Sunday,
August 25, 2013
PRACTICAL GIFTS
OF THE SPIRIT
Rom. 12:6-8; I
Cor. 12:28
Why is there such a thing as the
gifts of the Spirit? It is because God gave
His Son, Jesus, who then gave His life for us. That same Jesus rose from the grave, ascended
to the Father, and now sits at the His right hand. From that lofty position, He sends the Holy
Spirit to live within every person who puts his faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ. So the Holy Spirit Himself is a
gift, as Peter states clearly in Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said to
them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.'" But not only does
the believer have the gift which is the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit Himself
then distributes gifts to the members of the body as He sees fit. As we read in I Pet. 4:10, "As
each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God."
I try to remind us often of the
one-another commands in the New Testament.
We are to love one another, care for one another, pray for one another,
exhort one another, prefer one another, edify (build up) one another, admonish
one another, serve one another, bear one another's burdens, be kind to one
another, forgive one another, submit to one another, comfort one another, and
provoke one another to love and good works.
That is quite a list. It is the
distribution of the gifts by the Spirit that equips us to carry out this
one-anothering ministry. As we have seen
in I Cor. 12, the gifts of the Spirit cannot be separated from the concept of
the body of Christ. When asked about the
spiritual gifts, which had become one
of the occasions of division in the Corinthian church, Paul used the body
metaphor to drive home the truth that as members of the same body, we are not
competing with one another, but we are working together to build up the body of
Christ, that the Lord may be glorified.
This morning let's take a look at
the gifts themselves.
I.
There Is Great Variety in the Gifts
We observed the statement of this
truth in I Cor. 12:4, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit." While we spent a lot of time
focusing on "the same Spirit," let's be reminded that there are
diversities of gifts. We see the truth
of that declaration, as we begin to examine the individual gifts of which the
New Testament speaks. Consider the basic
lists of gifts...
I Cor. 12:8-10 I Cor. 12:28 Rom. 12:6-8
Word
of Wisdom Apostles Prophecy
Word
of Knowledge Prophets Ministry
Faith Teachers Teaching
Gifts
of Healings Miracles Exhortation
Working
of Miracles Gifts of
Healings Giving
Prophecy Helps Leadership
Prophecy Helps Leadership
Discerning
of Spirits Administrations Mercy
Kinds of Tongues Varieties of Tongues
Kinds of Tongues Varieties of Tongues
Interpretation
of Tongues Interpretation of Tongues
Eph. 4:11 I Pet. 4:10-11
Apostles Speaking
Prophets Ministry
Evangelists
Pastor-Teachers
Now let me make a simple observation
at this point. We see a great variety in
these gifts. This is especially true
when we look at Paul's most extensive list of gifts, those in Rom. 12 and I
Cor. 12. Notice that with the exception
of prophecy, there is no overlapping at all.
The same man sets forth a list of gifts in two places, but the lists are
almost completely different. On the one
hand, we have the gift of helps; on the other hand, there is the gift of
working miracles. One shows mercy, while
another exercises a gift of healing.
What variety!
By the way, I should mention
something else of which we should not be ignorant. While I have given you these lists, there is
still another place where Paul speaks of a particular gift. While he uses the word "gift" 26
times (if I count right), most often he is not talking about gifts of the
Spirit. But on this particular occasion,
it has that same flavor of a spiritual gift.
Let me read it to you from I Cor. 7:7, "For I wish that all
men were even as myself. But each man
has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." What Paul wishes is that all men would remain
single, even as he did. However, he
realizes that such will never be the case, because some are gifted to be single
and others are gifted to be married. Though
this gift does not fit neatly into our lists, it is nevertheless a gift from
the Spirit.
II.
There Are Various Ways of Grouping the Gifts
Since there are 20 or so gifts, in
order to get a handle on them, it is rather natural for us to try to group them
into categories. We do this kind of
thing all the time. Suppose I start
naming all kinds of living creatures:
rabbit, shark, robin, skunk, butterfly, catfish, roach, sparrow, and so
on. If I want to get a better handle on
these creatures, I arrange them into groups -- fish, birds, mammals,
insects. .
The only place where the New
Testament specifically recognizes such a grouping is in I Pet. 4, though even
this is not precisely labeled as a categorization of gifts. Nevertheless, it does seem that Peter lumps
various gifts together into the categories of "word and deed." Let's read 1 Peter 4:10-11, "As
each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of
God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies,
that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong
the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." "Speak" seems to designate those
gifts that revolve around "word," while "minister" (a
general word for service) points to those "deed" gifts.
Let me just mention some other ways
that people have categorized the gifts.
I'm sure there are many others, but we don't want to get bogged down in
this pursuit. One particular author
gives this grouping of the gifts in I Cor. 12:8-10...
1. The Discerning Gifts --
word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning spirits
2. The Declarative Gifts -- prophecy, tongues,
interpretation of tongues
3. Dynamic Gifts
-- faith, healing, miracles
Some make a division between those
gifts which are miraculous and those which are not. That requires some explanation, because there
is a sense in which all the gifts are miraculous. They only operate effectively in the power of the Spirit. However, on a practical level, most of us can
see a difference between showing mercy and working miracles. One seems to require immediate and miraculous
power from God.
Closely related is another way of
grouping the gifts which asks, "Which ones are still in operation
today?" Some of those who make such
a distinction refer to those gifts which they believe to be unique to the New
Testament times as "sign gifts."
They are obviously those of the miraculous nature. This gives rise to many questions, and in
some context we will deal with some of those questions, but not today.
III.
A Brief Look at Some Individual Gifts
Now I want to take a few minutes to
briefly look at some of the gifts. I
think it wise to begin with what I will designate as the more practical and
less threatening of the gifts. Even in
that, I am suggesting an artificial category, but we have to start
somewhere. So let's begin with the list
in Romans 12. Paul does use the word
"gifts" (carismata) to designate the things that
will follow. So after giving the short
version of the body metaphor in verses 4-5, he begins to write about the gifts
in verse 6. Rom. 12:4-6a, "
For as we
have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same
function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members
of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us, let us use them..."
The first gift Paul mentions here is
prophecy. Again, in verse 6, "Having
then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use
them; if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith." As I mentioned, prophecy is the only gift
that is in both Rom. 12 and I Cor. 12:8-10.
I am not going to try to define it right now, but rather will go on to
the others. But for now understand that
there are some very different opinions regarding what prophecy was then and
what it is now.
The next gift mentioned is
"ministry." "Or ministry, let us use it in our ministering"
(12:7). The words "let us use it in our"
are in italics, indicating that they are not really in the text. Literally, it reads, "Or ministry, in
ministering." The thought is very
clear: "If you have the gift of
ministry, then minister." That word
"ministry" is the general New Testament word for service, from which
we get our word "deacon." I
like the word "service" better, because "ministry" for many
people still has the connotation of a
"minister," a preacher type.
That is not the case at all. On
the one hand, it is the general term Peter uses to describe all the
"deed" ministries, as opposed to the "word"
ministries. But here it is used
alongside other "service" words such as giving, leadership, and
mercy.
We must understand something that
will help us in this area of gifts: Some
of the gifts are things that all believers are called to do. Consider the simple question: Are all believers called to serve? Absolutely.
Let me just call your attention to one verse, Gal. 5:13, "For you,
brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an
opportunity to the flesh, but through love serve one another." It is clear from the context that Paul was
instructing all the believers in Galatia, and it is applicable to all believers
today. So how can "service" be
a gift, if all Christians are called to serve?
Paul doesn't write out an explicit answer, but the principle seems to be
clear. While we are all to serve, some
believers are gifted to do so in a special way.
There are some who are extremely effective in this area of practical
service to others. Why? Because the Spirit has given them that
gift. Since this is a form of the word
from which we get "deacon" and because the deacons of the church were
to be examples of service, some feel that Paul is referring especially to
deacons in this reference. Certainly
those who are deacons must be about service in demonstration of this gift.
I am dwelling on this particular
gift, because it is the perfect one to use as an example. Though it is not easy for us to understand,
we must recognize that "service" is indeed a gift. We cannot deny this, because this is what we
are told right here in Rom. 12:7. Since
everyone is called to serve, we just do it.
To an extent that is true.
Because we love one another, we serve one another. That's the way it is supposed to be. Nevertheless, there are some who have the
gift of service. They have a special
empowering of the Spirit to serve. I am
thinking of a particular brother who I believe has this gift. He is very much a behind-the-scenes person,
but he exercises this gift all the time.
If you happen to be looking at the right time, you might see him on the
end of a shovel doing something that needs to be done. He seems to notice needs that other people
don't notice, and he responds by meeting the need. So we are all called to serve, but some have
been gifted to serve in an especially effective way.
Now come to the second part of verse
7, "he who teaches, in teaching." In other words, if you have the gift of
teaching, then use it to teach. That's
simple enough. Teaching is not something
that needs a great deal of explanation.
It speaks of effectively communicating truth, and in the New Testament
context it is the truth of God's Word. But
here again, we have a little problem.
Suppose the Lord saves a school teacher.
Can we automatically assume that she has the gift of teaching? This gives rise to another question: Are the gifts totally apart from natural
talents? People have different opinions on
that issue. On the one hand, it seems
clear that a gift is something that comes to a believer from the Holy
Spirit. On the other hand, it is
difficult to totally divorce the gifts of the Spirit from natural talents,
because every natural talent comes from whom?
From the Lord. I don't have all
the answers to that question at this time, but understand that there are
different angles of approach.
As with service, we must ask the
simple question: Should all believers be
teachers? All should serve, but should
all teach? The answer is "Yes, at
least if you are an older woman." Tit.
2:3-4, "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in
behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their
children." Did you catch that? The older women are to teach the younger
women. I am being a bit facetious, as
teaching is not just the job of older women.
Heb. 5:12, "For though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the
oracles of God..." The writer of
Hebrews is speaking to believers and tells the it is time that they were all
teachers. How true it is. Stephanie, do you teach? Of course, you do; you teach your children
every day. Teaching is not restricted to
a public context. It can include
instructing just one person. But though
all believers are to be teaching, there is a gift of teaching. There are some whom the Spirit empowers to
teach with special effectiveness, whether it be in a large context or a smaller
setting.
Then we come to exhortation. Back to Rom. 12:8, "He who exhorts, in
exhortation." I trust that many of
you have become familiar with this concept of exhortation, as we have talked
about it many times. It is that word
that literally means "to call alongside." The one who exhorts comes alongside another
to speak what needs to be spoken on that particular occasion. Exhortation was customary in the Jewish
synagogue, as we see in Acts 13:15, "And after the
reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them
[Paul and Silas], saying, Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation
for the people, say on.'" But such
exhortation does not have to take place in front of a large group. While a pastor may exhort through a public
message, an individual may exhort a sister in her kitchen.
We frequently mention this in the
context of Heb. 3:12-13, "Beware,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing
from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called
'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." So what do we learn from the scripture? That exhortation is the responsibility of
every believer. It is this mutual
exhortation that prevents our hearts from getting hard. You not only need to be exhorted by others,
but you need to exhort others. Though
this is the responsibility of every believer, nevertheless, there is the gift
of exhortation, as we see here in Rom. 12:8.
There are some who have a special Spirit-ability in this area. They are most effective in this ministry of
exhortation. By the way, though some
translations render it "encouragement" (most notably, the NIV),
exhortation is much broader than encouragement.
It includes encouragement, but it is more. Sometimes I don't need encouragement as much
as I need a challenge, or maybe even a rebuke.
Remember that the ultimate enhorter is the Holy Spirit Himself, whom
Jesus introduced as the Paraclete, the One called alongside. He encourages us, but He also challenges and
rebukes us, depending upon the specific need.
We come next to the gift of
giving. 12:8, "he who gives, with
liberality." Neither the rendering
"liberality" or "generosity" (NIV) is very literal. The "with simplicity" of the KJV is
much more literal. This word literally
refers to "singleness." We
find it used in Col. 3:22 (KJV), "Servants, obey in all things your
masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing
God." The basic meaning has to do
with motive. If you have the gift of
giving, do it without ulterior motive; give with a sincere heart. In the context of the generosity of the
Macedonians, as described in II Cor. 8-9, we might associate it with such
generosity.
Like ministry, teaching, and
exhortation, this gift of sharing/distributing/giving has both a general and
specific application. Are all believers
expected to give to meet the needs of others?
Yes. Of course, one of the
biggest argu-ments against that concept is, "I just can't afford to help
others; I don't have enough for myself."
The reason one doesn't have enough for himself may well be because he
isn't willing to obey the Lord in meeting the needs of others. Listen to Paul's commendation of the
Macedonian Christians... (II
Cor. 8:1-4)
Moreover,
brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear
witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they
were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the
gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Jesus
said, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the
same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke
6:38). Giving is the privilege
of every believer. Nevertheless, there
are some who especially gifted to distribute to others. That gift may go hand in hand with great
financial prosperity, but not necessarily so.
If you have been blessed with this gift, then give with singleness of
heart, with sincere and pure motive.
Continuing in verse 8, "he who
leads, with diligence." Some
translations use the word "rule" instead of "lead." The word literally means "to set over." Within that definition there are various
shades of meaning. I believe it would be
correct to say that in the attitude of our Lord Jesus those who rule should do
so by leading, not by coercing. It is
interesting that this word is used three times in reference to the elders of
the church (I Thes. 5:12; I Tim. 3:4; 5:17).
For example, I Tim. 5:17, "Let the elders who rule well be counted
worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and
doctrine." While the NKJV translates this word
"lead" in Rom. 12:8, here its rendering is "rule over." It does not mean "to lord it over"
(against which Peter warns in I Pet. 5:3), but to take responsibility for. While this gift is not restricted to
pastors/elders/overseers in the church, that is likely its primary
application. The one who leads/rules,
must do so with diligence. He is to make
every effort in his leadership role, hastening to fulfill it for God's glory.
Finally, Paul comes to the gift of
mercy. Still in 12:8, "he who shows
mercy, with cheerfulness." The one
who shows mercy demonstrates a tender heart by comforting those who are
distressed, sick, or afflicted. All of
us know something about mercy. What
mercy God has shown to us sinners who deserve judgment and destruction. Please allow me to read that powerful passage
in Eph.
2:1-4...
And you
He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of
the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom
also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath,
just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love
with which He loved us,
We
were deserving of His wrath, but God, who is rich in mercy... The
passage goes on to say that we have been saved by grace through faith. Tit. 3:5, "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved
us..." Praise God for His mercy.
Are all believers expected to
demonstrate mercy to others?
Absolutely. Jesus said,
"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful" (Luke
6:36). Col. 3:12-13, "Therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving
one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave
you, so you also must do." Put on
tender mercies. Literally, put on
"bowels of mercies" (KJV). As
we become more like Jesus, we increasingly demonstrate mercy. But there is a special gift of mercy, which
some believers receive from the Holy Spirit.
Such a person would be most effective in visiting the sick, talking with
the discouraged, encouraging the one who is facing difficulties.
But if this is your gift, exercise
it with cheerfulness. Isn't that
interesting. We have read in I Cor. 12
that in the body of Christ we suffer with those who suffer. Later here in Rom. 12 (vs. 15) Paul says,
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." So what is this word about cheerfulness? Those who are down need cheering up. "A merry heart does good like medicine,
but a broken spirit dries the bones" (Prov. 17:22). While sympathy is a good thing, those
who are hurting need to see the joy of the Lord in the one exercising
mercy. This is not a pretense, but an
overflow of the genuine joy of knowing Christ.
Don't be afraid to be a reminder that our God is good!
Now let's add to this list two of
the gifts in I Cor. 12:28. Let's read 12:28,
"And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
administrations, varieties of tongues."
Notice the listing of "helps."
This is the only time this word occurs in the New Testament, but its
verb form (Luke 1:54; Acts 20:35; I Tim. 6:2) indicates that it carries the
idea of giving help or aid. We are not
giving any specifics at all. Obviously,
the idea of giving help or aid is very general and could refer to many and
varied kinds of deeds. I hesitate to say
more at this point because the scripture doesn't say more.
Immediately after "helps,"
Paul mentions "administrations."
Like "helps," this word occurs only here in the New
Testament. The noun form is found in
Acts 27:11 and Rev. 18:17, where it refers to the helmsman of a ship
("shipmaster" in Rev.).
Various versions translate it here in I Cor. 12:28 as
"administrations," "leadership," "governments,"
"managing," "guidance," etc. Perhaps it speaks of one who is demonstrates
abilities to organize, manage, and give direction in certain tasks. But again, because we don't have much information
at all about this gift, it is difficult to give specifics.
IV.
What about the Gifts in I Cor. 12:8-10
That leaves us with a big question
mark: What about the gifts in I Cor.
12:8-10 -- the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings,
the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, different kinds
of tongues, the interpretation of tongues?
Without question, there is much more controversy about these gifts than
the ones we looked at this morning. It
is impossible to begin to look at these gifts without confronting the
question: How many of these gifts are
for the church today? Soon we will
confront that question. I encourage you
to prayerfully look at these gifts.
Conclusion
At this point
there is a more practical question which demands to be answered. It might be stated like this: "If every believer has a gift, how do I
know what my gift is?" If it is
true that the exercising of gifts is a vital part of the body of Christ, then
this is a question of vital importance.
How do I exercise my gift, if I don't know what it is? Lord willing, we will be exploring the
answer to that question some time within the next three weeks.
I must hasten to say that while this
exploration of the gifts is important in the body of Christ, there is something
far more important that we must never forget.
A little less than two months after Jesus rose from the grave, Peter
stood up on the Day of Pentecost and explained why those early disciples were
able to speak of the wonderful works of God in various languages which they
were normally not able to speak. In the
process, he lifted up the Lord Jesus.
Please follow with me, beginning in Acts 2:22... (2:22-36)
Men of
Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by
miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you
yourselves also know-- 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and
foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put
to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it
was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning
Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand,
that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was
glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my
soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have
made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your
presence.' 29 Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch
David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30
Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him
that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ
to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection
of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see
corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore
being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the
promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 For
David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to
my Lord, Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.' 36 Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom
you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
What great and glorious news this
is. The One who was crucified and buried
God raised from the dead. Not only did
God raise Him up, but He has made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ. He is the promised Messiah for whom God's
people had been waiting for centuries.
The One who would bruise the head of the serpent had come. The One through whom all the nations would be
blessed in Abraham had come. Yes, He
came to His own people, and His own people did not receive Him. Not only did God make Him Messiah, but He
also made Him Lord. The Jesus who
humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,
has been highly exalted by God the Father.
And the day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Now let's take it up again in verse
37... (2:37-39)
Now
when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the
rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then
Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all
who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
First and foremost, we need to
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit -- that is, the gift which is the Holy
Spirit. Before we can consider the
gifts, we must make sure we have the supreme gift, the Holy Spirit
Himself. On that day three thousand were
broken before the Lord, repented, put their trust in Jesus, were saved, and
received the Holy Spirit. As we read in
II Cor. 1:22 and Eph. 1:13, we who have believed in the Lord Jesus have been
sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been cut to the heart
and cried out, "What shall I do?"
Have you repented of your sins, giving up any hope of making yourself
right with God? Have you called up Jesus
as Lord? The promise is for you. You can find real life in Christ.
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