SERVICE: In Shape II

In the same way, we cannot seek to develop the habit of service/ministry into our lives without the proper equipment. We need to have the right stuff to rightly serve. Which is why the answer to my next question will now appear rather obvious...

Why are Spiritual Gifts Important?

1 Peter 4.10 “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

1 Corinthians 12.7 “A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:”

SO… 1 Corinthians 12.1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware.”

Challenges to Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts…

Confusing spiritual gifts with natural talents.

Confusing spiritual gifts with the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5.22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” ].

Fruit shows my MATURITY.

Gifts show my MINISTRY.

Unrepentant sin in our lives.

Carelessness in our biblical commitments [HABITS}.

[We are going to focus on the motivational spiritual gifts as described in 1 Corinthians 12.4 “Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.” …and outlined in Romans 12.6-8 “According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.” ]

Spiritual Gifts: Prophecy

DEF= προφητεία (propheteia) — 'lit.’= forth telling; proclamation of a divine message

Description: Boldly live and proclaim God’s revealed truth.

EXAMPLE: Peter

Spiritually immature expression...

Matthew 26.31-35 “Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” “Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.”

Spiritually more mature expression…

1 Peter 1.7 “so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1.13-16 “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”

Spiritual Gifts: Service

DEF= διακονία (diakonia) — Helping through meeting needs (most commonly physical); to render aid or assistance

Description: Rendering practical help in the church and beyond.

EXAMPLE: Timothy

Spiritually expressing steadfast loyalty...

Philippians 2.19-22 “Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.”

Encouraged not to lose heart in long-term tasks...

2 Timothy 2.3 “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” …2 Timothy 2.10 “This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” …2 Timothy 2. 15 “Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”

Spiritual Gifts: Teaching

DEF= διδάσκω (didasko) — teaching, instructing, communicating skills or truth

Description: Discover and explain God’s revealed truth.

EXAMPLE: Luke

Structured, evidence, truth (in teaching)...

Luke 1.1-4 “Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. So it also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.”

Details (others might leave out)…

Luke 22.41-44 “Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

[…also Luke 22.45-46 “When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”” ]

CONCL—

How do I discover my spiritual gifts?

Through SERVING! [NOT a “spiritual gifts inventory/survey;” SERVING assumes that the habits of prayer & bible study are already factors]

…Examining my feelings. [Psalm 37.4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” ]

…Expecting confirmation from my church family.

…Evaluating my effectiveness.

Romans 12:6 CSB

According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith;

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