|
|
|
- Preaching
the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
|
|
|
SPIRITUAL GIFTS (PERMANENT SPIRITUAL GIFTS) (1Co
12:8-10, 28-30; Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11; 1Pe 4:10-11) Pastor I.
THE GIFT OF FAITH (1Co 12:9) A. Some have suggested that the spiritual gift of faith is one of
the Temporary Spiritual Gifts. Yet many who hold to the concept of Temporal
Gifts consider this a Permanent Gift. B. Faith (pístis)
can mean trust, belief, the Christian faith, or conviction. C. As a Permanent Gift, faith could be defined as a special ability
to lay claim on the promises of God in regard to God’s provisions and
purposes. It is distinct from a believer’s saving faith. D. We see biblical examples in Paul's faith when he exhibited
extraordinary confidence in God (Phil 2:22-25) and in Stephen's faith, which
was fixed upon God (Act 6:15). E. Historical examples of the gift of faith are George Mueller and
Hudson Taylor. F. All believers are exhorted to have faith in prayer (Mat 21:22;
Jam 5:16-18), faith that comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17), and
faith to walk the Christian life ( II. THE GIFT OF HELPS OR SERVING (1Co 12:28; Rom 12:7) A. In 1Co 12:28 it is the gift of "helps" (antílêmpsis- to take a burden on
oneself for another). In Rom 12:7, the gift is called the gift of
"service" (diakonía
- to "run errands" and means to serve or minister, especially to
those in need). B. McRae defines “helps” as the special ability to serve faithfully
behind the scenes, in practical ways, to assist in the work of the Lord,
encourage, and strengthen others spiritually. C. Biblical examples of helps or service are seen in the first
Deacons (Acts 6:1-4), Stephanas who opened his home in hospitality and
worship (1 Cor 16:15-18), and Phoebe (Rom 16:1). D. All believers are exhorted to serve and be servants (Mar 10:45;
Mat 20:26-27; Phil 2:5-8). III. THE GIFT OF ADMINISTRATION (1Co 12:28; Rom 12:8) A. In 1Co 12:28 the word (kubérnêsis)
lit. means "the skill with which a pilot guides a ship." In Rom
12:8, the word is proístêmi, and
means to set before or in front of, put oneself at the head, to influence
others to follow a recommended course of action. B. Administration or Leading is the God-given capacity to organize
and administer with such efficiency and spirituality that not only is the
project brought to a satisfactory conclusion but it is done harmoniously and
with evident blessing. (McRae) C. A biblical example of administration would include Titus who was
exhorted to “straighten out” the church in D. All believers are exhorted to be diligent over the areas and
individuals that God has placed in their sphere of ministry (Pr 6:6-11; Eph
5:16; 2Ti 2:2; Ac 20:28; 1Ti 3:4-5, 12). IV. THE GIFT OF MERCY (Rom 12:8) A. Mercy (eleéō)
means to feel sympathy with the misery of another, to show kindness or
concern for someone in need, to take pity, showing mercy. B. The gift of mercy is the spiritual ability to see the needs of
all kinds of sickness and afflictions and be internally and externally moved
to compassionate action. C. Jesus exemplified the gift of mercy when he was moved by a
shepherdless people (Mt 9:36), felt compassion towards huge crowds needing to
be cured (Mat 14:14), and moved with compassion by the hungry masses (Mat
15:32). D. All believers are exhorted to exemplify mercy and comfort (2Co
1:3-4), possess compassion ( V. THE GIFT OF GIVING (Rom 12:8) A. This gift is only found in Rom 12:8. The word for “gives” is metadídōmi and means to
share with, or transfer something to another (LXX Pr 11:26 of not hoard but
impart). B. A believer with the gift of giving has the capacity to give of
his substance to the work of the Lord or to the people of God consistently,
liberally, sacrificially, and with such wisdom and cheerfulness that others
are encouraged and blessed (McRae). C. Barnabas perhaps had the gift of giving (Act 4:35-37) but
Ananias was the antithesis (Act 5:1-11) of the gift of giving. D. All believers are exhorted to give regularly (1Co 16:2a),
proportionately (1Co 16:2b), generously (2Co 9:6), purposefully, not
grudgingly, and cheerfully (2Co 9:7-8). VI. THE GIFT OF EXHORTATION (Rom 12:8) A. “Exhortation” from parakaléō, lit. means to “call” (kaléō) “alongside” (pará), or encourage (Act 15:31),
comfort (2Co 1:3-4 cp. Joh 14:16), and appeal (Rom 12:1; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 1:9). B. Differing from teaching in that it is an appeal for action, exhortation
is the practical aspect of a preaching [or
teaching] ministry. Some are given a special gift in this work, enabling
them to lead Christians into the active realization of the will of God
(Walvoord). [Italicized mine.] C. Exhorting involves encouraging, comforting, and admonishing
people...teaching may or may not involve exhortation, and contra wise
exhortation may or may not involve teaching (Ryrie). D. Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement” (Act 4:36 - paráklêsis), had the gift of
“exhortation” (cp. Act 15:35-41; 2Ti 4:11). All are believers are to
encourage one another (1Th 5:11; Heb 10:25). VII. THE GIFT OF EVANGELISM (Eph 4:11) A. The gift of evangelism, from euaggelizō, means to announce the good
news. B. The evangelist has the capacity to present the gospel with exceptional
clarity and an overwhelming burden (McRae). C. The evangelist is the special proclaimer of the good news that
God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself (Billy Graham). D. Paul had the heart of an evangelist (Rom 1:16; 15:20) and Philip
was an evangelist (Act 21:8). E. All believers are commissioned to Evangelism (Mt 28:19-20),
ambassadors of Evangelism (2Co 5:18-20), and co-laborers in the church’s
ministry of Evangelism (Acts 2:47). VIII.
THE GIFT OF TEACHING (Rom 12:7;
1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11) A. The Greek word "teacher" is didaskalos and means one who teaches, but also is a title for
“Master/Teacher”, the Jewish equivalent being "rabbi" ("my
great one" Joh 1:38). B. A person with the gift of teaching will ...have a keen interest
in the personal study of the Word... [and will] have the capacity to
communicate clearly the truths and applications of the Word so others may
learn and profit (McRae). C. Apollos is one of the greatest examples of the gift of teaching
(Act 18:24-28), being “mighty in the Scriptures” teaching them “accurately”,
“boldly”, polemically, and “powerfully”. D. All believers are to teach in one way or another through discipleship
(Mat 28:19-20 cp. Tit 2:1-5) and spiritual leadership (1Ti 3:2). It is a sign
of maturity (Heb 5:12) and the Holy Spirit’s ministry (Joh 14:26; 1Jo 2:27). IX. THE GIFT OF PASTOR-TEACHER (Eph 4:11) A. Pastor-teacher is a combined gift (“teacher” is anarthrous and
without the conjunction de). B. The Pastor-teacher is a “shepherd” (poimen) and a “teacher” (didaskalos).
He is one who tends the flock of God through teaching the Word of God. C. One with the gift of pastor-teacher has the God-given ability to
feed, lead, and give heed to the flock of God. One may be a gifted teacher
without being a pastor, but one may not be a pastor without being a teacher.
These are two aspects of one gift (McRae). D. Jesus is the Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20; Mar 6:34). Paul was the
great example (1Th 2:7-13). A. It would be someone whose passion, emphasis, and ministry are to
study and expositionally teach God's Word in the local church in order to
equip and edify the saints (Eph 4:11-16; Joh 21:15-17). Return to
Spiritual Gifts Menu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
