Description

In this episode, we are going to be talking about the gifts given to us, as Christians - and how these gifts are not to be for our individualistic enjoyment and pleasure, but rather have been entrusted to us by God for the joy of those around us within our local church contexts

definition: a spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church; it includes gifts related to natural abilities (teaching, showing mercy, or administration) and gifts that seem to be more ‘miraculous’ and less related to natural abilities (like healing or distinguishing between spirits).

Lists of spiritual gifts in the Bible ( Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 7:7, 12:8-10, 28; 1 Peter 4; Ephesians 4:11); all spiritual gifts much be empowered “by one and the same Spirit” (1 cor. 12:11) and that they are given for the “common good” (12:7) and that they are all to be used for edification, for building up the church (14:26).

From these lists in the above verses, we learn a number of things.

1. There doesn’t seem to be a single comprehensive list of spiritual gifts in any one NT passage.
2. There seems to be a priority on the word-related gifts.
3. The gifts are gifts given by God: 1 Corinthians 12:11, Paul tells us that the “Spirit…apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
4. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church, thus gifts are given to equip the saints for ministry until Christ returns.
5. In all things, LOVE is the guiding principal in the exercise of the spiritual gifts. The way we should encourage, give, serve, lead, exhort, preach – whatever we do – is to do so lovingly.