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Talk 2: Spiritual Gifts Series

Talk 2: Spiritual Gifts Series. USING AND EXERCISING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part 1. INTRODUCTION . Spiritual gifts are like a light bulb Spiritual gifts, when not in use, remain worthless Christianity is like that, too

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Talk 2: Spiritual Gifts Series

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  1. Talk 2: Spiritual Gifts Series USING AND EXERCISING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part 1

  2. INTRODUCTION • Spiritual gifts are like a light bulb • Spiritual gifts, when not in use, remain worthless • Christianity is like that, too • We need to use and make the spiritual gifts operational (or functional) in us, in the body.

  3. BASIC PRE-REQUISITES FOR USING THE GIFTS 1. First, you have to be a Christian • Not a “cultural” Christians or “nominal” Christian • Have a living and personal relationship with the Lord • “Born again”, “renewed”, ”committed”, ”saved” or “converted” – the point is relationship

  4. BASIC PRE-REQUISITES FOR USING THE GIFTS 2. Second, you have to believe in spiritual gifts • Many Christians do not believe that spiritual gifts really exist or exist today • This is an issue of faith: you must believe that God has given you a spiritual gift even before you start the process of discovering and exercising them • Believe God can and will use you

  5. BASIC PRE-REQUISITES FOR USING THE GIFTS 3. Third, you have to be willing to work. a. “Grace builds on human nature” - the human being is the raw material for God’s action - while gifts are God’s actions, it is also our actions b. willingness to work on and develop the gift - practice and knowledge - taking steps to exercise the gifts for growth - effort and hard work c. God has a reason for giving you the gifts: there is work to do for the body - God equipped you with a gift for a job to be done - Gifts are not just for kicks but for producing results

  6. BASIC PRE-REQUISITES FOR USING THE GIFTS 4. Fourth, you have to pray. • Before, during, after the process of discovering and using the gifts - pray for understanding • 4 steps: - desire the gifts (1Cor 14:1) - ask for the gifts (Luke 11:9-13; 1Cor 14:13) - receive the gifts (Acts 2:38) - exercise the gifts (1Cor 14:26) • Ask for guidance in the exercise of the gifts

  7. HOW ARE THE GIFTS EXERCISED 1. 1 Corinthians 12-14. Guidelines as to how the gifts must be exercised • In the body of Christ (1Cor 12) – take a corporate concern - the variety of gifts, service/ministry, workings, are distributed and allocated to all the members of the body - the gifts are to operate in and for the body - we cannot exercise the gifts solely for ourselves or for our personal advantage • So that the body can move as one (unity) • If done out of order, there is trouble and disturbance

  8. HOW ARE THE GIFTS EXERCISED 1. 1 Corinthians 12-14. Guidelines as to how the gifts must be exercised • In love (1Cor 13) - without love, I gain NOTHING - we exercise the gifts out of our love for the brethren - in order (1Cor 14) - for edification not exhibition (3-5, 12) - for communication, not confusion (6-19) - appropriately, not randomly ( 20-25) - one by one, not all at once (26-32) - in submission, deference, not assertion (29,37)

  9. HOW ARE THE GIFTS EXERCISED 2. The “role” of common sense • People tend to think that common sense is unspiritual • Use common sense as we exercise the gifts: - consider the needs/concerns of others as well as yours - consider the group’s experience and background, history, and maturity level - consider your limitations and strengths - consider the groups experience as well as yours - consider the confirmation of others

  10. HOW ARE THE GIFTS EXERCISED 3. Exercise the gifts • Boldly and in faith - step out of your comfort zone - be pioneering - be open to be misunderstood, reacted to, or you might gain attention and approval • With preparation - praying and seeking the Lord - living righteously

  11. HOW ARE THE GIFTS EXERCISED 4. Exercise the gifts in holiness • You are a vessel holding tremendous power - notice the danger when the vessel cannot handle the power well • Lack of holiness will not prevent God from using us, but will affect the gifts effectiveness.

  12. OBSTACLES TO USING THE GIFTS WELL 1. Fear • Fear of what people will say, fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of making mistakes • Leads to timidity, paralysis, insecurity • Comes from lack of faith • 1Tim 1:1 “ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control” • “Fight Fear with Faith”

  13. OBSTACLES TO USING THE GIFTS WELL 2. Ignorance or lack of understanding • Ignorance is not bliss! • The root of much of the discouragement, frustration and guilt • We deny people the experience of God’s power because of ignorance • Overcome by study, reading, learning from others • We cannot be the obstacle for God to move

  14. OBSTACLES TO USING THE GIFTS WELL 3. Self-centeredness (love of self or lack of love) • This brings about competitiveness and other obstacles e.g., gift projection, gift exaltation, using the gifts for selfish ends, with-holding the gift from others.

  15. What did you learn today and what struck you in the talk? What obstacles to you face in exercising the spiritual gifts?

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