As Christians every one of us has been given a gift or gifts from the Holy Ghost. These gifts are given to us not for our benefit, but rather to be used to give honor and glory to God. Those who walk closer to God will be blessed with more gifts than someone who is a carnal saved as by fire Christian. Most Christians do not realize that all Christians are given at least one gift and many do not know what their gift or gifts are. If you do not know what your gift is, then pray and ask the Holy Ghost to reveal them to you. Make sure you have no unconfessed sin so that God will hear you and can use you. As Christians we should never be jealous of another Christian who has more gifts than us or a gift that we want. Every one of the gifts are important and no one individual Christian’s gift makes them more important than another Christian who has a different gift that may seem like a lesser gift. As a Christian body we need all of the gifts and all are essential for the growth of the church. God knows our personalities and other attributes as well as our walk with him and so he knows best what gifts to give to each of us. Once you learn what your gift is then start using it for God to win souls for Jesus. We are given the gifts to be used and not just be neglected. If they are not used, the Holy Ghost can take them away. Just remember that if you think you cannot speak in front of crowds and God has called you to preach, then remember it is God that will give you that ability. Moses said he was tongue tied and wanted his brother Aaron to do the talking, but Moses soon found out that he could speak before the people because it was God who gave him that gift and ability. Remember that a gift is something you are given for free and have done nothing to earn it. Use what gifts the Holy Ghost has given you starting today.
Jesus as a man was given gifts by the Holy Ghost. (Isaiah 11:1-5 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.)
Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 12 that all of the gifts from God come from the same Spirit meaning all are from the Holy Ghost so no one can say they got their gift from a better source than someone else. It is only by the Holy Ghost that we can say that Jesus is God. This is one thing that shows we are a child of God. (I Corinthians 12:3-12 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.) Verse 7 shows the gifts are given to us so that it will profit or benefit the body of Christ so that the body of Christ may glorify God and do the work required by God to win souls for him. Verse 11 shows that the Holy Ghost divides the gifts to every man or person as he wills. As I said he knows who will use the gifts and who deserves what gifts, but all Christians receive at least one gift that they are expected to use to glorify God as seen in verse 12. Verse 12 also shows that the church is one body in Christ, but is made up of many members with all being just as important as another member. Paul then gives examples in the chapter comparing the eye with the ear, the nose and the foot showing that it would do no good to have all eyes, but not the other parts and the same applies to having all of another part. All of the parts are needed to have a complete body and the same applies to the gifts given to Christians within the body. (I Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.) Verses 8-10 lists nine gifts given to the body by God the Holy Ghost. They are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
The first gift mentioned is the gift of wisdom. Wisdom clearly comes from God as I have mentioned before in sermons and it is those who fear the LORD that will be given this gift. Let us look at a couple verses on wisdom. (Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.) (Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.) (Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!) (Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.) (Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.) Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived as he had prayed and asked God to give him wisdom which God did. Solomon mentions wisdom more in his books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes than does anyone else. Wisdom is having experience and knowledge that is used with good judgment to make wise decisions. One of the things of a wise person is that they will pray and ask God before making a decision. We see from some of the verses that were read that Solomon says wisdom is more valuable than even gold or rubies. A person is not born with wisdom. Wisdom will bring a person closer to God and keep you on the right path of life far more than gold or rubies will. Those things will not help your eternal soul whereas wisdom will.
The second gift on the list is knowledge. Knowledge is similar to wisdom and is often times compared to wisdom in scripture as you cannot have wisdom without knowledge especially of God, but they are not the same. A person can be very knowledgeable about many topics such as sports or some type of work, but these things do not make a person wise or do anything for one’s soul. It is important to have knowledge, but it needs to be the right knowledge such as understanding about God and his word. A person’s head needs to be filled with the knowledge of God and not secular things. Many unsaved people have great knowledge which we refer to as being book smart, but they cannot discern the ways of God. Those with the gift of knowledge will know God’s word and then they should be applying it to their lives. Those who have also been given the gift of wisdom most likely will. Remember just because a person has been given a gift does not mean it is always used. Solomon who prayed for the gift of wisdom also prayed for the gift of knowledge as they go hand in hand. We need to be knowledgeable in the ways of God, but wise enough to be able to apply them. Today some people have photographic memories which are given to them by God. God gives gifts not only to saved people, but also the unsaved especially to those who he knows will one day be saved. This is why some people have musical talents and other gifts, but we also need to remember and understand that God does allow Satan to also give people gifts who serve him as well and this can be seen especially among musicians, athletes, and actors in Hollywood. Here are a few verses on knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.) We see true knowledge from God comes after a person learns to fear the LORD. (Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:) Today many of the youth do not fear the LORD and this is why they hate knowledge and learn nothing in school. (Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.) (Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.)
Faith is the third gift on the list. Hebrews gives us a definition of faith. (Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.) Faith is believing that God will do the things that he says he will without being able to see any physical evidence. We see that God exists because of creation around us, but we cannot physically see God. We take it by faith that he exists. We take by faith that God created the world just as he said he did. None of us were there. The same applies to evolution as no evolutionist was at the Big Bang so they by faith believe it. It actually takes greater faith to believe that everything is here today because of evolution than it does to believe God created everything as he said he did in six days. A person can only be saved by having faith in Jesus that he can wash away our sins and that he did rise from that grave on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of God. (Luke 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.) (Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.) Faith is an important gift as it will allow that person to have a strong relationship with God and trust him to guide them in their lives. By faith they will trust God to help them witness to people even if they feel they are not qualified. Let us look at some verses on faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.) Jesus healed many people because they had the faith or trust in Jesus that he could and would do for them as they asked. Jesus healed the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. (Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.) Jesus healed two blind men because of their faith. (Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.) We need to be making sure that our faith is placed in God and not in some physician, politician, or other person. (Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.) Men of faith are often filled with the Holy Ghost such as Stephen was. (Acts 6:5 ¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:) The problem with most professing Christians today is that they lack faith and fail to ask God to give it to them. They had enough faith to get saved, but not enough to continue to believe God’s word such as he created everything and in a young earth. They fail to have faith to get them through their daily lives.
The fourth gift on the list is the gift of healing. Today physicians are often given the gift by God to have the knowledge on how to treat their patients, but this gift is referring to how Paul and others healed people without surgery or medicine. They were completely healed of their disease or other problem. Today many people claim to have this gift, but they are no more than frauds as they say they have removed a person’s cancer which cannot be seen, yet they will not heal a person’s broken leg which can be seen. Those who healed in scripture then their healing could clearly be seen such as when the beggar was healed by Peter at the temple. (Acts 3:6-9 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:) Notice that this man was not only healed, but was able to immediately jump and walk around and it was obviously a miracle. Those people who are healed by this gift are healed when science cannot explain it showing the healing is by God. Remember though that God also allows Satan to copy some of these gifts such as during the tribulation when the antichrist is healed. I Corinthians 12:9 says the “gifts of healing” in the plural so there may actually be more than one gift of healing with some people getting more of it to allow different types of healing. There is much debate over whether people still have this gift today or not. I believe it may not be around anymore, but if it is then it is a very limited gift. Some of the gifts were only given for the time of the apostles or shortly after and I believe this may be one of those gifts. It is possible that this gift will return during the tribulation or if it is still around to become more common.
The fifth gift is the working of miracles. This gift goes hand in hand with healings as all healings are only done by miracles such as giving sight to the blind or hearing to the deaf. This gift was used by Peter and Paul to raise the dead back to life. Of course Jesus used many of these gifts as well. The gift of miracles is clearly a gift from God as none of us has the power to do the things done by this gift without God. Paul made Elymas a sorcerer blind for a season since he was trying to keep the deputy from getting saved. (Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.)
The sixth gift on the list is prophecy. Prophecy is the ability from God to foretell future events in detail that will happen exactly as God says they will. God had many prophets in both the old and new testaments. I believe this is one of the gifts that is probably not around today as God does not speak to people the way he did in Bible days. Scripture is complete and so man has all of the knowledge that he needs. There are many people who claim to be prophets including some who profess to be Christians yet God said you can know a false prophet by one whose word is not completely fulfilled. (Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.) Jesus warned of false prophets in our day. (Matthew 7:15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.) (Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.) (Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.) Many made predictions for the 2020 election claiming they were words from God, but all of them fell short proving they were false prophets. Do not fear these false prophets or listen to them. The greatest false prophet will be the right hand man of the antichrist during the tribulation.
The seventh gift on the list is the discerning of the spirits. This gift goes hand in hand with understanding false prophets. John told us to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. If they are from God then they will say that Jesus came in the flesh. (I John 4:1-3 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.) We know that there are many people who profess to be Christians who enter the churches with the sole purpose of destroying it. These are the wolves in sheep’s clothing. This is an important gift to pray for as many Christians are deceived every day by those who profess to be Christians, but are really not. This gift will help discern when devils come to you in a vision or dream and tell you something. Do as God said and ask the spirit if Jesus came in the flesh. If they say no then the spirit or devil is from Satan and not God. An angel sent by God will say Jesus came in the flesh. Satan’s cohorts will not say that Jesus came in the flesh to deceive you as they hate Jesus more than they care about losing your soul. Today this is a gift that is definitely lacking in the church as most Christians cannot see the evil around them and this is one of the reasons that the church has so many problems. The other problem is that most Christians do not even want this gift because they are blinded and just plain do not care. We need to pray that the Holy Ghost gives this gift to more people, but I am afraid as long as they are far from God then this will not happen.
The eighth gift on the list in I Corinthians 12 is the gift of speaking in tongues. Pentecostals believe that you are not saved unless you speak in tongues. This is adding works to God’s grace and free gift of salvation. I believe this gift is probably very rare if at all today. I do believe God gives some missionaries the ability to quickly learn a language where he has sent them so that the missionary can win souls, but the gift in scripture was the miracle of speaking a language that was then heard in the other person’s language such as at Pentecost when the apostles preached in Greek most likely, but everyone heard them as if they were speaking their own language. (Acts 2:4-11 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.) I think it may be possible that a person can suddenly speak Chinese, Greek, or some other language without ever having learned it. These languages here in Acts 2 are all real languages unlike in the Pentecostal church were they speak gibberish. This gibberish or a language that cannot be understood is not from God, but rather Satan and witches have said they have taken advantage of this by going into the churches and speaking in what the people believe are tongues, but are in reality curses being placed on the church and the people by the witch or witches. Paul warned about speaking in tongues without having an interpreter. Paul said he would rather speak only five words that could be understood than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. (I Corinthians 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.) Paul said speaking in tongues only edified the individual whereas prophesying or interpreting edified God. (I Corinthians 14:4-5 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.) Paul said that he could speak the tongues of both man and angel and it is possible that the gibberish heard in Pentecostal churches is actually the language of devils. (I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.)
The ninth gift on the list is the interpreting of tongues. We see there are nine gifts mentioned with the number nine meaning the fruit of the Spirit. As we just read the interpreting of tongues is more important that the speaking of tongues for unless the people in the church can understand what is being spoken then it does no good to speak.
Romans 12:3-8 shows more gifts and shows how we have those gifts by the grace of God and by how much faith we have. (Romans 12:3-8 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.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.) Verse 4 shows that we are all one body of Christ, but we do not all have the same office. God has called different people for different things and if he has called you he will equip you with the gifts necessary to perform that ministry or office. For example as a preacher I am expected to teach. God has given me the gift to be able to teach as well as the ability to speak in front of people. As verse 6 shows we get our gifts by grace and we are to only use our gift with the portion that he has given to us such as this verse mentions prophecy. There are many prophets in scripture, but some were given much more prophecy than others even though they were all given the gift of prophecy. Verse seven mentions the gifts of ministering and teaching. These gifts can be used in many ways. As I said a pastor must be able to teach, but God also gives this gift to others so they can teach Sunday School or Bible studies in their homes. Ministering can be various types of ministry that God has called you to. I have a tract ministry and a website ministry to help minister to the lost. Others have the ministry of helping others or some other type of way that they can minister and help people. Jesus ministered to others. He even washed his disciple’s feet. Exhortation is the ability to be able to strongly urge or advice people to do the right thing. This is some of that accountability that all Christians should do with each other. God said to exhort with simplicity and not meanness. Those that God has called to rule are to do so with diligence or speed and carefulness. They are not to delay in ruling over the people the way God has commanded. Moses ruled over the people and he did not delay in carrying out God’s orders and neither should we. We are to show mercy with cheerfulness and not with hatred. God showed mercy on all of us who were sinners when he sent his only begotten Son to die for us, so we should do no less on others. Many of these things in Romans can apply to all Christians and are not necessarily just gifts for some though some such as teaching are. Not everyone can teach despite how I have heard churches nearly forcing someone to teach a Sunday School class because no one wanted to do it. God calls people to teach, not we choose them.
I Corinthians 12 concludes the chapter by giving a list of gifts in some kind of order. I said earlier that we all have gifts, just that many do not use them. I also said that we are all members of the body of Christ and all are important with no one more important than another as all of the gifts are necessary, but God does still have a ranking of gifts with the best gifts being bestowed upon those Christians with the most faith. Jesus did not call all of his disciples to be apostles, but that does not mean that he did not love all of them equally. Even among the apostles, Jesus had his inner core of three in Peter, James, and John. This list just means that God uses people in different ways. Let us look at these gifts. (I Corinthians 12:28-31 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.) Paul repeats some of the gifts from earlier in the chapter. The first gift that is listed is the apostles who were the leaders of the early church. Paul who was an apostle had authority over other Christians if he had so chosen and he even said so. (Philemon 8-9 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.) Enjoin means instruct as in this case Paul could have forced Philemon to obey his commands. (I Thessalonians 2:6-7 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:) This list shows that apostles were the highest ranking Christians in authority in the church and were expected to be obeyed as what they were speaking was coming from God. I do not believe that the gift of being an apostle is given anymore as it was just for the time of Jesus. Just as there is no need for prophets anymore as Jesus has already come, there is no longer a need for apostles. The next two rankings were prophets and then teachers which would include pastors and preachers as well as missionaries. Today the pastor is in charge in the earthly church since we do not have apostles or prophets anymore. Jesus is still the overall head of the church just as he always has been. Next Paul lists those who can perform miracles and then those who have the gifts of healing. Paul next lists helps which are those in the church who have the gift to help another person. This gift can be used in many ways. A person might have the gift to physically help someone do something around their house, they might be able to help another Christian financially, or they might have the help gift of just cheering them up by calling them when they are alone or sending them a card when they are sick and lonely. Next on the list is governments. This is the people that God calls not only to lead the government in the church such as the pastor and deacons, but also in the secular world. People often say that Christians should not be involved in politics, but this is not true. God has given the gift for some people to rule in our government so that laws and decisions will be made in obedience to God’s laws. If only unsaved people run our government then Christians will soon lose all rights and this nation will become a nation of anarchy. God would not give the gift of governments if he never wanted some Christians to rule over others. This also applies to the church as I already stated though many people want to reject the authority of the pastor and his helpers the deacons. Paul next lists diversities of tongues. We see how far down on the list this gift is. Paul then goes on in verse 29-30 and asks are all people apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, have the gifts of healing, have the ability to speak in tongues, or to interpret tongues? Paul is clearly showing how we do not all have the same gifts and that some will receive higher gifts then others and if someone has a higher gift than another then those people and their gift from God need to be respected and obeyed. Paul clearly shows not everyone has the gift of teaching as I earlier said some churches want to just make anyone a teacher when God clearly only gives the gift to certain people. Paul in verse 31 says we all need to pray or covet the best gifts. The best gifts only go to those walking the closest to God and so by coveting these gifts we will walk closer to God so that we too may be blessed with God’s grace in receiving them as well.
Ephesians 4 also has a similar list as we just saw in I Corinthians 12:28-31. (Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.) This verse again shows we are given gifts by God’s grace and according to our walk or measure with Jesus Christ. God is not going to give someone some great gift who barely is even saved and cares nothing about him or has any time for him. (Ephesians 4:11-12 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:) Verse 12 shows the gifts are for the work of the ministry of winning souls for Jesus and for edifying the body of Christ and perfecting the saints so they are more like Jesus. Edifying means to give moral instructions. Verse 11 again lists apostles first, followed again by prophets as before. We now see a new gift of evangelists followed by pastors and teachers. We see here how God makes a distinction between evangelists and pastors. Evangelists are those whose sole purpose is to go around speaking the gospel to win many souls for Jesus. A pastor’s job is to stay and preach at a church and he is to win souls as all Christians are expected to do, but his main job is to teach scripture to the people and to be the leader of the earthly church. A pastor concentrates on all of the details of scripture whereas an evangelist mainly focus only on the gospel and leading people to the Lord which is why they are ranked above a pastor as nothing is more important than being saved. The separate category of teachers would include Sunday School teachers and others including Christian school teachers. These individuals are very important, but the pastor who is also a teacher outranks them as is seen on the list. They are not one and the same just as evangelists and pastors are not one and the same. Many pastors and churches do not realize that God has given some men the gift of being evangelists. I have seen too often where a church will have a revival yet they will not use an evangelist, but a pastor who comes and speaks and then the pastor may go to the other pastor’s church for their revival. While they are often good preaching and great times of fellowship, too often no one gets saved because they are not called to be evangelists. Evangelists have the gift to be able to lead people to Jesus in a way that most pastors cannot. We need to start using these men and their gifts from God in the church so that the church will grow not only numerically, but spiritually. The pastor’s main job is too grow the church spiritually after the evangelist gets the people into the church. We need to work together. I have seen God give a godly pastor later the gift of evangelist where the pastor then resigned from the church and then served the Lord with his new gift. He now has the gift to win souls and teach them. Let us learn to use the gifts of the church properly and in order as taught by Paul. We need to realize that some gifts are only given to men regardless of how godly a female may be. Apostles, evangelists, and pastors are all examples of gifts only for men. We must not change the order of the gifts or who we think should get them as that is only the decision of God.
Peter spoke a little on gifts. (I Peter 4:8-11 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.) Peter mentions charity in verse 8, but this is a gift that I believe every Christian possesses, just that most do not use it. Peter in verse 9 mentions hospitality which I believe also all Christians should have, but there are definitely some people who have the gift of hospitality in welcoming the new people at church, in inviting people to their homes especially new people, as well as taking things such as food to those who are sick. These people with this gift do these things without grudging as they enjoy using the gift that God has given them. A church that has one with this gift is blessed and if they have more than one even more blessed. Take care of these people as they will take care of you. Peter in verse 10 says to use the gift that God gave you to minister to others in the church. In verse 11 we see Peter says those who have the gift of ministering such as pastors then do so with the ability that God has given you. Do not try to do it on your own. Know your limitations and remember we are ministers, so just like Jesus we must minister to those people in the church in their time of need. Peter is showing how some pastors have been given more of the gift than others. We all know of some pastors that are much better than others in their teachings. Peter said that God must be glorified by the minister.
James said that every good gift is from above meaning God. God will never give you a bad gift. (James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.) God gave us our gifts without repentance or regret so we need to make sure we do not waste them. (Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.)
I have shown how the Holy Ghost as God gives gifts to believers. As believers we need to learn what those gifts are and then learn to use them. As we grow as Christians, let us pray that God will in his grace bestow more gifts upon us. God gives grace to the humble and not the proud. (James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.) The apostles were blessed with many gifts as well as much authority, yet they learned to use those around them with gifts they did not have or even ones with similar gifts so that together many people night get saved. Remember that is the only reason we get gifts, so that we can use them for God. They are not for ourselves or for bragging rights over other Christians. I do believe a person can lose gifts if they get out of the grace of God. I pray that all of us will stay in God’s grace and thank God for the gifts he has given us. For those who are not saved, remember God gave the greatest gift to you in his Son Jesus Christ so that you might be saved. Do not refuse this gift, but receive this free gift today by admitting you are a sinner and in need of Jesus to be your Saviour. Pray and ask Jesus to save you today. If you do then you will receive gifts from the Holy Ghost as well.
