Embracing and Exercising Spiritual Gifts in the Church

 

Summary

In Romans 12:7-8, Paul emphasizes the importance of using spiritual gifts within the church. Each gift, whether prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, or showing mercy, is a unique contribution to the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul is not providing an exhaustive list of gifts but rather illustrating how these gifts should be exercised. The key principle is that each person should focus on the gift they have been given and use it to its fullest potential for the glory of God and the benefit of the church. This requires a humble acceptance of one's role and a commitment to serve without coveting or criticizing the gifts of others.

Paul's teaching underscores the diversity and interdependence of gifts within the church. Each gift, no matter how seemingly mundane, is vital to the harmonious functioning of the church. For instance, the gift of ministry involves the practical administration of church affairs, which is as crucial as the gift of prophecy. Similarly, teaching and exhortation are distinct gifts; teaching imparts knowledge and understanding, while exhortation encourages and motivates action. The gift of giving should be exercised with simplicity, focusing on the needs of others rather than seeking personal recognition. Ruling involves diligent oversight and governance, ensuring the church operates smoothly. Lastly, showing mercy should be done with cheerfulness, bringing comfort and hope to those in distress.

The Apostle's message is clear: each believer should embrace their God-given gift, exercise it with dedication, and contribute to the church's mission. This requires a focus on God's glory and the well-being of the church community, rather than personal ambition or comparison with others.

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace Your Gift: Each believer is endowed with a unique spiritual gift meant to serve the church. Embracing and focusing on this gift, rather than coveting others, ensures the harmonious functioning of the body of Christ. This requires humility and a commitment to serve God and the church community. [06:40]

- Diversity of Gifts: The diversity of gifts within the church highlights the interdependence of its members. Each gift, whether prophecy, teaching, or administration, is vital and should be exercised to its fullest potential. This diversity reflects the richness of God's provision for His church. [07:47]

- Teaching vs. Exhortation: Teaching and exhortation are distinct gifts. Teaching imparts knowledge and understanding, while exhortation encourages and motivates action. Recognizing and respecting these differences prevents confusion and enhances the church's effectiveness. [27:04]

- Simplicity in Giving: The gift of giving should be exercised with simplicity, focusing on the needs of others rather than seeking personal recognition. This aligns with Christ's teaching on giving and ensures that the act of giving glorifies God. [40:14]

- Cheerfulness in Mercy: Showing mercy should be done with cheerfulness, bringing comfort and hope to those in distress. This attitude enhances the effectiveness of the gift and reflects the love and compassion of Christ. [50:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 12:7-8
- [00:48] - Application of Spiritual Gifts
- [01:21] - The Gift of Prophecy
- [02:24] - Incomplete List of Gifts
- [03:33] - Importance of Using Your Gift
- [05:38] - Translation and Interpretation
- [06:20] - Exercising Your Gift
- [09:24] - The Gift of Ministry
- [12:23] - Practical Church Administration
- [18:08] - The Gift of Teaching
- [27:04] - The Gift of Exhortation
- [39:27] - The Gift of Giving
- [44:56] - The Gift of Ruling
- [48:19] - The Gift of Mercy
- [51:39] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:6-8

Observation Questions:
1. What are the different spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul in Romans 12:7-8, and how does he suggest they should be exercised? [00:29]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between prophecy and the proportion of faith? [01:21]
3. What is the significance of the diversity of gifts within the church as highlighted in the sermon? [07:47]
4. According to the sermon, what is the role of humility in exercising one's spiritual gift? [06:40]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the difference between the gifts of teaching and exhortation, and why is it important to recognize these differences? [27:04]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the gift of giving should be exercised with simplicity, and what does this mean in practical terms? [40:14]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of showing mercy with cheerfulness, and what impact does this have on those receiving mercy? [50:52]
4. What does the sermon imply about the potential consequences of coveting or criticizing the gifts of others within the church? [07:12]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the spiritual gift you believe you have been given. How can you focus on using this gift to its fullest potential for the glory of God and the benefit of your church community? [06:40]
2. Consider the diversity of gifts within your small group or church. How can you encourage and support others in exercising their unique gifts? [07:47]
3. If you have the gift of teaching, how can you ensure that you are effectively imparting knowledge and understanding to others? What steps can you take to improve in this area? [18:08]
4. For those with the gift of giving, what practical steps can you take to ensure your giving is done with simplicity and without seeking personal recognition? [40:14]
5. Think of a time when you showed mercy to someone in distress. How did your attitude affect the situation, and how can you ensure that you bring cheerfulness and hope in future interactions? [50:52]
6. How can you cultivate a humble acceptance of your role within the church and avoid the temptation to compare your gifts with others? [07:12]
7. Identify one area in your church where you can serve using your spiritual gift. What specific actions will you take this week to contribute to the church's mission? [06:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Your Unique Spiritual Gift
Each believer is endowed with a unique spiritual gift meant to serve the church. Embracing and focusing on this gift, rather than coveting others, ensures the harmonious functioning of the body of Christ. This requires humility and a commitment to serve God and the church community. Paul emphasizes that each gift, whether prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, or showing mercy, is a unique contribution to the body of Christ. The key principle is that each person should focus on the gift they have been given and use it to its fullest potential for the glory of God and the benefit of the church. This requires a humble acceptance of one's role and a commitment to serve without coveting or criticizing the gifts of others. [06:40]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Identify your spiritual gift and consider how you can use it to serve your church community this week. What steps can you take to embrace and develop this gift further?


Day 2: Celebrate the Diversity of Gifts
The diversity of gifts within the church highlights the interdependence of its members. Each gift, whether prophecy, teaching, or administration, is vital and should be exercised to its fullest potential. This diversity reflects the richness of God's provision for His church. Paul underscores the diversity and interdependence of gifts within the church. Each gift, no matter how seemingly mundane, is vital to the harmonious functioning of the church. For instance, the gift of ministry involves the practical administration of church affairs, which is as crucial as the gift of prophecy. [07:47]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: Reflect on the different gifts you see in your church community. How can you encourage someone else in their gift today, acknowledging the importance of their contribution?


Day 3: Distinguish Between Teaching and Exhortation
Teaching and exhortation are distinct gifts. Teaching imparts knowledge and understanding, while exhortation encourages and motivates action. Recognizing and respecting these differences prevents confusion and enhances the church's effectiveness. Teaching and exhortation are distinct gifts; teaching imparts knowledge and understanding, while exhortation encourages and motivates action. Understanding these differences allows each gift to be used effectively and prevents overlap that could lead to confusion. [27:04]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Consider whether you are more inclined towards teaching or exhortation. How can you use this understanding to better serve others in your church or community?


Day 4: Practice Simplicity in Giving
The gift of giving should be exercised with simplicity, focusing on the needs of others rather than seeking personal recognition. This aligns with Christ's teaching on giving and ensures that the act of giving glorifies God. Giving should be done with simplicity, focusing on the needs of others rather than seeking personal recognition. This aligns with Christ's teaching on giving and ensures that the act of giving glorifies God. [40:14]

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for giving. Are there ways you can simplify your giving to focus more on the needs of others and less on recognition or reward?


Day 5: Show Mercy with Cheerfulness
Showing mercy should be done with cheerfulness, bringing comfort and hope to those in distress. This attitude enhances the effectiveness of the gift and reflects the love and compassion of Christ. Mercy should be shown with cheerfulness, bringing comfort and hope to those in distress. This attitude enhances the effectiveness of the gift and reflects the love and compassion of Christ. [50:52]

James 2:13 (ESV): "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is in need of mercy. How can you extend mercy to them today with a cheerful heart, reflecting Christ's love and compassion?

Quotes


The importance of our using the particular gift that has been given to us and concentrating on that and keeping to that now that is the great principle. It's a little bit obscured almost by the words that have been added by the authorized translators here. [00:03:41]

Whatever the gift that has been given to you, exercise that gift. Let that be your concern, let that be your desire, and never desire to go outside it. It is the business of each person with his or her gift to use it and to exercise it to the furrow and to the glory of God and to the benefit of the church. [00:06:33]

Let every man function according to the gift he has, according to the particular member of the body that he happens to be. Now he brings that out, if you see, in his very former workers, but he also does the same thing by showing us the variety in the gifts, how they're different. [00:07:22]

We are all, I say, to do what we are gifted to do. We are directions as the gift that has been given to us. We are to concentrate on that. We have to do that with all our might, with sorry in them, and we are not to be desiring something else, persuading ourselves that we are gifted to do something else. [00:08:35]

The gift of ministry involves the business, the general business of the church. It means the outer business of the church, not the peculiar functions of the preacher and the teacher and so on, but there is general business in connection with the house of God, and I think it refers to that. [00:10:54]

The Apostle is making a very big point. People tend to look at the gift of prophecy and to think this is wonderful, and they tend to despise other gifts. Immediately after prophecy comes this business ministry, the afterward business of the Christian Church. It's all important, and it's all a gift of God. [00:14:22]

Teaching is differentiated from prophecy, and it's also differentiated, as we shall see, from exhortation. Now it's important we should notice these things. Let me give you an example or two of how these things are always put separately. Take Acts 13:1. Now then, we're in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers. [00:18:24]

Teaching appeals primarily to the mind. It's meant to do this, and that is if it doesn't do that, it is failing. It is the imparting of knowledge and information and instruction. What's exhortation? Well, exhortation deals more with the heart and with the will. That is the essential difference between teaching and exhortation. [00:27:39]

The business of exhortation is to encourage, to rebuke, to stimulate, to call for application, to call to prayer, almost anything. It's concerned with the application of the truth that has been taught to the Christian life in its various ways and in its various aspects. [00:28:39]

If you have the gift of ruling, do it with diligence, do it with earnestness, do it with zeal. Now you must put your back into it, and you must continue at it, and you must realize that this is your gift, and you must keep yourself to it. [00:45:55]

If you have been given a gift like that to handle these practical external matters in connection with the life of the church, well, exercise that gift for all you're worth. That's why they put in these words in the translation, let us wait on our ministry. [00:16:02]

If your gift is that of showing mercy, well then, says the Apostle, do it with cheerfulness. Isn't that interesting again? Doesn't that strike you at first as being rather strange? What does he mean? Well, the commentators all point out that the word is the same word as hilarity. [00:50:52]

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Transcript
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