Understanding

1
Understanding Utilizing our Spiritual Gifts

• PMBC Summer Session Bible Study
• Instructor Dr. Guy A. Williams, Sr.

2
The Importance of Spiritual Gifts

• It is central to ones identity as a Christian
• It is essential to fulfilling ones destiny
  purpose before God
• Their proper use is paramount to the will of God
  (individual corporate)
• It is a key catalyst to Jesus Churchs growth,
  development maturation
• It is an effective draw for the unsaved

3
The Importance of Spiritual Gifts

• Its appropriate use is extremely profitable (1
  Tim. 317)
• It clearly depicts the Christians presentation
  of themselves to God as a living sacrifice
  (Rom. 121-2)
• It helps the believer see themselves in proper
  perspective before God (123)
• Not too highly
• According to ones measure of faith

4
New Blessings from a New Covenant Relationship

• Key New Testament Passages
• Romans 126-8
• 1 Corinthians 12-14
• Ephesians 411
• 1 Peter 410-11
• Key Words
• Spiritual things (pneumatikon) 1 Cor. 121
• Gifts (charisma) Rom. 126 1 Cor. 124, 9,
  28, 30-31 1 Pet. 410
• Ministries (diakonia) Rom. 127

5
What is a Spiritual Gift

• Extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain
  Christians and enabling them to serve the church
  of Christ, the reception of which is due to the
  power of divine grace operating in their souls by
  the Holy Spirit. (J.H. Thayer)
• An ability given to an individual supernaturally
  by God through the Holy Spirit so that the
  recipient may utilize that ability to minister to
  the needs of the church, the body of Christ.
  (T.A. Edgar)

6
What is a Spiritual Gift?

• A divinely ordained spiritual ability through
  which Christ enables His church to execute its
  task on earth.
• Extraordinary endowments bestowed by the Holy
  Spirit sovereignty and undeservedly on believers
  as instruments for Christian service and church
  edification.
• A divinely bestowed ability given to every
  believer in Jesus Christ in order to serve the
  church. (T. Evans)

7
Who are the Recipients of Spiritual Gifts?

• The born-again believer in Jesus Christ, at the
  point of salvation
• 1 Corinthians 127, 11
• Ephesians 416
• 1 Peter 410

8
What is/are the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts?

• A few examples
• Mk. 1617-20 accompanying the preaching of the
  Gospel
• Rom. 126-8 ministries to be exercised
• 1 Cor. 1422 sign to unbelievers
• The Answer FOR THE COMMON GOOD . . . of all in
  the church (1 Cor. 127)
• All three members of the Holy Trinity are united
  on the divine purpose of the gifts (1 Cor.
  124-6)

9
What is/are the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts?

• The Answer FOR THE COMMON GOOD . . . of all in
  the church (1 Cor. 127)
• To minister to the church to build spiritual
  maturity (Eph. 411-12)
• To serve one another . . . as good stewards (1
  Pet. 410)

10
What is/are the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts?

• Critical Priority
• . . . let all things be done for edification (to
  build up) 1 Cor. 1426
• love must be the principle motive and guiding
  means (1 Cor. 131-13)
• Never Self
• In no instance does the NT ever state that gifts
  were to be used for personal benefit
• (e.g., teaching or helps others oriented)

11
The Giver of Spiritual Gifts

• Fundamental premise
• All spiritual gifts are sovereignly given by God
  . . . according to His Will . . . according to
  His assessment of the recipients capacity and
  potential (1 Cor. 1211 Rom. 123-8 cf. Matt.
  2514-30)

12
Does Spiritual Giftedness Spiritual Maturity

• NO!
• As seen in the Corinthian context, though they
  had all the gifts (17), they were spiritually
  immature and carnal (31-3)
• In almost every chapter, the apostle Paul had to
  deal with some manifestation of their spiritual
  infantilism
• Yet . . .
• A spiritually mature believer is one who is being
  filled, led, guided, in fellowship with,
  empowered by, and flowing in their spiritual
  giftedness

13
OT Examples NT Elevation

• In the OT the Holy Spirit is associated with all
  sorts of special endowments He provides and there
  is no clear distinction made between secular
  and sacred gifts
• Craftsman skilled in wood metal (Exod. 313,
  6)
• Sampsons unusual strength (Judg. 146)
• Political wisdom to Othniel (Judg. 310) and
  Daniel (Dan. 16-11, 17)
• Spiritual wisdom to Joseph for leadership
  management over Egypt (Gen. 4138)

14
OT Examples NT Elevation

• But in the NT, the Holy Spirits gifts are
  referred to as spiritual (1 Cor. 121 141,
  12)
• As the gifts are from the same Holy Spirit, the
  key difference is context and function of the
  gifts
• Context the Church, the body of Christ
• Function/goal spiritual maturity of the Church

15
OT Examples NT Extension

• Common problem in misunderstanding the
  difference
• Failure to call all believers to use every talent
  and skill with which theyve been endowed to
  carry out the revealed purposes of God in the
  world
• Downgrading these abilities and uplift the
  spiritual gifts from the NT as Gods only
  ratified blessings
• Overemphasis on the nature of the listed gifts
  that we have misunderstood ministry
• Individual vs. coordinated expression of Spirits
  activity

16
The Distinction between Gifts and Talents

• Principally we must remember James affirmation
  (Ja. 117)
• A natural talent is
• Given from God at ones natural birth (saved
  unsaved)
• Is a special ability to perform a task in a
  clearly above average manner for ones personal
  benefit and potentially for the benefit of others
• It can be used to advance Gods cause and bring
  God glory

17
The Distinction between Gifts and Talents

• Principally we must remember James affirmation
  (Ja. 117)
• A spiritual gift is
• A special ability (freely and graciously given)
  at ones spiritual birth (by the Holy Spirit) to
  perform tasks in a manner that is clearly
  supernatural
• It is specifically designed by God to bring Him
  glory and to build-up His Church (the body of
  Christ) and empower and advance His cause on the
  earth

18
The Diversity of Gifts

• God gives differing gifts to Christians
• Rom. 124-6
• 1 Cor. 124, 8, 10
• Moreover, all Christians cannot have the same
  gift (1 Cor. 1217-22)
• Every gift God gives to the body is essential and
  valuable

19
The Difference in Value

• While every gift is indeed essential and valuable
  to God, not all gifts have the same value
• Gods order is reflected in gift of leadership to
  the church (1 Cor. 1228 Eph. 417-8, 11-12)
• While every gift is indeed essential and valuable
  to God, some gifts are more essential than others
• The gift of prophecy vs. the gift of tongues (1
  Cor. 145, 19)

20
Gods Order of Gods Gifts

• Foundational principles
• God is not the Author of confusion, but of
  peace (1 Cor. 1433)
• When it comes to the use and operation of gifts .
  . .
• let all things be done decently and in order
  (1 Cor. 1440 NKJV)
• While persons may be supernaturally filled with
  the Spirit they are NOT truly in the Spirit if
  they are out of control and operating out of
  order (1 Cor. 1426-35)

21
The First Edifying Gift Apostle

• Aside from the Lord Jesus Christ, the most
  important person in the NT church was the apostle
• Apostle (Apostolos) a sent one
• In the LXX (Septuagint the Greek translation of
  the OT) the Heb. Word shalach send is used
  (1 Kgs. 146)
• The idea here is one who is sent as a
  representative thus, sent one

22
The Apostle in the Gospels

• The Twelve were apostles of the Lord
• (Matt. 102 Lk. 613 910 175)

23
The Apostle in Acts

• The Twelve were the apostles (Acts 1-2)
• The number remained the same even in the
  selection of Matthias (Acts 121-26)
• Critical Qualification An apostle was a witness
  of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 122
  cf. 433)
• Proof (Acts 11-14 517-32 1041-42)

24
The Apostle in Acts

• Key Ministries of the Apostles
• Taught (242)
• Performed miracles (512)
• Held the authority of the church, as Jesus
  representatives (242 435-37 51-11 62-6
  927)
• Interesting Except for Barnabas Paul, the
  apostles were not characterized by missionary
  activity
• They actually remained at the home-base in
  Jerusalem while others were sent forth (Acts 52,
  18 62-6 81 927 152 Gal. 117-210)

25
The Apostle in the Epistles

• The Epistles use the term apostle to refer to any
  of the Twelve and Paul
• The Epistles indicate that an apostle was a
  direct witness of the resurrection of Jesus
• (1 Cor. 91-2 1 Cor. 155-8)
• One must have had to actually see Jesus in one of
  His resurrection appearances
• The Epistles indicate that an apostle was able to
  perform miracles
• (2 Cor. 1211-12)

26
The Apostle in the Epistles

• The Epistles indicate that the gift of apostle
  was given only at the beginning of the church
• (Eph. 220)
• The context of Ephesians refers to the universal
  church the whole body of Christ
• Note so called present day apostles (in the
  strict sense) CANNOT be foundational for the
  universal church

27
The Apostle in the Epistles

• The Epistles indicate that an apostle received
  very special and unique responsibilities and
  revelation
• Over local assemblies (1 Cor. 419-21 5 3-4 2
  Cor. 132-3, 10)
• They were specifically called and/or appointed by
  the Lord (Rom. 15 Gal. 1-2 1 Tim. 27 cf.
  Eph. 35 also prophets Paul 2 Cor. 121-17)

28
The Uniqueness of the Apostle

• Like the OT prophets they performed mighty
  miracles
• They shall sit on the 12 thrones judging the 12
  tribes of Israel (Matt. 1928)
• Their names will be on the foundation of the
  heavenly city (Rev. 2114)
• They have authority even over NT prophets (1 Cor.
  1228 1437)
• Church history denotes that not only were they
  the originals but that no other duplicates were
  accepted

29
The Broader Use of the Term

• Beyond the 12, there were others called apostles
• Barnabas (Acts 144, 14
• James (Gal. 119)
• Silas Timothy (1 Thess. 11 26)
• Matthias (Acts 214 62 927 1 Cor. 155, 7)
• Paul (1 Cor. 155, 7 1 Cor. 91-5)
• The last NT reference for their official use was
  at the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 152-6, 23
  164)

30
The Broader Use of the Term

• The word missionary conveys the broader meaning
  today w/the following qualifications
• Being sent
• missionary (Latin) to send
• apostle (Greek) to send
• Transcultural Ministry
• Church-Planting Ministry (Rom. 1520 1 Cor. 310)

31
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The word prophecy conveys the idea of
• fore-telling to tell those things before
• forth-telling to tell those things already
  revealed
• The word prophesy means to expound or preach
  under the influence of the Holy Spirit
• The prophet is one who speaks for God and
  interprets His will to the people.
• (Heb. nabi) one who speaks by direct command
  (revelation) of God (cf. Deut. 1820-22)

32
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The OT prophets message was primarily warning
  against judgment (re sin)
• The OT prophet expressed the Voice of God,
  address contemporary issues future events
• The biblical prophet was viewed as a national
  leader reformer

33
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The word prophecy was used in the culture of
  the day for the oracular gift sometimes the
  prophet (cf. 2 Chron. 3232 158 Ezra 51)
• The word prophesy occurs 28x in the NT
• Most instances referring to the OT prophets
• The prophetic ministry is seen as supernatural
  (cf. Matt. 722-23 Matt. 2667-68 Mk. 1465)

34
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The Prophet in the Gospels
• Point out the similarity in the OT NT usages of
  the term (Lk. 739 Jn. 419 614 740)
• The Prophet in the book of Acts
• Some refer to NT prophets, but most OT prophets
  (230-31 318-25 752 1043 1127-28 131
  1532 2110 2622-23)
• Their ministry primarily involved foretelling
• Specific examples Acts 1127-28 2110
  Agabus 1532 Judas Silas

35
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The Prophet in Romans
• Each of the usages refer to OT prophets
• The Prophet according to Paul in other
  Epistles
• 1 Cor. 1228-29 1429-32
• Eph. 220 35 41
• Titus 112
• 1 Pet. 110

36
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• The Prophet in Revelations
• They will be present during the end of the great
  tribulation and are tied to foretelling (226
  cf. 229)

37
The Second Edifying Gift Prophecy

• This gift is clearly differentiated from
  edification or exhortation (Acts 217-18 196
  219 1 Cor. 114-5 139 141-39)
• Three important essentials of a prophet
• Must receive his/her message from God in the form
  of special revelation
• Must have divine guidance in the declaration of
  the prophetic message tied to the Word of God
• The message must be correct w/out error

38
Summary of the Gift of Prophecy

• Not all have the gift
• They are recipients of divine revelation
• Their ministry particularly involved foretelling
  or prediction very specific not vague
  general
• When they spoke via revelation, their ministry
  exhorts causes hearers to learn
• They were given at the inception of the Church
• Their ministry was both in the local church
  itinerant

39
Summary of the Gift of Prophecy

• The gift of prophet is a high priority gift,
  often linked with that of apostle
• This gift (in its strictest sense) is not
  operational in the church today
• Their predictions must
• Come from special revelation
• Be specific
• Be verifiable

40
The Gift of Evangelism

• The gift of evangelism is taken from the word
  evangelize (euanggellion) to proclaim Gods
  message of salvation the gospel or good news
• The evangelist is the one called of God to
  proclaim His message of salvation
• The word applies to both an office a ministry
• Phillip (Acts 218)
• The early believers after persecution (Acts 84,
  40)

41
The Gift of Evangelism

• The evangelist did not have the authority of an
  apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the
  responsibility of pastoral supervision over a
  portion of the flock
• The evangelist were itinerant preachers, having
  it as their special function to carry the gospel
  to places where it was previously unknown
• The writers of the four Gospels are known as the
  Evangelists

42
The Gift of Evangelism

• The evangelists effectiveness was measured (in
  part) by those who got saved as a result of the
  proclamation (Acts 237 141)
• At times b/c of a hard-heart persons simply
  rejected the message (Acts 199 2425)
• While there are those with this spiritual gift,
  all Christians are responsible for being a
  faithful witness of Jesus gospel (Acts 18 cf.
  Matt. 2819-20)

43
The Gift of Shepherding

• The word shepherd (poimen) comes from the root
  meaning to protect
• The word has an OT origin commonly referencing
  adverse behavior of these chosen by God (Jer.
  28 315 1021 1210 231-4)
• This gives the reverse of Gods expectations of
  them
• The word shepherd appears only 1x in the NT (Eph.
  411)
• Referring to the office the gift

44
The Gift of Shepherding

• The word shepherd (poimen) referring to an office
  is used interchangeably with
• bishop or overseer (episcopos) referring
  to one who functions as an overseer of ministries
  or ministers (cf. 1 Tim. 31)
• elder (presbuteros) referring to an older
  mature male who with authority serves in a
  position of authority (Num. 227 Exod. 316
  241 Num. 1116-17)

45
The Gift of Shepherding

• The word shepherd (poimen) referring to an office
  is used interchangeably with
• elder is the keystone of the social and
  political fabric wherever the patriarchal system
  exists
• At the present day this is the case among the
  Arabs, where the sheik (i.e., "the old man") is
  the highest authority in the tribe
• The body of the "elders" of Israel were the
  representatives of the people from the very
  first, and were recognized as such by Moses

46
The Gift of Shepherding

• The word shepherd (poimen) referring to an office
  is used interchangeably with
• All down through the history of the Jews we find
  mention made of the elders as exercising
  authority among the people
• They appear as
• Governors (Deut. 3128) and Local magistrates
  (Deut 1618)
• Administering justice (Deut. 1912)
• They were men of extensive influence (1Sam.
  3026-31)

47
The Gift of Shepherding

• In New Testament times they also appear taking an
  active part in public affairs Mt 1621 2123
  2659
• The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old
  dispensation to the new
• The creation of the office of elder is nowhere
  recorded in the NT (as in the case of deacons and
  apostles) which were created to meet new and
  special emergencies
• Elders were transmitted from OT times and their
  office was the only permanent essential office of
  the church

48
The Gift of Shepherding

• The "elders" of the NT church were the "pastors"
  (Eph 411), serving as the "leaders" and "rulers"
  of the flock (Heb 137 1Th 512)
• Everywhere in the NT bishop and presbyter are
  titles given to one and the same officer of the
  Christian church
• He who is called presbyter or elder on account of
  his age or gravity is also called bishop or
  overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon
  him (Ti 15-7 Acts 2017-28 Phil. 11)

49
The Gift of Shepherding

• Jesus is referred to as
• The Good Shepherd (Jn. 1011, 14 Heb. 1320)
• The Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 225 54)
• The fundamental ministry of shepherding is
• To guide (cf. Psa. 23)
• At times discipline (2 Tim. 42b)
• To graze (i.e., feed) the sheep (Jer. 315 Isa.
  4011 cf. Jn. 2116 Acts 2028 1 Pet. 52)
• To guard (1 Sam. 1734-37 Acts 2028-31)

50
The Gift of Shepherding

• The gift of shepherding is to believers other
  those who hold the office
• Church leaders (e.g., staff, counselor, minister,
  deacon, deaconess, Sunday School or Bible Study
  teacher) who mentor
• Older women (cf. Titus 23-5)
• Seminary or Bible College professors

51
The Gift of Teaching

• What proceeds the operation of the gift of
  teaching is the supernatural Teacher of Teachers
• Who teaches the teacher
• Before Moses ever taught, God taught Him (Exod.
  412, 15)
• Before the tribal family leaders could teach,
  God first taught them (Deut. 41)
• Gods expectation is for the continuation of this
  critical ministry to the next generations (Deut.
  49,-10 61, 7)
• Critical after the return from captivity (Ez.
  710, 25)

52
The Gift of Teaching

• The gift of teaching is the supernatural ability
  to clearly explain the intended meaning of the
  truth of Gods Word
• Remember, this is a spiritual gift. Thus, just
  b/c a person has a talent to teach does not mean
  they have the spiritual gift of teaching
• The possession of the gift does not mean the gift
  does not need to be honed and perfected (Ecc.
  1010)

53
The Gift of Teaching

• Teaching was dominant in the ministry of the Lord
  Jesus (Matt. 423 728 935 2123, 55)
• Jesus was a profound Teacher (Lk. 431-32)
• This ministry of Jesus set the stage for other
  miraculous ministry (cf. Lk. 517-20 1310-13)
• This ministry was the primary methodology He
  established in the process of making disciples
  for the birth development of His Church (Matt.
  2820)
• There was a clear connection with the gift of
  teaching and that of prophecy (Acts 542 311
  1535 2830-31)

54
The Gift of Teaching

• The ministry of teaching was central to the
  qualifications of those who serve as
  pastors/overseers of Gods Church (1 Tim. 32 2
  Tim. 224-25)
• It is through the ministry of teaching that
  enables the believer to walk as a Christian and
  have proper fellowship with God and others (Rom.
  122)

55
The Gift of Teaching

• The ministry of teaching was critical in
  equipping faithful ministers/servants of God
  (Acts 1824-28 cf. 1 Cor. 46)
• This gifted ministry is essential for the whole
  body
• Those who minister through song (Col. 316)
• Older women to younger women (Titus 23)
• Limitation of authority (1 Tim. 212)

56
The Gift of Teaching

• The ministry of teaching was expected to be a
  primary ministry for the church as a measure of
  its maturity (Heb. 512)
• Those who participate in the ministry of teaching
  are particularly accountable to God (Ja. 31)
• If one has this gift, they should be completely
  dedicated to flow effectively in it (Rom. 127)

57
The Gift of Exhortation

• The word exhort in its noun form is the same word
  used for the Holy Spirit (Paraclete Jn. 416)
  the one called alongside to help
• It is also the same word of Jesus (Advocate 1
  Jn. 21)
• The word exhort (parakaleo) means to call to or
  to call for or to exhort or to encourage
• The word conveys the idea of comforting,
  consoling, appealing, and counseling

58
The Gift of Exhortation

• The gift of exhortation then is the supernatural
  ability of the Holy Spirit to call to,
  encourage, appeal to, and comfort
• Someone who needs challenging, lifting,
  strengthening, consoling, and comforting

59
The Gift of Exhortation

• NT characters with the gift of exhortation were
• Paul
• Shown to the believers in the churches at Lystra,
  Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 1421-22)
• Shown to those who were persecuted for the faith
  (Acts 1640)
• Shown to the Ephesian Christians (Acts 201,
  17-35)
• Judas (the other) and Silas
• Prophets of God who also flowed in this gift
  (Acts 1531-32)

60
The Gift of Exhortation

• NT characters with the gift of exhortation were
• Peter
• In ministering to other elders (1 Pet. 51-2)
• Certainly fulfilling his ministry assignment from
  the Lord (Lk. 2232)
• The operation of the gift of exhortation was
  encouraged in the church in general
• Among the Corinthians (10x in 5 verses 2 Cor.
  13-7)
• Church member attendance (Heb. 1025)

61
The Gift of Exhortation

• The most notable NT figure whos dominant gift
  was exhortation was the apostle Barnabas, the son
  of encouragement (Acts 436)