SPIRITUAL GIFTS-HOW INFORMED ARE YOU?
Paul, to the Corinthian Church:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” (1 Cor. 12:1)
Does this still apply to the church today? Should we, living in 2018 Western world take Paul’s words seriously? And if we do, is today’s church informed enough?
Not sure? These 3 questions will help.
1. What Are The Spiritual Gifts?
Informed & Interpreted
As Paul indicates, we need to be informed. For me, there are 4 go-to New Testament passage concerning Spiritual Gifts.
Let me guess; now that you’ve read through these passages you’re more confused. It happens. Being informed also means that each gift is interpreted within the appropriate context. Here’s a few examples:
- Administration is not paperwork. (To the New Testament church, it was an oversight gifting for the movement of people, places and things.)
- Evangelism is not for a select few. (Although some are gifted to be evangelists, every Believer should be able and willing to share the Gospel.)
- The Miraculous Gifts are not for fame and fortune. (Valid accounts of this gifting point people to Jesus, as displayed throughout Acts and taught by Paul: “Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers…” 1 Cor. 14:22)
2. What Are My Spiritual Gifts?
Assessment & Affirmation
There are dozens of free resources available, to help the Believer find their Spiritual Gifts. They’re often called tests, but I feel the word assessment is more fitting. These assessments flesh out passions and values, pointing us in a gifting direction.
To those of you who just crossed your arms and shook your head in disapproval, I agree with you! These assessments are not theological mandates. They are however, practical tools that have helped millions of Believers and in turn, local churches.
Here’s a couple free options for you to try:
Remember, that assessment alone is not enough! (This is where my theological brethren say ‘Amen!”) Assessment only points you in a direction. Affirmation from other Believers, specifically those who have witnessed your ministry is essential!
After reading this post, take a couple of church members who have oversaw your ministry out for coffee. Ask them to look over your assessment results. That conversation will lead you to a confirmation of your Spiritual Gifts!
3. Why Use My Spiritual Gifts?
The Gifts & The Gospel
Why should we use our Spiritual Gifts? Isn’t it just a New Testament thing that’s no longer needed? Why does it matter? What’s the point?
I get it. It would be a lot easier for church members to simply attend a church service each week, sing a bit, listen to a message and go home. We could function like that and many churches do, but we’d be missing the point.
The question is, “What’s at stake?”
After teaching on Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul continues to talk about love and the function of the church for a couple of more chapters. Then, as we reach chapter 15, Paul comes full circle to the item of “…first importance…“:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
What’s “…of first importance…?”
The Gospel! A church where everyone is using their Spiritual Gifts is most often a church that is having a Gospel impact on the world.
The goal is not a perfectly run commune; the goal is reaching people for Jesus Christ. And by using our Spiritual Gifts we can increase that reach!
Wish church leadership would take this more seriously instead of defaulting to typical church programs of woship or Sunday school where really availability and or talent are more the qualifications. When has one ever been directed to certain people for discernment? Or wisdom? Prophecy? Even btn Pastor and Elders this type of mentorship and development falls to the bottom of the pile. We don’t even know what it means to function as a Body! It’s sad. I’m disillusioned cause no one wants to hear it and I’m tired of it pretending it’s Ok. This I do know God will always preserve a remnant. Stay faithful.
Thanks David! Gifting and calling are so significant in my mind, and yet the church tends to lean to corporate or government insight based on tangible skills instead of Spiritual evidence.