The four uses of spiritual gifts.
Principles to understanding spiritual gifts.
1. When I talk about “spiritual gifts,” I mean the totality of the church’s supernatural
ministry. [charisma, diakonia, and energema for the Greek students/scholars]
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service,
but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them
in all men.” [1 Corinthians 12:4 – 6]
2. God has placed each gift as needed. [see 1 Corinthians 12:18]
3. UNITY is a non-negotiable in shared suffering or mutual honor. [see 1 Corinthians 12:26]
4. The PURPOSE of spiritual gifts is to equip for service to build the body of Christ. [see
Ephesians 4:12]
The four uses of spiritual gifts:
1. Influence – Used to influence values, decisions, and direction.
2. Initiative – Used in service to the church and the world.
3: Information – Used to keep us on task and focused.
4. Inspiration – Used to generate emotions to energize or calm, this energy is directed
toward God as worship or toward the world as witness.
How they work:
***** This list is NOT meant to be all inclusive. It is compiled, mainly, from Romans 12, 1
Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. *****
I. Influence (values, decisions, and direction)
A. “Message of wisdom.” [v 8]
1. Wisdom is the quality of experience that can correctly apply information.
2. An American understanding of “wisdom” may be “common sense.”
B. “Distinguishment between spirits.” [v 10] (“Discernment”)
1. This is in context to the speaking of tongues.
2. Necessary survival, keeps us from being gullible.
C. “Guidance” [v 28] (“Administration”)
1. The Greek word is borrowed from Latin. It means “to steer” or “to be a
dictator.” (If you don’t do one, you will do the other...)
2. This is a “big picture” or “visionary” type of gift... not the hold down a
desk, oil the machinery of government, type.
D. “Leading” [Romans 12:8]
1. This is the “point” in a military operation. The first one into battle, the
head of the column.
2. It is also the one who “ranks” higher or presides over...
E. “Evangelism” [Ephesians 4:11]
1. Technically this is not a gift or skill set, its an office in the early church.
2. It was someone who proclaimed the gospel. [Invited people into a saving
relationship with God through Jesus.]
II. Initiative (Service)
A. “Miraculous powers.” [vv 10, 28]
1. We get our word “dynamo” from this Greek word.
2. These are demonstrations of God’s power. The event that attracts people
to listen to the gospel.
B. “Apostles.” [v 28, Eph. 4:11]
1. Apostles were ones who were “sent.” The specific title refers to the 12.
2. Those doing the work of “apostles” are missionaries and church planters.
C. “Helping” [v 28]
1. This is helping people in need.
2. Active sympathy to see a need an meet the need.
D. “Serving” [Romans 12:7]
1. This is were we get the word “deacon.”
2. The original deacons were servers... they waited on tables. [see Acts 6:1 –
4]
E. “Generosity” [Romans 12:8]
1. The idea is “giving.”
2. The key to giving is to NOT have an ulterior motive. [In other words, you
give only to get something in return.]
F. “Craftsmanship” [Exodus 31:2 – 6]
“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [3] and I have filled
him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-- [4] to make
artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, [5] to cut and set stones, to work in wood,
and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. [6] Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of
Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make
everything I have commanded you” [Exodus 31:2 – 6]
1. God provides people to do the physical work.
2. God provides people to do the art work.
III. Information (on task and focused)
A. “Message of knowledge” [v 8]
1. If “wisdom” is how to then “knowledge” is the what.
2. Knowing... implies “scientific” approach.
B. “Interpretation” [vv 10, 30]
1. Another gift in context to tongues. [Notice there are TWO control gifts
associated with tongues... or inspirational gifts.]
2. It is were we get “hermeneutics.” (Our “science” of correctly handling the
Word of God.)
C. “Teaching” [v 28, Eph. 4:11, Rom. 12:7]
1. This is the only gift to show up on all three lists! It’s like God is saying,
it’s necessary, and it’s necessary, and it’s necessary!
2. Without this gift/office, we are strangely misguided fools with only
ourselves as a point of reference.
D. “Prophecy” [vv 10, 28]
1. OT image of one who foretold things to come and spoke God’s word to
the people.
2. NT image of “inspired” speaking (our preaching?)
IV. Inspiration (Generate emotional response)
A. “Faith” [v 9]
1. This is beyond “saving faith.” (Conviction)
2. It is a reliance on God that makes us wonder why we don’t rely on God
more!
[Ill. The Cebu FM church was in need of a library. Pastora Naomi asked God, believing God
would provide. The day she asked they were given a book store that had gone out of business.]
B. “Healing” [vv 9, 29]
1. All healing is from God... Doctors are God’s front line in this work.
2. Sometimes God chooses to do something different, for a reason, to get
people’s attention. (We may not see much of this because it would be
wasted, explained away, ignored.)
C. “Tongues” [vv 10, 28]
1. The first instance of “tongues” was actually speaking the native language
of people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2)
2. It became a “sign” to the Jewish believers that God had accepted Gentiles
into the church. (See Acts 10:23 – 11:18)
“So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who
was I to think that I could oppose God? When they heard this, they had no further objections
and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
[Acts 11:17 – 18]
D. “Encouragement” [v 8] (“exhortation”)
1. Literally it means “to come along side of” and is the same word for one of
the Holy Spirit’s ministries.
2. When we encourage people we invite (call) them to health and whole
relationship with God and the church.
F. “Mercy” [Romans 12:8]
1. Literally it means “to have compassion.”
2. This is a compassion that moves us to action.
G. “Music”
1. David’s music calmed King Saul.
“Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief
would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” [1 Samuel 16:23]
2. Miriam’s music energized people.
“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women
followed her, with tambourines and dancing. [21] Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for
he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.” [Exodus 15:20 – 21]
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