GOD'S GIFTS TO THE CHURCH

"He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:10-12

The spiritual gifts are given to the church for the equipping of the saints. They were and are given in order to have in the Church "a full representation and expression of the ministering Christ.” This is how he is going to bring a mature Body into existence in the earth. God’s desire is that these gifts flow in the strong anointing of the Spirit in order for the Body to receive the full “impartation” of the Christ which is being expressed through them. These gifts are not the end in themselves. The end desire is a mature, full statured, corporate man in the earth which fully manifests the virtues of the Head, Jesus Christ.

GOD’S GIFTS AND GOD’S CALL

When related to the objective of doing God’s will or functioning in the Body of Christ, a person’s general call is equivalent to his or her spiritual gift. There is no better framework within which to interpret one’s call than one’s gift mix. God does not give gifts which He does not “call” the recipient to use, nor does He call someone to do something for Him without equipping that person with the necessary gift or gifts to do it.

However, besides the general calling there will also be a specific calling. Some like to refer to this specific call as one’s “ministry.” So the ministry or the specific call determines the particular way or the particular setting in which God wishes you to exercise the gift or gifts He has given you.  For example, a person can have the gift of teaching and be called specifically to use that gift among children or to write books. Within the general calling provided by each gift, then, there are many more specific ways that such a gift can be ministered.

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL GIFT?

A spiritual gift is a special ability or capacity given by God to every member of the Body according to His Grace to enable the Christian to minister (serve) in the Body. The Greek word for spiritual gifts is charisma, with the plural charismata. Charismata comes from the word charis, which in Greek means grace. There is a very close relationship between spiritual gifts and the grace of God. Individual Christians disconnected from the Body are not very useful. Spiritual Gifts are not designed to function alone, they are designed for members of the Body. The Spiritual Gifts are not only functional, but they are also congregational. Everything that God does in the world are done through Christians who are working together complementing each other with their gifts. These gifts are to be used not just by individuals but by Christians working as a team to do a job the best possible way.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Sometimes the question is asked, “Can spiritual gifts operate through me if I am not aware of my spiritual gifts?” One can manifest spiritual gifts without understanding or even being aware of them.

However, there are many good reasons for our knowing and understanding our gifts. We stand in a much more favorable position to become effective disciples when we identify and develop the spiritual gifts God has given us. Here are some reasons as to why you should become aware of your gifts:

1. HELPS YOU DETERMINE GOD’S WILL FOR YOU

A knowledge of your gifts will provide a context for making career and ministry decisions regarding what not to attempt as well as what to enter into with confidence.

2. MOBILIZES THE ENTIRE CHURCH FOR ACTION

Since a small percentage of the church consists of clergy and more than 90% of the church consists of non-clergy, the church obviously must equip and encourage every member to minister in his or her respective sphere of influence.

3. ASSISTS YOU IN SETTING PRIORITIES FOR STUDY, GROWTH AND MINISTRY

Since each of us has a limited amount of time to develop our potential, it seems clear that we should develop ourselves in the areas of our special gifts.

4. GIVES EACH MEMBER A SENSE OF DIGNITY AND SELF WORTH

Every member is an important part of the total church. There are no “second class” citizens in the Body of Christ because each person constitutes a vitally significant member of the Body.

5. ENABLES YOU TO RECEIVE THE GIFT MINISTRIES OF OTHERS

When members become more knowledgeable of their own spiritual gifts and those of other members, they can more easily function harmoniously as the Body of Christ, both giving and receiving ministries.

6. FOSTERS UNITY AMONG THE BELIEVERS

As the members of the church function inter-dependently (not independently), an awareness of spiritual gifts leads them to respect one another as they live together in the common life of the Spirit.

ARE ALLTHE GIFTS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?

The great majority of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible are found in three key chapters: Romans 12; I Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4. There are other gifts mentioned in I Corinthians 13-14; I Peter 4; I Corinthians 7 and Ephesians 3. It is reasonable to conclude that the list of all the gifts mentioned in the Bible is not complete.

Even though the equipping and the Spiritual Gifts are extremely important to the Body of Christ, and of course they should be in operation in the church of the twentieth first century, the Motivational Gifts are those that will be in operation in its Evangelism Ministry. In the book of Romans and I Corinthians, the apostle Paul brings a clear focus of the nine Motivational Gifts. These Motivational Gifts are as follows:

1. TEACHING (head)

The ability of communicating Truth to the others in a way that others can learn easily.

2. LEADERSHIP (eyes)

The ability in putting goals according to the purposes of God for the future and to communicate those goals to others in a way that they will work together voluntarily and in harmony to reach those goals for Gods glory.

3. PROPHECY (mouth)

The ability of communicating the message of salvation under the inspiration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to an individual or to groups of persons, regardless of their surroundings.

4. EXHORTATION (mouth)

 The ability of ministering words of comfort, encouragement, and advice to others in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

5. MERCY (heart) 

The ability of feeling sympathy and genuine pity for individuals that suffer physical pain, emotional or mental problems, and to express that pity in deeds done enthusiastically to reflect the love of Christ and to alleviate the suffering.

6. SERVICE (hands)

The ability of identifying the needs that are not attended to involved in a task related to the work of God, and to make use of the available resources to satisfy those needs and to help to reach the desired goals.

7. GIVING (hands)

The ability of contributing of your material sources and of your time to the work of God freely and happily.

8. ADMINISTRATION (legs)

The ability that qualifies a person to understand clearly the short and long term goals of a unit in particularly of the Body of Christ to do and execute effective plans for the realization of these goals.

9. HELPS (legs)

The ability of investing your talents in the life and ministry of other members of the Body, that will permit the person who is being helped increase the efficiency of his Spiritual Gift.

The definition to the above mentioned Gifts will help to visualize these gifts as they are related to the body.