UNWRAPPING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT
November 14, 2007
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* Today many Christians are hung up on the "gift"- not the spirit of Love in which they were given.
* Time to open the gift & discover your gift- but DON"T lose sight of the Giver!
* Whatever reason you have NOT opened up your gift…
* Five discoveries that you need to make in order to open up your "Gift" package…

Some review: (I am overlapping because there is such CONFUSION about this subject.)
1. Discover you are GIFTED of the Holy Spirit (12:7)
No exceptions to this promise. All saved supernaturally blessed from God.
Some NT leaders had more than one- not a matter how many, how faithful.
* Mat 25:15 "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."
* Make sure your know yours- not worry about others.
1 Cor. 12:11 "to every man…"…
* Writing to straighten them out- this carnal church was all gifted.
Rom 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Eph 4:7 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
* No one left out. All here tonight. You have at least one spiritual gift.
Spiritual are not Natural abilities.
* You did not receive them until you were born-again.

2. Discover the purpose of spiritual gifts. (12:7)
To profit with all.
Spiritual gifts from God NEVER intended for personal use.
Not as a "curiosity"- or as side-show… (For the common good of the body)

3. Discover the nature of Spiritual gifts. (12:8-10)
- Last week we went over the list here of gifts… (Not complete list here, Rom 12: Eph 4)
- 18 Spiritual gifts identified- (at least 8 for today)
* God gives gifts to His people to accomplish the MISSION that He has commanded.
Not for entertainment, for personal benefit.
* Imagine the great commission- when Jesus gave it to the handful of men. WOW! Amazing.
* The task given to every generation.- Why gifted!
? Why isn't the job getting done?
Your gift is still in the package.

Four categories:
Four different kinds:
1. Revealing gifts- given to body during transitional time before the WOG completed
Purpose- to provide God's will for believers (temporary)
2. Confirming gifts- because the enemy can many times imitate some of the things that God does. That they were sent by God- fulfillment of OT prophecies.
The first two are temporary.
3. Speaking gifts- in existence today - to build up God's people and to proclaim the WOG.
4. Serving gifts- valid today to minister to God's people. (1 Peter 4:10)
2 Peter 1:16-20 (More sure word of prophecy) to the man that heard the audible voice of God.

4. Discover the source of spiritual gifts (12:11)
* Remember to change the focus of the gift to the giver…
Read 12:7-11 emphasis on the same spirit… why we see so little evidence of the supernatural gifts today- very few believers walk in the fullness of the Spirit - controlled by the Spirit.
- All here given a supernatural gift- but have never exercised it yet- until He controls your life.
* All goes back to the relationship with the giver.
* Not as we ASK, but "as He will"

5. Discover which gift(s) are yours. Simple step by step procedure to discover which Gifts God has given to you…

A. Learn the biblical truth about spiritual gifts (what we are doing) why I am teaching this to you.
How?
1. Don't miss the services (net if necessary) get in the bible
2. Pray - 1 John 5:14-15; ask according to His will- certain to get it.
If God has given them doesn't it make sense that God wants you to know it.
(When Christmas comes & you get a present just leave it from opening it)
"Lord show me what the gift is for me."
3. Begin with what you already have- where you are now- (experiment) get involved I the body of Christ- the church- start with the ability you already have.

* Last time - Speaking Gifts of Serving Gifts (maybe both) 8 of 18 operative today.
(1) Evangelism
(2) Teaching
(3) Pastor - teacher
(4) Exhortation- persuading people to do right & find their comfort in God alone.
(5) Helps - supernatural ability to jump right in and do it.
(6) Giving - some just supernaturally give
(7) Showing mercy -
(8) Governing / administration - get things organized, & get it done.
Note: All these are a responsibility for all of us.
WE are all to do the above but some are able to do it better- supernaturally.
2Ti 4:5 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
* Evidently Timothy didn't have the gift of an evangelist.
* Some are pastor / teachers (we all still have this responsibility)
Pastor our families.
* Some can do the things even without the gift- harder, but usually influenced by those that are gifted.
* We all have a responsibility to exhort, give, serve, have mercy, & administrate over others, but if I am supernaturally gifted what a difference.

* So what if I am new? Jump in and get involved & you will see that you have supernatural ability.
Learn to be responsible in these areas…

B. Honestly evaluate-
- Are my efforts blessed with spiritual fruit?
- Get counsel from mature believers - they will see it in you.
* I don't have the gift of an evangelist- but I do it.

* When you have the gift- you will see the supernatural fruit in that area.