The Serving Gifts:
LEADERSHIP, ADMINISTRATION, MINISTERING, FAITH, SHOWING MERCY, DISCERNMENT
LEADERSHIP, ADMINISTRATION, MINISTERING, FAITH, SHOWING MERCY, DISCERNMENT
LEADERSHIP (Greek = proistemi) (To preside or rule over)
Romans 12:6, 8 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: he who leads, with diligence…”
ADMINISTRATION (Greek = kubernesis) (To pilot, steer, govern or direct)
1 Corinthians 12:27, 28 “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed…administrations…”
MINISTERING (Greek = “diakonia”) (To serve or provide relief)
Romans 12:6-7 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:…if service, in his serving;…”
Acts 6:1-4 “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.”Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.”
Jesus said, ‘Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant (diakonos); and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served (diakonethenai), but to serve (diakonesai)” (Mark 10:43-45).”
SHOWING MERCY (Greek = “eleo”) (To show compassion and mercy)
Romans 12:6-8 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:…he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
FAITH (Greek = “pistis”)(A constant and consistence moral conviction of the truthfulness of God, strong reliance upon Christ for salvation, utter dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance)
1 Corinthians 12:4-9 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…to another faith by the same Spirit,”
Matthew 17:14-20 “When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. “I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Matthew 21:18-22 “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
James 5:15 “the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up,”
DISCERNMENT (Greek = “diakrisis”) (A judicial estimation of truth to prevent error)
1 Corinthians 12:4-10 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…to another the distinguishing of spirits.”
1 Corinthians 14:29-30 “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.”
1 John 4:1-2 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Hebrews 5:13-14 “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Examples of how this spiritual gift of discernment was used in the New Testament times can be found in Acts 5:1-11 when Peter was able to discern the intent of the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira. Another incident where Peter used his spiritual gift of discernment was when he confronted Simon Magnus in Acts 8:9-24.
THE MOVEMENT THAT WAS DOOMED TO FAIL
THE MOVEMENT THAT WAS DOOMED TO FAIL
From the start the movement was doomed to fail. For one thing, it began with just 120 men. Remarkably few when you consider that their homeland had a population of four million. Besides that most of the men were illiterate and poor. Blue-collar workers they were; far too ignorant to stage an uprising that could make any difference.
Few, if any, had traveled beyond their own country. They were inexperienced and uncultured. Their nation was ...oppressed. Their people were weary. Their government was corrupt. Their religion was shallow.
The strategy of the movement was disastrous. No headquarters was ever established. No professional research was ever done. Plans were made by the seat of the pants. The leaders couldn't even agree on the exact definition of their mission.
On top of all of this, the movement was impractical. It was far too extreme and absurd. It demanded too much too soon. It lacked any tact. It was too impatient with traditions. It called for a reversal of social classes. It gave too much leverage to women and minority groups.
The movement was doomed to failure. But it didn't fail. It succeeded. Not only did it succeed, it far surpassed any movement in our world's history. Within thirty years the message of Jesus Christ had entered every port, city, and courtyard of the world. It was infectious. It was a moving organism. People actually died to see it continue.
It should have failed, but it succeeded. And it still succeeds. God's movement will never stop. Some say that the U.S. is a post-Christian nation. That doesn't matter. Others scoff at the absurdity of believing in anything absolute. That won't stop it. Materialism blankets the country. Still the movement will continue. It might be slowed, but it will never be stopped.
The church might bicker and fight. The people might grow crusty with traditions. The leaders may grow nearsighted. But the movement will march on. Nothing will ever stop it. The Judean Commander can't be stilled.
We should fall to our knees in humble gratitude that God has allowed us to participate in such a cause. For this is not the movement of a man. It is the movement of God. That is precisely why what should have failed will never fail. It is the movement of God.
by Max Lacado (On the Anvil)
Romans 14:11
For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
Few, if any, had traveled beyond their own country. They were inexperienced and uncultured. Their nation was ...oppressed. Their people were weary. Their government was corrupt. Their religion was shallow.
The strategy of the movement was disastrous. No headquarters was ever established. No professional research was ever done. Plans were made by the seat of the pants. The leaders couldn't even agree on the exact definition of their mission.
On top of all of this, the movement was impractical. It was far too extreme and absurd. It demanded too much too soon. It lacked any tact. It was too impatient with traditions. It called for a reversal of social classes. It gave too much leverage to women and minority groups.
The movement was doomed to failure. But it didn't fail. It succeeded. Not only did it succeed, it far surpassed any movement in our world's history. Within thirty years the message of Jesus Christ had entered every port, city, and courtyard of the world. It was infectious. It was a moving organism. People actually died to see it continue.
It should have failed, but it succeeded. And it still succeeds. God's movement will never stop. Some say that the U.S. is a post-Christian nation. That doesn't matter. Others scoff at the absurdity of believing in anything absolute. That won't stop it. Materialism blankets the country. Still the movement will continue. It might be slowed, but it will never be stopped.
The church might bicker and fight. The people might grow crusty with traditions. The leaders may grow nearsighted. But the movement will march on. Nothing will ever stop it. The Judean Commander can't be stilled.
We should fall to our knees in humble gratitude that God has allowed us to participate in such a cause. For this is not the movement of a man. It is the movement of God. That is precisely why what should have failed will never fail. It is the movement of God.
by Max Lacado (On the Anvil)
Romans 14:11
For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
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