The Supply of the Spirit - Spiritual Gifts

Notes for the study in Chapter 10 – The Supply of the Spirit – Spiritual Gifts

(some of the following notes are from the book

“Living Beyond Your Capacity” by Paul Chappell)

The Holy Spirit provides every child of God with one or more gifts – spiritual gifts.  These gifts were given to us at salvation for the express purpose of serving God and fulfilling His call.  These gifts are what we are “naturally” good at – by His Spirit.  It’s what we can do best to serve God and His people.  They help us experience joy in helping us become our true selves. 

There are many Christians who do not understand the concept of “spiritual gifts”, and often they do not take the time or effort to discover their own gifts or use them for God’s work.  That’s why one of the most important things you can do after salvation is to discover, develop and use your spiritual gifts in the service of God.  Service in the area of your giftedness is beyond enjoyable and it’s one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences in the Christian life.

Some people may take the spiritual gifts assessment and think, “Does that one come with a gift receipt?  Because I really want to exchange it for something else.”  Spiritual gifts don’t work that way.  They are meant for the recipient to experience the joy like opening gifts when we were young because the gifts we were given are intended to help us become our true selves.  They are intended to help us serve others and in so doing, we are ultimately becoming more like the one who gives the best gifts of all.

Contrary to what you might see in a polished Sunday morning service, the practice of developing your spiritual gifts is not always smooth.  John Ortberg who is a very gifted teacher was so nervous the first time he preached that he fainted from the pulpit – not once – but twice.  Most people would give up after such a public spectacle.  But if he had given up at first hint of a lack of success, the world would have been deprived of one of the best bible teachers/pastors. 

If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, just start trying to use the ones you think you may have.  You will only discover your real spiritual gifts through practicing, gaining valuable experience and developing perseverance.  Over time, you will act out of your gifts so intuitively that you won’t be questioning or wondering about them anymore.  You’ll just be yourself and help others to recognize and obey God’s voice.  (from “How to Discover Your Spiritual Gifts” – by Andy Bilhorn).

Every gift that is exercised regularly eventually becomes second nature to us, a part of who we really are and who God intends for us to be. Yes our gifts are for serving others, but also, one of the greatest rewards we experience in doing so, is to gain a deeper, more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father.

The gifts we are studying about today are practical, ministry-oriented, serving gifts that were given for the edification of others.  All of the gifts are intended to be practiced in the context of community. You cannot discover your spiritual gifts apart from community.  While there is an emphasis on serving the body of Christ in the local church, “community” also includes everyone in our circle of influence – co-workers, neighbors, family, acquaintances, friends, etc. 

I Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Even if you don’t know what your gift or gifts are or if you don’t particularly feel “gifted” in a specific area, the Bible teaches that you do have a special gift that you can use to serve God.

This is what God has to say about it:

I Corinthians 12:18-24 - “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it.”

God Word shows us that He wants us to be involved in a body of Christ, a local church, where we can be a part of that body, participating in His work with that church or with other believers.  He teaches that we are vital to the health and strength of the rest of the body. 

The great result of using our gift is that others around us will be helped.  As the entire church family ministers to each other and to the community, the Gospel will be seen as changing lives – because we were willing to be used by God and see that God is determined to use each of us in a different way – depending on what our gifts are.

During the times of the early church, the apostles struggled with having so much work to do -- preaching and teaching, and discipling new believers, that they needed to find others in the church that were gifted to serve and minister to the widows and others in the church community so that the apostles could continue to do the work that they were called to do. 

Acts 6:1-7 says, “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.  These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.  And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

Unfortunately, many people see church as a spectator event – where we attend services, listen to songs, hear sermons and then go home.  These are important things, of course, but it is so much more than just that – it’s getting to know people there – not just in the rows we’re sitting in on Sunday mornings – but it’s also through becoming involved in small groups or other classes or with other opportunities where you can reach out to others there (like helping in children’s ministries, nursery, choir, etc.)

Acts 2:42 talks about how “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (NIV) The early Christians made it a priority to grow in their relationship with God and with each other.  Just as those believers grew by being fully engaged in local church life and service, the same is true for us.  As we discover our God-given gift and become active in serving with it, our spiritual growth will accelerate rapidly!

Like any great body of knowledge, it takes effort on our part to break it down and digest it.  With the work of the Holy Spirit and His help, we will learn to apply His truth in practical ways to our own life.  And as we work through the trials and tests of life by the application of God’s truth, through His love which has affected our transformation and renewal, by this knowledge at work in us, then in demonstrating our faithfulness towards Him, we will break this bread of life with others, and with the wine of fellowship, we will rejoice together in overcoming trials with them whom we nourish with His bread.

What are the Spiritual Gifts?

Romans 12:6-8 states, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (NIV)

I Corinthians 12:4-11 – “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

(See also Ephesians 4:7-12)

Administration – This the ability to lead and administrate part of God’s work.  It reveals itself through natural abilities to organize, think strategically, implement a plan or coordinate teams of people. These Christians love to bring things to order and make things happen in God’s work.  (I Corinthians 12:28) In the Old Testament, Joseph was a good example of someone who did a great job of administrating God’s work and plans (Gen. 37-50).

Discernment – to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error or human power. (I Corinthians 12:10)  Peter was a good role model of someone who was quite discerning (Acts 5:1-10; 8:18-23)

Exhortation (Encouragement) – This is the ability and desire to encourage others in the Christian life…to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be. (Romans 12:8)  Barnabas was a good role model who used this gift – Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22-26)

Evangelist – to be a messenger of the good news of the Gospel (Ephesians 4:11) In the book of Acts, Philip was a great example of someone who shared the good news! (Acts 8:4-13; Acts 26:40, Acts 21:8)

Faith – to be firmly persuaded of God’s power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction. (I Corinthians 12:8-10)  Noah & Abraham were great role models of someone who had a lot of faith in the living God! (Heb. 11:7, 8-12)

Giving – This is the ability and desire to give to God’s work and God’s people.  It is accompanied by the provision to give.  These Christians are generous by nature and love to give to God’s work. (Romans 12:8)  Read about Dorcas in the books of Acts, chapter 9 who was someone who was very giving.

Healing – to be used as means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. God will use someone with this gift to pray over or counsel someone to help them work through these issues (I Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30) Jesus and Paul were awesome examples who used this gift!

Help/Serving - The gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God’s work is fulfilled. They often see tangible and practice things that need to be done and enjoy reaching out and doing them as they sense God’s purpose in leading that in that direction. (I Corinthians 12:28-31) Read about Epaphroditus in Philemon 2:25-30 who used this gift.

Hospitality – to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one’s home or church as a means of serving those in need of food or lodging or other needs they may have (I Peter 4:9-10) Lydia in the books of Acts 16:14-15, 40 is a good example of a hospitable person.

Knowledge – to seek to learn as much about the Bible as possible through the gathering of much information and the analyzing of that data.  They search the scriptures for insight, understanding and truth. They will often be used of God to teach or speak at a church, bible study or may do some writing (I Corinthians 12:8). Read about Apollos in Acts 18:24-28

Leadership – to stand before the people in such a way as to lead the people around them with such care and diligence so as to motivate them to see what God wants them to do and how to do it. (Romans 12:8) Nehemiah is a good role model.

Mercy ­ - This is the God-given ability to feel the pain of others and help them during trials.  Those with the gift of mercy are naturally good at sympathizing and empathizing with those carrying heavy burdens.  They know what to say, how to pray over others and are passionate about reaching out to those who are suffering. (Romans 12:8) The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is a good example of someone who showed mercy.

Prophecy – this is a gift or call from God to teach or preach God’s word, through studies like this or at a church service (like the pastors there do). These Christians are passionate to declare the Word of God. (Romans 12:6, I Cor. 12:10 & Eph. 4:11) John the Baptist was someone who used that gift (Matt. 3:1-12 and 11:7-15)

Teaching – This is the ability and desire to teach God’s truth and help people understand God’s truth and help them understand how His word applies to their lives. (Romans 12:7; I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11) Read about Apollos in Acts 18:24-28.

Wisdom – to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations. (I Cor. 12:8)  Solomon was someone who had a lot of wisdom (I Kings 3:1-28)

As we mentioned earlier, it is not uncommon for some people to feel greatly intimidated by the thought of serving God, especially if they’re not sure what the gift is and not sure how to use it.  We should never be resistant to not learning more about our gifts and to learn more about how to use them.  God desires for us to use these gifts and we should do everything we can do develop them through reading, studying and practice.

What are some practical ways we can use these gifts….let’s discuss some ideas as to what we can do, both in the local church, in our community, for our friends and family around us.

I Timothy 4:14 points out that we are not to neglect the gifts that we have been given:

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”

We need to be willing to find out what those gifts are and learn how we can use them. The body of Christ is serving together in Spirit-led harmony and unity.  There’s nothing like a healthy local church anywhere on earth! 

Spiritual gifts are the Holy Spirit’s supply in your life – His way of equipping you to do what He has called you to do in your church and in your community and with the people you know and care about around you.