The Goal is Whole: One Together, Part 2 One Glorious Church, O2.3: Spiritual Gifts

FULL STUDY:

Jesus has glorious intentions for His bride, His people – those called out from a fallen race into the new creation.

The new creation is a spiritual entity, and, as such, it functions in and through spiritual manifestation. Body life is simply an expression of Jesus, a manifestation of His presence, His nature, His will, and His power.

One of the ways this works is through His use of various “gifts”, imparted to and through the new creation within, by the Holy Spirit. There are two main passages about this in the New Testament, although all manifestations of the life of Jesus are really in this category. The word translated as “gift” in both passages is “charisma”, which comes from the root word we translate as “grace” (cheerful), linked strongly to “joy”. We could understand these gifts as “joyful manifestations of the presence of Jesus”.

The two passages we will look at are in Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12. There is one further passage that carries the idea of gifts but is very different. That is in Ephesians 4 and we will look at that briefly at the end.

Romans 12 gifts are often called “motivational gifts”. These are inner passions, or areas where a person flows comfortably – like a fish in water. Motivational gifts are mostly to do with our function, the role we play in the body.

Here is the passage:

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:4-8)

This is not an exhaustive list, but rather Paul is giving examples of manifestations of grace, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us”. There are an infinite number of grace manifestations, and part of our purpose in being a member of the body of Christ is finding what flows in us. It’s a Jesus-thing! This is not to be restrictive, but rather empowering and liberating. Walking out who we are called to be is incredibly fulfilling.

Paul’s main point in the passage is that we contribute what we have: “each of us is to exercise them accordingly”. Body life is not passive. It is a constant flow of giving and receiving in the flow of life and grace that we have together in Christ.

Perhaps you can identify with one of the examples Paul lists? But don’t feel you have to try to fit under one of those categories. There are many expressions, and Jesus will shape unique qualities in and through you.

One of the strong characteristics of this kind of grace expression is that it is something we carry. It’s almost like it is part of our “new creation personality”. We develop in certain ways according to the deposit God puts inside us in the new creation.

Now, let’s turn to the second passage, from 1 Corinthians 12. The contrast here is that these are gifts that are distributed by the Holy Spirit for specific impact. These are not gifts we hold, or carry, but are moment-by-moment manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we get used to using specific gifts of this kind, and we find them manifesting regularly, but they are not “ours to keep”.

Another contrast with this list is that they are all supernatural. They are unique to the new creation. Here is the passage:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

These gifts are the work of the Holy Spirit – we are just vessels (v11). Notice also that these are “manifestations of the Spirit for the common good” (v7). These gifts are intended for body life, whether in a community life focus or in community witness. These gifts are tools, to enable us to work powerfully and effectively together, manifesting Jesus.

We do not have time to study each one of these gifts here, but would suggest you might like to dig into other resources for more understanding. The easiest way to learn about these gifts and begin to flow in them is to be part of group times at the INN with new creation people who are allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest these things, as He wills. Equipping workshops might also help explain and activate these gifts. In preparation for that, take on Paul’s exhortations around seeking the gifts:

1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire the greater gifts”

1 Corinthians 14: 1 “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

These gifts operate according to how much we desire and pursue them. As Jesus said:

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

The whole of 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 carries in-depth explanation on how these gifts work. We cannot study all this here, but we do need to be aware of three very important principles:

1. All use of gifts is for the common good, the edification of the body. (12:7, 14:12)
2. Gifts work through and with love (Chapter 13, and 14:1)
3. God is not a God of confusion but peace, so use of gifts should be orderly (14:30-33)

All gifts are subject to the body. This is explained most simply in terms of prophecy, where Paul exhorts:

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)

The key attitude in this is one of “shared discernment”, where the body together embraces the flow of gifts between different ones, but all seek clarity and truth together. As Paul writes earlier in the same letter:

“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

The key word there is “WE”. None of us can arrogantly claim to have the full mind of Christ ourselves. Such an attitude is sure to bring division. We have the mind of Christ together.

INNs are great “safe places” to develop in the gifts, where it is acceptable for mistakes to be made in a loving and encouraging environment. Paul states that we “prophesy in part” (13:9). To the Thessalonians he wrote:

“Do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)

Tomorrow we will look specifically at how body-life gatherings can embrace spiritual gifts of this nature.

In closing today, let us look briefly at the third New Testament passage on gifts. This is very different, and is a different word in the original language. Instead of being a manifestation of grace and the Holy Spirit within us, these gifts are people in the body – new creation people who have developed into maturity and are given to help equip others. Paul lists five of these, but again these are probably just examples. Each of us might potentially develop into being specific “gifts” to the body in some aspect, as we walk diligently with Jesus over an extended period.

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Notice the two main roles, and the way we seek to embrace both of these in the INN vision:

• equipping the saints for the work of service; this is mobilizing in Community Witness
• building up the body of Christ; this is becoming the One Glorious Church.

Oftentimes people of maturity also take on “oversight” roles, and become examples to inspire others in their walk with Jesus:

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1-3)

Elders are simply “older” brothers and sisters in Christ. Older is not so much a matter of timeframes, but of maturity, and is relative to the experience-level of the group. Elders never have authority over others, but serve as examples and offer wisdom, lifting others up. Jesus made this very clear:

“Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)