1. “Charismata”
An Introduction
to the
Spiritual Gifts

2. “Charismata” An Introduction to the Spiritual Gifts
Outline of Discussions
Basic Information
Guiding Principles
The Ultimate Purpose
Bible Versions Used
Unless indicated, Scripture quotations herein are from the New International Version (NIV, 2011).
Scripture quotations marked “NRSV” are from the New Revised Standard Version (1989).

3. What are the fundamentals of our gifts?
Basic Information
What are the fundamentals of our gifts?

4. Basic Information Definition of Terms
Spiritual Gifts: Greek, χαρίσματα (charismata)
A conjunction:
χάρις (charis): Noun; “grace”
ματα (mata): Plural suffix; “endowments”
Literally, “grace-endowments”
Singular form: χάρισμα (charisma)
Grace-Endowments
Grace: God’s undeserved favor on account of Jesus
Endow (verb): “to give money or property to provide an income for”*
*Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus; 2002, Geddes & Grosset

5. Basic Information Relevant Passages
Romans 12:3-8 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts [charismata], according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

6. Basic Information Relevant Passages
1 Peter 4: Each of you should use whatever gift [charisma] you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

7. Basic Information Some Clarifications…
Ephesians 4:7-8 (NRSV)
7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift [δωρεᾶς (dōreas)].  8Therefore it is said,
“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
he gave gifts [δόματα (domata)] to his people.”
Not Spiritual Gifts
Paul used dōreas and domata
Leadership roles for building up the Church toward unity and maturity (see verses 12-13).

8. Basic Information Some Clarifications…
1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different kinds of gifts [χαρισμάτων (charismatōn)], but the same Spirit distributes them.
Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit
AKA: The “sign gifts”
Confirmed the oral Gospel (see Hebrews 2:4)
No longer available today

9. Basic Information The Eight Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts Bible References
Prophesying Romans 12:6
Serving Romans 12:7 and 1 Peter 4:11
Teaching Romans 12:7
Encouraging Romans 12:8
Giving Romans 12:8
Leadership Romans 12:8
Showing Mercy Romans 12:8
Speaking 1 Peter 4:11
Remember: Each of us has at least one gift—We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us (Romans 12:6a).

10. What principles govern the use of our gifts?
Guiding Principles
What principles govern the use of our gifts?

11. Guiding Principles A Sense of Humility
Romans 12:3-6a
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts [charismata], according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is...
Key Phrase/Word
sober judgment: In context, “to put a moderate estimate upon oneself”*
*Thayer's Greek Lexicon; 2011, Biblesoft, Inc.; 04 October 2011

12. Guiding Principles A Sense of Humility
Romans 12:3-6a
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts [charismata], according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is...
Key Phrase/Word
sober judgment: In context, “to put a moderate estimate upon oneself”*
grace: We neither earned nor deserve our gifts.
*Thayer's Greek Lexicon; 2011, Biblesoft, Inc.; 04 October 2011

13. Guiding Principles A Sense of Selflessness
Romans 12:3-6a 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts [charismata], according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is... Key Phrase: each member belongs to all the others Bottom Line: The use of our gifts must benefit our brothers and sisters.

14. Guiding Principles A Sense of Duty
1 Peter 4:10-11
10Each of you should use whatever gift [charisma] you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11b...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Keyword: Serve
Greek: διακονέω (diakoneō)
From διάκονος (diakonos), a minister
English derivative, “deacon”—a Church minister
Essentially, “to serve as a minister”
Bottom Line: Our gifts can be the basis for our personal ministries in service to one another.

15. What is the purpose of our gifts?
The Ultimate Purpose
What is the purpose of our gifts?

16. The Ultimate Purpose To Glorify God
1 Peter 4:10-11
10Each of you should use whatever gift [charisma] you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11b...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Keyword: Praised
Greek: δοξάζω (doxazō), “to glorify”
Essentially, “to demonstrate one’s awesome qualities”
Bottom line: The use of our gifts should be a demonstration of God’s awesome qualities so others might recognize and acknowledge Him.

17. Challenges Discover and study your gifts.
Develop deep convictions about your gifts based on your learning.
Start a personal ministry based on your gifts.
Glorify God by the use of your gifts.

18. Recap Basic Information God expects Spiritual income from our gifts
Relevant passages: Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Peter 4:10-11
Each of us has at least one gift.
Guiding Principles
A sense of humility
A sense of selflessness
A sense duty
The Ultimate Purpose: To glorify God
To God be the glory!