Introduction: This evening we are continuing in our study regarding the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Today, we want to look at all the gifts of the Spirit listed in I Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11.
I Corinthians 12:28:
Apostles– Covered in Ephesians 4:11
Prophets– Covered in Ephesians 4:11
Teachers– Having the ability to instruct believers in the truth of God. To help Christians be rooted and grounded in doctrine. To reproof, correct, and instruct in righteousness. This Bible should be the main book he teaches from.
Helps– Being able and willing to help others in time of need. The poor, needy, widows, widowers, orphans, disabled. This is something a person looks for, and is always well aware of, when others need help to be ready to help.
Governments– a person that has leadership abilities and or organizational abilities. Is able to adjust accordingly and think on the spot to change a plan. Like the pilot of a ship steers the ship through the waters, so a church needs a person who gives direction to where God is leading. Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Romans 12:6-8:
Prophesying– Simply the declaration of truth John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”. Speaking of preaching and proclaiming what Christ has done and future events found in the Bible. I Corinthians 14:22-25 “but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe”.
II Peter 1:19-21 Regarding future events- All future events have been given to us in this Bible and all we have to do is believe it and tell others about it.
Ministering– “let us wait on our ministering”. This person serves and ministers to others by helping, aiding, and assisting. To a certain extent we can all help others but some are gifted by the Spirit, you don’t have to tell them, they’re on it before anyone thinks or knows about a need. I Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”.
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”.
Teaching– Having the ability to instruct and explain the scriptures to believers in an easy to receive manner. To help Christians be rooted and grounded in doctrine, reproof, correction. The word of God must be proclaimed and explained to others. The teacher mush put in the time and effort to teach well. Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”.
Exhorting- to incite, excite, motivate, advise, or comfort by words or advice; to animate or urge to action. Stimulating and encouraging faith in others. To motivate others to be obedient to what they’ve heard. To stir people up. Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers”.
II Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”.
Giving– The giving of one’s earthly possessions. Money, clothes, food, etc., and do it with simplicity and sincerity. Not giving to attract attention or to think you’ll get a blessing in return, just give without expecting anything in return. II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. This person gives generously and without show. They don’t hoard what they have or misuse it.
Ruling– The ability of leadership, authority, and government. This has to be done with diligence. With haste, zeal, desire. Romans 13:1 “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”. I Peter 5:1-6 vs 2 “taking the oversight thereof”, this is speaking of the pastor. Pastors are commanded to rule but not as dictators. They are to serve the people with a humble spirit, and being an example of the people.
Showing Mercy – This is to be done with cheerfulness. Forgiveness, compassion, pity, kindness. This person forgives right away, is not critical about it, doesn’t do it grudgingly. He does it cheerfully and a joyful heart. Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”. Luke 6:36 “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”.
Ephesians 4:11:
Apostles– These are the original 12 Apostles, Judas was replaced by Mathias Acts 1:26 and James was replaced by Barnabas Acts 14:14. The other apostle was Paul, I Corinthians 15:8 “as one born out of due time”. The work of the Apostles was completed at the conclusion of the period covered in the Acts of the Apostles. When the apostles died out, the gifts with which the apostles were equipped, the apostolic signs, went out with them, II Corinthians 12:12 “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds”. Two things: had to be a man chosen by Jesus Chris himself or the Holy Spirit- Matthew 10:1-2, and had to a man who was an eyewitness of the resurrected Lord- Acts 1:21-22.
Prophets– To predict and proclaim. Men whom God gifted to preach future events as God revealed them, Acts 11:27-28, Acts 21:10-11. Today, prophets have the full revelation of God in His Word and they preach it accordingly. The future event must line up with the Scriptures.
Evangelist– Phillip was an evangelist, Acts 21:8. These men preached the gospel from city to city. From their preaching, churches were planted. Today, evangelist do similar work. Missionaries today fit a biblical evangelist.
Pastors- These men are called pastors and teachers because Pastors should be according to I Timothy 3:2 “apt to teach”. Preaching and teaching is what is found in I Peter 5:2 “feed the flock of God”.
Teachers– These men or women have a desire to help others in the things of the Lord. Primarily Pastors have this responsibility however, other men teach also and women teach women or children. Titus 2:4 “that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children…”.
Conclusion: These are the remainder of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit of God to Christians.
Anchor Baptist Church 