Understanding Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ

MAN UP BIBLE SERIES Living A Life That Counts Lesson Eight

The Real World In this lesson I want to focus on our service to the Corps. We all have something that we were designed to do. We call that our spiritual gift. What is a spiritual gift? A spiritual gift is a spiritual ability given by God for the purpose of ministering to others in the body of Christ. I challenge you to read the three most important passages in the Bible that explain the spiritual gifts. They are: Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31, and 1 Peter 4: 10 -11 and you will find them together on the next slide entitled The Real Word. Here are the basic principles you will see in these Scriptures: Spiritual Gifts are important. They come from the Holy Spirit. They are not natural abilities. There are no greater or lesser gifts. They are for the Church s benefit.

1 Corinthians 12 New International Version (NIV) Concerning Spiritual Gifts 12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus be cursed, and no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a]and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Unity and Diversity in the Body 12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c]one Spirit so as to form one body whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15Now if the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, I don t need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I don t need you! 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. The Real Word Romans 12:4-8New International Version (NIV) 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a]faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 1 Peter 4: 10 -11 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Real Talk Why Does God Give Spiritual Gifts? Do you know your spiritual gift? What simple thing could you do to serve your Corps in the coming week?

Real Steps If you do not know your spiritual gift here is a place to start: Start where you are Do anything you can along the way you will find something you must do. That could be your spiritual gift. Start with what you like- You have something special to do that is uniquely you . Start asking others- You will be amazed that other mature Christians will know your gift. Ask them. Also there are several spiritual gift tests that you can take to confirm your gift. Talk to your Corps Officer about taking a test. Here is a web site for a free test: http://www.supernaturaltruth.com/SpiritualGifts/Spiritual_Gifts_Test.php. Start with what God is blessing- Your spiritual gift is designed to bless others. So if you do something and it really takes off that could be your spiritual gift at work! Now I challenge you to go out and find your gift: Serve Faithfully where you are.(1 Corinthians 4:2) Continue to grow spiritually. (2 Peter 3:18) Accept Greater Challenges as they come. Aspire to Leadership ( 1Tim. 3:1) Desire to be godly ( Titus 1: 6 9)

Time to Close We close with a hymn of the Church: Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings. Rise up, O men of God! The kingdom tarries long. Bring in the day of brotherhood and end the night of wrong. Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait, her strength unequal to her task; Rise up, and make her great! Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where his feet have trod. As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God!