Have you ever heard the saying; Good things come to those who wait? Guess what? That is biblical!
Lamentations 3:25
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
I started the Collective Connections series in July of this year. It is now the end of October and I really haven’t talked about Gifts like I promised. Why? Seems we like to get to the Gifts first.
Good Gifts Come To Those Who Wait
There is a process that we need to go through in order to get to the Gifts. I have been describing this process in various ways in this series. If you haven’t picked up on it, here it is in bold face:
Obey, Faith, Fruit, Gifts, Spread the Word.
So, before we open our Gift today let us not forget something very important. WORK!
Genesis 3:17 CSB (part of the verse as God is speaking to Adam)
The ground is cursed because of you.
You will eat from it by means of painful labor[a]
all the days of your life.
Now it is time to open our Gift. There is only One Gift. Yes! Only One. And? IT IS FOR ALL.
Wow. We came all this way for just One Gift?
There is Good News!
- Within One, there is plenty.
- Within One, there is understanding.
- Within One, there is direction.
- Within One, there is more.
Generally speaking, scholars recognize 18-25 Gifts in the bible listed out in 5 Key Passages. This number can vary a bit from scholar to scholar, but does that really matter? I counted 19-20 in these passages myself depending on how you categorize them. Healing and Miracles could be the same or separate as an example. The lists are not all-encompassing and there is general agreement on recognition there is more.
The 5 Passages you can find the Gifts are:
- Romans 12:6-8
- 1 Corinthians 12:9-28
- Ephesians 4:11
- 1 Peter 4:9-11
- Exodus 31: 1-6
The Gifts (referenced from this link Red Letter Living)
- Administration
The ability to help steer the church, or a ministry, toward the successful completion of God-given goals, with skills in planning, organization, and supervision.
- Apostleship
A person sent to new places with the gospel. You may have heard of missionaries going to different countries to help spread the Word; they could be described as apostles. An apostle can also provide leadership to other churches or ministries and offer advice on spiritual matters.
- Communication/Marketing
The unique ability to take a message, project, or event and communicate it effectively to a broad audience using a variety of medium. This person may have gifts in graphic design, editing software, and online tools to be able to maximize the impact.
- Craftsmanship
A person who has a trade or craft that they can use for the good of the church. Typically this person enjoys serving with their hands to meet tangible needs and may be described as a “handy” person.
- Discernment
The wisdom to recognize truth from untruth by correctly evaluating whether a behavior or teaching is from God or another, ungodly source.
- Encouragement
Competence in offering encouragement, comfort, and support to help someone be all that God wants them to be.
- Evangelism
The ability to successfully communicate the message of the gospel, especially to nonbelievers. They are able to do it in a winsome fashion that men and women become not just believers but followers of Jesus.
- Faith
People with this gift have possess extraordinary confidence in the power and promises of God that they can stand strong in their belief, no matter what may try to shake them. They can also stand up for the church and for their faith in such a way as to defend and move it forward.
- Giving
Those who have this gift are particularly willing and able to share what resources they have with pleasure, and without the need to see them returned.
- Healing/Miracles
A capability used by God to restore others, be that physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. They serve as human intermediaries through whom God performs powerful acts that are perceived by others to have altered the ordinary course of nature.
- Hospitality
A natural ability to make people—even strangers—feel welcome in one’s own home or church as a means to disciple or serve them.
- Interpreting Tongues
The supernatural ability to interpret and make known to the public another language that has not been learned. This interpretation is done for the mutual edification of the church.
- Knowledge
This is the gift of someone who actively pursues knowledge of the Bible. This person may also enjoy analyzing biblical data. They have the ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information and ideas that are pertinent to the growth and well-being of those in the church.
- Leadership
This aptitude marks a person who is able to stand before a church or a ministry of the church, to direct the body with care and attention, and to motivate them toward achieving the church’s goals.
- Mercy
This is the defining trait of a person with great sensitivity for those who are suffering. It manifests itself in offering compassion, empathy, and encouragement, for both Christians and non-Christians. That compassion often translates into giving practical help to someone in need.
- Missionary
A person with this gift has a heart to share the Gospel in another culture. They work well with colleagues of different racial, cultural, religious, and sociopolitical backgrounds. They are typically willing to sacrifice the comforts of their own environment in order to reach those in another community, culture, or even country.
- Music
This person is able to express their personal faith, provide inspiration and comfort through their music ability. This could come in the form of a musical instrument, singing, or both. When they are involved in music, it provides encouragement, joy, and inspiration to others.
- Next Generation
This person is passionate about reaching the younger generations, students, and/or kids with the Gospel.
- Pastoring
The Spirit-given ability to nurture and care for God’s people. Many times, this will include being able to use God’s Word to guide others into Christian maturity. This gift could be but is not limited to the office of pastor.
- Prayer/Intercession
The ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian. They possess a gift of empathy towards others and believe in the power of God answering prayers.
- Production
Those who have this gift love utilizing technology to bring forth the Gospel in modern ways. They are not intimidated by cameras, computers, lights or cables, but rather see the potential in using these tools for excellent purposes to help grow the church.
- Prophecy
The ability to speak the message of God to others. This sometimes involves foresight or visions of what is to come. This skill should be used only to offer encouragement or warning.
- Serving/Helping
Someone with this gift is able to support or assist members of the body of Christ so that they may be free to minister to others. A talent for identifying tasks needed for the body of Christ and using available resources to get the job done.
- Speaking in Tongues
The supernatural ability to speak in another language (one that has not been learned) a message from God.
- Teaching/Preaching
The skill to teach from the Bible and communicate it effectively for the understanding and spiritual growth of others.
- Wisdom
The gift of being able to sort through facts and data to discover what needs to be done for individuals or the church. A person with this gift is often sought out for counsel and advice.
If you want to find out what your Gifts are, you can find out here: Red Letter Living. Just please remember that God is where your true Gifts come from – not the computer.
I believe that the Gift is One and it is for ALL. If you keep reading in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 it indicates not everyone has all the Gifts, and when we read ALL of Romans 12 there is not one Gift that is in hierarchy over the other. Instead, they ALL come together in the Body as ONE.
I Hope you enjoyed opening your Gift!