And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. They may not be revealed until eternity. The one who shows mercy is to do so “with cheerfulness.” All of us have attempted to show mercy at various times. 47 When I speak of the church here, I am referring not only to the local church, but to the broader body of Christ of which the local church is but a small part. 1. point of view with certain spiritual assumptions. Among other things, we are lovers of money and lovers of pleasure, evidences that we are lovers of self (see 2 Timothy 3:2, 4). Thinking straight necessitates thinking corporately. First, have you received God’s gift of eternal life? or he who exhorts — in his exhortation; If you have ever sat under the teaching of someone who doesn’t have the gift of teaching, you know what I mean. I’m not a super teachy type, but I’m reaching deep today. Sound thinking is thinking based upon the revelation of God, contained and communicated by His Word, and illuminated by His Spirit. The analogy of the body should be pursued even further. Those who fall under the speaking gifts category have been urged to stick with it, as those who serve have also been exhorted. ( C) to each one a measure of faith. Most often the ministry of spiritual gifts is described in terms of the function of the human body. This statement needs further consideration, because most of us do not really believe it. All too often, such people are not even grateful for the mercy they are shown. Faith is essential in our service and in the exercise of our spiritual gifts, just as it is in every other aspect of our lives. It should also be our starting place. Three practical suggestions may help you identify and exercise your spiritual gift. Second, is your pursuit and interest in spiritual gifts one of personal ambition motivated by self-interest? He then turns to those who serve in verse 8b, specifying the gifts of giving, leading, and showing mercy. 3. The winning governor-elect in a recent state election boasted that people could live without government looking over their shoulder, restricting or condemning individual freedom and choices, choices which clearly included abortion and homosexuality. This is not the manner of exercising the gift of leadership in which God takes pleasure. (1) Offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice, out of gratitude for His mercies to you. Paul’s expressions, “according to the grace given to us” in verse 6 and “as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” in verse 3, point to an important truth to consider before pressing on in our study. Paul’s words assume that every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift which is to be exercised for the edification of the church,46 the body of Christ.47. Romans 12: 6 – 8 7 Motivational Gifts or Redemptive gifts. Spiritual gifts have nothing to do with ambition. Ask God to open your eyes as to how He wants you to obey in each vital area. Low self-esteem is never mentioned. “And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.” (1 Corinthians 12:5 KJV)The Bible provides a list of these ministering gifts and their purpose. There are three main sections in the New Testament that directly deal with spiritual gifts (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). Spiritual gifts are unmerited and not an evidence of our spirituality. Paul begins to address the subject of spiritual gifts by first telling his readers that in the process of teaching on this subject, he also is exercising his own spiritual gift. Neither are they a barometer of our worth. In order to graduate the animals agreed that they would each have to take all the courses. The “foot” needs to “die” to himself and to fleshly desires and ambitions. Paul is giving a teaching in 1 Cor 12, that is to say, Paul is explaining things that not all Christians (brethren) know! We are commanded to give (verse 13). Our thinking must be based upon that which God has revealed in His Word, upon those unseen realities which are not only true, but vastly more reliable than the appearances seen with the human eye. Paul’s teaching here is universal. God gives us gifts so we can build up his church. Paul is speaking to believers about the spiritual gifts God has bestowed upon each of those who have become His children, by faith. I’m not asking how people, churches, or modern society describes spiritual gifts. Paul sees two great dangers in the exercise of spiritual gifts. Only a renewed, transformed mind can think of spiritual gifts as Paul has exhorted here. We, like Elijah and Jonah, want to turn in our badge and give up. Sound thinking is based upon those truths which God has revealed to us, which are unseen, but true. Abraham was thinking soundly when he chose to obey God, even if it involved the sacrifice of his son, Isaac (see Genesis 22). But there is no room for individualism, for we are inter-dependent as members of one body. USING SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN HARMONY — Romans 12:6-8 Paul gives a list of spiritual gifts he would like to see better exercised in the local church at Rome. So too the vital members of the body of Christ may be the least visible. They did not see many repent and turn to the Lord. The book of Acts records what the Holy Spirit did through the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus. You will find twenty different Greek words used for the gifts listed in the key passages on spiritual gifting. (Romans 12:3, 6–8) I will only draw your attention to two things. Spiritual gifts must be understood and practiced in the context of the body of Christ. Pray for wisdom and insight as to how you may give in a way that pleases God. In verse 3, Paul introduces the subject of spiritual gifts with a call to clear thinking. 4 For. let each exercise them accordingly: If not, why not? Develop this particular ability further, and seek different ways to implement this gift. You don’t want to make your primary way of serving God something for which you are not gifted. Those with gifts of service have already been urged, as a group, to diligently devote themselves to their areas of service (verse 7a). The emphasis of “giving in order to get” appears to be in contradiction to Paul’s teaching here. The rendering is also consistent with the lexical definition of the term employed. We hate ourselves for failing to live up to that which our self-love desires and demands. He speaks through the “grace” given to him, that “grace” to which he referred at the beginning of this Epistle: Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake (Romans 1:5). 1 Peter 4 also touches on the spiritual gifts. First, we may believe we deserve the credit for what God has given us and what He is doing in and through us. Abraham acted out of faith when he sought to obey God’s command, even though it was the most difficult test of his life. Consider these words of Paul recorded in 1 Corinthians: For the body is not one member, but many. It is only when our Lord returns, when the church is taken up into glory and fully perfected, that the need for spiritual gifts will cease. Do you know what it is that God has entrusted to you? If I understand Paul’s teaching correctly, spiritual gifts are needed as long as we are living on this earth as members of the body of Christ. One of my Christmas memories is of my grandmother who often made the presents she gave to her family. In the secular way of thinking, we need to think more highly of ourselves. Identifying and Defining Spiritual Gifts. But the one with the gift of teaching ought to make teaching a priority. It is placed there intentionally to show that it is a gift associated with caring for others. Just as his business was the Father’s business, so our business is his business. The foundation for mere human thinking is that which is seen or that which appears to be. How did Paul explain the spiritual gifts? 3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. He (wrongly) thinks that being a “hand” is more important (prestigious?) Faith enables us to understand this proper functioning of the body of Christ. than being a “foot.” If he cannot be a “hand,” the “foot” refuses to function as a part of the body at all. (2) Study the Scriptures which not only name the spiritual gifts, but also describe their function. They served by faith, knowing that God’s Word would not return unto Him void (Isaiah 55:11). We should first agree that the subject of spiritual gifts is relevant and vitally important to Christians today. 1 Corinthians 12: 7 –11 9 Manifestation gifts – work of the spirit. If she had made a shirt for me, the buttons might not have been sewed on quite yet. If you wish to sacrificially serve God by serving others, then spiritual gifts are the means God has provided for you to do so. Each army member has a vital role. They were not as generous as they wished to appear. In verses 1 and 2 of chapter 12, Paul has characterized the lifestyle which God’s mercies motivate and which God’s grace enables. When my grandmother died a number of years ago, her house was filled with unfinished presents which never quite made it to completion. Fourth, how closely are you linked to a local church and to the broader body of Christ, so that your gift may benefit others and so that you may draw from the strengths and gifts of others? The spiritual gift of leadership is found in Romans 12:8 sandwiched between the gifts of giving and of mercy. Paul urges us to stick with that which God has given us to do, to persevere, because he knows that in the flesh we would give up. Paul seems to be saying the same thing to the Corinthians when he writes. Our ministry should not to be restricted only to the local church. The gift of showing mercy (and every other gift as well) must be exercised in a gracious way so that God’s grace is neither distorted nor disfigured by our service. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. His faith was a reasoned faith, based on “sound judgment.” He had come to realize that God is able to give life to the dead. Equipping and resources for Church leaders, Bible teachers and all ministry workers to effectively do their parts using spiritual gifts from God. Romans 12 is a call to work together in a Godly manner. They are to be used for the benefit of the body. Is there a need for Sunday School teachers? If you do not know your spiritual gift and ministry, God is not hiding it from you, if you are seeking to be obedient to Him. Spiritual gifts are to be given away, in service. Often, such people are not pleasant to be around. he who leads — with diligence; Each individual believer is thus conceived of as a member of the church universal and as a member of a local congregation of believers. I am strong in the area of my gift; I am weak in the areas where others have been gifted. The Christian is expected to respond, motivated by the mercies of God. Verses 6-8 emphasize what we are to do and how we are to do it in the context of spiritual gifts. If not, then the subject of spiritual gifts is but an academic exercise, a purely hypothetical question. God’s gifts are complete. Humility is seeing things as they are; pride is seeing things in a puffed-up way, which feeds our ego and our self-love. All of us are to give, to teach, to encourage, to show mercy, and so on. As fallen, sinful creatures, we are great lovers. With those gifts, God gives to each of us not only a measure of grace to empower us for service, but a measure of faith as well. The one with the gift of teaching should devote himself to teaching. In order to prepare the church at Rome for his visit, he wrote this letter that probably explains God’s Grace more … While we have been individually chosen, called, and justified, we have been joined to a body, the body of Christ. 3:10; 15:10; Gal. Further and more specific manifestations of this straight thinking are given in verses 4-8. Our natural tendency is to be self-centered and self-serving. What is our spiritual DNA? Look for those who are weaker than you, and serve them from your strength. Being independent and self-sufficient is viewed as the goal for many. His teaching is not addressed to any one individual, nor to some small group, but rather “to every man among you.” These principles apply to every believer. Ephesians 4- Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher Handed down. This term may be either masculine or neuter, referring to either “men” or “gifts… Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts Probably the simplest definition of a spiritual gift would be this: A spiritual gift is the God-given capacity of every Christian to carry out his function in the body of Christ. Now Paul turns to those in the category of serving gifts to encourage them to exercise their gifts and ministries with spiritual attitudes and motivations which are befitting and edifying. Abraham’s obedience was based on sound judgment, and his sound judgment was based upon that which God had revealed which he believed by faith. The NKJV, American Patriot's Bible, Hardcover: The Word of God and the Shaping of America, NKJV Word Study Bible: 1,700 Key Words that Unlock the Meaning of the Bible. Motivational Gifts Chart Romans 12:3-8 The Gift Description Strengths Pitfalls Do it Right Role Model Prophecy The eyes of the body; gifted with spiritual sight; say what they think; declare the truth; right or wrong, black or white; quality control; speak out about spiritual &/or social concerns in … We honor God by doing what God has gifted us to do. And we are to do so in a manner pleasing to Him and consistent with the goal of the task in the overall plan and purpose of God. But now abide, faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). One member can’t say, “This is my Spiritual Gift & I am going to do my Thing.” But the various parts works together! The foundation for Christian thinking is the Word of God—that which is revealed and which is believed by faith. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly given as gifts of grace. When my grandmother died a number of years ago… The public good seems to be eagerly sacrificed to individual freedom. The Assignment of the Gifts (12:1-6). God’s work is achieved corporately, as a team, and not just by individuals working independently of others. I will conclude by raising the questions, and I urge you not to leave this text without arriving at some answers. Showing mercy is acting graciously toward those who need mercy. Why Romans 12. Paul outlines in verses 3-8 the Christian way of thinking concerning spiritual gifts. Those who serve are given the exhortation to be diligent in their service. 3 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. Thinking in accordance with faith is thus thought to be at odds with sound judgment. 3 lists of Gifts in Scripture. Romans 12:3 New King James Version (NKJV) Serve God with Spiritual Gifts. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. And yet, in a sense, he was an example of the way God wants us to receive and share the gifts He has given to us. This is what connects it to the gift of pastor/shepherd, and what differentiates it from the gift of administration. In many ways, we are teetering on the brink of anarchy. Here, take it.” This was frustrating to watch and difficult to accept. Many tell us there are no limits placed on our abilities except those we impose on ourselves. We are therefore challenged to devote ourselves to the function for which God has gifted us and to the ministry to which He has called us. We have at this time a large number of troops in the Middle East. Our service to God is to be self-sacrificing. But why would the teacher need to be exhorted to teach and the exhortor to exhort? Paul’s words in the first half of verse 6 tie what follows with what he has just said in verses 3-5. The last words of verse 6 seem to distinguish two major categories of gift: (1) spoken gifts (prophecy) and (2) serving gifts (service). We must act on the basis of faith, even though the results are not visible to us. 2. Those who give may be tempted to give in a way that “works both ends against the middle.” Giving, in other words, might be done in a way that appears to be generous and sacrificial but which is actually self-serving. 48 Two serious errors are the root of pride over the possession of our spiritual gifts. We dare not take credit for grace, neither saving grace nor serving grace. Paul teaches that every believer has a special enablement, a spiritual gift, by which to serve God. 1:5; 15:15; 1 Cor. 1 Corinthians 12 states that spiritual gifts are given to God's … When our service does not appear to be successful and when our ministry is not self-serving, our tendency is to resign. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Because the rewards of spiritual leadership come from God and not men, and they come at His return and not immediately, Christian leaders may be tempted to exercise their leadership in more “fulfilling” and “self-serving” causes. For all the saints. Paul’s teaching assumes that teaching about spiritual gifts is both basic and fundamental to Christian living.44 Peter likewise looked at the exercise of spiritual gifts as a crucial matter.45 We should take spiritual gifts no less seriously than did the apostles. Who are those in need this week? Our text divides into three main sections. Spiritual Gifts: Romans 12:3-8 “It wasn’t too long after creation that the animals got together to form a school. The world looks inward to what is within man and finds unlimited potential. He said, “Now concerning Spiritual Gifts brethren, I don’t want you to be Ignorant.” Paul exercises his spiritual gift of apostleship (and perhaps other gifts as well) as he writes these words of instruction and exhortation. Each of the gifts given to us, and to the rest of the body, are given in such a way as to provide all that the body of Christ needs to function properly. We live in a very independent, self-centered age. Paul calls for sound thinking and judgment. My main motivational […] Romans 12:6-8Open menuNew International VersionOpen menu. There is a very distinct relationship between knowing the will of God (Romans 12:1-2) and understanding your spiritual gift (Romans 12:3-8). 3:7, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Vines Expository Bible, Comfort Print: A Guided Journey Through the Scriptures with Pastor Jerry Vines, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version. Second, the results of our ministry may not be evident or apparent to us, or even to others. First, we may think too highly of ourselves because of the gifts God has given to us. The spoken gifts as a group are given one major word of exhortation, one fundamental guideline: “Keep within the boundaries of the revealed Word of God.” The New American Standard Bible and many other translations seem to stress the need to stay within the boundaries of the faith God has allotted us. We must see ourselves as a member of the body of Christ, with certain gifts or special enablements which equip us to carry out functions necessary to the equipping and ministry of the body. At first I was inclined to think that the “foot” and the “ear” did not regard themselves highly enough, but this is not what Paul is saying. Used by permission. Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? One’s giving should be done for the benefit of the recipient, not the gain of the donor. The first book written by the Apostle Paul that mentions the spiritual gifts is the book of Romans, Chapter 12. To the Christian, faith is believing what is not seen but is true nonetheless: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. What lens do we see life through? When we passed out our presents, we often were not able to take them home with us. if service — in his serving; Teaching and exhorting both fall under the category of spoken gifts (or prophecy). The one who has the gift of helps may not seem to be doing much in the way of evangelism, but if they are serving in a way that edifies the body of Christ, they have a part in the ministry of the body as a whole. Spiritual gifts are not to be hoarded and kept only for our own benefit. Or do you, out of gratitude, wish to offer up your body to God in sacrificial service to others? The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy. Paul calls for sound thinking which is based upon humility and faith. (For the record he does exactly the same thing in 1 Corinthians 12.) This is to be accomplished by means of true humility, recognizing that all that we have and are, all that we will ever accomplish, is by the grace of God, and not of ourselves. Give yourself to serve Him sacrificially, selflessly, through serving others. The Bible instructs us to look Godward, to look to the Holy Spirit and His enablement, to live our lives in a way that will sacrificially serve God and men. The new evil of our day, from which people need desperately to be delivered, is “co-dependency.”. He first addresses those in the category of the speaking gifts in verse 7b and 8a, specifying the gifts of teaching and exhorting. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body (1 Corinthians 12:14-16). If those who speak are in danger of wandering beyond the prescribed boundaries of God’s Word, those who serve are in danger of wandering outside the context of the service they have been given. If it was a dress she had made for one of my sisters, it was not hemmed. The “foot” needs not more self-esteem but more humility and gratitude. We already possess the gifts. What needs are going unmet in the church? This is certainly consistent with Paul’s words in verse 3, but why should Paul need to repeat this again? When we passed out our presents, we often were not able to take them home with us. Spiritual gifts are to be employed by serving the body, and they also cause us to be dependent upon the body for those areas in which we are not strong (gifted). The watchword of our text could be “inter-dependency.” Spiritual gifts are God’s means for sustaining His body, the church. Serve God with Spiritual Gifts. Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace. What an opportunity if you have the gift of teaching. I think Paul is cautioning all who speak to do so in a way completely consistent with Scripture. He has already informed us that we must not be “conformed to this age”; we must instead “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Paul warns of the danger of “overthinking” (Greek) or “thinking too highly of ourselves.” Our day regards low self-esteem as the great evil, the cause of all sorts of maladies. The teaching of spiritual gifts is both fundamental and elementary. Ananias and Sapphira (see Acts 5:1-11) seem to have given with multiple motives and thus became deceptive and dishonest. Some evangelical Christians believe and teach that spiritual gifts are no longer applicable, that spiritual gifts were given for the church in its infancy. Discover your manifestation and ministry gifts here. Let us consider this matter further. The function then of any given member of the body may seem insignificant, even unspiritual, unless viewed in the light of the function of the body as a whole. The “foot” does not say, “Because I am a foot, I am not a part of the body.” He says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body.” The “foot” does not think too little of himself; he thinks too much of himself. This is good stewardship (see again 1 Peter 4:10-11). God’s ways are far from man’s ways. God’s work is not achieved directly by any one member but by the body as a whole. Because of our natural self-love, we will always think too highly of ourselves.49 Self-love distorts our perception of reality. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. Because of this, the Romans 12 gifts are sometimes referred to as the motivational gifts, functional gifts, or ministry gifts. I have yet another Christmas memory of a relative who seldom kept the gift he was given. 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