"Word Gifts Pt. 1"

LEADERSHIP

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
- Ephesians 4:7-8

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:11-12

8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

EVANGELIST

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

PASTOR

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- 1 Peter 5:2-4

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
- Titus 1:5-9

TEACHER

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
- Romans 1:11

"Indispensable"

22 ...The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 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, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
- 1 Corinthians 12:22-26

There are some spiritual gifts that we don’t always see, but that we always need.

Administration: The gift of administration is the divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks.

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28

Giving: The gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

Mercy: The gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

Music: The gift of music/worship is the divine strength or ability to sing, dance, or play an instrument primarily for the purpose of helping others worship God.

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound;praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
- Psalm 150:2-5

"Love Gifts Pt. 1"

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 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. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-12 

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE CHURCH

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS THE HOLY SPIRIT CHOOSES

A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to function effectively and significantly in a particular service as a member of Christ's body, the church.
- William McRae 

SERVICE

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Matt 25:35-40

Service - to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done

CRAFTSMANSHIP 

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
- Exodus 31:1-5

Craftsmanship - the special ability to forward God’s kingdom through creative skills such as carpentry, drama, graphic arts, painting and sculpting.

HOSPITALITY

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
- 1 Peter 4:9-10

Hospitality - the ability to enjoy meeting new people and making them feel welcome by providing food, friendship, or shelter.

HELPS

28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28

Helps - To render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

USE OUR GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
- 1 Peter 4:10

DEVELOP AND INCREASE OUR GIFTS

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:6-8

"Refiner's Fire"

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
- 2 Peter 5:10

BE DILIGENT IN DEVELOPING GODLY CHARACTER

Love

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4

Humility

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
- Romans 12:3

Purity

16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
- 2 Corinthians 3:16-17

DON’T BE BLIND

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
- Matthew 7:22-23

CONFIRM YOUR CALLING

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
- 1 Peter 1:15

"How to Build a Fire"

EAGERLY DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
- 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,
- 1 Corinthians 14:1

DO NOT BE IGNORANT OF THE GIFTS

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
- 1 Corinthians 12:1

PRIORITIZE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
- 2 Peter 1:3-9

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV

7 Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. 8 Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 TLB

"A Fire's Place"

We’re filled by God’s presence and empowered for God’s purpose.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
- John 14:16-17

6 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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.
- Romans 12:6-8

We embrace the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, which keep us from being “dead.”

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 14:39

We embrace God’s Word and wisdom, which keep us from becoming weird.

21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40

The “fire’s place” is an intersection where the Holy Spirit and God’s Word are both embraced in perfect harmony.

“The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions. Also, if the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.”
- George Muller

"The Big Picture"

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
- Genesis 1:26-27

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
- Genesis 1:28

God Rules and Reigns through us

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5

“God’s Vision for My Life”

1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
- Habakkuk 2:1-3

Four Keys to Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life:

Wait on God.

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
- John 15:6

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
- Luke 5:26

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
- Psalm 62:5

Watch for God-given vision and clarity.

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…
- Ephesians 1:17-18

Work with the “tools” you have at your disposal.

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 4:10-11

Walk according to the direction that you have now.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- Psalm 119:105

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
- John 16:13-15

"Christ Centered Vision"

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
- 1 Corinthians 2:9

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Matthew 6:33

Vision - Vision is seeing what is invisible to others - Jonathan Swift

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
- Hebrews 11:1

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Christ centered vision can only be divinely revealed

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:10

9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
- Ephesians 1:9-10

Christ centered vision releases the past, acknowledges the present and easily perceives the future.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
- Matthew 6:33-34

Christ Centered Vision changes the world

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you
- Steve Jobs

"We Live For More"

“After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… 8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
- Acts 1:3-5, 8-9 NIV

Because Jesus is alive, we live with Him.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
- Acts 4:13 NIV

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Galatians 2:20 NIV

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
- Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Because Jesus is alive, we live for Him.

“…‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”
- Acts 4:19-20 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33 NIV

Because He is alive, we live a transformed life with power to make a difference.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Acts 1:8 NIV

“‘Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
- Acts 4:29-31 NIV

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all…”
- Acts 4:33 NIV