Welcome to…
Christianity 401
Serving In Your
God-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick Helein
rick.helein@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)
McLean University
McLean Bible Church
What are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities
given by the Holy Spirit and distributed
to every believer according to God’s
design and grace for the common
good of the body of Christ.
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Scripture Tells US
Spiritual gifts are:
God given
1 Corinthians 12:11
- God gives at least one gift to each of His children when they receive the
Holy Spirit at salvation
- We can’t choose or earn them
Supernatural
1 Corinthians 12:7
- They are special abilities or divine endowments from the Holy Spirit to
fulfill God’s purposes
Given to build up the Body of Christ
- Not meant for ourselves
1 Peter 4:10-11
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Spiritual Gifts

They are not talents, skills or natural
abilities
– Natural abilities given to everyone by God at
physical birth, spiritual gifts given only to
believers at spiritual birth
– Sometimes our talents and abilities do enhance
our spiritual gifts
– Only the Holy Spirit can bring about supernatural
spiritual results in a believers life
– Spiritual gifts are often unrelated to our natural
talents so that God will get the glory
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Spiritual Gifts
They are not Spiritual Disciplines
– Every believer should develop good spiritual
habits such as prayer, bible study, fellowship
– Spiritual disciplines strengthen the individual,
spiritual gifts strengthen others
Spiritual discipline
Prayer
-----Bible study
-----Fasting
------
Spiritual gift
Faith
Knowledge
Mercy
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Spiritual Gifts
They are not titles or ministry positions
– Titles indicate general roles, spiritual gifts
indicate specific functions
Ministry Position
Pastor
----Small group leader ----Mercy team leader -----
Spiritual Gift
Teaching
Shepherding
Encouragement
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McLean Bible Church
Spiritual Gifts
They are not THE fruit of the spirit

Example – love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness
– Fruits of the Spirit are inward characteristics of
the believers heart
– Spiritual gifts are task-orientated functions that
God has equipped us to perform in service
– Both are necessary for effective ministry
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Activity: 16-18
Group discussion
Read 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31
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Two Kinds of Gifts-20

Permanent edifying or “service ” gifts
– These gifts are in use today

Temporary confirming or “sign ” gifts
– These gifts were used by God to
authenticate the gospel and it’s
messengers during the early church. They
are not in use today
Permanent / Edifying Gifts-19
Serving
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leadership
Mercy
Wisdom
Knowledge
Discernment
Administration
Evangelism
Faith
Pastor/Shepherd
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Confirming / Sign Gifts -20,49

Sign gifts
–
–
–
–

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Speaking in tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Works of healings and miracles
Prophets and Apostles
Sign gifts were not given by God to be used as part
of normative church worship and service
Lon Solomon’s tape set, “Tongues, Healings, and
Miracles”
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Gift of Being an Apostle p. 21

Label of being called an Apostle is being misapplied
today
– Today’s missionaries are not Apostles
– Apostles were a gift to the first century church
– Apostles specifically appointed by Christ
– Primary qualification is to have seen the risen
Lord
Gift of Being an Apostle

Apostles had unlimited authority over the
entire early church

Apostles were able to perform miracles

Not everyone who claimed to be an Apostle
in the early church passed the test

Apostles were the foundation of the church
Gift of Being a Prophet p.22

Purpose of a prophet was to foretell the future and
receive new information directly from God then
communicate that to mankind

God communicates to us today through His word –
not through prophets

A prophet must be able to predict the future with
100% accuracy, without error, EVER

Old Testament men who claimed to be prophets
who made even one mistake were stoned to death
Gift of Miracles p. 23

Definition – God setting aside His natural
law to do whatever He pleases
– Moses parting the Red Sea
– Jesus walking on Water


God usually works within His natural law to
supernaturally answer our prayers
Person with gift of miracles would need to
be able to set aside natural law at will,
immediately, completely and publicly
Gift of Miracles

Only three times in history of the world has
God poured out true miracles
– Time of Moses and Joshua
– Time of Elijah and Elisha
– Time of Christ and the Apostles

God used miracles to authenticate His
message and messengers
Gift of Miracles



Miracles in the bible were performed
immediately
A person with the gift of miracles would
need to be able to set aside God’s natural
laws immediately, completely and publicly
God can and does perform miracles
Gift of Healing-p.27-28

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Success of the healing was not determined by the
faith of the person being healed
Scriptural healing was done in public before
unbelievers
Healings were immediate, instantaneous and
complete
The healing was for many illnesses including
organic diseases
Sometimes God will have us sick for His purposes
Jesus went to where the sick were
Jesus could heal everyone who he encountered
Everyone who healed could do it at any time they
wanted to
Speaking in Tongues p. 24-26



Gift of tongues is the supernatural ability to speak
in a human language not previously known to the
individual-chapter 13 is hyperbole used by Paul to
admonish the Corinthians.
Acts 2:6,8 is the only place in the bible where the
gift is described in detail as to how it operates
– Human language was being spoken such that
those who knew the language understood it
No indication in scripture that “tongues” is an
angelic or private prayer language
Speaking Tongues

When Angels spoke anywhere in the bible
they used human language.
Private devotional use of tongues is not in
keeping with spiritual gifts
– Gifts are to used for serving others, not
yourself –
Tongues described in 1 Cor. 14 were always
used evangelistically in a public setting
1 Cor. 13:8 says tongues will cease

“complete comes” adjective - Cannon


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Seven Motivational Gifts-17
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace
given to us, each of us is to exercise them
accordingly:
1.
If Prophesy, according to the proportion of his
faith;
2.
If service [helping], in his service
3.
Or he who teaches, in his teaching
4.
Or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;
5.
He who gives, with liberality;
6.
He who leads [rules or administers], with diligence
7.
He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
OUR INDIVIDUAL
PERSPECTIVE




We each have one of these gifts as our primary
motivation and ministry (although we can have
secondary motivational gifts)
We must use them – according to the grace we've
been given, in faith, and with sound judgment.
We should be secure in our gift – its strengths and
weaknesses – without envy or trying to be like
someone else with a differing gift.
Gifts match our core motivation (what makes you
light up!), which also match our calling (area of
ministry)
The body of Christ’s
Perspective




Each of these seven gifts are necessary for a
healthy church (the Body of Christ) and are to be
vital parts of every church.
They must be ubiquitous and allowed full
expression in a church- and its meetings, its
structure, its ministries, its leadership and in its
day-to-day life as a community
No one gift (or gifted person!) is to dominate over
the others.
The absence of even one gift means a crippled
church.
Gift
Motivations
Means
Fruit
Prophetic
Transparency &
change
Assert what is true,
Just & real
Vision
Teacher
Understanding &
stability
Detailed knowledge & Wisdom
comprehension
Helper
Serving & blessing
Fulfill Tasks & meet
needs
Completion
Exhorter
Peace & harmony
Relationships &
Encouraging Others
Cohesion
Giver
Resources &
Creativity
Generate life & seize
opportunities
Vitality
Ruler
Propriety &
Practicality
Rules, structure &
Administration
Order
Mercy
Intimacy & Grace
Compassion,
Kindness & Empathy
Acceptance
Application
If those with prophetic gifts are muzzled…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
transparency and vision
If the Teachers are not encouraged to explain…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
understanding and wisdom
If the helpers are not honored as they serve…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
blessings and things will never reach completion.
Application
If the exhorters are not free to reach out and relate…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
harmony and social cohesion
If the givers are prevented from presenting
opportunities…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
resources, vibrancy and vitality
If those gifted at ruling are not allowed to
administer…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack
decency, structure and order.
Application
And if those who bring mercy are not
esteemed…
Your church, your meetings and your life
will lack intimacy and grace and will
never lay hold of the full acceptance of
the Father – or each other– which is
available through Christ
Uniquely You


Every believer has at least one gift.
Many have a combination called a gift
mix
– Mercy – encouragement – hospitality
– Administration – leadership – wisdom
WARNING- Gift Projection
Next 2 Weeks
UNWRAPPING THE
GIFTS
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McLean Bible Church
Welcome to… Week 3
Christianity 401
Serving In Your
God-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick Helein
rick.helein@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)
McLean University
McLean Bible Church
Uniquely You


Every believer has at least one gift.
Many have a combination called a gift
mix
– Mercy – encouragement – hospitality
– Administration – leadership – wisdom
WARNING- Gift Projection
Service/Helps
Supernatural ability to accomplish
practical and necessary tasks which
minister to and meet the needs of
others
Service/Helps





Receives great joy in meeting the needs of
others
Serves behind the scenes as needed
Senses God’s purposes and pleasure in
meeting everyday responsibilities
Attaches spiritual value to practical service
Interested in serving God by blessing others
Service/Helps
Traits:
Available, selfless, willing, helpful, reliable,
loyal, dependable, whatever-it-takes
attitude
Cautions
 Takes on too much
 Finds it difficult to say no
 Be a servant, not a martyr
Teaching
Supernatural ability to communicate
biblical truth in a way that leads to
spiritual results in people’s lives
Teaching

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

Communicate biblical truth that inspires
greater obedience to God’s Word
Challenge listeners with truths of
scripture
Loves to study scripture and present
what they discover
Have a deep understanding of God’s
truth
Teaching
Traits:
Disciplined, perceptive, practical, analytical, articulate
Cautions:
 Needs to avoid pride that may result from
“superior” bible knowledge
 Needs to remember their spirituality is not
measured by how much they know
 Could become too detailed and fail to make life
application
Encouragement/Exhortation
Supernatural ability to strengthen,
comfort, or urge action to those who
are discouraged or wavering in their
faith
Encouragement/Exhortation



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Come to the side to those who are
discouraged to strengthen and
reassure them
Challenge, comfort or confront others
to trust and hope in promises of God
Motivate others to grow
Emphasize God’s promises and have
confidence in his will
Encouragement/Exhortation
Traits:
Positive, motivating, challenging, affirming,
reassuring, supportive, trustworthy
Cautions:
Can sometimes be overly optimistic, simplistic,
or flattering
Should take time to understand where others
are and what they really need
Giving
Gives time, talent, or resources in a
supernatural way for the work of
God.
Giving


Provide resources generously and
cheerfully, trusting God for His
provision
Supports the work of ministry with
sacrificial gifts to advance the
Kingdom by managing their finances
and limiting their lifestyle
Giving
Traits:
Wise stewardship, responsible, resourceful,
charitable, trust in God, disciplined
Cautions:
Need to remember the church’s agenda is
determined by leaders, not by the givers gift
The power of money
Leadership
Supernatural ability to cast a spiritual
vision, communicate it, and then
motivate people to make that vision a
reality.
Leadership




Provides direction to God’s people or
ministry
Motivates others to perform to the
best of their ability
Able to communicate the big picture
Able to set and motivate others to
achieve goals
Leadership
Traits:
Influential, diligent, visionary, trustworthy,
persuasive, motivating
Cautions:
 Needs to focus attention on relational
capabilities
 Needs to remember the biblical model of the
servant leader
 Do not need to be in a leadership position
to use this gift
Mercy
Supernatural ability to help those who
are suffering or in need, having
compassion and a tender heart that is
moved to action
Mercy




Focus on alleviating the sources of
pain or discomfort in suffering people
Address the needs of the lonely and
forgotten
Extend love, grace and dignity to
those facing hardships and crisis
Serve in difficult circumstances and do
so cheerfully
Mercy
Traits:
Empathetic, caring, responsive, kind,
compassionate, sensitive, burden-bearing
Cautions:
 Needs to guard against feeling
unappreciated since some people helped do
not show appreciation
Mercy
Cautions:

Needs to be aware that rescuing people
from their pain can sometimes hinder
God’s work in that person
– Repeated sin & bad choices always
have consequences
– Exercising “tough love” may be required
at times
Hospitality
Supernatural ability to care and
minister to people by providing
fellowship, food and shelter
Hospitality



Seems to always be ready and willing
to invite guests over or offer their
homes for a place to meet
Finds deep satisfaction in providing
refreshments or preparing meals
Tirelessly serves others to make them
feel comfortable and encouraged
Hospitality

Traits
– Sociable, flexible, gracious

Cautions
– Avoid ignoring your own family and
personal needs by constantly inviting
others over to your home
Wisdom
Supernatural ability to effectively apply
spiritual truth to meet a need in a
specific situation
Wisdom



Can apply biblical truths to the
circumstances of life
Can focus on unseen consequences in
determining the next steps to take
Provides God given solutions in the
midst of conflict and confusion
Wisdom
Traits:
Sensible, insightful, practical, wise, fair,
experienced, common sense
Cautions:
 Need to avoid having others develop a
dependence upon them which may weaken
their faith in God
 Need to be patient with others who do not
have this gift
Welcome to… Week 4
Christianity 401
Serving In Your
God-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick Helein
rick.helein@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)
McLean University
McLean Bible Church
Knowledge
Supernatural ability to bring truth to
the Body of Christ through deep
insight into the Word of God
Knowledge


Ability to search the scriptures for
divine insight and understanding
Can apply biblical truths to the
circumstances of life
Knowledge
Traits:
Inquisitive, responsive, observant,
insightful, reflective, truthful,
spiritually sensitive
Cautions:
Need to be careful of this gift leading to
pride, “knowledge puffs up”
Faith
Supernatural ability to trust in God’s
promises with confidence and
unwavering belief in God’s ability to
fulfill his purposes
Faith




Believe in the promises of God and
inspire others to the same
Act in complete confidence of God’s
ability to overcome obstacles
Have an attitude of trust in God’s will
Have a deep dependence on God’s
Word
Faith
Traits:
Prayer warrior, optimistic, trusting, assured,
positive, inspiring, hopeful
Cautions:

Should remember that those who speak
with reason and desire to plan do not
necessarily lack faith
Discernment
Supernatural ability to distinguish the
spirit of truth from error.
Discernment




Able to see clearly through a confusing
situation
Can detect when something or someone
does not line up with God’s truth
Can distinguish truth from error, right from
wrong, pure motives from impure
Can identify deception in others with
accuracy
Discernment
Traits:
Perceptive, insightful, sensitive, intuitive,
decisive
Cautions:
May struggle with how to express their
perceptions and feelings
Could be harsh when confronting others,
instead of speaking the truth in love
Administration
Supernatural ability to understand what
makes an organization function, and
the special ability to plan and execute
procedures that accomplish the goals
of the ministry
Administration




Can organize people, tasks or events
Develops strategies and plans to reach
goals
Assists ministries to become more
effective and efficient
Can create order out of organizational
chaos
Administration
Traits:
Thorough, objective, responsible, organized,
goal oriented, efficient, conscientious
Cautions:


Could fail to see God’s purposes being
fulfilled in the process of meeting a goal
Could use people simply to accomplish goals
without being concerned for their growth in
the process
Evangelism
Supernatural ability to communicate
the gospel in a way that results in
people accepting Christ
Evangelism





Communicates the message of Christ with clarity
and conviction
Seeks out opportunities to talk to unbelievers about
spiritual matters
Challenges unbelievers to faith and to become fully
devoted followers of Christ
Adapts the presentation of the gospel to connect
with the individual’s needs
Seeks opportunities to build relationships with
unbelievers
Evangelism
Traits:
Sincere, candid, respected, influential, confident
Cautions:
 Needs to remember that the Holy Spirit, not guilt, is
the motivator in a person’s decision for Christ
 Needs to listen carefully because the same
approach is not appropriate for everyone
 Should avoid becoming critical of others who do not
have this gift
Pastor / Shepherd
Supernatural ability to nurture, care for
and guide people toward maturity in
their spiritual journey
Pastor/Shepherd




Provides guidance and oversight to a group
of God’s people
Models with their life what it means to
become a fully devoted follower of Christ
Establishes trust, loyalty and confidence
through long term relationships
Leads and protects those within their span
of care
Pastor/Shepherd
Traits:
Nurturing, guiding, protective,
supportive, relational
Cautions:
 Needs to be aware that the desire to
feed and support others can make it
difficult to say “no”
Pitfalls and Cautions

Assuming we are automatically useful
to God
– “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John
15:5)

As a reason not to do something
– All of us are to show mercy, share our faith, be
encouraging…

Wrong view of our gift
– “…do not think of yourself more highly than you
ought…” (Romans 12:3)