Sunday, 7/27/2025

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

Discovering, Developing, and Deploying Your Spiritual Gifts

Ephesians 4:7–16 (NKJV) ^“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” ⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

God has bestowed upon every believer, through God the Holy Spirit, a spiritual gift, a grace-given ability designed for service within the body of Christ. 

The grace that saved you is the grace that enables you.

To deny God’s ability to use you is to insult, to grieve the Holy Spirit who is the Giver of the gift.

The Greek word for “grace” here is charis, from which we derive “charismatic,” meaning “a person gifted by grace.” 

This charismatic gift is not merely a natural talent but a supernatural ability for service and ministry.

Supernatural in Source

Supernatural in Nature

Supernatural in Purpose

They are designed to edify the church and glorify God.

When Jesus died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended, He defeated Satan, crushing his kingdom.

Colossians 2:13-15 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. ¹⁴  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” 

1 Corinthians 12:4–10 (NKJV) “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

Romans 12:6–8 (NKJV) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

These gifts are not for personal enjoyment but for employment in service to the body of Christ. Your spiritual gift is to bless the church, not to bless you.

The Gift of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)

Wisdom is supernatural insight into the mind of God.

The Gift of Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)

Knowledge complements wisdom by providing the supernatural ability to understand and apply God’s truths practically.

The Gift of Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)

While all true believers have saving faith or they could not be called a believer, some possess a supernatural gift of faith, described as “mountain-moving” in 1 Corinthians 13:2.

The Gifts of Healings (1 Corinthians 12:9)

“gifts of healings” encompass physical, psychological, and spiritual restoration. 

The Gift of Miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10)

Satan also has miraculous power so we need to be very careful. 

The gift of miracles generally come in clusters in the Bible. They were not normal in everyday life. 

The Gift of Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10)

The word prophecy means “the ability to for-tell and forth- tell,” primarily, not to for-tell the future, but, primarily, to tell forth the will of God in a particular manner. 

1 Corinthians 14:3 “ But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to people.” 

Edification means to build people up. 

A prophet is somebody who builds up, fires up, and shows up for the people of God. 

The Gift of Discerning of Spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)

This gift enables believers to distinguish between spiritual righteousness and wickedness

1 John 4:1 “beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God.”

The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation (1 Corinthians 12:10)

Tongues involve praising God in an unlearned language, primarily as a sign to unbelievers. 

The gift of interpretation ensures clarity, so all present understand the message (1 Corinthians 12:7).

The Gift of Ministry (Romans 12:6-7)

Ministry involves acts of service, such as ushering, nursery work, or administrative tasks, reflecting a heart to serve humbly.

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

The Gift of Teaching (Romans 12:7)

Those gifted in teaching are anointed to explain God’s Word clearly

The Gift of Exhortation (Romans 12:8)

Exhorters encourage and uplift others inspiring the church to persevere.

The Gift of Giving (Romans 12:8)

This gift involves the supernatural ability to give sacrificially and wisely, supporting the church’s mission.

The Gift of Ruling (Romans 12:8)

Leaders with this gift oversee church operations or committees, guiding with authority and vision.

The Gift of Mercy (Romans 12:8)

Those with the gift of mercy excel in hospital visitation, benevolence, and counseling, showing compassion to those in need.

While apostles and prophets laid the church’s foundation (Ephesians 2:20), modern pastors and evangelists continue their work by preaching with authority and winning souls. 

Principles for Discovering Your Spiritual Gift

Desire: Reflect on what you enjoy doing, what comes naturally, and where you excel.

Discovery: Engage in ministry to uncover your gift, often confirmed by others’ affirmations.

Development: Study and work to hone your gift (2 Timothy 2:15).

Dependence: Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power, as spiritual gifts are supernatural.

Deployment: Serve actively within the church, where your gift finds its purpose (1Corinthians 12:18).

Mature in Stature (Ephesians 4:13)

Mature in Stability (Ephesians 4:14)

Mature in Speech (Ephesians 4:15)

Mature in Service (Ephesians 4:16)