The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us more about the main purpose of these very special gifts: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness with both signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4)

     Even during Jesus' earthly ministry the apostles, "went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs (Mark 16:20). The sign gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not found in the lists given in Romans 12, Ephesians 4 or 1 Peter 4.

2. SPEAKING GIFTS
     Let's now look at to Romans 12:6-8. It says,

Romans 12:6-8

"having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

     1 Peter 4:10-11 divides these gifts into two categories. It says in verse 11, "If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers (or serves) let him do it with the ability which God supplies." Romans 12 fits this same pattern of two kinds of gifts - speaking and serving. Today we will spend the rest of our time talking about the speaking gifts in Romans 12. And tomorrow Pastor Ross will speak about the serving gifts from Romans 12.

     A. Prophesy. The first spiritual gift in this list is prophesy. Now the word prophesy (prophetia) literally means to speak forth, proclaim or preach. Paul gives perhaps the best definition of the prophetic gift in 1 Corinthians 14:3 as one who "speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." What Peter has to say in 1 Peter 4:11 also applies to this gift. He says, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles (or words) of God." Moses did not have the natural talent for public speaking. He said, "I am not eloquent ... I am slow of speech and slow of tongue"(Exodus 4:10) but God said, "I will be with your mouth and teach you what you should say." The gift of prophesy is the supernatural ability from God to proclaim the words of God in a powerful way that builds up believers, changes peoples lives and brings comfort and hope. A pastor needs this gift.

     B. Teaching. The next speaking gift in this list is the gift of teaching. The Christian who teaches has the special God-given ability to interpret and present God's truth so others can understand it.

     James 3:1 tells us "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." You see, if you are not teaching right, in a Bible study, a Sunday School, in books, at Seminars, or whatever, then you are misleading God's people and He will hold you accountable for that! We are not to take away from or add to God's Word. We are to teach God's word as it was given.

     C. Exhortation. The third speaking gift is the gift of exhortation. This comes from the Greek word paraklesis which literally means to call someone alongside to help. The one with the gift of exhortation desires to see lives changed - to see unbelievers come to know God and to see believers grow in their relationship with God. Change is also the purpose of all counseling. Effective Biblical change should be the purpose of all Christian counseling. So a Christian counselor should have the gift of exhortation. William McDonald said, "It is the gift of stirring up the saints to stop every kind of evil and to keep doing new things for Jesus in holiness and service.

     There was a young boy who worked long hours in a factory in Naples, Italy. And this young boy wanted to be a singer. When he was ten years old, he took his first lesson in voice. His teacher, not being an exhorter, said to him "You can't sing. You haven't any voice at all. Your voice sounds like the wind in the shutters." The boy's mother saw something that the teacher did not see in her son. She truly believed he had the talent to sing and even though she was very poor, she would do what she could to help her son achieve his dream. As discouraged as he was at hearing those words from his teacher, she lovingly put her arms around him and encouraged him by saying, "My boy, I am going to make every sacrifice to pay for your voice lessons." Her confidence in him and constant encouragement paid off. That young boy became one of the world's greatest singers - Enrico Caruso! Do you see how this gift motivates people to action?

by Steve Nicholes
LINKS TO . . . Other Bible Messages Genesis Esther Daniel Philippians James Complete Discipleship Topics