Lesson 3 for April 21, 2012

Spiritual gifts are special attributes given to each member to be used for God’s glory and for the saving of souls.

Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians, 12: 4-11) Besides, He gives us the ability to use them (Acts, 1: 8)

Everyone who takes the great gospel commission as a personal evangelistic mandate from God will be equipped by the Spirit to become involved. Peter said that everyone has received one gift at least: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another” (1 Peter, 4: 10)

For proclaiming the Gospel. Regarding the church’s soul-saving work, God knows what is needed in what place and at what time. He gives the necessary gifts to each of us, so we can be part of the work of evangelism in a useful way.

Apostles Prophets Teachers Pastors Evangelists Ephes. 4: 11Romans, 12: 6-81 Corinthians, 12: Corinth. 12: 28 Service Appeal Teaching Largesse Leadership Mercy Wisdom Prophecy Faith Healing Working of miracles Knowledge Discerning of spirits Tongues Interpretation of tongues Apostles Prophets Teachers Healing Miracles Help Administration Tongues Paul’s lists of spiritual gifts are not closed lists. No doubt there are more gifts that are not listed there. Which gifts would you add to those lists? All gifts are of vital importance for the mission of the Church.

The Holy Spirit distributes gifts “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Co. 12: 11) “All men do not receive the same gifts, but to every servant of the Master some gift of the Spirit is promised” E.G.W. (Christ’s object lessons, cp. 25, “Gifts of the Holy Spirit”, pg. 327) E.G.W. (Evangelism, cp. 5, “Unity in diversity”, pg. 102) “Come down from your spiritual stilts and practice the grace of humility. Put away every evil surmising and be willing to see the value of the gifts God has bestowed on your brethren”

“But those who selfishly spend the Lord’s gifts on themselves, leaving their needy fellow creatures without aid and doing nothing to advance God’s work in the world, dishonor their Maker. Robbery of God is written opposite their names in the books of heaven.” E.G.W. (Christ’s object lessons, cp. 21, pg. 266)

“God expects every man to us his gifts in a way that will give him an increased knowledge of the things of God, and will enable him to make improvement, to become more and more refined, ennobled, and purified” E.G.W. (This day with God, May 8) At a personal level At a collective level “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians, 4: 12-13)

“Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Corinthians, 14: 12) Each one of us must recognize the spiritual gifts he/she has and how he/she can use them in the work of the Church. Therefore, we must generously share our gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. The Church depends on the spiritual gifts of every member, just like every member depends on the Holy Spirit to use those gifts in the work of evangelism and witnessing.