Spiritual Gifts

After a couple weeks off, tonight we are going to dive back into our conversation about Identity and who it is that God has made you to be. Specifically, we’re going to take a look at the topic of Spiritual Gifts. I think the topic is one that you hear from time to time or you come across the phrase when you’re reading your Bible one day but what exactly is a spiritual gift? We’ll tackle that question today and then, more specifically, you’ll be able to leave this evening knowing exactly how God has gifted you.
As we have been talking about, the Bible is pretty clear that each person is a unique creation of God. You were created with a purpose and God wants to use you to change the world around. God doesn’t just tell us to go out and do stuff but instead he specifically gives us gifts that we are to use to help do His work here on earth.
We’re going to take a look at two passages today that deal with spiritual gifts which are both pretty similar. Let’s first take a look at Romans 12:3-8. What do we learn about this topic of spiritual gifts from this passage?
3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Important things from this passage:
1. Don’t get a big head! Why? God has given you the gifts that you have and could just as easily take them away.
2. We are part of a whole or a small part of a big picture. Analogy: The Body
3. We are not guaranteed to have every spiritual gift and we are all different in what gift(s) we are given.
4. Our gifts are expected to be used and to be used well!
5. Available gifts: Prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership/shepherding and showing kindness/mercy.
The next passage we’ll look at is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Again, what does this passage tell us about spiritual gifts?

1Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 2You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise