Spiritual Gifts Part 1

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

INTRODUCTION

Jesus left His followers with the responsibility to extend the Gospel message to the ends of the earth.  The power of the Holy Spirit would help them fulfill this task:

Jesus did not leave His followers with such a great responsibility without giving them the ability to fulfill the challenge. Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to empower believers to be effective witnesses of the Gospel. The subject of spiritual gifts was one on which Paul taught in the early church.  He said

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

This chapter introduces the subject of spiritual gifts.  Following chapters will concern the various spiritual gifts available to believers.  Guidelines also will be given to help you discover your own spiritual gift.

The “gift” of the Holy Spirit has already been given in answer to this promise.  “Gifts” of the Holy Spirit are supernatural abilities the Holy Spirit gives believers to enable them do effective ministry:

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.  (Mark 16:20)

GIFTS AND TALENTS

There is a difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents. 

A talent is a natural ability inherited at birth or developed through training.  

A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability which did not come by inheritance or training.  It is a special ability  given by the Holy Spirit to be used for specific spiritual purposes.  

It is possible that a natural talent may be sanctioned  [approved and blessed] by the Holy Spirit after one becomes a believer.  When this occurs the talent then becomes a gift as well as a talent. For example, a person may have a natural talent in administration because of training he has received.  After baptism in the Holy Spirit this natural talent may be sanctioned [approved] by the Holy Spirit and he may be used in the spiritual gift of administration.

Spiritual gifts provide spiritual capabilities far greater than the finest natural talents. Although we should use all our natural talents for the work of the Lord, we still need spiritual gifts.

PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS

The purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in Ephesians 4:12-15:

For the perfecting of the saints, For the work of the ministry, For the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

1. Perfect the saints-

2. Promote the work of the ministry-

3. Edify Christ and the Church

The objectives or goals of spiritual gifts are that we will:-

1. Become united in the faith

2. Develop our knowledge of Christ

3. Develop in perfection, with Christ as our model

4. Become stable, not deceived by false doctrines

5. Mature spiritually in Christ

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

The gifts of the Spirit are also given to the Church as weapons of spiritual warfare to conquer the spiritual forces of Satan:

* For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Ephesians 6:12)

Since the battle in which believers are engaged is spiritual, then spiritual rather than natural weapons must be used.   Believers sometimes go  into spiritual warfare without knowledge of these weapons.  Anytime you go to battle without your weapons you cannot expect to win the fight.  This is why it is important to understand spiritual gifts.  They are part of the spiritual weapons God has provided.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS

Each believer has at least one spiritual gift:

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (I Peter 4:10)

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. (I Corinthians 12:7,11

Because every believer has at least one spiritual gift, we all have a responsibility to discover and use our gift or gifts. You will not be judged by how many spiritual gifts you have.  You will be judged by your faithfulness to use the spiritual gift or gifts you have been given. 

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 confirms this truth. There are many spiritual gifts, but no believer has all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Are all apostles?  are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing?  do all speak with tongues?  do all interpret?  (I Corinthians 12:29-30)

A person may have more than one gift, but no one has all the gifts of the Spirit.  If he did, then he would have no need of others in the Body of Christ.

THE ABUSE OF GIFTS

A spiritual gift from God can be abused.  To “abuse” a gift means:

1. Improperly use of the gift.

2. Not using gifts given to you

The Apostle Paul told Timothy: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  (I Timothy 4:14)

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  (II Timothy 1:6)

ATTEMPTING TO USE GIFTS NOT GIVEN TO YOU
While ministering in Samaria, Peter and John met a man named Simon who wanted to have the powerful gifts he saw demonstrated.  Simon offered  money to obtain these abilities.  Peter said: Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast  neither  part  nor lot in this matter…    (Acts 8:20-21