CHARISMATA “Faith to Grow the Gifts” Rolan D. Monje

How the Spirit works In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit helped the young church navigate through its early years.

How the Spirit works In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit bestows gifts to Christians.

How the Spirit works The Spirit empowers Christians by distributing spiritual gifts. Gk: Charis (KHA-rees) = grace/favor Charisma = gift Charisma = gift Charismata = gifts Merismos = distribution/parting

How the Spirit works There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. – 1 Co 12:4-7 (NIV)

different kinds of gifts…

Spirit works collectively different kinds of gifts different kinds of service different kinds of working the common good

Spirit works collectively Gifts are given for the common good. Not so we can feel good about ourselves.

Spirit works individually But each has his proper gift from God, one according to this manner and another according to that – 1 Co 7:7b (MKJV)

Each one has gifts! But each has his proper gift from God…

We are “managers” Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. – 1 Pet 4:10 (CEV) Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. – 1 Pet 4:10 (CEV) As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. – 1 Pet 4:10 (ISV) As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. – 1 Pet 4:10 (ISV)

As “managers” We have been given a trust We have been given a trust We are expected to know what we have We are expected to know what we have We are expected to ‘invest’ We are expected to ‘invest’ We are expected to study the ‘return of investment’ We are expected to study the ‘return of investment’

“Managing” is serious! God amazingly trusts us with gifts God amazingly trusts us with gifts Jesus died so we can have ‘every full blessing’ as disciples Jesus died so we can have ‘every full blessing’ as disciples Gifts are unique and special Gifts are unique and special Sometimes we need others to discover and develop our gifts Sometimes we need others to discover and develop our gifts Gifts can perish if not used (nabubulok!) Gifts can perish if not used (nabubulok!)

Gifts, like fruit, can spoil.

For those already using their gifts… Rom 15 – Counsel the fellowship Rom 15 – Counsel the fellowship Heb 5 – Be a teacher to others Heb 5 – Be a teacher to others 2 Tim 4 - Multiply yourself! 2 Tim 4 - Multiply yourself!

What happens when we neglect gifts? We fail to fulfill God’s purpose. We fail to fulfill God’s purpose. We ignore God’s goodness. We ignore God’s goodness. We ‘spoil’ the gifts. We ‘spoil’ the gifts.

What are we to do with gifts? Discover them Discover them Develop them Develop them Discern them Discern them

Closing Challenges Pray about your gifts Pray about your gifts

Closing Challenges Think about how you can serve Think about how you can serve

Closing Challenges Study out ‘gifts’ in the NT Study out ‘gifts’ in the NT Do the ‘gifts survey’ Do the ‘gifts survey’ Ask others about what Ask others about what gifts they see in you Develop your gifts Develop your gifts Help others develop their gifts Help others develop their gifts

CHARISMATA “Faith to Grow the Gifts”