28 Aug Discovering Your Spiritual Gift: Part 2 Speaking Gifts
- Serving gifts (7) 2. Speaking gifts (8). 3. Supernatural (4)
- Watching cooking shows w/my girls
- Ingredients & measurements
Apostles (1 Corinthians12:28; Ephesians 4:11)
The office of Apostle refers to the 12 chosen by Jesus who were eyewitness to His life and resurrection. In addition to the limited office of Apostle, there is a lesser spiritual gift of apostle that manifests itself in missions, church planting, training pastors, convening conferences, building ministry platforms, and leading leaders.
Jesus’ ministry: Heb 3:1, “fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” Builds Church. Chief cornerstone of. Chief Shepherd over.
Do you have this gift?
- Do pastors and ministry leaders seek you out for wise counsel, oversight, and help?
- Do you have a deep compassion and concern for ministry leaders and their families?
- Can you effectively minister cross-culturally?
- Are you a spiritual entrepreneur who likes to start something or grow something?
- Do you have a longing to see XN churches unified in love for the sake of the gospel?
Warning: A. “false apostles” & “super apostles” B. REAL? Lonely/isolated
Historically: Hudson Taylor- no theological degree. Small/weak/frail. Began ministry 19 instead of physician. Moved to China – poverty, controversy. Took no offering. Overworked. Preached 58 Chinese cities 25 days, 51 never been visited by Protestant missionary. Criticized – language/clothing/food/culture. Every Chinese XN today
Teaching (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28)
The ability to understand and communicate biblical truth in a clear and relevant manner so that there is understanding and application. Learning, researching, communicating, and illustrating truth are qualities that an individual will manifest when exercising the gift of teaching. These people enjoy studying and learning new information, and find joy in sharing it with others.
Jesus’ ministry: Rabbi means “teacher.” Matt. 7:28–29 says that “the crowds were amazed at his [Jesus’] teaching because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
Do you have this gift?
- Do you enjoy studying and researching?
- Do you enjoy imparting biblical truth to others?
- Do others come to you for insight into Scripture?
- When you teach, do people “get it”?
- Does your study of subjects tend to go “deeper” because you are unusually curious?
Warning: A. Idealistic/Legalistic B. Impatient/Unloving slower people
Historically: John Calvin (1509-1564) converted around 23, published Institutes 26 = “Calvinistic theology”. Age 28 settled Geneva, established intense academic schools, later a university. Father modern education in numerous countries, including US. Calvin promoted education for everyone = revolutionary concept now global. By turn this century – pagan nations (China & India) w/little exposure to the Word of God literacy rate ranged 0-20 %. Roman Catholic countries 40-60%. Protestant influenced countries, literacy 94-99.9%. US – 1st 123 colleges/univ XN origins = Calvin’s influence
Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
The ability and desire to boldly and clearly communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ so that non-Christians can become Christians. Evangelists feel compassion for the lost and seek to earnestly understand their questions and doubts so that they can provide a compelling answer. An evangelist often prefers being with non-Christians in the culture rather than hanging out with Christians in the church.
Jesus’ ministry: Lk 19:10 – “the Son of Man came to seek and to save…lost.” Jesus “a friend of tax collectors & ‘sinners’” = evangelistic relationships with sinful people
Do you have this gift?
- Do you enjoy being with non-Christians and sharing the gospel?
- Does a person’s conversion bring you profound joy?
- Do you enjoy teaching other Christians how to share their faith?
- Do you find it easy to direct a conversation toward the topic of Jesus Christ?
Warning: A. Care too little about church/XN’s B. Judge other XN/s
Historically: George Whitefield (1714–1770) began preaching @ 24 arguably America’s greatest preacher. 18k sermons over 10 million people – Great Awakening. Planted 150 churches. Preached open crowds up to 30,000 w/o mic & coughed up blood. Estimated most Americans heard him preach at least 1x – 10 million live w/o modern media. Farewell sermon Boston Commons = more people than Boston’s entire pop & largest crowd ever gathered in US to that time. Whitefield, “God forbid that I should travel with anybody a 1/4 of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.”
Shepherding/Care (Ephesians 4:11)
A pastoral gift also commonly known as shepherding or Christian counseling to protect, guide, counsel, and disciple other people. People with this gift find great joy in seeing people mature in their faith, and overcome besetting sin and discouragement, so that they are healthy and living out the fruit of the Spirit.
Jesus’ ministry: Jesus “good Shepherd” (Jn 10:11–14; 13:20; 1 Ptr 2:25) and the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Ptr 5:4). Jesus sitting w/people to pastor them – Samaritan woman
Do you have this gift?
- When you correct or instruct someone, do they feel loved & helped?
- Do you enjoy meeting with Christians to help them mature in their faith?
- Do people pursue you for wise counsel and instruction?
- Do you regularly meet /people to help them take the next steps on their faith walk?
- Do you find great joy in seeing people heal up, grow, & mature in Holy Spirit?
Warning: 3 Kinds of Relationships
Historically: Puritan Richard Baxter (1615-1691) became pastor @ 23 w/o formal education. Pastored in small English town 2000 people. Took “ignorant, rude and reveling people” and turned them into a church of 1000. Each year he would personally visit the homes of each member of his congregation and did a great amount of counseling. He held a weekly pastor’s forum for discussion and prayer in which he encouraged and trained numerous pastors = The Reformed Pastor, 1 of 200 writings.
Encouragement (Romans 12:8)
Encouragement (also called the gift of exhortation) involves motivating, encouraging, and consoling others so they mature in their walk with Jesus. To encourage someone is to literally pour courage into them to strengthen and sustain them. Christians with this gift have an unusual sensitivity for and are attracted to those who are discouraged or struggling. As a result, people tend to pursue them for healing words, gracious truth, and compassionate counsel.
Jesus’ ministry: Jesus taught love enemies & do good to them (Luke 6:27–35). Exhorted “leave your life of sin” (Jn 8:11). Php. 2:1, “there is…encouragement in Christ”
Do you have this gift?
- Do people seek you out for advice and encouragement?
- Do you enjoy walking with someone through difficulties?
- Are you attracted to those who are hurting and needy?
- Are you patient with & joyful w/ suffering people?
Warning: A. Lack discernment for foolish or evil. B. Struggle w/direct truth teller
Historically: Reformer Martin struggled w/physical health & emotional depression. Constant opposition, rejection, danger. 3 boys 3 girls, 1 girl died 13 mo’s another 13 yrs in his arms. Wife Katherine hard working devoted encourager. Turned 40 yr old monastery into home – a place to eat, work, relax, enjoy family & friends. She sat w/him to write letters and Bible teaching, brewed bear, sense of humor (e.g. open door in black mourning). “The greatest gift of grace a man can have is a pious, God-fearing, home-loving wife, whom he can trust with all his goods, body, and life itself, as well as having her as the mother of his children.”
Leadership (Romans 12:8)
People who have a clear, significant vision from God and are able to communicate it publicly or privately in such a way that they influence others to pursue that vision. These people tend to gravitate toward the “point position” in a ministry. Others tend to have trust and confidence in their abilities. They best serve others by leading them. They tend to operate with a strong sense of destiny.
Jesus’ ministry: “follow me” = the world has for 2000 years
Do you have this gift?
- Do others have confidence in your ability to lead?
- Do you enjoy being the “final voice” or the one with the overall responsibility?
- When a difficult situation arises, do others look to you for input and leadership?
- Do you tend to have clear vision for a better future that others agree with?
- Can you build a diverse gifted team around your vision?
Warning: A. Too independent & not seek wise counsel. B. lonely. C. Overlook family @
Historically: Athanasius (?296/298 – 373) 1 of the most important theologians. As young man Alexander hired him asst. Battle against Arius (Arianism) 1. Denied Jesus eternal 2. Jesus God 3. Trinity. Council Nicaea 325; 300 bishops including Alexander vs Arius. Athanasius was elevated primary defender of Nicene Creed & wrote “On the Incarnation” in 20’s. Enemies routinely brought false charges against him; ran him out of town into exile 5x, a total of 17/45 yrs as bishop. Not vindicated until after death.
Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Insight into people and situations that is not obvious to the average person, combined with an understanding of what to do and how to do it. It is the ability to not only see, but also apply the principles of God’s Word to the practical matters of life by the “Spirit of wisdom” (Ephesians 1:17). These people today function well as coaches, counselors, and consultants. They tend to be very practical about what to do and not do. Whereas teachers love books of the Bible like Romans, people with the gift of wisdom like books of the Bible like Proverbs.
Jesus’ ministry: Lk 2:40–52 Jesus was “filled with wisdom” as boy & “grew in wisdom” as young man, scholars “amazed at his understanding.” Crowds – “What’s this wisdom that has been given him” (Mk 6:2). Jesus said He was wiser than Solomon (Mt 12:42).
Do you have this gift?
- Do you have a pattern of making wise decisions for your life & family first?
- Do you seek wise counsel from people wiser than you?
- When studying the Bible do you find yourself moving toward practical actions?
- Do you get frustrated when people make foolish decisions that damage their life?
- When making important decisions, do people come to you for prayer & biblical counsel?
Warning: A. Critic instead of helper. B. Rom 1:22, “Claiming to be wise, they became fools…”
Historically: A.W. Tozer – born poor hills western Pennsylvania, saved 15, entered the ministry w/o hs or college. Thousands listened Moody Bible sermons, life as pastor, preacher, writer, studied on knees begging HS for wisdom. Wrote dozens books
Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
The ability to research, remember, and make effective use of a variety of information on a number of diverse subjects. These people love to study, love to learn, and are not content with a surface-level knowledge of topics. They are compelled to conduct thorough research and compile their findings so that others can benefit from their long hours of focused study. People with this spiritual gift love God with “all [their] mind” (Mark 12:29–30).
Jesus’ ministry: Jesus quoted OT memorized memory. Rebuked scholars of His for studying Bible but failing to love Him, which is the purpose of all study (John 5:39).
Do you have this gift?
- Do you have a good memory that retains and compiles lots of information?
- Have others frequently pointed out your ability to know and understand God’s Word?
- Are you a mentally curious person who finds new things to lean a fun challenge?
- Are you frustrated by bad teaching from someone who hasn’t done their homework?
- Does misinformation, lies, and untruth bother you at a profoundly deep level?
Warning: “knowledge puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).
Historically: Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) French scholar died 39. Masterful of mathematics, probability science, physics, & philosophy. Child prodigy literary circles. Wrote first groundbreaking scientific essay on conic sections based upon synthetic projective geometry around 17. Created 1st working barometer, 1st working calculator to help his father w/taxes, laid the academic foundation for differential & integral calculus, conducted the basic research on vacuums and hydraulics, invented the syringe & created the hydraulic. Loved Jesus wrote Pensees. Religious philosophy foundational for later philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Existentialist philosophy.
