True Charismatic Gifts

Introduction:

The real charismatic gifts are not what you think! Romans 12 gives the list of charismatic gifts and they do not include tongues, healings, or uncontrolled laughs or signs. “Char” is grace from the Greek language and “charis” translates as “gift.” This usage is directly used by Paul when describing the motivational gifts of the indwelling Holy Spirit inside every true Christian, not the physical manifestations of the Spirit. And Peter states each Christian has ONE such gift to be used to love and serve other Christians. This gift is your ministry, not mission.

For example in Romans 12 Paul explains, “For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. 4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. 6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; 7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.” [Romans 12:3-8 AMP]

Paul specifically lists only seven gifts as “charismatic” because grace is Holy Spirit power or energy that motivates and drives a believer to do His will and to see things from a very specific viewpoint. Even in Revelation 5:6 God reveals the seven-fold eyes of the Holy Spirit. These seven grace gifts control the viewpoint of each believer, and cause them to see through one of the Holy Spirit's passionate eyes. We always define grace as the desire and power to do God’s will.

“Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). 13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and  delight. Phil 2:12-13 AMP

Every true believer is alive from his spirit as the Holy Spirit is placed in them when they are “born again” spiritually. This is the down payment or seal of our eternal life. For example, His presence ignites our conscience in the same way we ignite a lamp when we plug it into the electric socket. The energy explodes through the lamp and forces the bulb to shine. This is the same way God’s holy presence burns into our conscience making right and wrong become very clear. This is sure evidence of new life as the Holy God floods the human spirit of a new convert awakening the spirit with holy life energy. If a true believer is tempted and considers disobedience to God the burning and growing desire glows from within to stop them before it is too late. This driving force from the Spirit within expands to spiritual gifts also.

Because the seven motivational gifts are the complete aspects of the Holy Spirit, He freely gives each believer one. “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely Diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].”

“Whoever speaks, [let him do it as one who utters] oracles of God; whoever renders service, [let him do it] as with the strength which God furnishes abundantly, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever (through endless ages). Amen (so be it).” 1 Peter 4:10-11AMP

This means God demands that in each city, churches form, teaming up individual believers into spiritual families to locally fulfill God’s will. All seven gifts must be used to build a glorious church that God loves. Churches missing even one gift is unhealthy and weakened in life and functionality. It would be the same as a baseball team that does not have a catcher, or a  football team without a center. Therefore, it is imperative that Christians do not just learn about gifts and exhibit the emptiness of “ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.”

Instead, each church must rise up and discover the truth of spiritual gifts and exhort their members to immediately obey the call of God to serve one another as given in 1 Peter. God’s love language is exhibited through the spiritual energy of the Holy Spirit gifts. Through exhaustive research on the part of many different Christian teachers and groups a very clear cut description of characteristics and tendencies have been found to distinguish each motivational gift. Defining terms becomes critical to understand God’s Word and experiencing God’s gifts. Let’s start with prophecy.

Many want to make a prophet to be a charismatic future teller who gives all kinds of predictions and specific directions to individuals. Their word is supposed to be God’s and therefore if you question them you are rebelling against God and blaspheming. Well, when we examine the scripture we find this describes Old Testament prophets who gave clear future predictions.

But, by the time of Jesus, this was not the usage in Israel. Even in the Old Testament times the majority of claimed “prophets” proved to be false and deluded. Reread the Bible and start counting, there are far more false prophets then true prophets. What is really interesting is when you define “prophet” as it really is designed by God for the church and use the American term “preacher” you have gotten to the real truth.

Yes, the preacher is a man of God who speaks God’s word. And when you look closer at the Bible you find even the prophet of old was a spiritual doctor sent to call God's people back from sin and to again obey His clear revelation already spoken from His written Word. Nothing new or unusual added. The message was repent, you have willfully disobeyed the Law of God as recorded from the early days of Moses leadership.The spiritual doctor was focused on the sin disease of the people and was called to warn them of the consequences of continuing their rebellion. Some then gave future predictions of judgment or promises of future forgiveness and restoration.

Once you understand the true prophet’s role, you can then begin to compare your motivations to determine if you are a gifted preacher. It does not demand that you are a dynamic speaker. The prophet looks at the church and sees sin and desires a restoration of true spiritual life. He sees the nation in trouble because their actions are motivated by selfishness and pride.

Burdened from within [energized by God’s holiness and truth] the prophet prays for purity in the church and preaches repentance to the city he lives in.The growing motivation to challenge people to change is a sign of a prophet’s heart. An impulse to expose hypocrites, combat injustice seen in government, strengthen the tiring saints who seem to always suffer, challenge the status quo, caution and discipline slackers, and convince the hardened sinners with evidence all points to the gift of a prophet.

Another servant of the Word is the teacher. This motivation is for truth and accuracy to be established. A deep desire and pleasure of studying the Bible is a good sign this is your gift. The teacher is called to lay down a solid foundation of truth by clarifying the words and meaning of minute details. For example, a basketball player may have great heart and talent but if ignorant of the rules the player will cause more damage to the team with fouls, mistakes, and disruption of the teams rhythm and chemistry. But, a player with full knowledge of the game becomes a powerful force for the team. If you have a growing desire to analyze, investigate, examine, and research scripture and its ramifications in life you could be separated unto the Lord to be a teacher.

The third minister of the Word is the exhorter. The difference between an exhorter and a teacher is in the people level. Exhortation means personal encouragement. The exhorter is a people person where a teacher can be happy to sit in a library and read for two years. The exhorter will take the teachers research and help people apply it in a practical “how to” way for blessing and results. The exhorter loves to simplify the truth into easy steps that will bring lasting solutions to life’s problems. Driven by the inward concern for struggling and broken people, the exhorter has a strong desire to help people with their problems through the truth of God’s Word.

The ministers of the work include the leader, the servant, the material giver, and the mercy giver. We will first examine the leader who is an organizer, or some would use the term administrator. They are goal setters and managers. When you think of Ezra you see an organizer in his true element. Overwhelming troubles are challenges and stepping stones to success. The church needs these visionaries who see past roadblocks, are able to gather resources, and pool help into a God given project with joy and excitement. If you enjoy schedules, supervision responsibilities, government and law, able to delegate responsibilities, guide and coach teams, plan and strategize you may be raised up for a specific task or project God is going to do. Remember if you are judging your church because it is not organized like you think it should and not setting or reaching goals does not mean the church is disobedient to God. On the other hand, perhaps God has called you to take leadership responsibility under the authority of your pastor. If so, be faithful to him, and volunteer your service for the ministry you are driven to.

The servant is the “regular guy” who is good with his hands, enjoys to build things, constantly wants something to do, enjoys entertaining people at home, meeting the physical needs of people, and helping people practically. Servant ministers are an important laborer of God. If you have a growing desire to see the needy helped, the widows cared for, and the orphans given a hand you may be called to serve. The servant helps the ministers of the Word by keeping the place repaired, building sets, designing sound systems, working in the kitchen, mowing the lawn, and a thousand other necessary tasks. But he does not want to organize, lead or preach. In fact, in many instances he would rather do a task all by himself to make sure it is done right, and completed correctly. If you do not feel useful unless you are doing something, or the church is not right because it is not doing useful things you are probably a servant. Learn to submit to leadership and follow the master plan.

The giver is focused on the materials needed for Christ’s church. Funding outreach projects, gathering donations, balancing the checkbook, and a strong desire to reach the city and world for Christ are a good sign you are graced with the spiritual gift of giving. Do not be confused with a love of things and money, as this does not prove you are a giver.

A giver loves to share, give faithfully to the church, rescue people in financial troubles, bless others with surprise gifts, invest in the work of successful ministries, support missionaries, support orphans, and assist ministers as they sacrifice financial stability for the work that they are called to. Finding the best bargain with excellent quality saves the church and extends it’s power to serve the Lord. Givers guided by their spiritual leaders are great assets to reaching the world for Christ.

The mercy giver is sensitive to the hurt and emotional damaged people all around them. Their focus is to make them feel better and to nurse them back to health. They want to repair the brokenhearted, rescue the downtrodden, sympathize with the hurting, and comfort and assure the fainthearted. If you have a growing desire to be a caring friend to the hurting get past your indecisiveness and use your gift!

Created 11 months ago