Grace Fellowship Church Pastor / Teacher James H. Rickard Thursday, April 17, 2008

Memory Verse 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Upper Room Discourse John 13-16; John 13:16, Servant-hood, Pt.13

Doctrine of DOULOS Slave, Servant

G. The DOULOS must exercise his spiritual gift.

Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts

1. The Source of Spiritual Gifts. All three members of the Trinity are the source of spiritual gifts.

2. There are two categories of Spiritual Gifts. a. Temporary b. Permanent

3. The function of Spiritual Gifts.

4. The team concept of Spiritual Gifts.

5. The Relationship between Spiritual Gifts and Ministry / Service. a. Spiritual Gift b. General Service c. Specific Service

General Service is not dependent on a spiritual gift. It’s part of obeying the commands of Scripture and Biblical imperatives.

Our spiritual gift equips us for a particular ministry, but it does not excuse us from every other ministry.

Many Christians want to minister only in the area of their gift, but God has general requirements too.

General service is the key to discovering your spiritual gift and particular ministry.

The wrong idea is to think you cannot have a ministry until you determine your spiritual gift. To do so is reversing God's order and Plan for your life.

Being obedient and faithful in general service will enable you to determine your spiritual gift and specific ministry.

The Spirit of God is at work in the life and (general) service of every believer, “both to will and to work for His good pleasure”. Phil 2:13

It is only as you engage in service to one another and simply trust and obey God's Word that you will discover the God-given potential you have for ministry.

God's Word instructs every believer to admonish (Rom 15:14), to encourage or exhort (Heb 10:25), to witness (Col 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:15), and to help (1 Thes 5:14) one another.

To discover your gift is to obey the Scriptures, serve in vital functions within our church to the best of your ability, and determine which of them God most blesses you to do.

How do you discover your spiritual gift?

How do you discover your spiritual gift? By obeying the imperatives of the Bible related to general service / ministry.

6. Determining your Spiritual Gift on the basis of your specific ministry, and not that of other believers.

If you have the correct motivation and are faithful to respond to the opportunities for service before you, it will soon be evident that you do not do all things equally well.

This is no reason to excuse yourself from every form of ministry, but it certainly tells you the areas of service upon which you should concentrate.

Out of your general service, a more particular ministry will most likely emerge that is unique and that others do not seem to desire to perform.

Not only will your ministry become evident, but you should be more able to identify the spiritual gift which equips you for your service.

Be careful not to attempt to discern your gift by comparing your service / ministry with those of others.

Each Christian possesses a spiritual gift, but they also have a specific ministry and a particular degree of effectiveness. 2 Cor 10:7-18

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, April 17, 2008 Tape # Servanthood, Part 13 The DOULOS Must Exercise his Spiritual Gifts, Part 3 Upper Room Discourse, Pt 169 John 13:16; 2 Cor 10:7-18; Phil 2:13 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2008