Discover Your Spiritual Gift, and Utilize Your Gift To Bless Others
Ephesians 4:7-17-v7-But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. V8-Therefore He says: When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. V9-Now this “He ascended-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? V10- He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things. V11-And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some pastors, and teachers, v12-for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. v13-till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to be a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. V14-that we shall no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, v15-but, speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head__Christ. V16-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does it share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Revelation of Teaching-v7-Paul taught that all Christians have a spiritual gift or gifts. The gifts are given sovereignly by the ascended Christ in order to build up the church(1Corinthians12:11-But one and same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills). V8-Paul quotes(Psalm 68:18) to picture the ascended Messiah, triumphant over Satan, and his host, distributing spiritual gifts to His people. The faithful stewardship of our gifts on earth will determine our position of service in Christ’s messianic reign. V9-Many people take this descent to refer to Christ’s entering Hades(specifically the saved portion of that unseen world) after His cruxificion to takes saints to heaven when He rose from the dead. On the other hand, lower parts of the earth is refer to Christ’s coming to our humble planet as man(See Philippians 2:5-8). V10-The One who humbled Himself as a lowly Servant is the same One who ascended far above the heavens in universal supremacy(See Philippians 2:9-11). V11-Apostles(Envoys/Ambassadors)-those who saw Christ in resurrected form, performed miracles, and were specifically chosen by Christ to tell others about Him from their eyewitness accounts. As such, there are no apostles today. Those that call themselves apostles today have the gift of apostle. They are filled and moved by the Holy Spirit, have the ministry, and carry the revelation of Jesus Christ. Prophets-delivered direct revelation from God before the New Testament was written (See 1Corinthians 14:1-5). They foretold God’s action in the future, and they proclaim what God had already said in the scripture. Evangelists-are gospel preachers who help bring people into the body of Christ. They do so by presenting Christ’s offer of free salvation by grace through faith. Since each of these categories is responsible for equipping believers, evangelists may also train other believers to share their faith effectively. Evangelists preach, teach, counsel and witness. Pastors-do all for the church that a literal shephard does for the sheep: feeds, nurtures, cares for, and protect them from enemies. A shepard does what he is supposed to do, he will have healthy sheep, and his flock will grow. Teachers-While the Greek ties the two titles teachers and pastors closely together here, elsewhere they are separately(See Romans 12:7, 1Peter 5:2).
1Corinthians 12:1-31-Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity
God gives individual Christians diversities of gifts(different). The first portion of Gift Formula Diversity expresses same Spirit, same Lord, and same God. The second portion expresses unity. Though people are gifted differently by God, God and His works are unified(together/one accord). Here are a few other gifts discussed in this chapter:
Word of Knowledge-Ability to teach doctrine.
Word of Wisdom-Practical application of knowledge.
Faith-is to believe God for extraordinary deeds.
Miracles-is the ability to perform miraculous wonders similar to Moses, and the prophets.
Discerning of the Spirits-Ability to distinguish the works of God from demonic activity in the body of Christ, church, or ministry group. Discern good and evil spirits.
Interpretation of Tongues-Ability to explain or translate the tongues spoken in the congregation or in your ministry group so the entire group may benefit.
Prayer: Father, open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I want to use the gifts and talents You have given me to be a blessing to the body of Christ, and others to give you the glory. Father, help me not to fear, but give me the courage to utilize(to make, and put to use) what you have given me, help me to be bold and faithful in your service. Give me a pure heart so that I can share your grace. I can never out give You, but I thank you for giving me the grace to give. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen.
Revelation of Teaching-v7-Paul taught that all Christians have a spiritual gift or gifts. The gifts are given sovereignly by the ascended Christ in order to build up the church(1Corinthians12:11-But one and same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills). V8-Paul quotes(Psalm 68:18) to picture the ascended Messiah, triumphant over Satan, and his host, distributing spiritual gifts to His people. The faithful stewardship of our gifts on earth will determine our position of service in Christ’s messianic reign. V9-Many people take this descent to refer to Christ’s entering Hades(specifically the saved portion of that unseen world) after His cruxificion to takes saints to heaven when He rose from the dead. On the other hand, lower parts of the earth is refer to Christ’s coming to our humble planet as man(See Philippians 2:5-8). V10-The One who humbled Himself as a lowly Servant is the same One who ascended far above the heavens in universal supremacy(See Philippians 2:9-11). V11-Apostles(Envoys/Ambassadors)-those who saw Christ in resurrected form, performed miracles, and were specifically chosen by Christ to tell others about Him from their eyewitness accounts. As such, there are no apostles today. Those that call themselves apostles today have the gift of apostle. They are filled and moved by the Holy Spirit, have the ministry, and carry the revelation of Jesus Christ. Prophets-delivered direct revelation from God before the New Testament was written (See 1Corinthians 14:1-5). They foretold God’s action in the future, and they proclaim what God had already said in the scripture. Evangelists-are gospel preachers who help bring people into the body of Christ. They do so by presenting Christ’s offer of free salvation by grace through faith. Since each of these categories is responsible for equipping believers, evangelists may also train other believers to share their faith effectively. Evangelists preach, teach, counsel and witness. Pastors-do all for the church that a literal shephard does for the sheep: feeds, nurtures, cares for, and protect them from enemies. A shepard does what he is supposed to do, he will have healthy sheep, and his flock will grow. Teachers-While the Greek ties the two titles teachers and pastors closely together here, elsewhere they are separately(See Romans 12:7, 1Peter 5:2).
1Corinthians 12:1-31-Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity
God gives individual Christians diversities of gifts(different). The first portion of Gift Formula Diversity expresses same Spirit, same Lord, and same God. The second portion expresses unity. Though people are gifted differently by God, God and His works are unified(together/one accord). Here are a few other gifts discussed in this chapter:
Word of Knowledge-Ability to teach doctrine.
Word of Wisdom-Practical application of knowledge.
Faith-is to believe God for extraordinary deeds.
Miracles-is the ability to perform miraculous wonders similar to Moses, and the prophets.
Discerning of the Spirits-Ability to distinguish the works of God from demonic activity in the body of Christ, church, or ministry group. Discern good and evil spirits.
Interpretation of Tongues-Ability to explain or translate the tongues spoken in the congregation or in your ministry group so the entire group may benefit.
Prayer: Father, open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I want to use the gifts and talents You have given me to be a blessing to the body of Christ, and others to give you the glory. Father, help me not to fear, but give me the courage to utilize(to make, and put to use) what you have given me, help me to be bold and faithful in your service. Give me a pure heart so that I can share your grace. I can never out give You, but I thank you for giving me the grace to give. In Jesus Christ Name. Amen.
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