Various Extant Gifts of the Spirit

 

Varieties of Gifts… One Body

Pastor Terry Reese, 5/09/22

 

a. Serving/Helping Others (Rom. 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28; also cf., Eph. 4:12). This is the ability to help or serve in the broadest sense. Not everyone is especially gifted in this way, but ALL are called to serve (Gal 5:13). Not a “high-profile” gift that most desire for themselves ("W-H-A-T! Serve as someone else’s slave?"). Yet, this is to live as JESUS Himself lived (Matt. 20:28, Phil. 2:5-8)!

 

b. Teaching (Rom. 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28, Eph. 4:11). This is an out-front form of ministry that many desire, because of the public acclaim and position of authority that is often associated with it, but it also one that bears an awesome responsibility—i.e., speaking on the record for GOD ALMIGHTY (James 3:1)! Yet, ALL, in some measure, are called to share in accurately bearing witness to the Truth in both word and deed (Matt.  28:19-20, Heb. 5:12).

 

c. Encouragement, Exhortation (Rom. 12:8). Some have the special ability to encourage, comfort, and lovingly admonish the brethren. But ALL (1 Thess. 5:11), nevertheless, are called to be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36)!

 

d. Giving (Rom. 12:8). Some are especially gifted here, even sacrificially giving at great personal cost to themselves (2 Cor. 8:1-2). But ALL are called to all emulate the poor widow who gave all that she had (Mrk 12:41-44; 2 Cor. 9:7).

 

e. Leadership, or Administration (Rom. 12:8, 1 Cor. 12:28). The ability to rule or lead in the church. Church leadership is NOT like secular political/business leadership; we are not called to model the ruthless and competitive patterns of the world. JESUS is our model here—one who lead in humility (Mt. 20:25-28), and who called upon His disciples to do the same. 

 

f. Kindness, or Mercy (Rom.  12:8). This is something that we all want to see graciously extended unto ourselves--but which we are often found to be shamefully stingy in regard to others! ALL are called to extend mercy unto the unworthy, the guilty, the needy—i.e., to those that others have given-up upon. Let us think upon the kindness and mercy of Jesus, who tirelessly did good unto others--including those outcasts that were popularly perceived as being either loathsome or unpleasant. Matt. 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

 

g. Faith (1 Cor. 12:9). Without faith it is impossible to be a Christian (Eph. 2:8, Rom. 3:28), or to please God (Heb. 11:6)! Faith involves the ability to believe God for the supply of specific needs. Each Christian believer has a measure of faith, but not all are specially gifted. Some exhibit a greater level of Faith than others, but ALL are called to develop & cultivate Faith (e.g., James 1:6).

 

h. Evangelism (Eph. 4:11). This is the ability to proclaim the Gospel message with exceptional clarity. Whether or not one has the gift of evangelism, or is called to a special itinerate ministry or unto formal missions, ALL believers are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and thus develop their abilities to share the Gospel Plan of Salvation.

 

i. Pastoring (Eph. 4:11). Involves teaching & leadership, as well as spiritually providing, protecting, shepherding, and caring for the flock. All are not called or qualified to enter the formal pastoral ministry, of course (1 Tim. 3:1-7), but all of us within local assembly should be mutual shepherding, protecting, and caring for one another as we bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2) and minister unto one another.