A true sign of genuine faith is the desire and commitment to honor your Lord with your life. One way we honor God is to minister the spiritual gift(s) we have received for the good of others and the glory of God. In 1 Peter 4:10-11, Peter wrote: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” This morning we will consider our spiritual gift from God and how we use it for His glory.
Gifted by God
God’s gift is not a reward for us to enjoy, but an ability to employ. We are to minister our gift, but before we do that we need to define what is meant by gift. When we speak of this gift, we usually describe it as a spiritual gift. The Greek word is charisma. Charisma is a “grace gift” from God. According to Larry Gilbert, author of Team Ministry: Gifted to Serve, “Spiritual gifts are tools God gives Christians to do the work of the ministry–to fulfill the Great Commission to reach, baptize, and teach; and to minister to one another. Every Christian receives at least one gift at the moment of salvation.” Therefore, to minister your spiritual gift, you need to be born again. Once you have been born again, you need to discern what gift(s) God has given you. In the Bible, there are a few key verses that list spiritual gifts: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28. Spiritual gifts include, but are not limited to: prophecy (foretelling, forthtelling), ministry, teaching (wisdom, knowledge), exhortation, giving, leading (overseeing, administration), healing, miracles, discernment, interpretation of tongues/languages. Let us discern and use our gift!
Gifted by Grace
God’s gift is given according to His grace, not our works. God gives us these gifts according to His will and His plan. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, let us use them…” (Rom 12:6a). He also told the Corinthians, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all” (1 Cor 12:4-6). Later he adds, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor 12:11). The gifts are provided by the grace of God so that we will not be puffed up and arrogant. Paul warned the Corinthians, “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7). Let us humble ourselves before God and minister our gift!
Gifted according to Faith
God’s gifts are given in accordance with our faith, not our ability. Paul says in Romans 12:6b, “let us use them…in proportion to our faith.” Why does Paul say it is in proportion to our faith? If God’s gifts were based upon our ability then they would no longer be given by grace and we would be tempted to think highly of ourselves. Earlier, he wrote in verse 3, “think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” God gives His gifts according to a measure/rule and that is our faith. John MacArthur comments, “Every believer receives the exact gift and resources he needs to fulfill his role in the body of Christ.” Let us humble ourselves before one another and use our gift!
Gifted for the Common Good
God’s gift is given for the benefit of our brothers/sisters, not ourselves. Christians receive different gifts so that we would work together for the common good. This is why our gifts vary. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” Using the example of a human body, Paul shows how the diversity of spiritual gifts in the church function like the different parts of the body with each member being different, yet necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Each Christian functions in the church and the church suffers when we fail to do our part or if we do not function in unity with the other members. 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” We are to “minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Let us serve one another.
Gifted for the Glory of God
God’s gift is given to bring glory to our God, not ourselves. Christians receive spiritual gifts for the praise and glory of God. Peter wrote, “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). God has given you a precious gift. Your gift back to Him is what you do with it. While there is some debate surrounding spiritual gifts, what must not be questioned is that God gives us a spiritual gift so that we would glorify Him. Let us glorify Him!
A true sign of genuine faith is the desire and commitment to honor your Lord with your life. Are you using your spiritual gift for the good of others and the glory of God? Larry Gilbert summarizes for us, “Spiritual gifts are tools for building the church. They are a source of joy in your Christian life and influence your motives. A spiritual gift is a divine calling with a divine responsibility, because what God has gifted you to do, He has called you to do, and what He has called you to do, He has gifted you to do.” We have been created, designed, and gifted by God for His glory and our good. Each of us have been given a gift(s) and are expected to use it. If you use your gift for God’s glory then you will be blessed and He will be glorified. However, if you do not use your gift for God’s glory then you will be disciplined and His name will be dishonored. Remember, God’s gift is:
- Not a reward for us to enjoy, but an ability to employ.
- Given according to His grace, not our works.
- Given in accordance with our faith, not our ability.
- Given for the benefit of our brothers/sisters, not ourselves.
- Given to bring glory to our God, not ourselves.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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