Introduction

Now that we’ve covered an introduction to Spiritual gifts, our next task is to explore and explain the different lists of gifts in the New Testament. Each passage functions somewhat differently, and has a different emphasis.

Daniel will be covering 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 tomorrow morning. I encourage you to come back for that. So, if you were hoping to get the all the good stuff on spiritual languages, miracles, Words of knowledge, and healings, you’ll have to come back tomorrow.

We’re going to limit ourselves for the rest of our time tonight to Romans 12.

Whenever I read or teach from Romans 12 I like to remember where Paul is in his argument. Look in vv. 33 and 36 of Chapter 11.

• Romans 11:33 (ESV) — Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
• Romans 11:36 (ESV) — For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Paul is wrapping up his main theological presentation in the book and transitioning to “what now” language. We are very familiar with vv. 1-2 of Chapter 12.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

• (1) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
• (2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul is commanding each of us to direct all of our attention and energies for the sake of living for God and not ourselves.

We should notice that after these initial commands to live for God and not be conformed to the world, Paul leaves the realm of personal devotion and moves into how we live in our faith community. Paul is not merely after a very intense personal devotion life; he is promoting a robust commitment to live out our faith convictions in the midst of the church community.

Romans 12:3–5 (ESV)

• (3) For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
• (4) For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
• (5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

This is very similar to Paul’s argument in Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV) — I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

It’s also quite similar to his exhortations in 1 Cor 12 about how we are all part of one body.

I would summarize some of Paul’s points here as:

1. Be humble. You are just one part of the body. You do not have everything the body needs.
2. Be confident. Whatever gift you have is given by God.
3. Be connected. We are individually members of one another, and God has gifted us for the building up of others.

Gifts from Romans 12

Now let us look at the list of gifts in Romans 12. How is this gift list different from the others? Whereas the lists in 1 Corinthians 12 tend to focus on the more miraculous or fancy, and the list in Ephesians tends to focus on offices or roles in the church, the gifts mentioned in Romans 12 are our every-day, basic ministry to others. Some commentators call these “Functional” gifts. Here they are:

• (6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
• (7) if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
• (8) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

I’m tempted to make a big deal about the verbs in verse 6. “Having…let us use them” But, Daniel so helpfully pointed out to me that the Greek text just doesn’t cooperate with what I wanted to say (and did say in my last sermon on Romans 12).

The Christian Standard Bible captures it a bit more accurately.

CSB VERSION Romans 12:6 (CSB) — According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: …

I want to emphasize a command, “let us use them.” But Paul just launches into a list, prophecy, etc. The command is somewhat implied, but certainly not emphasized.

The word here for gifts is χαρίσματα, emphasizing the grace of God.

One thing I really appreciate about Paul’s list of seven gifts in Romans 12 is that it is a bit of an easier “on-ramp” for considering spiritual gifts. We can easily get bogged down in the mystery of some of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 or debates over apostles in Ephesians 4. I do think we must pursue those gifts as well, but it can be helpful for us to begin here.

One of the elders’ goals in having this seminar was to remind us that we can all walk and operate within our spiritual gifts, and that this is necessary for the church to thrive.

Daniel will shepherd us through some of the more mysterious gifts tomorrow, but for now, let’s consider how God might empower us with these gifts from Romans 12.

Don’t be tempted to think somehow that these are less spiritual or spirit-filled than the gifts in other passages. These are not personality types. Paul is very clear here that these are gifts of the Holy Spirit

For each of these gifts, we’ll consider a few questions:

1. What is it?
2. What are some examples of what this may look like?
3. How might others be affected by this gift?

We could additionally ask “who can practice this gift?” However, the answer to this is anyone whom God has granted this gift to. These gifts are not limited by maturity, gender, or age. How these gifts might function in the church may be different based on those factors, but the blessing of the gift on the church is not limited by them.

1. Prophecy (προφητείαν)

• according to the proportion of one’s faith

This gift will cross over into some of the other lists. I expect Daniel will speak some regarding prophecy tomorrow.

What is it?

Wayne Grudem has done a great deal of study and writing about New Testament prophecy and how it is different from prophecy in the Old Testament era. He reminds us that the equivalent role in the New Testament to an Old Testament prophet is more akin to the Apostles.

Although several definitions have been given for the gift of prophecy, a fresh examination of the New Testament teaching on this gift will show that it should be defined not as “predicting the future,” nor as “proclaiming a word from the Lord,” nor as “powerful preaching”—but rather as “telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.”

• Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, Second Edition, 1293.

What are some examples of what this may look like?

Acts 21:4 (ESV) — And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

In this example, the Spirit was telling some in the church to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem, a word with Paul ultimately ignored.

In our church there are several ways that one might use this gift.

1. Speak at the prophecy microphone on a Sunday morning
2. Speak a word of prophecy in a Home Group Meeting
3. Give a word of prophecy to someone privately. This might take place on a Sunday morning or not.
4. God could give words of prophecy to the preacher or teacher at a church service or home group meeting. This would be something that wasn’t a part of the preparation, but given in the moment.

How might others be affected by this gift?

1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV) — On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (ESV) — But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

The church is commanded not to despise prophecies, but to test them.

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 (ESV) — Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

2. Service (διακονίαν)

Ministries

What is it?

Acts of service that help others.

What are some examples of what this may look like?

How might others be affected by this gift?

• blessed in practical ways

3. Teaching (διδάσκων)

What is it?

To interpret, explain, and apply the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV) — They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

All scripture…

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) — All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Apollos

Acts 18:24–28 (ESV) — Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

What are some examples of what this may look like?

• Obvious: preaching or teaching from the elders
• Teaching in women’s ministry
• Teaching in Children’s ministry
• Meeting one-on-one and reading and studying the Bible with someone
• Leading a men’s breakfast bible study

4. Exhortation (παρακαλῶν)

What is it?

To come along side; to encourage; to help.

What are some examples of what this may look like?

The Holy Spirit is our helper.

John 14:16 (ESV) — And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

To walk alongside someone through a difficulty or trial.

Side by Side

Counseling

Presence

5. Giving (μεταδιδοὺς)

• with generosity

What is it?

A special ability to see and meet the financial needs of others.

What are some examples of what this may look like?

Someone is in-tune with people’s needs. They notice.

They find great joy in giving of their own resources (time or money) to meet that need.

Example: Our Deacon of Benevolence

6. Leadership (προϊστάμενος)

• with zeal

What is it?

Leadership vs. “care-giver” (Fee)

BDAG

• ① to exercise a position of leadership, rule, direct, be at the head (of)
• ② to have an interest in, show concern for, care for, give aid

What are some examples of what this may look like?

Paul, Timothy, Moses, David, etc.

Pastor/elder/overseer

Leadership over a ministry team

7. Mercy (ἐλεῶν)

• with cheerfulness

What is it?

A special ability to relate to the downtrodden and care for them

What are some examples of what this may look like?

My pastor from my home church, Robert Anderson

Next Steps

Come tomorrow at 9:00am for a teaching from 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.