SPIRITUAL GIFTS 2.

Weare now going to look at some of the gifts mentioned previously:-

APOSTLESHIP

Literal Meaning: To be sent with amessage. 

Description: The gift of Apostleshipis the divine ability to start and oversee the development of new churches orministry structures.

Distinctives: People with this gift

· Pioneer and established new ministries or churches.

· Adapt to different surroundings by being culturally sensitive andaware.

· Desire to minister to unreached people in other communities or countries.

· Have responsibilities to oversee ministries or groups of churches.

· Demonstrate authority and vision for the mission of the church.

ADMINISTRATION:

Literal Meaning: To pilot or steer aship.

Description: The gift ofAdministration is the divine enablement to understand what makes anorganisation function, and the special ability to plan and execute proceduresthat accomplish the goals of the ministry.

Distinctives: People with this gift

· Develop strategies or plans to reach identified goals.

· Assist ministries to become more effective and efficient.

· Create order out of organisational chaos.

· Manage or coordinate a variety of responsibilities to accomplish atask.

· Organise people, tasks, or events.

DISCERNMENT:

Literal Meaning: To separate or make adistinction, differentiate.

Description: The gift of Discernmentis the divine enablement to distinguish between truth and error.  It isable to discern the spirits, differentiating between good and evil, right andwrong.  

Distinctives:People with this gift

· Distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from inpure.

· Identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness.

· Determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic.

· Recognise inconsistencies in teaching, prophetic messageor interpretation.

· Are able to sense the presence of evil.    

WISDOM:

Literal Meaning: To apply truthpractically.

Description: The gift of Wisdom isthe divine enablement to apply spiritual truth effectively to meet a need in aspecific situation.

Distinctives: People with this gift

· Focus on the unseen consequences in determining the next steps to take.

· Receive an understanding of what is necessary to meet the needs ofthe body.

· Provide divinely given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion.

· Hear the spirit provide direction for God’s best in thegiven situation.

· Apply spiritual truth in specific and practical ways.

LEADERSHIP:

Literal Meaning: To stand before.

Description: The gift of Leadershipis the divine enablement to cast vision, motivate, and direct people toharmoniously accomplish the purposes of God.

Distinctives: People with this gift

· Provide direction for God’s people or ministry.

· Motivate others to perform to the best of their abilities.

· Present the “big picture” for others to see.

· Take responsibility and establish goals.

MIRACLES:

Literal Meaning: To do powerful deeds.

Description: The gift of Miracles isthe divine enablement to authentic the ministry and message of God throughsupernatural interventions which glorify him.

Distinctives: People with this gift

· Speak God’s truth and have it authenticated by an accompanyingmiracle.

· Express confidence in God’s faithfulness and ability to manifest hispresence.

· Bring the ministry and message of Jesus Christ with power.

· Claim God to be the source of the miracle and glorify him.

· Represent Christ and through the gift point people to a relationship toChrist.

Theseare brief examples of some of the gifts of the spirit.  We now move on topractical ways to know the gifts God has given you.

Practical Tipson how to know your spiritual gift

FAITH:

Thesearch begins with faith. You must believe that you are gifted. God doesn’t askman to do what he hasn’t equipped him to do. Listen to what Jesus says to hisdisciples “you didn’t choose me. I choose you. I appointed you to go andproduce lovely fruit always so that no matter what you ask from the Father,using my name, he will give it to you”. John 15:16. Accept it by faith. You aregifted. Thank God for the gifts he has given you and continue your search.

PRAYER:

Thesecond step centres around prayer.  The Lord has already given us themeans to discover the unknown. “You do not have because you do not ask” James4:2.  Pray for understanding.  “But I have asked God to show me mygift. I want to know what it is”

Perhapsyou have asked God this; perhaps you have a desire to know. But your gifts maystill be hidden because of wrong motives. God doesn’t want us to pray forunderstanding in order to satisfy our curiosity. He wants us to ask withcommitment. Our attitude must be “Lord show me my gifts so that I can begin todevelop and use them”.  That’s commitment. Tell the Lord you’ll use yourgifts as he reveals them to you. Be prepared for him to open your eyes to someexciting potential. You will soon find opportunities for service.

AWARENESS:

Besidesfaith and prayer there is a third step in understanding gifts; be aware of whatgifts are available to you.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Inwhat type of service are you presently involved? You may be a Sunday schoolteacher, Youth leader, Praise and Worship member, or Evangelism team member.

Whatis important is that you are involved in something. Why? Because as you servethe Lord he’ll show you what you can and cannot do. And its possible that hewill reveal new gifts to you.

COMMON SENSE:

Afifth approach to the problem of discovering your gift is common sense. Commonsense comes from God and he expects us to use it in discovering our gifts. Hereare four areas in which you can use common sense.

1. Consider your desires, what do youenjoy doing?

2. Consider the needs of others. Whatneed do you see that you want to do something about?

3. Consider your experience. What pastministries have you enjoyed? In what areas of service have you already had somesuccess?

4. Another help in discovering yourgift is in the confirmation of others. What do others say about you? In whatareas do people look up to you?