Heap Of Stones » Spiritual Gifts

Demystifying Spiritual Gifts

Rob — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:42:20 +0000

Many of us have wrestled with questions about what constitutes a spiritual gift, what our spiritual gifts are and how we discover them. Based on Scripture a spiritual gift appears to be simply an ability or skill endowed on us by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the church family. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.)

My personal understanding from Scripture is that the Lord does not provide for us a complete list of spiritual gifts. The lists given in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 contain both similar and unique spiritual gifts. None of these lists neatly overlap. This leads me to the conclusion that these lists provide examples of spiritual gifts, but are not intended to give us a complete inventory of them.

This factor becomes very important when trying to pinpoint the spiritual gifts God has endowed us with. For if the biblical inventory of spiritual gifts is not exhaustive, then we may have spiritual gifts that are not represented in the lists. The Scripture itself suggests this idea in Exodus 31. In that passage, Israel is about to construct the tabernacle under the guidance of Moses.

In Exodus 31:1-5 we read, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.’”

The passage in Exodus clearly indicates that the Holy Spirit gave Bezalel special “skills, abilities and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Such skills are not listed among the spiritual gifts in the New Testament, but that’s what they were. From this it appears that the gift itself does not determine whether it is a spiritual gift or not. Instead, two other factors come together to signify a spiritual gift. First, the Holy Spirit gives the gift; and second, the household of God benefits from the gifts given to its individual members. These two characteristics jive with the New Testament description of spiritual gifts as well.

What this means for us very simply is that the Holy Spirit has bestowed some amazing gifts on individuals in the church family in order to serve and build up that church family. In our church I think of people who are skilled artists, mechanics, designers, chefs, small group leaders, carpenters, financiers, leaders, servers, greeters, teachers, musicians, writers, and so on.

In the past we’ve gone to great lengths to try to distinguish between talents and spiritual gifts. But if an ability, skill or knowledge is endowed by the Holy Spirit and serves the church family, is that not a spiritual gifting? What would be the value of even trying to distinguish between the two? I’m afraid we’ve attempted to create an exact science of something that is highly relational and therefore highly variable. (See 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.)

Here are some simple questions and suggestions for helping us implement our spiritual gifts:

What special talents, skills, abilities or knowledge has God given you?
What were you doing when you and others have observed God using you most effectively?
What do others say that you’re good at?
What do you really enjoy doing that serves the church family?
If you’re not sure where to serve, simply pick an area or step into an opportunity and try it for a few months.
From time to time all of us may feel unqualified and unsuccessful when employing our spiritual gifts.
Remember, spiritual gifts must also be developed. You may have an aptitude for a skill, but lack the practice.
Simply ask God to use you and make yourself available to him and your church family!
Always exercise your spiritual gift with God’s strength, in his character and with others in mind.

Invest in God’s Kingdom Creatively!

Rob — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:51:46 +0000

As I read through the Bible one of the things that I enjoy about God is the creative way he chooses to do things! Look at just a few of these: he created many things out-of-nothing, yet when he created man, he took some dirt (that he’d already created) out of which he formed him; God provided manna for Israel’s food every day for 40 years; he rebuked an evil prophet by allowing the prophet’s own donkey to speak to him; he brought down the walls of a mighty city by asking Israel to march around it; he got Jonah’s attention by preparing a great fish to swallow him for three days and then spit him out on land!

Then we go to the New Testament where we find Jesus also working creatively. Sometimes he healed people just by speaking a word; other times he touched them; once he made mud and daubed it on the eyes of a blind man and told him to wash; he turned the water contained in six large ceremonial jars into fine wine at a wedding; he asked Peter to go catch a fish in which he would find a coin of an exact denomination in order to pay taxes! The Lord is incredibly creative in his dealings with mankind.

God is also very creative in the way he gifts us spiritually. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 explains, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” Basically, what this passage says is that even if two of us have the same spiritual gift, the way in which we serve others with that gift will vary greatly, and the way God works through us as we serve will bring a wide variety of results.

When I was in college, I was married with two children and worked a full-time job. We were as poor as church mice. So when our close friends, John and Becky were celebrating their 15th anniversary there was no way we could take them out to dinner. Linda and I put our heads together and came up with an alternative idea. We transformed our humble living room into Frederic’s Fine Restaurant and invited John and Becky for dinner. We set up everything as elegantly as we could—candles, music, linen and hand-printed menus for this special evening. Linda and I enjoyed serving our friends and providing a memorable romantic evening for their enjoyment.

Many of us sell ourselves and God short in his desire to use us significantly in the lives of others. In the examples above, God most often took something that was available and used it uniquely. What has God given you in terms of talents, resources and spiritual gifts that you could use uniquely and creatively to serve others and bring God glory? Let him surprise and delight you in the creative ways he wants to use you and what he has given you!

Values for Serving Others

Rob — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:38 +0000

Values are like a compass showing us due north. Values give us direction. Values make our lives easier, because they’ve already settled issues for us that we don’t have to wrestle with every time they come up. Values help us focus on right-living.

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Lord provides us with five values to guide us as we employ our spiritual gifts in the family of Christ:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7-11)

In verse 7 we read, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” In the context of this letter, Peter has been reminding his readers of how temporal this world is. (See 1 Peter 1:3-5, 13 and 2:11-12). The value he gives us here is that we must be Kingdom-focused! We realize that what we’re doing has Kingdom impact. This is a God-sized endeavor and not some puny earth-sized thing! Also, what God wants to do through us is far bigger than we are.

Verse 8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The value here is: We must be others-centered! Investing in others is all about others. It is not about me or us. Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who…made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” (Phil 2:3, 5, 7)

Exercising our spiritual gifts must be about others and not about self-fulfillment. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” The spiritual gifts you and I have been given by the Holy Spirit are for serving others. The enjoyment we receive in serving others is a wonderful by-product of selfless service.

We find the third value in verse 9 (NLT), “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.” The value here is: We must be joy-prompted! (See Hebrews 12:2.)

The movie, Chariots of Fire is the story of a Scottish follower of Christ, Eric Liddell, who in the 1924 Olympics took the gold medal and set a world record in the 400-meter race. Eric loved to run. He was designed to run and he was obviously a gifted athlete and runner. When someone asked him why he ran, he responded, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure!” When we allow God to work through us to serve others, we feel His pleasure! And it truly is a great joy to serve and help others!

The first part of verse 10 contains the next value, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” The value here is: We must be action-oriented! Use your spiritual gift! Taking action also means taking risks. Risks with our time, money and reputation. But move out on it. Don’t be passive, timid, weak and unbelieving. Take a hold of God’s grace and take action! God has given you to your church family and situated you there strategically to act out his life-changing plan (1 Corinthians 12:18).

The fifth value we find in verses 10-11, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The value here is: We must be God-dependent! The talents, skills and resources we have are gifts from God. We are totally dependent on him in employing our gifts for his glory.

The mind picture I get here is of an endless banquet table at which countless others are seated. It is a festive, joyous banquet. The Lord is our gracious host who has provided the most amazing, plentiful and tantalizing feast imaginable. Now picture yourself in the white coat of a food server. It is your privilege to fill someone’s plate from the buffet table with all God’s delicious delicacies and place those before the person you’re serving. You feel like a small child handing out Christmas presents from under the tree on Christmas morning. What joy is ours to distribute God’s grace to others!

Values for Employing Spiritual Gifts

Rob — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:05:48 +0000

In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Lord provides us with five values to guide us as we employ our spiritual gifts in the family of Christ:

In verse 7 we read, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” In the context of this letter, Peter has been reminding his readers of how temporal this world is. (See 1 Peter 1:3-5, 13 and 2:11-12). The value he gives us here is that we must be Kingdom-focused! We realize that what we’re doing has Kingdom impact. This is a God-sized endeavor and not some puny earth-sized thing!

Verse 8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The value here is: We must be others-centered! Investing in others is all about others. It is not about me or us. Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who…made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” (Phil 2:3, 5, 7)

We find the third value in verse 9 (NLT), “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.” The value here is: We must be joy-prompted! The movie, Chariots of Fire is the story of a Scottish follower of Christ, Eric Liddell, who in the 1924 Olympics took the gold medal and set a world record in the 400-meter race. Eric loved to run. He was designed to run and he was obviously a gifted athlete and runner. When someone asked him why he ran, he responded, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure!”

When we allow God to work through us to serve others, we feel His pleasure! And it truly is a great joy to serve and help others!

The first part of verse 10 contains the next value, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” The value here is: We must be action-oriented! Use your spiritual gift! Taking action means taking risks. Risks with our time, money and reputation. But move out on it. Don’t be passive, timid, weak and unbelieving. Take a hold of God’s grace and take action! God has given you to your church family and situated you there strategically to act out his life-changing plan (1 Corinthians 12:18).

The fifth value we find in verses 10-11, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The value here is: We must be God-dependent! The talents, skills and resources we have are gifts from God. We dare not boast of them.