The Holy Spirit

Introduction to the Gifts (continued)

Study 6

So how did you do last week?
Did you go over the verses?
Did you find all the gifts?

Let's start out this week by looking at the definition of Spiritual Gifts from the Vines Bible dictionary.

Greek Word: charisma
Gifts = a gift of grace, a gift involving grace" on the part of God as the donor,

As we look into the gifts of the Spirit, We will notice that there are three categories of gifts in:

1 Cor 12:4-6 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

Or in the NIV it says,

1 Cor 12:4-6 (NIV) 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Notice in the verses
verse 4 different kinds of gifts,
verse 5 different kinds of service,
verse 6 different kinds of working

We notice it says there are differences or diversities first of gifts, then service, then activities or workings.
To break them up into the three categories, they would look like this:

1. Support gifts (verse 4) These provide direction and leadership for the church.

2. Service gifts (verse 5) The behind the scenes gifts, encouraging and building the body.

3. Sign gifts (verse 6) Supernaturally manifest the Holy Spirits power, authenticating God's presence in the church.

So we can think of the gifts not only in something we receive, but something we use as we see by using the gifts for service and works.

But you say, "but I don't have a gift" or, "I don't know what my gift is." But you do have a gift, or several gifts, look at:

1 Cor 12:7 (NLT) A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

It says a spiritual gift is given to EACH of us!
Or in another verse it says:

1 Cor 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Once again "distributing to each one individually" Yes, this means you too.

There are no playing favorites with the Holy Spirit. He doesn't say, "OK, you've been a good boy (or girl) you deserve a gift."
We can't earn our gift(s) it's as "He wills" according to 1 Cor. 12:11
We are so used to thinking of ourselves, we think a gift is mine, mine, mine.
But the bible say's it's given to you to use for the benefit of others.

Think of it this way, if someone gave you a gift, and you never used it, but kept it in a closet, you would have received the gift but it was of no use.
As believers, we should be using our gift(s) to minister to others.

What if someone gave you a bread machine for Christmas or your Birthday, and you just put it in the closet, never using it.
Now let's say that there are hungry people outside wanting food, but you say, "all I have is this flour, it will do you no good".
You should take the flour and the bread machine and make bread for those who are hungry.
But you say, "It takes so much of my time to measure out the flour, plug in the machine, throw in some yeast and milk, then I have to push that button to make it start. I just don't have time for that."
You have just taken a great gift that would make your life easier, and would even help others, and used excuses for not using it.
It's the same way with the gifts of the Spirit, look at I Cor 12:7 again

1 Cor 12:7 (KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

or for the common good NIV.

1 Cor 12:7 (Living) The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

To profit all, the common good, or helping the entire church; to do this you have to use it.
So, as we look at the Gifts and try to determine what our gift(s) are, let me ask you one thing; the gift you desire, why do you desire it?
Is it to be noticed by someone, or by the church?
Maybe it's so you will feel more like a Christian or closer to God.
Sometimes we desire the gifts to do a work to be accepted by God.

Look at verse 7 again, it speaks of the profit of all of the church, not for the person who has the gift.

Look at what Jesus said in;

John 13:16-17 16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jesus said this, after He finished washing the disciples feet.
Jesus was the ultimate example of a servant.

We say we desire to be like Jesus. But do we say, "I want to be like Jesus except for doing something that will cause me discomfort" , or to "lose some of my SO important time."

Jesus did not desire to be glorified through the gifts he used (all of them). His desire was for God to be glorified, not Himself, and to serve others.
He never said, "Look at me know, I'm going to heal this person, watch me, See what I can do."
No, He saw the needs of the people and served their needs.
We should desire the gifts for the same reason. For Jesus to be glorified and to serve the needs of others, not our own vanity so people can see us.

When you ask for a certain gift for Christmas or your birthday, you usually ask for something you can use.
So it must be when we ask the Father for a gift(s), it should be something we can use at the time we are ministering.

For example;
If I am talking to someone, and they tell me they're sick. I'm not going to ask God for the gift of teaching so I can teach them about healings. No, I'm going to ask God for the gift of healings so I can minister to that person.

Sometimes we think we have to preach to a person before we can help them, but what they really need is to be ministered to. Then they will see Jesus and not us, and then we give God the glory then ask for the gift of teaching or knowledge so the scriptures will come to life for them.

When the gifts are used, you should see the fruit of the spirit manifested:

Gal 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

We will go over this verse in another study, but I want you to remember it.

One more thing before we start looking at the gifts.
The gifts are a great thing to have if you use them as the Lord intended them to be used. But remember what Jesus said in:

Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Jesus didn't want His disciples to rejoice in the works they were doing. We don't have this great ability, but it's that ability the Lord has given us.
So rejoice in the most awesome gift, the gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In order to receive any of the gifts, you must be a child of God.
And the only way to the Father as Jesus said is through Him.

Are you tired of trying to do right all the time seeing your life go nowhere? Maybe you feel like you are nobody and nobody cares for you.
You don't think that God will ever give you anything, let alone a special gift He wants you to use.

The answer to all your questions are in Jesus Christ. God knew you before you were even born, He knew the things you would do, but still through all He knows about you he loved you so much that He was willing to allow His Son Jesus to die for you so that you could be with Him forever in Heaven.
All you have to do is believe in His Son Jesus. Believe that Jesus died for your sins. And accept His death for your payment for your sins.

Tell Him now, just say,
"Jesus, I admit I am a sinner, I believe You came to die for my sins. I know that you are the only way for me to get to heaven. Forgive me for my sins, cleans me, change me, wash me white as snow with your blood. Thank You Jesus for dying for me, Thank You Father for sending Jesus for me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, and help me to tell others about You so they can be with us in heaven some day.
I ask this in Jesus name, AMEN

If you just prayed that prayer from your heart, you are now a child of God, You are forgiven. Welcome to the family of the One and Only True GOD, There is no other!

Finally, here are the gifts mentioned in

I Cor.12:8-10 & 12:28

Rom. 12:6-8

Eph. 4:11

I Peter 4:11

Word of Wisdom	Apostles
Word of Knowledge	Teaching
Faith	Helps
Healings	Administrating/Leadership
Working of Miracles	Ministry
Prophecy	Giving
Distinguishing of spirits	Leading
Tongues	Showing mercy
Interpreting tongues	Evangelism
Speaking	Pastor-Teacher
Serving	Exhorting

and remember the three categories of gifts according to I Cor 12 4-6
Here they are in that order:

Support/Gifts V4	Service V5	Working/Signs V6
Apostleship	Administrating	Distinguishing of spirits
Word of Wisdom	Leading	Miracles
Prophecy	Exhorting	Healing
Word of Knowledge	Faith	Tongues
Evangelism	Giving	Interpreting tongues
Pastor	Helps
Teacher	Serving
Showing mercy

So how do we know what these gifts are or what our gift(s) are?

First let's look at a definition of the gifts from the Vine Dictionary.

Word of Wisdom = the insight into the true nature of things.

Word of Knowledge = "to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand," or "to understand completely."

Faith = "firm persuasion," a conviction based upon hearing.

Healings = "to serve as a therapon, and attendant;" then, "to care for the sick, to treat, cure, heal" (Eng., "therapeutics").

Prophecy = "the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God."

Discerning of spirits = of "discerning" spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God.

Tongues = "the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learnt."

Interpretations of tongues = "to interpret fully, to explain." See above for tongues

Helps/Ministering/Serving = "a laying hold of, an exchange" to take, lay hold of," so as to support.

Pastor = "a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks" (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian "pastors."

Teachers = "teachers" of the truth in the churches.

Exhortations = "a calling to one's side," and so "to one's aid."

Giving = Greek Word: charisma "a gift of grace, a gift involving grace" (charis) on the part of God as the donor.

Administrating/Leadership = "to lead, attend to" (indicating care and diligence), "to lead out," is rendered by the verb "to lead, out or forth."

Mercy = general, "to feel sympathy with the misery of another," and especially sympathy manifested in act, "to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy."

Working of Miracles = "power, inherent ability," is used of works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means.

Evangelism = "a messenger of good" denotes a "preacher of the Gospel."

Apostles = "one sent forth."

Does it seem through these definitions like your back in school?
Are you wondering what they really mean in plain English?
Are you saying, "I still don't know what my gift(s) are?"

Next week you should have a pretty good idea, after we look at a clearer definition of the gifts and a demonstration that I do to help you see what the gifts are and what yours may be.
So don't worry too much about the definitions if you don't fully understand them.

Remember to memories:

Gal 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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Who is the
Holy Spirit?

What the
Holy Spirit does
in our lives.

What the
Holy Spirit
does in
our lives
(part II)

Prayer

Prayer
(part II)

Intro to
the gifts of
the
Holy Spirit.

Intro to
the gifts
of the
Holy Spirit
(part II)

Intro to
the gifts
of the
Holy Spirit
(part III)

Intro to
the gifts
of the
Holy Spirit
(part IV)

Word of
Wisdom
& Word of
Knowledge.

Faith