Spiritual Gifts part 144: The ten key characteristics that define spiritual gifts

Class Outline:

Spiritual Gifts Part 144:   The ten key characteristics that define spiritual gifts.

The Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts

Point 3:  What is a “Spiritual Gift”?

1. All three members of the Trinity are involved in the spiritual gifts, from start to finish.

2.  If there is one thing the Holy Spirit is telling us about spiritual gifts, it is that they are marked by VARIETY!!!

3.  Spiritual gifts come to us from the Holy Spirit, and are supernatural in character.

All three members of the Trinity are involved in the giving of spiritual gifts.

1CO 12:11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

the root word charis means “grace”.When you add the suffix ‘ma’ it means “receivers of grace”. 

 
a gift involving grace on the part of God as the donor; a favor which one receives without any merit of his own.

  Grace means God does all the work and man receives the benefit.

4. Spiritual gifts are given in grace, are entirely undeserved, and their power and operation is due to God alone.

Therefore, a spiritual gift is never earned, deserved, or developed through any form of emotional experience.

“ministries”
diakonia

spiritual gifts are to be employed in serving others.

5. The gifts are for serving.  Spiritual gifts are given to be put to use in serving other members of the body of Christ.

1PE 4:10  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

“effect” energema from which we get our English word ‘energy’.   

 It refers to the effects that can only be produced by the power of God.

6. Divine power enables us to be effective in serving with our spiritual gift.  


The results are up to God: His plan and His work.

7. Each and every born again Church age believer gets one spiritual gift.

EPH 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

1PE 4:10  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

“manifestation” phanerosis =a visible display, an exhibition, an appearance.

The Holy Spirit is on display, makes an appearance, when believers operate in their spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ.

8. Our spiritual gift is the Spirit of God ministering to the Body, using the believer to accomplish it.

  pros to sumpheron

“with a view to the profit of all”

  Sumphero when used as a verb means “to lift up together” or  “ to bring  together to confer a benefit and be profitable to all involved”.

  as a substantive, to sumpheron means profit or advantage.  It was a common term in ancient inscriptions that referred to contributions to the public good by civic minded people.  It can be translated as “common good”.

  NT - Paul: to sumpheron is used for that which is profitable both for individuals and the church as a whole.

Operating in your spiritual gift is the ultimate in selflessness AND the ultimate in self-fulfillment … in ONE activity!

9. Your spiritual gift is not for private gain or enjoyment, but for the good of the team.

10. The ultimate result is the glory of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.