Do You Know What God Says About Spiritual Gifts? (Part 1)

About Spiritual Gifts” Part One

© 2024, C. O. Bishop

Romans 12:3-7

Introduction:

We began looking at the practical outworking of our new relationship with Christ, a few weeks ago, studying Ephesians 4:1-6.

A proper relationship with Him in a growing, ongoing bond of love, results in a changed life. It also results in changed relationships with other people. In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul begs us to walk worthy of the vocation to which we have been called. He commands that we maintain unity with one another, and forbear (tolerate) one another. He calls us to learn to love and appreciate one another, just for who each of us IS, in Christ.

Romans 12:3-21 reminds us of some of the gifts of service. Gifts given by which to be a blessing to one another. He also tells in what spirit to use each of them.

What does “Christian Service” look like?

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

One obvious danger in “Christian Service” is the temptation to serve in the same spirit as does the world. We desire human recognition. We like to “feel appreciated.” So, churches often create special titles and “jobs,” so people will feel proud to do “their job.”

But this practice establishes “boundaries, and territories,” and it effectively divides the body. They encourage people toward “self” expression, and “self” fulfillment. they say they should be “owning” the ministry. By so doing, they can easily forget who the Head of the Body actually is. Paul cautions us to “not think more highly of” ourselves, but, rather, to think soberly.

In some areas, deacons may attach the title “Deacon” to their name. They introduce themselves as “Deacon So-and-so.” Many pastors do the same thing, and people expect them to do so. They call themselves “Pastor So-and-so.” Then we invent honorifics to go with the title, or even supplant it—the “Right Reverend so-and-so… your Excellency…your Grace!” But that only serves to feed pride!

A Servant’s Heart

The fact is, we don’t need a title, or a “territory,” to do what God calls us to do. We can sit and listen to someone else teach, and we take careful notes, so as to actually learn from their teaching: We should be perfectly happy doing so.

I have no need for the “limelight.” Usually, I would be happy to serve from the back pew, and I have frequently done so. But, initially, I taught because a pastor asked me to teach. Then, they repeatedly asked me to continue teaching. So I concluded that this must be what God has called me to do. So, I continue to teach, even in private, because that is my gift—it is simply what I do.

The result seems to be that the flock is fed, and their understanding increases. I don’t need an “office” or title, to do any of that. If it is the job—the gift—Jesus gave me to do, then I will either do it, or fail to do it. That is the only question He will ask at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (2nd Corinthians 5:10)

The Measure of Faith

Experience has led me to believe that my gifts are in this area, and when I pray, “Lord, I just don’t know what to do!” the immediate answer is “Feed my flock!” (See John 21:15-17, and Acts 20:28) So, by faith, I press on. If He gives me a different job, or assignment, He will let me know it. (And He did: I taught in churches for nearly 40 years, before my job changed, and I shared the ministry, here, as a pastor!)

All the gifts have this in common: they don’t need “titles”, or honorifics; they just need a willing heart. But we each have different gifts, though all the believers are part of that one Body of Christ. That is the source of Unity—our position in Christ. But each of us has something to offer.

Each of us can choose to be a blessing to those around us, but it will be done in different ways. Many years ago, a teacher told me, “If I go to church to be a blessing, I will almost always come home blessed. But if I go there to get a blessing, I can frequently come home empty and sour.” The Agapé love always seeks to bless those around it…not to receive a blessing. But the result is that it is always blessed.

The True Bond Of Unity

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Notice it says that we are members one of another. We are not just “co-workers—employees of the same company:” God says we belong to one another. We are truly part of a select brotherhood, because we are born from above, of the same Father. He says we are one body, and, though we may feel somewhat alienated from one another at times, due to sin, we really are one.

All of us know what it means to “hurt all over”, because of an injury or illness. I have  heard of people who endured a fairly small injury (a mashed finger or the like) but who then went into shock and died…their whole body responded so drastically to the injury of the one member that the body shut down completely.

In contrast to the physical body, our mutual care will not shut us down; it will empower us. But God calls us to have that sort of deep compassion and care for one another, so that if one member is hurting, it is a concern for all. And, if God blesses one, then it is a joy to all, as all are invigorated by the goodness of God, reflected in another person’s life.

The Gifts: What Is A Prophet?

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

When we consider the New Testament gift of prophecy, we must remember that even the Old Testament word does not mean a “teller of the future”, but a spokesman for God; a “mouthpiece for God.” In Exodus 4:12, God told Moses, “…go, and I will be with thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say!” That is pretty much the definition of a prophet, through all the ages. In the early days, it frequently involved “fore-telling.” In fact, when we use the word “prophecy”, or “prophetic,” we usually mean “the telling of the future.” But all the word really means is being “a mouthpiece for God.”

What is the Difference between a “Preacher” and a Teacher?

As far as I can tell, a person who simply gives the clear meaning of scripture and can tie it all together, so that the listeners can see it all as God’s Word, rather than just a collection of disconnected pamphlets by forgotten writers, is a good teacher. That would be one to whom God gave the gift of teaching.

What does a New Testament “Prophet” Do?

But if God also uses them to bring a corrective message, or a message of encouragement, or a message from scripture that builds up the believers for the work of service, then they are functioning as a New Testament prophet.

1st Corinthians 14:3 states that “he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” That is the definition of a prophet’s job, in this age. The Old Testament gift of “foretelling the future” seems to have mostly disappeared by the end of the book of Acts, though culminating in the Book of the Revelation. The epistles tell nothing further about it, at least. God does not warn against false prophets, in the epistles, so much as false teachers. (2nd Peter 2:1)

A prophet, then, must have the faith to pursue God, personally, and absorb the Word of God, and learn the will of God, as revealed in Scripture. The prophet has to have the faith to see God’s will in black and white, and be able to declare it firmly, and humbly, knowing it to be true, only because Jesus says so!

Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” This is Paul’s message to the prophets in the New Testament Church.

What is “Ministry?”

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Ministry means service. The Greek word, here, for service, is “diakonia.” The companion word, “diakonous” is where we get the word “deacon.” It simply means ‘servant.’ We disdain the word “servant,” as a “low-caste” calling, to which no one should be relegated. But God calls it a gift, and a high, holy calling. Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man is come not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

It is interesting that the root of the word “menial” (which we really don’t like,) is exactly the same as that of the word “ministry” (which we claim to love.) Jesus taught this lesson in John 13. He performed a menial task (foot-washing) that was usually relegated to the lowest servants, in order to demonstrate the principle of ministry to his disciples.

Gifted to Serve

Every believer is called to this life of service, but some are gifted beyond others. They can throw themselves into any task without reserve, as it is their joy to serve. There are no restrictions as to who can serve God, other than having a clean and willing heart. Anyone can serve, but not all at the same tasks. He chooses our tasks.

There may be human restrictions of a practical nature. A life-guard, for example, absolutely must be a very strong swimmer. He or she must be trained to work in deep water to bring struggling or injured swimmers to safety. A church pianist must have endured the discipline of learning to play the piano. How well? Well enough to accompany singers, in any key needed.

There are many other human limitations, and we recognize them; but anyone can serve, and there are innumerable ways in which to do so. If you have a heart for service, God will give you an avenue in which to serve faithfully. And faithfulness itself is worthy of reward! God says, “Well done, thou good and faithful Servant!”

What about Teaching?

Teaching is the gift of being able to read, study and understand scripture, and to teach what it means, accurately. It must be in keeping with the rest of the Word of God, so that the hearers are not just hearing, but understanding the scriptures, themselves. It was mentioned in the Old Testament as well as the New, and is a valuable gift, as well. A teacher need not be a leader, but a leader (elder overseer, pastor) does have to be a teacher, as far as I can see.

1st Timothy 3:1-8 states some of the qualifications of being an elder, and one of them is “apt to teach”—able to teach. I do not think that this is just the ability to teach carpentry, or cooking, or mathematics, as, in the first place, those are not related to the word of God.

It is also not just the rudimentary ability that ALL people have, to transmit information. It is specifically referring to the spiritual gift of teaching that is vital to the health of a church. This, along with the gift of prophecy, is how the Flock is to be fed…and they are to be fed on the Word of God, not philosophy, or other bits of human wisdom. God’s Word is clean “sheep food.” That is all we have to offer.

But How Can We Tell If We Are “Gifted?”

Using “teaching” as an example: Teaching has not been accomplished until learning occurs. I used to teach several classes at work; each had numerous tests associated with it. Some of the tests were quite difficult. None of the tests could be passed by someone who had not received the teaching. So, my “report card” as a teacher, was “what percentage of my students can now understand and use what I taught them? And …are they doing so?”

A Bible teacher should grade himself or herself by the same standard: “Do my students better understand the scriptures?”, and “Are they better able to apply them than before?” It is much harder to tell, for sure, as there is no “written exam” to apply. But I knew a woman (now home with the Lord) who taught “Good News Club” Bible classes in her home for many years, training little children to understand the Word of God. Her report card? Before she died (at 103,) most of the deacons in her church were men whom she had taught as little children, in her home. She had led many of them to Christ! That is a great “Report Card!”

The Rewards are From God

That sort of “report card” is not limited to seminary-trained theologians, nor “professional clergy.” In fact, I think it is more common among those who simply serve out of devotion to the Lord, than among those who see their work as their “job….just an occupation…” as if it were comparable to being a lawyer or a pharmacist.

If you are doing what God sent you to do, then there should be a measure of satisfaction and joy, in knowing that you are pleasing Him. And if you can at least occasionally see confirmation, through results, then it is especially joyful.

For the next few weeks we will continue to work through the various lists of spiritual gifts, as given in Scripture.

Lord Jesus, change us into your likeness. Teach us to discern your will and search for ways to serve one another in Love. Make us the men and women of God that you have called us to be.

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