31 Spiritual Gifts Patrick Williams
#31 in the Doctrine Series
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Scriptures related to the Holy Spirit ¾ Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts
A spiritual gift is the capacity for service which is given to every true Christian without exception and which was something each did not possess before he became a Christian. (Stedman)
Ephesians 2:19, So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.
Ephesians 4:12, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:14, As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:11, But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
James 1:17, Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
1 Peter 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.
1 Corinthians 12:7, But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 13:1, If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Ephesians 2:19, So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.
James Boice outlines four elements involved in obtaining an answer to the question, “What is my spiritual gift?”
1. Begin by studying what the Bible has to say about spiritual gifts. If we do not know God’s Word, we cannot know God’s will for our lives.
2. We must pray. We cannot trust our own judgment when it comes to spiritual gifts or anything else really because we don’t know our own hearts, but God does and He knows His plan for us.
3. We must make a sober assessment of our own spiritual strengths and abilities. If we seek God on this issue, we’ll see ourselves in His eyes. What do you like to do for God? This is not a clear indication, but it is one indicator. Ask what you are good at as that is also another indicator. If God is blessing your work, you’re probably on the right track. Use your talents spiritually and for spiritual ends and you won’t go wrong.
4. Seek the wisdom of other Christians. Others with the gift of insight or wisdom can sense what your gifts are and point them out to you. Others are far more objective of us than we are of ourselves, right? Listen to other godly men and women and follow their guidance.
