In the life of the local church there are two major problems related to the subject of spiritual gifts:
They conceive of themselves as spectators rather than participants. None of these “spectators” have the joy of being actively involved in ministry and seeing God work through them in the exercise of their spiritual gifts. Hopefully, after your first three days of looking at the Scripture concerning spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16 and 1 Peter 4:10-11 – you no longer consider “sitting on the sidelines” as a viable option.
Their dilemma is illustrated by the story of a certain sea captain and his chief engineer who were having an argument as to which one of them was the more important to the ship. Failing to agree, they resorted to the unique idea of swapping places. The chief ascended to the bridge, and the captain dove into the engine room. After a couple of hours, the captain suddenly appeared on the deck covered with oil and soot.
“Chief!” he yelled, wildly waving aloft a monkey wrench. “You’ll have to come down here; I can’t make her go!”
“Of course you can’t,” replied the chief. “She’s aground!”
Perhaps one reason why so many have chosen to do so little or nothing in the way of ministry in the local church is because they have seen how frustrated others are, who are striving to accomplish tasks they were never intended to attempt. The primary qualification for most tasks in the church is a willingness to try or at least too little fortitude to turn down the job.
The solution to both of these problems is a proper understanding of the subject of spiritual gifts. It is my contention that Bible expositors have often made of this subject something far more mystical, mysterious and complicated than it really is. You know that if there is anyone who can look at a matter with simplicity, it is me. My friends often remind me how simple I really am!
If you’ve never really thought about your spiritual gift, one way to get started is by taking a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. We have one on the Pinedale website if you would like to see what areas you are gifted. Go to http://www.pinedale.org/spiritual-gifts-assessment then click “here” to get started.
Records your results and be ready to share!!!
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.