Understanding the Gifts of the Spirit – Sermon 5

Understanding the Gifts of the Spirit

Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7

What do you think of when I say the words, SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

Romans 12:6 (ESV)
- 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
- 6 Having gifts (carismata) that differ according to the grace (carij) given to us, let us use them:

Words Used Referring to ‘Gifts’

Pneumatikown (pneumatikwn)

Spiritual Abilities
“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13

Energamatown (energhmatwn )

Energized Activities
“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Charismatown (carismatwn)

Gift of Grace
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Diakioniai (diakoniai)

Acts of Service
“to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” Ephesians 4:12

Phanerosis (fanerwsij)

Manifestations of the Spirit
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

How can we know that all these words are specifically related to, SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant…

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations [services], but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations [activities], but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts (pneumatikwn), brethren, I would not have you ignorant…

4 Now there are diversities of gifts (carisma¢tvn), but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations [services] (diakonivn), but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations [activities] (energhmatvn), but it is the same God which worketh (energvn) all in all.

7 But the manifestation (fanerwsij) of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

What are ‘spiritual gifts’?

All charismata are works of God’s grace.
All charismata are acts of service.
All charismata are produced by God.
All charismata are manifestations of the Spirit for the common good.
Charismata, or a SPIRITUAL GIFT, is an event, an action enabled by divine power; charisma is divine energy accomplishing a particular result (in word or deed) through the individual.
“What we call SPIRITUAL ‘GIFTS’ are not things transferred from God to us as if they now become part of us…
Charismata are energetic manifestations of the Spirit working through us in characteristic ways as a provision of God’s grace for the purposes of witness and service.”

Charismata: Always an Event

Charisma is the gracious energy of God at work through man.
It is not a ‘gift’ that we possess.
It is not an ‘office’ that we hold.
It is the experience of God’s grace and power in a particular situation.

Charismata: Typically an Experience

It is an experience of something being accomplished through me.
It is an experience of grace.
With spiritual gifts, we must remember that grace comes by God working through us; it is not us doing the work.

Charismata: The Work of God

Charisma is not to be confused with natural talent or ability.
Spiritual gifts, charismata, are not super-natural powers bestowed upon us by God at salvation.
Spiritual gifts are super-natural motivations assigned to us by the Holy Spirit at salvation.
Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.

8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.