Gifts

Impacting our world with the Word of God and the love of Christ

Day 1

It is important that every Christian be involved in serving God in some significant manner. In order to do this, God has given each believer at least one spiritual gift. Each person also has natural abilities, personality traits and special inclinations which give focus to this gift (or gifts!).

In addition, serving God well includes having a proper attitude, which means that we understand that we are stewards, meaning that everything we have been given is on loan to us for the time we are on this earth. We are responsible for how we use it!

A question that arises is "What is a 'significant' ministry within the local church? A place of ministry is significant when there is a sense of fulfillment and joy in serving God, regardless of the ministry's perceived importance in other people's estimation.

To help us, it is important that we do a personal inventory. In the days of this week, I would like for us to consider such an inventory.

For today, reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Better yet, consider the whole context in Galatians 5:19-26. As I said to our Wednesday night Bible study, please note that the text states "fruit," not "fruits." What Paul is saying here is all-inclusive, not individual items.

I hope today is a great start to your week.

Gifts are important to the body of Christ. They are used to carry out the work of the ministry, to provide opportunities of service for us.

To help us find places of service that might satisfy us, we need to consider four areas. We will touch on the first three today and take more time for the final area.

The first three areas are natural abilities, personality and special inclinations.

Natural abilities are those tendencies that an individual can develop through experience and training. Think about some of your abilities. How could God use them in service for Him?

Personality is the sum of traits that make up our individuality. What positive traits do you have that could help you determine where to serve?

Special inclinations are the inner compulsions we have to do something good. What things do you naturally enjoy doing which God could use in service to Him?

So, there you have the first three areas.

For the next three days, we will consider the fourth area; namely, Spiritual gifts.

Take a look at 1 Peter 4:10-11 for today.

Thanks for being willing to be used by God.

We're addressing the area of spiritual gifts for the rest of the week.

To start, let's define them. A spiritual gift is a special (not natural) ability given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for the purpose of serving God in a unique manner. Spiritual gifts differ from the Christ-like characteristics know as the "fruit of the Spirit." A spiritual gift is not a responsibility that we do, such as helping others in need, serving on committees, or a church board, giving to the church, or assisting in a work project.

For today read through 1 Corinthians 12 for some more insight on spiritual gifts.

Hope you are strengthened by the spiritual nourishment you are finding in God's Word.

Here are some brief definitions for some of the gifts.

Service - the special ability to identify unmet needs and be involved in meeting those needs.

Teaching - the special ability to explain clearly and apply effectively the Word of God.

Prophecy - the special ability to explain and apply the Scriptures for edification and correction in a public setting.

Leadership - the special ability to effectively set and pursue biblical goals, motivate others to do God's work and coordinate and oversee a project to completion.

Administration - the special ability to oversee projects, understand and implement goals and execute effective plans to accomplish what needs to be done.

Exhortation - (or encouragement) the special ability to give words of comfort, consolation, counsel and encouragement to others in such a way that they feel helped.

Shepherding - the special ability to care for the spiritual needs of a group of people and to oversee their growth in Christ.

Giving - the special ability to earn money, to manage it effectively and to give wisely, liberally and cheerfully to the Lord's work.

Helps - the special ability to assist others so that their ministries and gifts will be more effective.

We'll finish the list tomorrow! Consider Romans 12:6-8 for today.

We continue today with the rest of the list of spiritual gifts.

Mercy - the unique quality of having deep empathy for individuals who are suffering and of being involved in alleviating the suffering in a spirit of compassion and love.

Hospitality - the special love for people, providing an open home for those in need of food, lodging and/or fellowship.

Evangelism - the special ability to effectively present the Gospel and lead people to salvation in Christ.

Knowledge - the special ability to think analytically and objectively in mastering the contents of the Scriptures.

Discernment - the unique ability to distinguish between truth and error, good an evil, the Spirit of God, and demonic influences.

Faith - the unusual ability to trust in the promises and the power of God and to see results in acting upon this trust.

Wisdom - the unusual ability to apply scriptural principles to complex issues or situations.

To finish our definition of spiritual gifts, let me share the following. We must remember that a spiritual gift is a God-given ability for service. Every Christian has at least one and should use it to help others. The gifts listed in the Bible are found in the passages that we have been looking at this week. Today check out Ephesians 4:11-13.

How do I know I have a gift? We'll continue this next week!

Day 6

As I write, the sun is playing hide & seek. Don't play hide & seek with the Son today!

After World War II, a group of German students volunteered to rebuild a cathedral that had been severely damaged. They became concerned about a large statue of Jesus with outstretched hands, which had the inscription at the bottom, "Come unto Me."

They worked diligently at trying to restore the hands. Finally after many attempts, they simply decided to let the hands remain missing and change the inscription. The new inscription read, "Christ has no hands but ours."

This story made me wonder. Have you ever thought about how many hands are involved in a thriving congregation of believers? How about how many tasks are involved to keep the church's vital signs strong & alive?

It takes many hands, much skill and volumes of hard work to keep God's work in a community moving forward. We should probably post a sign at the front door that reads, "God's People at Work."

My question for you... Does this apply to you? What are you doing to contribute to the work of the ministry?

If you are uncertain about what you might be able to do, I trust that this week might be an encouragement to you as we consider a more focused exposition of Spiritual gifts.

As you think about gifts, please ponder these verses; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10.

What do these verses say to you?

Pastor Dave

Day 7

Hey the sun is out again! Enjoy it while you can!

Today I would like to write about the purpose of Spiritual gifts. I would like to address five purposes.

1. The gifts are given for the equipping of believers. The Holy Spirit gifts us in order that we would in turn use them to provide "equipment" for the congregation through the use of these gifts so that we can in turn serve the church.

2. The gifts are given for the edifying of believers. Edify reminds us of edifice. An edifice is a building. Edifying therefore means that we are built up. So, another purpose is to build up the church. They are used to enable the church to grow and become what God wants it to become. Note once again, Ephesians 4:12 & 16.

3. The gifts are given to provide stability in the believer. They are used to establish us, to help us become properly rooted in the Word of God. When we are properly rooted (established) we can then face the storms of life we experience, knowing that we have a sure foundation.

4. The gifts are given for the effectiveness of the whole church. I read an article where a football coach described his perspective of church ministry. He said, "It looks an awful lot like a football game: you've got 22,000 fans in the stadium who desperately need exercise and 22 people on the field who desperately need rest!" The analogy is so accurate! 22 exhausted men & women that make things happen, pushing, pulling, and laboring for all they're worth and we've got 22,000 spectators in the stands cheering them on. "Yea! Go for it! Let's score!" Look around you the next time you are in church. You will see (many of you are the ones!) tired servants. They are tired because they are pulling MORE THAN THEIR SHARE! Please remember that God's plan is always that everyone should be involved in serving Him (1 Corinthians 12:7).

One more reason!

5. The gifts are given so that Christ can be exalted. Peter notes this for us in 1 Peter 4:11. There we read that if we use our gifts for the glory of God, He will be glorified.

I want to remind you that bringing glory to His name is our primary occupation while we live in the dash (our life).

So, some of you need to roll up your sleeves and get occupied!

One more thought...why don't you engage someone you see sitting on the premises and encourage them to stand on the promises! (Get working).

Have a great day!!!

Day 8

Once again, we look to 1 Peter 4:10. We see that "each one has received a gift" and we are to "minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." In other words, when you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, God gave you a gift that you can use in serving Him!

You need to ask Him what that gift is. Here's a challenge for you. Sometime today, stop for a few moments and think about what God has given to you as a gift. Often serious contemplation removes the fog of uncertainty. When you begin to use that gift, God will confirm it to you through other Christians. The practical step for you to take is to begin to do what you think God has gifted you for and then watch what happens.

Please read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

Day 9

Sometimes problems surface with the exercising of Spiritual gifts. I want to consider two such problems.

1. The "Spirituality" problem

Have you ever met someone who believes that they are more spiritual because of their particular spiritual gift? These people drive me nuts! Why? It's not biblical. Do you remember what you read in 1 Corinthians 12 yesterday? We are all part of the same body and we need each other!

It's important to remember, or realize that having a spiritual gift does not mean you are spiritual! Did you ever stop to think that most of the content about spiritual gifts is found in the book of 1 Corinthians? When you compare all of the churches in the New Testament, it was easily the most worldly and notice what 1 Corinthians 1:7 says (go ahead, read it now).

This church was tragically immature and carnal.

When you find your gift(s) it is not so that you can brag, but so that you can serve!

2. The "Specialist" problem

People have commented to me that one of the reasons that I have seen people come to know the Lord in my life is because I have the gift of evangelism. They say they cannot share with their neighbors because they don't have the gift. Let me say that I do not have the gift of evangelism. There is a general application for the gifts that we all are exhorted to follow. The Great Commission tells us that we are to share our faith (Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15). It does not say, "ATTENTION ALL THOSE WITH THE GIFT OF EVANGELISM..." Not having the gift does not let us off the hook from giving, evangelizing, serving, administering, caring, showing mercy, teaching, etc.

The Holy Spirit has placed a tool in your hand. For the Lord's sake, USE IT!

Day 10

Today, I want to "sum up" the gifts for you by organizing them into four categories.

1. Special gifts (Ephesians 4:11-12)

These gifts were used in the early days of the church. They had a very special part in the founding of the church and some remain in operation today. These gifts are used to equip God's people. I believe that God has given me the gift of pastor/teacher.

2. Speaking gifts

These gifts are used to explain God's truth. Obviously these gifts are those that use the mouth (prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, teaching, exhortation). It is given so that you can explain and make clear the truth of God.

3. Serving gifts

These gifts enable God's work to be completed. These gifts are where most of us find our place (serving, helps, leadership, administration, giving, showing mercy, discerning of spirits, faith and hospitality). If you have a serving gift, it is given to make God's work, work.

4. Sign gifts

Many people find controversy in this list (tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing and miracles). A main problem that seems to rise from these gifts is due to not knowing the purpose of these gifts in the first place. They were used to authenticate the words of Jesus, or the disciples of Jesus. The sign gift was a visible demonstration that they spoke the Word of God. Since we have the Word of God, these gifts have moved out of the center of the church, for there is no higher authority than the word of God.

Now, if someone tells us "this is what God says," we can look it up in His Word. Please note Acts 17:11.

Always remember, God's Word is our objective truth!

I am going to take the summer off from the devotional pages, in order to have more time to prepare for the fall. Please pray with me for God's direction as I seek to find His Word for us as a body.

Have a great summer!

What should you do with what God has gifted you with? Receive it. Embrace it. Thank Him for it. And use it with all of your might for His glory!