GIFTS & FRUITS of the Holy Spirit

Spiritual Gifts Scriptural Foundation There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one the Spirit gives wisdom in discourse, to another the power to express knowledge. Through the same Spirit one receives faith; by the same Spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another miraculous powers. Prophecy is given to one; to another the power to distinguish one spirit from another. One receives the gift of tongues, another that of interpreting tongues. But it is one and the same Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as He wills. 1 Cor 12: 4-11  

Gifts of the Spirit Foundation Verse Some people God has designated in the Church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. 1 Cor 12: 28-30

Gifts of the Spirit Foundation Verse “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he as for a fish? Or hand him a stone when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? Lk. 11: 9-13

Gifts of the Spirit Foundation Verse The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be fear of the Lord. Is 11: 2-3 The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn, to place those who mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes, to give them oil of gladness in place of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit. Is 61: 1-3

Spiritual Gifts Historical Background 1.The early Christians exercised the gifts given them on Pentecost Sunday, and used them to upbuild the Church.   2. The gifts became ‘specialized’ and were assumed to have been ‘delegated’ to the priests and Church leaders; many believers ‘buried their talents’. 3. In the late 1960’ and 70’s, with the spread of the Pentecostal movement, Christians began to seek the gifts in order to serve God in a more meaningful and active ministry.

Spiritual Gifts Basic Principles 1. Every Christian has at least one gift.   As generous distributors of God’s manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received. -1 Pt 4: 10 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. -1 Cor 12: 7 But it is one and the same Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as He wills. -1 Cor 12: 11

Spiritual Gifts Basic Principles 2. God wants every Christian to discover his or her gift and to use it together with the fruit of the Spirit.   The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity. Gal 5: 22-23 If we use the gift without the fruit (specially of love): - We accomplish nothing; - We are nothing; - We gain nothing. 1 Cor 13: 1-3

Spiritual Gifts Basic Principles 3. The purpose of the gifts is to build up the body of Christ:   Apostles Prophets Roles of Faithful service to Build up Evangelists the Body of Christ Pastors Teachers   Erecting something Leaders of Main Ready to (lost are saved) The Church work serve in Making Stronger sincere love (Saved are strengthened)  

Spiritual Gifts Definition 1. A God-given ability for Christian service; it is God’s enabling power for us to participate in His work. 2. The Greek word for gift is charis which means it is something freely and graciously given. 3. The Greek word charis is a cognate of chara or joy; thus the use of the gifts brings joy to its user. The gifts are manifested by faith in God’s power, not by confidence in our own abilities.

Holy Spirit – Giver of the Gift He is a Person who comes to dwell in us as our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Teacher, Strengthener and guide.   1. He has put in us his very presence. 2. He helps us in our walk in the fullness of the power of God. 3. He operates according to the power of the Word.

Holy Spirit – Giver of the Gift In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Gn 1: 1-2   The Lord God formed man out of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. Gn 2: 7 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you…” Acts 1: 8 To him whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine… Ep 3: 20

Holy Spirit – Giver of the Gift Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Cor 3: 16-17   You are the temple of the living God, just as God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be my people.” 2 Cor 6: 16

Holy Spirit Gift vs Gifts The gift of the Spirit was bestowed on the Church in fulfillment of the promise of the Father and in answer to the prayer of Christ.   · The Gift of the Spirit is for every member of the Body of Christ without discrimination; it is absolute and forever. · The gifts of the Spirit are bestowed on individual believers as the Spirit wills. · The gifts of the Spirit are special and given selectively; the gifts may atrophy through disuse.

Spiritual Gifts RECEIVERS The gifts may be given to any member of Christ’s Body: “To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… But it is one and the same Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills.” 1 Cor 12: 7, 11   “When you assemble one has a psalm, another some instruction to give, still another a revelation to share; one speaks in a tongue, another interprets.” 1 Cor 14: 26 “Likewise, the witness I bore to Christ has been confirmed among you that you lack no spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 1: 7

The Need to Seek Every Christian should:   · Be filled with the Holy Spirit .(Ep 5: 18) · Desire to be used in the operation of the gifts(1 Cor 12:31;14:1-6) · Should not be ignorant of the gifts (1 Cor 12: 1) · Be motivated by genuine love for the Body (1 Cor 14: 12) · Should excel in the use of the gifts (1 Cor 14: 12) · Should rest his faith on the wisdom of God and not the power of men (1 Cor 23: 5) “The goal is to be possessed and ruled by the Holy Spirit.” -Pope Paul IV

Seeking the Giver “Everyone who asks will receive, and he who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to him who knocks. Would any one of you fathers give his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? Stingily as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, the Father in heaven will give you the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”   Lk 11: 10-13

Spiritual Gift Classification Pneumatika or 9 Power Gifts: (1 Corinthians 12: 8-10)   Charismata or 7 Ministry Gifts (Romans 12: 3-8) Prophecy  Giving Service  Leading Teaching  Mercy Exhortation Diakonia or 5 Office Gifts (Ephesians 4: 11-16) Apostles  Pastors Prophets  Teachers Evangelist

Spiritual Gifts PNEUMATIKA 1. Power to Say:  Tongues  Interpretation of Tongues  Prophecy   2. Power to Know:  Wisdom  Knowledge  Discernment 3. Power to Do:  Faith  Healing  Miracles

GIFT OF TONGUES Tongues is manifested when one allows the Holy Spirit to use his lips and voice to praise and glorify God, or to give instruction to the community through the gift interpretation.   When the time of Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2: 21-4

GIFT OF INTERPRETATION The gift of interpretation of tongues is not the talent for translation. It is the urging to spell out the words given by the Spirit to the community in unintelligible tongues. While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Ac 10: 44-46

GIFT OF PROPHECY Prophecy is a gift by which God speaks through a person to convey a message for upbuilding, encouraging, exhorting or consoling a community. At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be severe famine all over the world, and it happened under Claudius. So the disciples determined that, according to ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.   Ac 11: 27-30

GIFT OF WISDOM The word of wisdom is an expression of God’s guidance given as practical teaching. The apostles’ convening together the community of disciples so as to select deacons to relieve them of the burden of serving widows is a good example: “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Ac 6: 2-4  

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE The word of knowledge gives ‘knowledge’ or awareness of God and of the mysteries of God, as doctrinal teaching. Peter’s speech before the Sanhedrin is a classic example:   “If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man before you healed. He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ There is no salvation through anyone else nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” Ac 4: 8-12

DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS Discernment of spirits detects the sources and causes of certain actions, teachings, circumstances as inspired by spirits. It is the gift manifested by Paul when he recognized the oracular spirit in the slave girl: She began to follow Paul and us, shouting, “These people are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.” Paul became annoyed, turned, and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Then it came out at that moment. Ac 16: 17-18

GIFT OF FAITH The charismatic gift of faith is distinct from the believing faith. It is the special gift of prayer that carries God-given expectancy and conviction, confidence that whatever is sought for will be granted.   When the jailer received these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake. About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, there was suddenly an earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains all were pulled loose. Ac 16: 24-26

GIFT OF HEALING The gift of healing is the super-natural power to cure infirmities through the laying on of hands or through other means. This gift was powerfully manifested soon after the Pentecost, and thereafter, by the apostles.   Thus they even carried the sick out in the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured. Ac 5: 15-16

GIFT OF MIRACLES The gift of miracles is the power to do something beyond the range of human ability and is given to inspire greater faith in God and to confirm the truth of the Christian message.   Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Dorcas’ body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. Ac 9: 40-42

CHARISMATA 1. Prophetic Ministry   - Ability to speak the Word of God clearly and persuasively - Strong preaching from God’s Word that leads people to obey God - Bible messages to challenge and help the hearers - Giving a special revelation or new truth from God

CHARISMATA 2. Service Ministry   - Ability to help others in the practical work of the Church. - Helpful deeds done for others - Necessary work on maintaining Church life - Involving activities like fixing up chairs, setting up equipment - Primarily a service to the people

CHARISMATA 3. Teaching Ministry   - Ability to interpret and explain God’s word clearly - Helpful instruction to others regarding God’s Word - Prophecy appeals primarily to the will; teaching to the mind - Subject to the magisterium or teaching authority of the Church.

CHARISMATA 4. Exhorting Ministry - Ability to encourage and persuade people to follow God’s will - Directly challenging and rebuking the faithful - Comforting and stirring enthusiasm

CHARISMATA 5. Giving Ministry   - Ability to earn and give money and possessions for the needs of God’s people - Sharing and being sensitive to the needs of others - Generosity and liberality in love offerings - Helps multiply resources of God’s people.

CHARISMATA 6. Leading Ministry   - Ability to direct God’s people and manage God’s work wisely and orderly - Pilot or steersman - one who steers a ship and keeps it on the right course - Organizing for best use of people and resources - Not lording it over others but serving humbly

CHARISMATA 7. Mercy Ministry   - Ability to help and comfort those in need - Different from exhortation because it involves less words and more action - Nursing the sick and feeding the hungry - Corporal and spiritual works of mercy

Spiritual gifts DIAKONIA 1. Apostolic Office - Ability to preach the Gospel and establish a solid church in unreached areas - Apostolos - one sent as a messenger   - A pioneer-type missionary; breaks new ground

DIAKONIA 2. Prophetic Office   - Same abilities and definition as in the ministry - Persons with more or less permanent office; identified and discerned by the leaders - Visionaries of the church who see God’s plan every step of the way

DIAKONIA 3. Evangelical Office   - Ability to effectively communicate the Gospel to the unsaved - Spends time traveling to proclaim the good news - Also refers to Christians who are not ‘full-time’ workers yet are gifted to tell others about Christ

DIAKONIA 4. Pastoral Office   - Ability to care for and tend to God’s people as they go about their day-to-day lives - Leading and feeding the sheep by faithfully teaching and applying God’s Word - Encouraging the sheep to receive the sacraments and participate in church life

DIAKONIA 5. Teaching Office   - Same abilities and definition as in the ministry - Persons given the authority to prepare teachings and to instruct and preach - Responsible for imparting knowledge, attitude, and skills to God’s people

DISCOVERING Spiritual Gifts How do we discover our spiritual gifts ?   1. Taking the Motivational Gifts Test Inventory (MGI) 2. Trying various kinds of Christian service: - Do you feel comfortable using the gift ? - Have others said that you seem to have the gift ? - Does God bless others when you use the gift ? 3. Growing your natural gift into its spiritual counterpart

DEVELOPING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS Accept responsibility Seek feedback Learn from others who possess a similar gift Explore responsibilities Plan your life / align your activities and focus on the gifts you have Thank the Lord

May the Lord pour upon each one of you His gifts that you may bear fruits