Use Your Gift to Share Jesus by Bryan Craig

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV 

I just participated in the Spiritual Gifts Retreat that we do in The Journey, where we get to hear the results of the Spiritual Gift Assessment from each participant and then affirm and confirm the gifts.  It is always interesting to me to see the diversity of the gifts in any given Journey group and also how evident they are as they begin to be revealed.  I love seeing the reactions of my participants, especially as unexpected gifts rise to the surface which baffle them and humble them.  Many do not feel worthy or see themselves in the light of the gift.  Invariably, I hear participants focus on the gifts that were at the bottom of their list, feeling like they have fallen short.  One man was particularly ashamed because he tested very low in the gift of Evangelism.

First of all, we have to remind them that these are GIFTS.  These are not aptitudes or something you must work harder to attain.  In 1 Corinthians 12:11 Paul explains about the Gifts: “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”  This seems harder to accept and understand when you are talking about gifts that you might assume all Christians must possess and exercise, like the gift of Evangelism or Faith, as examples.  

There is a difference between a Christian duty and a gift.  For example, with regards to Evangelism, we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…”  We are all called to bear witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  But some believers have the Gift of Evangelism.  As I like to say, “It oozes out of them.”  They cannot contain it.  They are proclaiming Christ to everyone they meet, whether to the waitress at the restaurant or in the business meeting at work.  And they most likely are very winsome as they go about doing this.  

And consider Faith.  Yes, we all must have faith.  “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 ESV  Believing in Jesus and surrendering our lives to Him requires faith.  However, people with the Gift of Faith have a faith that can drive other Christians crazy who don’t have it.  They ALWAYS seem to have this assurance that everything will work out.  It is unwavering.  What could be mistaken as eternal optimism is really a spiritual gift of Faith at work.  

As my Journey group was chewing on this the other day, we had an epiphany.  Someone said, “We share Jesus as we use our Spiritual Gifts.”  Whether it be the Gift of Administration, or Leadership, or Intercession, as we faithfully administer the gift the spirit has given, we are in fact Evangelizing and sharing our Faith.  Just as the Fruit of the Spirit that Abiding brings us are representative of Christ’s characteristics, the Gifts of the Spirit are actions of the Spirit, Who is Christ.  As we abide and bear fruit and see our gifts enabled, the world sees Christ.

We need to not focus on gifts we may not have and embrace the gifts God has given us.  You are special, handcrafted by God with a unique personality, talents, experience, passions and even spiritual gifts.  As you use your top spiritual gifts, you will feel God’s pleasure inside you and you will be a winsome witness to the Lord.  

But if you still have a burning desire for a particular gift, there’s nothing wrong with asking the Spirit for this gift. For example, Wisdom is a spiritual gift and James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  And I have also seen where God gives a gift in a certain situation, where we need a particular gift.  So, there is still much mystery around it, but remember, the Spirit gives gifts as He wills.

Every Journey group I’ve led had had a unique blending of people with different spiritual giftswho would make a great ministry team.  It is a living picture of the “body of Christ” as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.  And Paul reminds us at the end of the chapter that we will not all have the same gifts nor are any of the gifts better than another.  That’s why he goes on in 1 Corinthians 13 to say the greatest gifts are those empowered by love.  Abiding brings us that Love and the Spirit and His gifts help us give it away.

Use your Spiritual Gift.  Here is a list of the Spiritual Gifts that are listed or implied in Scripture.  For help in learning how to Abide in Christ and discover your Spiritual Gifts, join a Journeygroup.  Here’s a link to sign up (https://influencersglobal.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2397267)

Serving/Helps

Prophecy

Teaching

Encouragement/Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

Faith

Wisdom

Knowledge

Discernment

Interpretation of Tongues

Healing

Tongues/Languages

Miracles

Apostleship

Administration

Evangelism

Shepherd/Pastor

Intercession