Spiritual Gifts

What is a Spiritual Gift?

An unmerited, unearned, intrinsic talent or ability given by God for the purpose of building His church.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

-Romans 12:3-6a

Prophesy:

If a person’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

-Romans 12:6b

Hebrew (nābā), Greek verb (prophēteuō): Simply means “to speak forth, to proclaim.”

Serving

If a person’s gift is serving, let him serve.

-Romans 12:7a

Gk: diakonos: “to serve or to attend to.” (Helps)

People with this gift are amazing, but often underappreciated!

a. Whatever needs to be done, they do it.

b. These are people who tire of talking about what needs to be done—they just jump in and do it!

c. They tend to dislike committees.

Teaching

If a person’s gift is teaching, let that person teach.

-Romans 12:7b

Gk. didasko: instruction:

Teaching is the ability to clarify, systemize, and explain God's truth in a way that makes sense to others and promotes life change.

Encourage

If a person’s gift is encouraging, let him encourage.

-Romans 12:8a

Gk: Parakaleo / Parakletos: Come alongside of.

A person with the gift of “encouragement” comes alongside of others and counsels with words of comfort and inspiration and reassurance.

Giving

If a person’s gift is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.

-Romans 12:8b

These are people who have been given the gift of earning for the purpose of dispensing.

Leadership

If a person’s gift is leadership, let him govern diligently.

-Romans 12:8c

“To stand before,” or “A person who steers the ship.”

Mercy

If it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

-Romans 12:8d

Gk. Eleos: an outward manifestation of pity.

Encouragement is primarily words. Mercy is primarily deeds.

Intercession

“To plead on behalf of someone, to intercede.”

The gift of intercession is the ability to pray specifically on behalf of others, seeing frequent and specific results.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

-Ephesians 4:11-13

What are you doing with your life?

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