Testament, and it is used outside of Scripture of a helmsman who steers a ship to its destination. This suggests that the spiritual gift of administration is the ability to steer a church or Christian organization toward the fulfillment of its goals by managing its affairs and implementing necessary plans. A person may have the gift of leadership without the gift of administration. 19. Evangelism (Eph. 4:11)--The ability to be an unusually effective instrument in leading unbelievers to a saving knowledge of Christ. Some with this gift are most effective in personal evangelism, while others may be used by God in group evangelism or cross-cultural evangelism. 20. Shepherd or pastor (Eph. 4:11)--Peter was commissioned by Christ to shepherd His sheep (John 21:16), and Peter exhorted the elders in the churches of Asia Minor to do the same (1 Pet. 5:2; cf. Acts 20:28). A person with this spiritual gift has the ability to personally lead, nourish, protect, and care for the needs of a flock of believers. Not all people with the office of pastor (elder, overseer) have or need the gift of pastoring or shepherding, and many with this gift do not have or need the office. B. Other Gifts Mentioned None of the lists in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 is complete, and it is evident that there are other spiritual gifts apart from those listed above. C. Peter Wagner in Your Spiritual Gifts suggests 7 others: 1. Celibacy (the ability to enjoy being single and maintain sexual self-control; 1 Cor. 7:7-9) 2. Voluntary poverty (the ability to renounce material comfort and adopt a life-style of relative poverty; 1 Cor. 13:3) 3. Martyrdom (the ability to display an attitude of joy while suffering or even dying for the faith; 1 Cor. 13:3) 4. Hospitality (the ability to welcome and provide for those in need of food and lodging; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9) 5. Missionary (the ability to minister effectively in a second culture) 6. Intercession (the ability to pray for a long period of time on a regular basis for the ministries and needs of others) 7. Exorcism/Deliverance (the ability to discern and cast out demons with authority). Other spiritual gifts (e.g., music, craftsmanship) are also given to members of the body of Christ for mutual edification.
Appendix 2 Determine You Motivational Gift Romans 12:3-9 Instructions: Rate yourself from 1 to 5. Five for the highest interest, one for the lowest interest and two through four for sometime interest. Note: this does not mean that you are supposed to answer in a 1-5 sequence, identify the 1 & 5, then answer the rest using 2 4. PROPHECY 1. To speak openly against sin. 2. To correct the wrongs of society. 3. To take a strong stand on contemporary issues. 4. To wake up an indifferent church. 5. To speak messages on future judgment along with Christ s return SERVICE 1. To do little jobs which will free leadership to use their gifts. 2. To do work myself rather than enlisting aid from others. 3. To help people with short-term assignments. 4. To be quite rather than outspoken. 5. To work with hands rather than speak before a group. TEACHING 1. To analyze Bible knowledge. 2. To systematize Bible knowledge. 3. To research in order to prove Bible truths. 4. To teach by truth and example so others will learn. 5. To instruct others in discipleship & Christ-likeness. EXHORTATION 1. To encourage believers who are discouraged. 2. To go out of the way to cheer people. 3. To share scriptures that will encourage others. 4. To counsel believers with the Word. 5. To search and find Scriptures that will help solve problems. GIVING 1. To help others with money. 2. To make money primarily to give for the spread of the gospel. 3. To sacrifice all material goods if God required it. 4. To share ones goods with the poor. 5. To encourage others to give sacrificially. LEADERSHIP 1. To assume responsibility when leadership is absent.
2. To organize and motivate believers to do the Lord s work. 3. To provide leadership to enable believers to reach goals. 4. To lead a project to get work done with speed and effectiveness. 5. To serve the Lord by leading others. MERCY 1. To alleviate the suffering of humanity. 2. To remove emotional and physical pain from people. 3. To visit the lonely and shut-ins. 4. To minister to hopeless cases of humanity. 5. To be kind and loving to the unwanted. The area where you score your highest is most likely your primary or dominant motivational gift. Each person can have more than one motivational gift, but there will always be a dominant one