The Word Gifts

So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV)

In his book, Convergence, Jon Thompson identifies three categories of spiritual gifts: love gifts, word gifts and power gifts. Love gifts demonstrate the love of God tangibly. Word gifts clarify the nature and purposes of God for today. Power gifts embody the power of God in real time.

This week our worship series at Grace Church is studying the Word gifts: apostleship, evangelism, shepherd, teaching, encouraging, and leading.

The office of Apostle was given historically to the twelve, plus Paul. They were given authority to raise up the church. Included in the apostolic office was the ability to speak and write scripture. While the original Apostles died, the gift of apostleship continues. The gift of apostleship has rested on leaders through history who have exercised general leadership over a number of churches. The apostleship gift is given for the larger church, and for expansion and evangelism.

Next Paul lifts up the gift of evangelism. The gift of evangelism is a special ability to communicate the Gospel message in relevant ways to unbelievers. All followers of Jesus are called to be witnesses to His grace, love, transformation and redemption. Some have a gift that can be expressed both in speaking to large groups and in one-on-one conversations. It is common for a person with the gift of evangelism to have a knack for speaking easily with strangers. The evangelism gift carries a deep concern for people who are without Christ and who may be eternally lost. A person with the evangelism gift has a natural ability to insert spiritual truth into normal conversations. And the evangelism gift expresses itself in freedom and joy in talking about Jesus in an unforced way.

Shepherd or pastor is another of the word gifts. The word for shepherd (sometimes translated pastor) is the same word Jesus uses when He says, "I am the good shepherd." The shepherd/pastor gift is the ability to exercise care and concern for God's sheep. Shepherds are sheep-centered, people-centered. The gift of shepherd is distinct from the office of being pastor of a church, and some lead pastors do not, in fact, have the shepherd gift, but rather the leadership gift. The church is strongest when all who have the shepherd gift express it in tending to others in a small group of people, watching over them in love and overseeing their growth in Christ.

Next Paul identifies the gift of teaching. The spiritual gift of teaching is Bible-centered and clarifies God's truth. Gifted teachers don't proclaim as much as they unpack God's Word. A person with the gift of teaching helps a group of people understand the themes and principles of scripture. Powered by the Holy Spirit, the gift of teaching communicates Biblical truth in a way that leads to obedience. Not all who teach, either in schools or in the church, have the gift of teaching, even if they have great skills in teaching. The spiritual gift of teaching leads to imparting life in the student.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

(Romans 12:6-8 NIV)

In the gifts of the Spirit Paul mentions in Romans 8, we find the last two word gifts: encouraging (exhortation) and leading (ruling).

The gift of encouraging (sometimes translated exhortation) involves calling attention to scriptural admonitions and promises, urging fellow disciples to keep going when discouraged, and coming alongside the discouraged to encourage them. Again, we are all called to encourage one another by writing cards, sending texts or emails, making phone calls or taking a friend out for coffee and support. A spiritually gifted encourager is constantly encouraging others. Part of this spiritual gift is deep listening, followed by an on-target word of encouragement or exhortation from God. One might have this gift if people naturally confide in them and seek their advice.

The final word gift is the gift of leading, or ruling. The leadership gift is about catching and communicating God's vision and helping people move toward it. The gift of administration (how to get there) will need to operate alongside the gift of leadership for accomplishing God's will for His church. Leading is about conception. It is about seeing God's preferred future and moving toward it. King David envisioned the Temple and provided for it to be built, even though God told him that his son, Solomon, would be the one to build it. Another quality of the gift of leading is delegating to and involving others in accomplishing the vision.

When the word gifts are active in the Body of Christ, people are learning and growing. People are being encouraged. People are coming to Christ and growing in Him. God uses these spiritual gifts to make known His purposes and to spur folks on to greater growth and service. The word gifts show the world, and the church, the nature, actions and purposes of God so His will may be done.

Do any of these gifts sound like what God is doing in your life by His Spirit? Exercise them in humility and love, and God will use you to grow and encourage others, and His Kingdom will be expanded exponentially beyond whatever gifts your pastor exhibits, all to the glory of God.