Good evening. Well last week we began a new series titles, “Discovering My S.H.A.P.E. and tonight we are going to begin looking at that word SHAPE. Tonight, we will be taking a look at some gifts. But you know what, the Bible teaches us a lot about gifts. In fact, it tells us that there are 3 gifts that we all receive as Christians. Can anyone tell me those 3 gifts?
Well, they are: first, the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:38 it says, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” So, the first thing that we receive as a Christian is the gift of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our lives.
Second, is the gift of Eternal Life. Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” At baptism, not only do we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, but we also receive the gift of eternal life. Knowing about Heaven and Hell makes me very thankful to God that that is one of the gifts that He gives to all those who believe in Him.
And finally, we are all given Spiritual Gifts as well. Turn with me to I Peter 4:10-11. Here in this passage we learn that we are all given at least one spiritual gift. Listen to this, I Peter 4:10-11 says, “1”
Congratulations! You are gifted! Not only has God given us His Holy Spirit to life inside of us, and the gift of Eternal Life with Him, but He has also given each of us at least one spiritual gift that can be used in ministry to serve Him and to serve others.
Before we move on this evening, let’s pause for a moment of prayer. Let’s Pray!
This evening I want to take a look at what the Bible has to say about Spiritual Gifts. In I Corinthians 12:1 it says, “Now, about spiritual gifts, I do not want you to be ignorant.” So, from that passage, we know that God wants us to be educated on the gifts that He has blessed us with.
So, if I were to ask you to define a spiritual gift, how would you define it?
Well, a spiritual gift is a special ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion, to be used to minister to others and therefore build up the Body of Christ. Now, the purpose for this evenings lesson is to figure out the “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” and “How” of spiritual gifts.
To start, let’s discuss the “Who:” Who receives spiritual gifts?
Well, I think that it is very evident that our scriptures all point to the answer to the question of “Who” being all Christians. Romans 12:4-5 tells us that, “In Christ, we who are many form one body…and that we have different gifts…”
Now, all Christians receive at least one spiritual gift. I Corinthians 7:7 says, “I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.”
You see, the important thing to remember is that all Christians have been given a gift from God. These spiritual gifts are to be used to serve Him and to serve others in some kind of ministry. That is how the Body of Christ is built up. So that is the “Who.”
Now let’s take a look at the “What:” What are the spiritual gifts?
Well, we have 3 main passages of scripture that list off the several spiritual gifts that God blesses people with. First turn with me to I Corinthians 12:1-11. Here in this passage is a long list of spiritual gifts. Listen to these and see if you have any of them. I Corinthians 12:1-11 says, “2”
Now turn over to Romans 12:4-8 with me. Again, listen and see if you have any of these gifts. Romans 12:4-8 says, “3”
Finally, look at Ephesians 4:11-13 with me. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “4”
So, there is a long list of several different gifts that God gives to those who believe in Him. All of these gifts are used as a way to serve Him, to serve others, and to build up the Body of Christ.
So, now we know the “Who,” and we know the “What,” let’s move on and take a look at the next defining factor.
Let’s look at the “When:” When are these gifts given to us?
This is an easy one. From our text, and our definitions of spiritual gifts, we know that the “When,” is at our conversion. Now, let me ask you this question: is that the beginning of the gifts, or is it possible that they were already there?
Well, some believe that when you become a Christian that God gives you a new gift, or spiritual gift to be used for Him. However, I believe that God simply opens up a new way for you to serve Him through a gift that you might already have. He simply makes your gift known to you possible. I believe that the gifts are already there, we just have to be informed on how to recognize and use them. So that is the “When.”
The next thing we need to look at is the “Where:” Where do spiritual gifts come from?
Well, in Romans 12:3 it says, “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith (or giftedness) GOD has given you.” We need to realize that the gifts that God has given us are from Him. They are not of our own doing. I Peter 4:10 again says, “God has shown you His grace in giving you different gifts.”
These gifts are from God alone, and there is nothing that we can do to earn a spiritual gift. Ephesians 4:7 tells us, “But to each on of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” You see, Christ has decided how to gift us, and there is nothing that we can do to ear or decide what spiritual gifts we are given. That is up to God alone.
There’s the “Who,” “What,” “When,” and “Where.”
Now let’s make a transition and take a look at “Why:” Why are spiritual gifts so important?
The reason spiritual gifts are so important is to help the Body of Christ grow. I Peter 4:10 says that we are to, “…use your gifts to serve each other.” I Corinthians 12:7 says, “The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of the entire church.” You see, the gifts that God blesses each of us with are not just for ourselves, they are for others. It is for the common good of the church as a whole.
As you think about a person with a real talent that wastes it, you think of how sad that is. Well, when it comes to our spiritual gifts, the same is true. I Corinthians 4:1-2 tells us that, “…men ought regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is REQUIRED that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” You see, I believe that it is a sin to waste the gifts that God has given you.
Go ahead and turn with me to Matthew 25:14-30. Here in this text, Jesus is telling the people one of His parables. It is The Parable Of The Talents. Listen to these words of Jesus’; Matthew 25:14-30 says, “5”
Now, that is why it is so important that we not only realize what our spiritual gifts are, but that we then put them to use in some kind of ministry that will serve God and serve others. Because when you don’t use your spiritual gifts, 2 parts of the Body of Christ miss out. First, YOU miss out on the blessings that God has given you. By not using your gifts for God, you are missing out on the blessing of fulfillment in life, and the added blessings that God desires to give to you.
But secondly, OTHERS miss out on being blessed by you. When you neglect to use your gifts and abilities, other people miss out on experiencing the blessings that you can bring to them. So that is why it is so important to use what God has gifted you with.
So, we have looked at the “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” and all that leaves is the “How:” How do I find out my spiritual gifts?
Well, I think that the only way to find out what your spiritual gifts are is through doing ministry or serving God and others in some way. I believe that it is easier to discover your gifts through ministry than to discover your ministry through your gifts. But the Bible is clear in telling us that once we have our gifts, we are to use them and develop the gifts that God has given us.
Not only in The Parable of the Talents, but also in I Timothy 4:14. Listen to these words, I Timothy 4:14 says, “Do not neglect your gift…” If you want to use your gifts, and you want to find out what gifts God has given you, the only thing to do is get involved. Take care of some ministry. If you don’t know what to do, ask others what needs to be done, and then do something. Take care of a need here at church, take care of the needs of others around you, do something to help you to discover and develop you spiritual gifts that God has blessed you with.
So, there it is, the: “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” and “How” of spiritual gifts. Now that you know that, you may be asking yourself, “Now What?” Well let me attempt to tell you what to do now.
I believe that there are 4 “E’s” that we need to look at now that we know all there is to know about spiritual gifts. First, Experience through doing ministry. Take advantage of whatever opportunities you are given. In fact, try and seek out opportunities that exist for you to get involved in ministry. Take a look at a list of spiritual gifts, and try and decide which ones you might have based on the kind of person that you are, and then use them.
Second, Examine your feelings. What motivates you and gives you energy when you do it? What is it that you love to do? Now ask this, “How can I use that to serve Jesus?” Decide what it is that you enjoy doing, and then figure out a way that you can use that in ministry or service to God or to others.
Thirdly, Expect confirmation from the Body of Christ. What is it that others say you do well? Listen to the things that other people in the body of Christ tell you that you do well, and then try and use that in ministry or service as well. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to be able to see what it is that you do best.
And finally, Evaluate your effectiveness. Did you give it a long enough trial? What were the fruits of you efforts? Try a ministry and then evaluate your effectiveness and see if it is worth doing longer or not.
But above all, when you consider what your spiritual gifts are, pray and ask God for wisdom concerning your gift.
Before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, I will close us in a word of prayer, and then we will sing a closing song. Just keep this in mind, God has given each of us a spiritual gift to use for service to Him and to others. Make sure that you do not abuse or neglect that gift.
Let’s Pray |
