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Your Gifts -- Your Values A measurement of Your Spiritual Gifts in View of Your Values Dr. Jay A. Quine Mr. Greg Metzler Prologue – a “fanciful” narrative The church closed. No singing. No greeting. No sermon. No children. No love. Closed. “If you do not repent I will remove your lampstand.” God’s word in Revelation 2 came to her mind as she locked the church office for the last time. Once, the multi-staff of administrators, pastors, elders, deacons and countless volunteers kept the place buzzing 24/7. This was not a church busy only on Sundays. It was always bustling! But now it was closed. Once, there were countless community, adult, and children ministries where adults, children, married, single, men, women, addicts, depressed, educators, business thinkers, and car tinkers all interacted to love and support one another. Now it was gone. Once, there was hope to share with the world. Now, there would not even be the sharing of memories. Thud. The dead-bolt locked. Amanda pulled the key, and walked slowly to her car. The expansive parking would be used by the shoppers of the strip mall coming soon. She was tired; so tired. “No more tears, no more sorrows,” she mocked herself. Those once promising words of the Lord’s return now only revealed her emotional exhaustion. Over the months so many tears were shed. But not today. She was too spent. Each generation of a local church has a simple responsibility. It is not novel. It is not unique. To many, the mission is too simple, and they complicate it. But for each generation it is nothing new. It is simply their turn. Theirs is to share the good news of Christ’s work of love. It is their turn to share the gospel of God’s grace. Theirs is to turn to love and forgive, as God loved and forgave them. It is their turn to love one another; to trust one another; to respect one another. It is their turn to be in a greater work—greater than the sum of their parts. It is theirs to be transformed by the Spirit, and the Word. The work of every generation is not special only to them. It is simply their turn. But it is supernatural. Pastor Dirk began at Alpha-Omega Community Church five years ago. He arrived conflated--full of passion, and anticipation in what God would do on the one hand, yet pensive and anxious of the trust for a church God gave him on the other. “I must not fail,” he said to his wife, Jean, that first Sunday. Amanda was inspired by Dirk’s first sermon. It was a call to vision, togetherness, and duty. “The body,” said Dirk, “is meant to grow.” As the congregation experienced the freedom to use their giftedness the church grew. As the church grew, so did ministry needs and opportunities. As needs grew, so did ideas to meet those needs. As the ideas came forth, so did the chaos, as individuals and groups sought to carry out the ideas. There was overlap, redundancy, confusion, and competition for church building space and resources. Soon the church and its parking lot, was active every day of the week. Pastor Dirk felt like he was losing 3 control. He shared his feelings with his wife. Jean suggested administrative safeguards to keep things from getting out of hand. Pastor Dirk agreed. A committee was formed to manage and develop policies to regulate church ministry development. The committee’s first report was simple and straightforward. Two needs were clearly identified: the need for discovery of each one’s spiritual gift(s), and second, the need for the identification of their core mission and motivations. The first would identify what God had entrusted to them, and the second would point out what they were passionate about in implementing those gifts. Knowing these two components would allow them to coordinate the competing pressures upon the church’s resources and the volunteer time of his people. But how to discovery the gifts and values of his congregation? Pastor Dirk did some research. He spoke to industry leaders in his church. There were plenty of tools that exposed direction, vision, and mission of a business or even megacorporations, but little for a local church. He knew he was unequipped to adopt a business based test for the church. Dirk asked certain committee members who understood these consulting tools in the business setting to help him. They agreed. What happened over the next year was disastrous. It resulted in confusion, pain, and the church closing. The conflict between applying a basic “bottom line” business model to the function of spiritual gifts and spiritual values was too sharp. A survival mentality was imposed. “If it is too great a drain on the church finances, it must go,” one committee member explained. Passion was soon lost. The conflict between defining business plan and the Spirit’s spontaneous leading was too great. Hard feelings arose. Some people decided to leave. It took some months, but with departure came projected financial instability. Financial instability eventually led to closure. Pastor Dirk was forced to resign. Amanda closed the church. Impossible? Not really. The timeline may be different, but many have lived it. This book is an attempt to give ministry leaders and congregations a tool to understand spiritual gifts, coordinate them with one’s personal motivational values, and implement them through the church mission. The gifts-to-values relationship is a ministry piece when missing cripples churches like Dirk’s or stagnates healthy spiritual growth in churches like yours. Prayerfully read how you and your church can benefit from understanding your spiritual gift in relationship to you and your personal values. 4 One “Hello, this is God. Who’s this?” One year over the Christmas holidays we rented a couple of movies. One movie we rented was Multiplicity. It is one of those movies where half way through you think, “hey, this is my life!” It’s about the typical American family surviving life. The husband was a contractor and WAY TOO BUSY! He had a couple of partners to keep satisfied, was doing too many jobs, going every direction, and of course failing to meet the needs of his wife and kids. He didn’t even think about having any time to relax! The wife, who had given up her job to have their children, was looking to go back to work now that the kids were both old enough for school. She wanted to pick up her career again. This would require more involvement from her husband with the kids and family. More pressure on the husband, who wasn’t real supportive. Does this sound like your life? This poor guy was about to explode from the competing pressures. But then he was given the opportunity for what many of us perhaps have said more than once in our lives—“all I need is another me. I wish there were two of me.” (Maybe we said it in anger, “What do you think—that there are two of me!?!”) They cloned him. Presto. They made two of him: one for work and the other for the rest of his life—the wife, the kids, and even a little time to relax. Golf. But when his wife goes back to work he soon finds that his leisure is being interfered with by his responsibilities for his kids, which he finds are more than a full time job. They cloned him again. Presto. They made three of him: one for work, one for the house and kids, and one for a little golf. And on the movie goes; everything is supposed to work out smoothly. Many, many, many clones of the one guy so that he can get everything he wants to do in life done. The concept of getting many things done through one flows through an extended passage in Ephesians 4. Even though there are many tasks looming before you; even though you see needs everywhere; even though there are infinite opportunities to serve God, there is just one of you. But because there are also many, many, many of us who make up the body of a local church, we can accomplish a great deal—certainly more than if there were only one or even a few of us. This extended passage applies the theological truths found in the first three chapters of Ephesians. It begins addressing a frequently misunderstood or even unknown concept —utilizing your spiritual gifts. This book first examines spiritual gifts, what they are and how to use them. It will help us at the gut, core, and earthy level of life—giving meaning to the day in and day out. This authentic living, and living well before God. 5 There are basically three stages of human development. We demonstrate personal and spiritual growth and maturity as we transition from to the other. The first stage we could identify as The Stage of Self (the “ME” stage). It is the infant who wants what he wants, when he wants it, as he wants. If he doesn’t get it he howls through cries, “ME, ME, ME. DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S ALL ABOUT ME?” Whether the baby simply wants attention, to be tickled, fed, played with, to grab mommy’s glasses, or daddy’s coffee… the infant is selfish through and through. Sadly, many adults remain stuck in this selfish, narcissistic, self-centered stage of personal and spiritual maturity. It is the date who says, “Enough about you, let’s talk about me.” It is the sin of self-centeredness. The second stage of spiritual development could be called the Stage of Team (Community, or the “US” stage). We transition into the “US” stage as we realize we are not the only people who matter in this world. We are not the only people in the universe. Others have significance, importance and an equal place in God’s creation. Other members of the team can make a contribution. This stage of development is where we realize to accomplish what we individually want to accomplish in life (a “ME” stage idea) we need the contributions of others. They have a place. Much has been said and written about the importance of community. Indeed, whether in your church, family, friends at school, or management team at work, community is important. Community is an incubator for personality development. We become less selfish, and are nudged to move from a “ME” philosophy, to an “US” point of view. “I need you and you need me,” we say. It is a worldview woven into the body of Christ. It is the “body” concept itself (1Corinthians 12). It is part of discipleship, accountability, and Christian growth. “I scratch your back, and you scratch mine.” It is part of loving one another. “Us” is a wonderful stage of human / spiritual development, but is not the final stage. Jesus ministered in community…mostly the community of the disciples. He instructed them that the “world will know you are my disciples if you love on another.” They were to be a Christ-love community. However, Christ’s greatest task and ministry accomplishment was not when He was functioning as part of the team, but when alone…all alone. Abandoned and forsaken by his team, He faced His goal alone. His vision and passion was so acute that the need to serve through the team became irrelevant. Driving toward the cross, Jesus illustrates a transition from the second to third stage of human development—from an “US” mentality to implement a “YOU” worldview. This third stage of maturity is when we recognize the high place of service of others. Life is not about “ME,” or even “US” through the exchange and encouragement from the community. Maturity is reflected in the attitude of serving others even when nothing is given in return. Just as Jesus “came not to be served, but to serve as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45) so too this stage of sacrificial service to others characterizes those who are mature. The New Testament frequently encouraged us to “imitate Christ” (e.g., 1Cor 11:1), to imitate God (Eph 5:1), or to follow Christ’s example (e.g., 1 Peter 2:18). In each of these passages Jesus Christ did not work with an “US” stage two mentality, either with a team or community. He embraced the “YOU” motive of service alone. The lesson is 6 clear: Through God’s gifting, the mature Christian so completely embraces the call to serve others in the “YOU” worldview, that he or she is willing to do it alone. This saint is willing to give it all away, their “Me” viewpoint, even their nurturing community (the “US”) for the sake of others. It is stage three, the “YOU” motivating worldview. Now, a challenging question: Why has God called you? “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 This verse simply says, “Live life with a certain mindset—with particular values.” It is focused on the word “called.” “Live a life worth of the calling you received.” Two words are used for “called” here. The first is like an invitation. The second like an appointment. So, we could read the verse like, “Live a life worthy of the invitation to which you have been appointed.” In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul repeats the truth that we have been appointed to be part of Kingdom of God. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, God has chosen before the foundation of the earth, and already elected to be part of His family. The NIV translation picks up this concept, “As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” He is saying, since we have received a call from God, an invitation from God, live a life by embracing values that show it. What would it be like to receive an invitation over the phone from God? The conversation could go something like this: (Ring, ring.) Jay, answering: “Hello.” God: “Yes, hello. This is God calling. Who is this? Jay, surprised: “Wow, is it really you, God? This is great. Well, Lord, this is Jay.” God, musing: “Jay? Jay? Hummm… Jay who? I must have the wrong number.” Jay, puzzled: “You know, God. This is Jay. Jay Quine.” God: “Oh, Jay Quine…I’m sorry to bother you. I called you by mistake.” (Click) Hopefully a call from God wouldn’t go like that for you! Likely it would go more like this. 7 (Ring, ring.) Jay, answering: “Hello, Quine residence (taking no chances this time!).” God: “Hello, Jay. This is God calling. Yes, the Lord here. I’m calling you because I know you have received and accepted my invitation to be part of my Kingdom, to come to the greatest wedding celebration the universe has ever seen, and I’m asking a few people to pick up a few things on the way.” Jay: Looking back over his shoulder, “Hey honey, it’s the Lord on the phone! God wants ME to pick something up for the wedding feast!” “Yeah, sure Lord. What can I bring?” (Right now you’re very thankful you canceled call waiting!) “Do you want me to pick up some dinner rolls or something?” God: “No, Jay, no. Don’t worry about the bread. I have the bread covered.” Jay: “Okay. I know what. I’ll bring something to drink. Is that it Lord?” God: “No, Jay, no. Don’t worry about drinks. I have the wine and the cups already taken care of.” Jay: “Well Lord, what is it then?” God: “Jay, I want you to pick up some humility before you arrive.” Long pause. Jay: “Uhh, hello Lord? Ummm, why don’t you just let me bring the dessert?” We want to focus on our DOING things for the Lord, but He wants us to be concerned about our BEING first. What we think about our BEING is reflected in the value system we employ in life. Humility is a foundational life value. Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Humility. The finest definition of this word is found in Scripture itself. Humility is both being a servant and being realistic about yourself. In other words, humility is being realistic about your service to God in this life. Be real about the gifts entrusted to you, and your progress in the development of those gifts. Philippians 2:5-11 tells us of Christ’s humility—which was so great that in obedience to the will of the Father, He became a man, a man in the form of a servant, who went to the cross to die for us all. Mark 10:45 explains that Christ went to the cross as a servant; to serve us. Humility means being an obedient servant to God with the goal to serve others. 8 Humility also involves knowing who you are. Don’t think of yourself too lowly (false humility), nor too highly (pride). Be realistic about yourself. Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Be sound in your evaluation about yourself. That is also humility. To sum up: humility is a value concerning your realistic contribution in your service to God. It implies allowing others to be involved in contributions you realize you cannot make. Humility triggers many other life values. God again speaking: “Jay, I want you to pick up some humility: serve Me as you serve others with a realistic evaluation of yourself. Know what you can do. Know what you can’t and must let others do.” Jay: “Okay, Lord. I hear you.” The Lord doesn’t just want humility in our basket. He wants us to pick up another item on the way as well—patience. Ephesians 4:2 continues, Be patient, bearing with one another. Imagine you’re at the store to pick up a few items—just a couple of things. You don’t need a shopping cart. You pick up bread, eggs, then remember milk and orange juice…and then oh yeah, coffee, coffee filters, and some chicken. Balancing all this stuff you head for the checker, turn the aisle corner and bamm—I knock into you. Down go the eggs one direction, and the milk your direction! Splat, all over your shoes, pants, and a few stray drops manage to fly up to your cheek. You may say what you will regret! That’s where patience comes in. God speaking: “Jay, I want you to pick up some patience.” Okay, so somebody made a mistake; someone made a bad decision on your church board, or your management team at work, or your child made a childish decision. Just be patient. Be humble. And maybe, if you are realistic about yourself, you will find that you may be able to help in just the right way. Patience helps you serve others with that humility you already picked up. It is a value that is foundational for the maturation and function of other values and your gifts. The rest Ephesians 4:2 concludes with two little words: “in love.” F.F. Bruce writes of the force of the preposition “in” here. He concludes that it is the governing sphere of the entire concept—what he calls the commitative use.1 The Lord is telling us that while picking up humility and are patient with one another, to be committed to the principle of LOVE. “Love” (the original word is agape) is not erotic love. Nor is not the kind of love you might have for your brother or your sister. It is a selfless let it roll off You can read his analysis in The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New international Commentary on the New Testament, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, 1984, p. 334, and especially note 6. 1 9 your back, “I’m going to love you no matter what” kind of love. It is love based on your character, not someone else’s. It is a love that says, “I’m going to love you because I am a lover; it doesn’t matter what you are, but I am a person who loves. I am committed to the principle of love.” Be committed to the principle of L O V E ! It is the only way to be humble and patient with one another on a consistent basis. Jay gasping! “Phew. Humility and patience. Okay Lord. I hear You.” God interjecting: “Jay, there’s just one more thing. Jay, incredulous: “One MORE thing?” God: Yes. It’s just something I want you to hold on to and continue to carry along the way. It’s harmonious unity.” Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” If we are careful to notice, unity is something the Ephesian church already had—they had it and the Lord was asking them to keep it. Unity is the expected result of our salvation—once you realize you’ve been called by God, elected, invited to the greatest marriage reception in all the universe, to have eternal life forever, to enter the Kingdom of God through the riches of His grace, blessing, and mercy—the natural thing is to be unified with other people who are also called. Imagine a later conversation after your phone call from God: Jay: “Hey Greg, guess who called me yesterday? Greg: “I give up. Who?” Jay: “God did. You know, the Lord, God, the almighty creator and sustainer of the universe.” Greg: “Who are you kidding? Are you feeling okay?” With those who haven’t been called, there is a natural separation. It is a separation even reflected in our values. They just don’t understand. But imagine this chat the next day. Greg, yelling across the parking lot: “Hey, Jay! Guess who called ME last night?” Jay, somewhat defensive: “Look, dude. Don’t mess with me.” 10 Greg: “No, really. God called me! I accepted His invitation to believe in Jesus as my personal savior from sin! I too have been challenged to live through a reprioritization of my values.” Jay: “That’s fantastic! We’ll be in heaven together forever!” Together, with a high five: “Whoa!” That’s unity. Strive to keep that unity through the excitement of knowing you all have been called by God. Now, how can you do this? By being committed to a value principle just as before. Again F.F. Bruce helps us out. Once again, the same preposition at the end of verse 3 is used commitatively. Committed to the principle of p e a c e ! The commitment to love and the commitment to peace are in parallel in these two verses. We see this relationship also in Colossians, a companion letter to the book of Ephesians. Colossians 3:14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” What would it be like to get a call from God? In a very practical and realistic way, Ephesians 4:1-3 tells us. The Lord instructs us to cease from our concern about the DOing, and focus on the WHOing. God is concerned about who we are. Through the multiplicity of 1’s, unity is possible Ephesians 4:3-6 explains how unity is possible. It is through the many 1’s that are listed. There is one: body Spirit hope Lord faith baptism God and Father While these are all linked together, “body” and “Spirit” are especially tied. One body and Spirit. It is God the Holy Spirit who indwells us and therefore forms the body of Christ, as His ministry of bringing people to the Savior yields results. No matter who 11 we are, where we are, no matter what church we belong to, even what time in church history God places us, all believers are part of one universal body, united together by the Holy Spirit. Let’s look within this “one” list at the word “hope.” One hope in the calling—that God has called us, appointed us to be part of the future promised Kingdom. “Hope” literally means “confidence with expectancy,”2 especially of our salvation. All believers have that same confident expectation of the great wedding feast to come. “One Lord, one faith and one baptism” naturally flow together, for it is the Lord in whom we have all believed (our faith in common), and in whom we have been identified or spiritually baptized. Obviously the use of “baptism” is not a reference to being physically baptized in water, because we have all done that at different times. There was certainly more than one event. But we are all united or identified together with the Lord Jesus—baptism in the sense of identifying with the Lord (just as the people of Israel were identified or baptized with Moses, as in 1Corinthians 10:2). “And one God and Father Who is over all,” our God sovereign over us, whether Jew or Gentile, American or Asian; “through all,” He works His will on earth by using us; “and in all,” since through His Spirit resides in us. To sum up: If we were to write our own verse based on this passage, it may go something like this: “God is not like man that He should add like man, for God’s math is not like man’s math.” Unless things have changed, only 1 plus 0 = 1. But according to Ephesians 4:4-6, and the unity taught in this context, one plus these seven things still equals 1. 1+ ? = 1 There is a unity, a singleness, and a oneness—even after adding or putting together these seven things, it still comes out ONE. Since believers are committed to the principle of love, committed to the principle of peace, knowing that God has given them a call and challenged them to humility and patience, there is unity. The prioritization of certain values results in living a worthy life. The word elpis is defined by Rudolf Bultmann, in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 2:530 -31, Gerhard Kittle, editor, as the “expectation of something welcome…If hope is fixed on God, it embraces at once the three elements of expectation of the future, trust and the patience of waiting.” 2 12 Two “Spiritual Surprise” Ephesians 4:7-10 As we get older our lives significantly change. For example, once retired, we are no longer preoccupied with how to make a living, and the tasks before us at work. Likewise, our bodies change, so that even though we have the time to take lessons, we physically may not be able to play the piano like we have always dreamed—at least not learn as well as a child with nimble agile fingers. We can’t sing like we used to. We can’t think as clearly; bake as well; our timing is off. We don’t have the physical strength of our youth anymore. As the reality of aging truths mount it can conjure up a fear. “Afraid,” one older gentleman told me upon retirement, “I’m afraid of becoming useless.” One of the worst horrors of the human soul is the fear of being useless. A study of spiritual gifts may surprise us in that we soon see we can lay aside the fear of becoming useless. It is not because God promises to keep us strong, or sharp, or on key as we grow old. Instead He promises to give us a gift that won’t fade, but only continue to mature and get better with age. This is because it is a supernatural thing— not dependent upon us or our decaying physical minds and bodies, but dependent upon the Spirit of God. And because it is a supernatural thing, not a natural but a spiritual gift, it has a unique purpose. As a result of fulfilling this purpose, that haunting feeling of uselessness vanishes. Your spiritual gift is by God’s sovereign grace. Ephesians 4:7 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Make sure you notice two things in this verse. First, spiritual gifts are given to “each one of us.” Each and every Christian, whether young or old, experienced or new in the faith, advanced or primitive, has a spiritual gift. We may not know what it is or how to use it, but the Lord has given it. This leads to the second observation, that these gifts are “given.” They are bestowed by God. They are not things we acquired by our training (even though gifts can be developed as we mature) or by degree. Just like salvation, they are fully given as gifts by virtue of God’s grace. However, unlike salvation they differ “according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” In other words, the Lord measures out a certain gift for one person, and a different gift for another all under His selection and control. 13 We might ask why God bothers giving us these spiritual gifts. What is their purpose? A quick survey of the New Testament reveals several overall purposes for every gift and therefore for every believer whether advanced or primitive in the faith. The overall purposes of the spiritual gifts. At first our spiritual gifts might be rather foreign to us as a Christian at the early stage. But as we “open the gifts” (by utilizing them) we see they have three overall purposes— even for the emerging or new Christian. Worship God Your Maturity Serve Others The first purpose is found in Romans 12:1. It is to worship God. “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Paul notes in the next the next few verses that in that this “spiritual act of worship” is accomplished through the function of our spiritual gifts. They are given to us, and we use them to WORSHIP the Lord. “Worship” is something of worth being honored. So it means to lift up God; to promote Him; to do what advances His reputation. We commonly think of worship as singing in church. But whether in singing or in the proper function of our spiritual gifts we promote the Lord Jesus Christ. Since giving glory to the Son has always been the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit - never to promote Himself but to honor the Son - it is only natural and appropriate that the first purpose of our spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit is to worship Him. The second purpose of our spiritual gifts is CHANGE. It is explained in Ephesians 4:11-13. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until (to the extent that) we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” As the Holy Spirit challenges and prods us to engage our spiritual gifts, we mature. Through their use we change. Maturity lies at the very heart of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us. We are to grow, mature, advance in faith and change for the better. While it is possible to be passive and experience change, so much more dynamic and powerful is The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts 14 the change when we actively participate. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts so that by their use we mature. By examining what we hold as core motivational values we can measure our journey toward maturity. Marylyn worked as an assistant manager in an insurance office. She worked hard, both in business and at home. When she was first divorced, she was overwhelmed by the double duty as a single parent to raise her daughter alone. SURVIVAL was all she could think about. Every day was a struggle. But when she started going to the church’s singles ministry she felt welcomed and supported as new friends reached out to help her. As she realized she wasn’t alone, her SURVIVAL mentality lessened. She journeyed from a ME oriented person to feel like she belonged to a group. As one of US, she soon volunteered in the church’s outreach events. It wasn’t about mere survival anymore. It was working with others to make a CONTRIBUTION. It didn’t take long for her to kindly suggest some improvements in the organization of the ministry. Within a year she was the ministry’s lay director. Under Marylyn’s leadership she and the other leaders began teaching seminars at church conferences on successful singles’ ministry platforms. Her team volunteered their giftedness, experience and expertise even when it didn’t benefit them or their own local church ministry. She found herself speaking to larger and larger groups about the ministry, and entertained going into full time ministry herself for the sake of training others. She journeyed from ME to US to YOU. She was a leading INFLUENCE in shaping the world. By getting involved, she used her spiritual gifts, contributed to the needs of the body to equip those like her to change the world. She matured in a way that could be seen and measured. Not surprising then that the third purpose of spiritual gifts is SERVICE. It is an aspect of maturity. Service to others is clearly stated as an overall purpose in 1 Corinthians 12. The Corinthian church was a troubled church—they did everything wrong. They were full of zeal, but way off base. They were allowing gross and public sin to continue unchecked; their leadership was divided; there were apparently two men who were once in a Christian business together, now suing each other; their worship service was chaotic, full of confusion, not reflecting the Character of God, and therefore not honoring to God. It was a church speeding straight for a brick wall. Before they splattered their spiritual life all over the road, Paul wrote to arrest them. Regarding the use of their spiritual gifts, he first confirms that they have received spiritual gifts, as have all Christians. But then Paul gives an overall governing principle for the use of these gifts. Two passages convey this same principle. 1 Corinthians 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 14:12 15 “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the body.” Notice again the phenomenon (which is another way to translate the Greek word for “manifestation”3) of the Spirit is given to each one—every individual is given some manifestation of the Spirit. Now note carefully, the use of spiritual gifts is not primarily for the good of the one who possesses the gift, but for the common good. It isn’t for you to take and hide in your closet, or use while alone in your bedroom, but to be used out here—in the open; with others. The spiritual gifts are given to everyone individually, but for the good of everyone corporately. Inherent in the gifts is a transition from a ME orientation to an US and even YOU mindset. Wouldn’t the following conversation be strange? Primitive Believer: “The Lord has made it clear to me that I have the gift of teaching.” Christian Ed Director: “Oh, that’s great. We could really use some help in our Sunday school classes. Would you consider going through our training program so you can teach in a Sunday school next quarter?” Primitive: “No, not interested. You see, the Lord gave my gift so I can teach myself.” If you think you have the gift of prayer, it is not so that you only pray for yourself, but for others. All spiritual gifts are given for the good of the body. They are not for ME, but for US and YOU. By the time I had met Walt he had been retired for years. He had served the church well as a deacon fixing about every part of the church as they broke over the years. But now he frequently felt the aches and pains from years of labor. He continued to serve on the Missions Committee, but felt like his role making repairs would be best done by younger men. He only wondered briefly what the Lord would have him do, for he had always been burdened to pray more. Walt invited a few friends to join him early Sunday morning to pray. Soon others were invited, and still others. After a couple of months there were consistently over 20 people meeting every Sunday morning to pray for the church, for the service, and for their missionaries. Although in his age Walt lost his ability to do physical things, the Lord developed and blessed his spiritual gift of prayer and encouragement. Although the changes through aging may prevent us from utilizing many natural abilities, we don’t lose our spiritual gifts. Their purposes can still be fulfilled—we can still worship God, we can still mature and grow, and we can still serve others. The word “manifestation” is the Greek word didotai. Gordon Fee explains that this is a disclosure, not so much of the gifts themselves, but of God to the church community by the distribution of the gifts directed by the Holy Spirit. See New International Commentary of the New Testament, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987, p. 589, and footnote 30. 3 16 17 Three Responsible Use of Spiritual Gifts How do you responsibly use your spiritual gift? Three things to consider. The first is: Use them Purposefully. Ephesians 4:7, 11-13 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it… It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Don’t miss some important observations. First, verse 7 reminds us that since they are given “according to the measure of Christ's gift” it is the Lord who is sovereign in giving the gifts. They are His, and we are only bailees of them! Second, this is a partial list (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers). Verse 12 tells us the purpose of these four gifts is to prepare God’s people for works of service. These four gifts are used to develop the other gifts in other people for mature works of service. For example, I can’t read through a book like the book of Ephesians without getting excited! “Yes, thank you Lord for entrusting the Apostle Paul with the gift of an apostle.” I think of pastors and teachers who have taught me, and inspired me— inspired me to get up and stand up and serve the Lord with all that I am! So I say, “Yes, thank you Lord for gifting those people.” This is true for everyone, for notice what Ephesians 4:16 says: From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Gifts have their purpose. The four gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 have as their purpose to rouse and ignite other gifts into action. The gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher are to mature the gifts in others. These others are thereby equipped or prepared to utilize what God has entrusted to them to do the work of the ministry by serving the body. Pastors are not the only ministers in church—each part of the body is as well! Different emphasis, different gifts, but all work together toward each other’s maturity. Through the exercise of the spiritual gift the pastor prepares others for service, but in turn needs the service of others to grow and mature. Each gift has its purpose. Second, to responsibly use our gifts we must use them Properly. 18 1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. This verse indicates a common goal even in great diversity of the gifts. Diversity in the midst of unity is creatively compared to the parts of our bodies. Verse 12 states, 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. When the parts of our physical bodies are developed and trained to function together, whether in sports, the performing arts, or music, it can be spectacular. Trained harmonious unity is worth watching. So too, with the body of Christ. Likewise, when the parts of our physical bodies are injured (as when a ballet dancer sprains her ankle) the graceful movements are restricted. So too, with the body of Christ. To enjoy the body the most requires healthy harmony. Yet, there is also diversity. “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:14 comically describes the need for diversity. What if one part of your physical body spoke to another like this? 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not be for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. What if all were eyes, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But God has placed each part, every one of them in the body, just as He desired. Reading further, verses 27-31 notes the critical importance of each and every part of the body, yet also asserts a priority of the gifts. In the church, some are to be seen as foundational for the function of all the others. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Notice the priority. Which is first? Which is second? Which is third? Then, which are fourth—all the rest! It looks like this in this: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd apostles prophets teachers then… miracles healing helps administration 19 tongues The Corinthians had it backwards. They were all excited about the more flamboyant gifts like healing and tongues, to the neglect of the more foundational ones. They had the wrong priority. In the church, the proper function of the gifts is to focus on those which edify the others. Encourage, and support those who teach in your church—for (unless you have apostles and prophets in attendance!) the teaching gifts are our top priority gifts today! Use spiritual gifts not only purposefully and properly, but, third: Use them Powerfully. Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. This is another partial list. The important thing is the description of how the person with one of these particular gifts is to use them—they are all followed by words of power! It’s like playing an acoustic guitar. If you play an acoustic guitar in a large room, those close can hear it well. But if you put an electric pick-up on it and plug it into a high powered amp and speakers, thousands can hear you. What Paul suggests is to use your gifts as if they are plugged in and amplified. He mentions several: Prophecy If your gift is prophecy, then with all your might, proclaim the revelation of God. Serving If serving then serve! as if you’re a high powered waiter working in a five star restaurant! Teaching If you are gifted in teaching then take every opportunity to teach, and work at teaching with all you’ve got! Exhortation If you’re given to encouragement, then strengthen that gift so you make use of every opportunity and means to lift others up! Giving If you gifted in giving then build those giving muscles! Give with from every aspect of your heart and soul. 20 Leading Lead with great diligence, if you’re a blessing to others in your leadership. Mercy Rather than followed by a word of amplification, the person gifted in mercy is to use it with joy. Here lies the power in this gift—joy even when the person needing mercy is requiring extra grace! Conclusion: The Best Present I Was Ever Given What was the best present you’ve ever been given? One on the top of my list was a bicycle my parents gave me for Christmas when I was 14. I told them the model I wanted, knew where they could buy it, even told them the price! And low and behold, that Christmas morning, there it was—my first ten speed! From that day on I rode that bike everywhere. Rarely again did I take the bus; I rode my bike to school. I rode to the store; I rode to the lake; I even rode that bike over 300 miles across the State of Washington on a five day bike-hike. If it can be said that you can wear out a bike, I did! As a result of riding my bike my legs grew incredibly strong. I had powerful thighs. I became a decent runner—a good sprinter. It was because of my speed that when the time came for the basketball try-outs in high school I made the team, even though I hadn’t played much ball before. That gave me great confidence and taught me how to be part of a team. In my senior year I made the all city team, and was offered a scholarship from a school in California. Even though I didn’t play ball in college, it bolstered my confidence. As a result of that bike I was brash enough to be adventurous and try new things. When I graduated from school I couldn’t find a job in the area I wanted, so I started my own business. When a position came open to teach at the University, I applied and told the Dean (in partial desperation), “You’ll be making a big mistake if you don’t hire me.” He hired me! I was 24 years old teaching business law. When the time came for me to decide go to seminary to study to be a pastor, I had the confidence to leave it all behind. Now I am a pastor, using the gifts God has entrusted to me—and I can trace it all back to the bicycle my parents gave me one Christmas! How different my life would be if I didn’t ride that bike, or if I only used it once or twice! It is because I rode it into the ground that I developed the muscles needed for basketball, which resulted in confidence, and so much influence in my life. God has given us spiritual gifts. They are to be used with PURPOSE, PROPERLY, and with all POWER! We are to use these gifts as if we were to wear them out! If a life can be mightily changed by a ten speed bike, imagine what God can do with a Spirit-driven gift! Be one who rides to wear out your gift. 21 Four “Spiritual Steroids” What is the worst gift you have ever received? It doesn’t take me long to think of the one on the top of my list. It was our first Christmas after we were married. My wife’s mother, my mother-in-law, gave me a present. We were in my in-law’s home, all the extended family and grand kids gathered around the tree watching as I unwrapped a sugar bowl of our china. My first thought was Christian enough; “Lord, what in heaven’s name is it?” My mother-in-law explained, “I wanted to make sure you had a complete set of your china.” We still don’t. From my unbiased perspective, this was a useless gift. We have used it maybe three times in all our years of marriage. It sits in our cupboard. By the time we pull it out to use it again the sugar has gone from a sedimentary to the metamorphic rock stage. To me it is worse than useless: it adds little to our life (but for more frustration) and takes up space in our home. The same is true for some Christians and their spiritual gifts. God has given each of us one or more spiritual gifts, but many set them in the cupboard of their lives, only to bring them out to be used on rare occasions—and even then only after extensive cleaning first! In effect, all they do is take up space as their gifts grow harder and harder over time. Let’s examine the spiritual gifts to end stagnation for us! Ephesians 4:14-16 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Let’s look at some of these “parts.” The gift of “Apostle” Originally, the word “apostle” was used for ships being sent out for cargo or on military expeditions. It was rarely used of people, until in the New Testament where it is used commonly for the twelve who witnessed the resurrection of Christ, and where Paul referred to those who, as delegates of Jesus Christ, were sent to propagate the message of salvation and start new local churches.4 While the root word includes the concept of “being sent out,” it focuses on being a representative and not necessarily physical travel. This is borne out by the fact that the Twelve Apostles mostly remained in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). There they continued to function as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. See Herald Hoehner’s explanation in Ephesians, An Exegetical Commentary, Baker Academic, 2002, pp. 134-25, and 540-42. 4 22 The New Testament sets forth clear requirements to be an Apostle. In the Gospels many were called disciples but only a select group of them were called “apostles.” Matthew 10:2 identifies them as the “twelve apostles.” The book of Acts also calls them “the apostles.” For example, when Matthias was picked in Acts 1:21-26, “he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Two requirements had to be met: 1) to have accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry, and 2) to be an eyewitness of His resurrection (compare 1 Cor 9:1-2). Verification that one was an apostle was the ability to perform miraculous signs and wonders (2 Cor 12:12). Besides the twelve, Paul and Barnabas are called apostles in Acts 14:4 and 14. Clearly Paul meets the requirement of seeing the resurrected Jesus, since he met Him in Acts 9 on the highway to Damascus. The first two Chapters of Galatians is spent validating Paul’s apostleship. But we don’t have the confirming evidence demonstrating why Barnabas is called an apostle. We must presume he met the requirements. However, it is important to note that no other mortal man is clearly called an apostle. The gift of apostle was one of the foundation gifts for the church (Eph 2:20). Once a foundation was is laid it did not need to be laid again. Other materials (in this case gifts) are laid upon it. It is likely then that the gift of an apostle was only bestowed by God at the beginning, the foundation, of the church age. A great example of a person with the gift of apostle is Peter. Peter met all the requirements. Certainly he meets the qualification of seeing the Lord, both during His earthly ministry, and after His resurrection. Peter also performed innumerable signs and wonders, as Acts 5:12-15 indicates: The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Not only did he walk with Jesus personally, perform signs and wonders, but Peter clearly served as an ambassador and representative of the Lord, as the meaning of “apostle” would indicate. In Acts 10 Peter was sent by God to witness to a Gentile named Cornelius. Upon arriving at his house he explains to Cornelius, “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Cornelius answers, “I sent for you immediately, and it was good for you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Peter was sent to take the message from the Lord Jesus to those people. He served as a representative or ambassador of the King. Clearly, Peter was an apostle. 23 Conclusions: 1) Only the Twelve apostles, Barnabas and Paul are clearly apostles. 2) An Apostle had to be a direct witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 3) The sign of an Apostle was the ability to perform signs and wonders. 4) The gift of apostle was a foundation gift for the church. Because of this foundational aspect, the gift of Apostle is not included in the spiritual gift assessment survey explained in this book. The Gift of “Prophet” In both the Old and New Testaments, a “prophet” had two characteristics. Not only could they occasionally foretell events, but were more involved in simply forthtelling a message from God. But it is the predictive aspect which especially distinguishes this from other proclamation gifts (e.g. teaching, pastor, evangelism, exhortation). The prophet as a forthteller: 1 Corinthians 14:3 indicates that prophets were involved in “edification, exhortation, and encouragement.” One Lexicon defines a “prophet” as one who expounds or preaches under the influence of the Holy Spirit.”5 The prophet as a foreteller: Clearly, the Old Testament prophet was more than a teacher. In its warning to those who claim to be prophets, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 seems to expect the aspect of prediction. When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not follow, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. Prophecy was more than edification and exhortation. It involved supernatural revelation, and even prediction. Few passages in the New Testament describe the function of the prophet. Acts 19:6 mentions that upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, John’s disciples prophesied. However what they said is not specifically mentioned. The same is true for Philip’s daughters who were described as “prophetesses” in Acts 21:9. However, clearly Agabus foretold both a famine (Acts 11:27-28) and Paul’s arrest upon his return to Jerusalem (Acts 21:10). Therefore, just as in the Old Testament, the predictive element seems to be part of this gift. The gift of prophecy is second in rank only to the apostles as gifts given priority over the others (1 Corinthians 12:28-29). Also like the gift of apostle, the gift of prophecy is mentioned in Ephesians 2:20 as the other foundation gift given to the church. Like the gift of apostle, once the foundation of the church was laid the gift of prophecy was no longer needed. 5 Liddell and Scott, Lexicon, pp. 1539-40. 24 Conclusions: 1) A New Testament prophet functioned similarly to the Old Testament prophets. 2) Prophets not only spoke about God’s revelation, but spoke new revelation, including predictions of the future. 3) The gift was to be given high priority over the other gifts (since prophecy edified the church, 1Cor 14:4). 4) The gift was for establishing a foundation for the church so passed off the scene once that foundation was laid. Because of this foundational aspect, the gift of Prophet is not included in the spiritual gift assessment survey explained in this book. The Gifts of “Pastor” and “Teacher” The word translated “pastor” is the word for “shepherd.”6 A pastor is a shepherd of a flock of God’s people, serving under Jesus who is called the “chief shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). In John 21, Jesus instructs the pastor/shepherd to feed the sheep. “Feed the sheep” meant to teach them. A pastor is a teacher, as indicated by the grammatical construction in Ephesians 4:11 which really describe not two but one “pastor-teacher.”7 A pastor is gifted in instructing others in ways of righteousness. A pastor is one who is sensitively concerned for the spiritual growth of the Lord’s people. He is gifted in encouraging others to live a life pleasing to the Lord, no matter what the circumstances. What separates the pastor from a teacher who isn’t a pastor is leadership. From a close examination of several words used in the New Testament for leadership, we see that the pastor is also an elder and also an overseer of the church. This can be seen if we apply a little algebra! In a quadratic formula, if A = B, and B = C, then what is the relationship between A and C? (take you time… … …). Okay, I’ll tell you—they’re equal. So, let’s apply that to the role of pastor-teacher as an elder and overseer of the church. A= B Elder = Overseer, according to Titus 1:5, 7 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you…Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless… B=C Overseer = Teacher, as seen in 1 Timothy 3:1-2 See poimen, in Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, University of Chicago Press, 1979 p. 684. 7 See Hoehner, Ephesians, pp. 543-44 where, after observing the one article for the two gifts joined by the “and” (kai) as explicative (“pastors, that is teachers”), he concludes that even if two separate groups, one is a subset of the other. In other words, all pastors are to be teachers, but not all teachers are pastors. 6 25 If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. So, according to algebra, certain elders are also teachers. This is confirmed in 1 Timothy 5:17. The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. Let’s try again. Since certain elders (A) are also teachers (B): A= B Elders = Teachers, from 1 Timothy 5:17, and B =C Teacher = Pastor, from the grammatical construction in Ephesians 4:11, we would expect there to be an identity between the office of elder and gift of pastor. Not surprisingly, we find it in 1 Peter 5:1-2. To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: be shepherds of God’s flock that is in your care, serving as overseers—not because you must but because you are willing. Conclusions: 1) The gifts of pastor-teacher and teacher are given today, to 2) shepherd others in the ways of God, through the teaching, guiding, and application the word, 3) with a passion to see believers nourished and grow in Christ. 4) The pastor is also serves as an overseer and elder of a local church. Certain core values would accompany the gifts of pastor and teacher. These decision shaping values influence the decisions of the one endowed with such a gift. Let’s look at how Timothy led his life. It was likely Timothy’s gift was that of pastor-teacher. Encouraging his pastoral duties, Paul wrote him. “Until I come, give attention to the reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.” (1Timothy 4:13-14) He was to “be ready to preach to word, in season and out of season.” (2Timothy 4:2) Likewise, embedded in 1 and 2 Timothy are words to encourage his pastoral leadership. Timothy was a servant of God, entrusted with the gift of pastor-teacher. His values fit with his gift. Although he likely struggled with the desire for things of the world, his values would mature. He was to lead the disciplined life of a soldier or an athlete (2Timothy 2:3-5). His values would reflect a low need for physical comfort, and high priority toward those values reflecting a need to enhance the lives of others. The Gift of “Evangelist” 26 The word “evangelist” comes from the same word that is translated “good news” or “gospel” (euangellion).8 The evangelist is specially gifted in communicating the good news of salvation -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Applied to particular individuals, the word is only found two places in the New Testament—describing Philip in Acts 21:8, and in Paul’s instruction to Timothy to do the work of an evangelist in 2 Timothy 4:5. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. As a pastor/teacher, Timothy was to take and make opportunities to explain the gospel message. The passage implies that there are evangelists who are specifically gifted by God who do this work, whom Timothy is to imitate. Let’s look at one example of a gifted evangelist. Philip is called an evangelist in Acts 21:8, but we see him in operation in Acts 8:26-40. After preaching successfully in Samaria, Philip is instructed by the Lord, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Philip went south and was given an opportunity to share the gospel with a traveler. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candice, queen on the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Notice next how Philip takes an evangelistic advantage of the situation. He asks a probing, opening question. Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The directness of Philip’s question has often surprised me. He held nothing back— when right for it and challenged the person in need of salvation. This is a sign of an evangelist—the recognition of the need of sinners, and the insight to probe and gently yet directly force the issue. His values reflect a low regard for acceptance, but priority for influence. The beauty of the Lord’s direction is evident when we examine the passage that the Ethiopian was reading. Isaiah 52:13—53:12 is one of the clearest passages in the Old 8 Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 317-18. 27 Testament which speaks to the suffering and death of Christ for our sins. Philip, who obviously knew Scripture, used the very passage the Ethiopian was reading to explain the gospel. The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” After the Ethiopian’s conversion Philip evangelized in every city up the coast until arriving in Caesarea. He settled in that Roman outpost and continued his ministry. Conclusions: 1) The gift of evangelist is given today, as seen with the instruction to Timothy to do that kind of work. 2) It involves insightfully and clearly sharing the gospel with unbelievers. 3) It is marked by one with an overwhelming passion to see people saved. The four gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher are the foundation gifts God gives. Their purpose is for the discovery and development of other gifts God entrusts to others. 28 Five “Get off the Boat” Let’s learn a little English grammar. In the sentence, “I wrote you a check,” the subject “I” does the action of the verb, “write.” This is called the active voice. In the sentence “I received a check from you,” the object “I” is in effect the recipient of the action of the verb. This is called the passive voice—the object of the sentence is passive. In the sentence, “I wrote myself a check,” the object “I” is, in a way, both the doer and the receiver of the action of the verb and so this is called the middle voice. It does the action on its own account. Okay, now check this out! The Gift of Tongues Perhaps the most confusing and controversial gift is tongues. Certainly miraculous, even though the Old Testament prophecy about tongues doesn’t indicate the miraculous. For example, Isaiah 28:11-12 merely indicates a foreign language will be spoken. Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “this is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen.” This passage is in the context of judgment upon the nation Israel. When they hear the message from God spoken not in Hebrew, but in a foreign language, it would serve as a sign of judgment to them. This was partially fulfilled when they heard a message from their enemies from the north, the Assyrians, who spoke a language called Akkadian, which, even though a Semitic language like Hebrew, they could not understand. Yet those who remembered Isaiah knew it was a sign of judgment. The Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, but even in judgment the Lord offered a place of rest—if they would only listen! The first New Testament occurrence of tongues is found in Acts 2. Like the passage in Isaiah, it is in the context of the Lord’s offer of rest, peace and safety, in the midst of coming judgment. Amazement and a huge commotion erupts as the apostles start speaking about the wonders of God in many foreign languages (Acts 2:4-12). Reminding his audience of the death and resurrection of Christ, Peter spoke, and held everyone responsible for their personal rejection of Jesus as their Savior. They were cut to the quick, and asked, “What can we do?” “Repent” was Peter’s reply—change your mind about Jesus!9 He is the Messiah; He is the Savior. By identifying with Him, they would escape the Lord’s judgment that was coming. The word “repent” (metanoeo) primarily means “to change one’s mind. See Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 511-512. After discussing this primary meaning, Behm (Kittle, TDNT, 4:976-77) adds the nuance of “regret” and “remorse” once one recognizes an earlier opinion as foolish, improper or evil. 9 29 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:40-41) This appearance of tongues is just like what Isaiah prophesied—hearing the words of judgment from God in a foreign language. For them it was a sign to accept God’s offer of peace and safety through belief in Jesus as the Christ. In 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 Paul explains that tongues were a sign to unbelievers, no doubt for the same purpose—to bring unbelievers under the conviction of sin, and to turn them to salvation through belief in the Lord Jesus. After quoting Isaiah, Paul writes, Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. Now, if it is true that the more miraculous gifts like the foundational gifts of apostleship and prophecy have passed off the scene, what about the gift of tongues? A reasonable argument can be made from 1 Corinthians 13 that this miraculous ability to speak a message of judgment to unbelievers in a foreign language has indeed passed off the scene. 1Corinthians 13 is the great love chapter in the New Testament. It is read at weddings all the time. While it does not exactly define, it does show how love expresses itself in human relationships. In the end, love is always in fashion—“love never fails,” but other things fall out of vogue, such as certain gifts, like prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. Love never fails, but where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1Cor 13:8) Even though often translated with two different words (as in the NIV), the same word is actually used twice to describe what happens to the gifts of prophecy and knowledge. Yet, the word used for what happens to tongues is a different word. Prophecy and knowledge will cease, but tongues will be stilled. The point is we see prophecy and knowledge treated one way; tongues treated another. Not only is the separate treatment of tongues evident from the particular words used, but also from the mood or what we call grammatical voice of the verbs. For prophecy and knowledge the verb for ceasing or ending is in the passive voice (something like “I received a check from you”); for tongues the verb for “being stilled” is in the middle voice (like the sentence, “I wrote myself a check”). The grammatical voice used in conjunction with prophecy and knowledge is telling us that there will be some outside force which will cause them to cease, whereas the voice used with tongues tells us that they will be stilled on their own account (being both the doer and the recipient of the verbal action). One simple explanation of this difference is seen in the function of a top. Leave a spinning top alone and it will stop on its own account. That’s how the gift of tongues is 30 described. But an outside force like your hand stops the spinning top in an instant. So too, prophecy and knowledge will be stopped by some external event. Notice also, prophecy and knowledge continue to be discussed in verse 9, but tongues have been left behind. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfection comes, the imperfect (or partial) will disappear. In the context, the “perfection” which comes is the outside force causing prophecy and knowledge to disappear. What is the “perfection” referred to here? There are two main possibilities. The first is consistent with what we have said about the gift of prophecy before. Remember, it is a foundation gift (Eph 2:20), and it involved the telling of new revelation from God either in forthtelling or foretelling. This gift involving new revelation would no longer be needed once the Scriptures were completed (just like the gift of Apostle). Once all the New Testament was finished, somewhere around 90 AD, the gift of prophecy would no longer be needed. We would expect it to disappear. The word for perfection in verse 10 could be very legitimately translated “completion,” rendering it, “but when the completion comes, the partial (namely prophecy and knowledge from verse 9) will disappear.”10 This view then says that the gifts of prophecy and knowledge will disappear once the New Testament was complete (the outside action of the passive voice). One main difficulty with this view is the next couple of verses. While verse 12 could be seen to be referring to the completion of the writing of the New Testament, the phrase “face to face” more easily refers to an appearance before an individual—just as we would use it in the expression, ”there we were face to face.” Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Looking at this verse as a whole, it seems to describe the time when we will see Jesus. While it is possible it is referring to seeing Jesus more fully through the completed Bible, it is a much more natural reading that it refers to personally meeting Jesus. Whichever view is correct, the point is this: whether it occurs upon the completion of the New Testament, or upon the return of Christ, prophecy and knowledge will cease as a result of one of these two outside events. What about tongues? The voice used for the verb which says “tongues will be stilled” is the middle voice, like the sentence, “I write myself a check.” Here there is no outside event which will cause tongues to cease, because the doer of the action is also the receiver of the action. The gift of tongues will do the action causing it to cease itself. The Greek to teleion can sometimes mean “mature” but in contrast to the “partial” being discussed it makes more sense that the common meaning of “completion” is best here. See Fee, First Epistle to the Corinthians, p. 644-45. 10 31 So, the gift of tongues will become inoperative in and of itself, independent of any outside action or force causing it to end. While prophecy and knowledge wait for the outside event which will cause them to cease, tongues will cease in the mean time on its own, like a top that comes to rest. Now if the outside force which causes prophecy and knowledge to cease is the completion of the cannon of Scripture, then the gift of tongues would have burned itself out somewhere around the first century AD. If the outside force which causes prophecy and knowledge to cease is the return of Christ then tongues will end by that time. Of course the early church believers such as Paul expected Christ to return at any moment. So, Paul likely expected the gift of tongues to become inoperative on their own fairly early in the church age. It seems reasonable to conclude based on this passage that the gift of tongues ended early in the second century AD. This conclusion is confirmed by church history. While obviously the gift of tongues was widespread in the first century, as seen in Corinth, there are surprisingly only two references in the first three centuries after that. One is by Montanus, who claimed to be the main organ of the Holy Spirit for his day, and the other by Tertullian, who was a follower of Montanus. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, and Augustine all confirmed that tongues ceased after the death of the apostles.11 Further, in the fifth century, Chysostom said that 1 Corinthians 14 was difficult to understand because men in his day didn’t know what this gift of tongues was all about.12 There is no record of the Reformers in the 15th and 16th centuries practicing tongues, or any other miraculous gift. This is particularly interesting since the Reformation was a significant work of God the Holy Spirit yet no gift of tongues. It is also interesting that what is referred to as tongues today, namely an ecstatic utterance has also been seen in other, non-Christian contexts. Plato, Virgil, Pythonese, and the oracle at Delphi all referred to or spoke such speech. Mormons, Moslems, and Eskimos have experienced this phenomenon.13 What then is the “tongues” practiced today? I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know! Certainly, truly born again believers have experienced this phenomenon, but just as with miracles, and signs and wonders, it is difficult to find solid Scriptural foundation for it. Conclusions: 1) The gift of tongues was a gift where a message of God’s judgment was given in a foreign language. 2) The message was intended to cause repentance on the part of the unbelieving hearer. See Robert G. Gromacki, The Modern Tongues Movement, Presbyterian and Reformed, 1967, pp. 1217. 12 Commenting on 1Cor 12:1-2 he wrote, “This whole place is very obscure: but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer takes place.” Homilies on First Corinthians, translated and assembled by S. Clement (credit given to J. Ashworth), 1848, as found http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/NPNF1-12/. 13 See William McRae, Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, Lamplighter Books, 1976, p. 97. 11 32 3) It was a gift expected to cease on its own early in church history. 4) It was not seen after the second century; not practiced in the Reformation. 5) Ecstatic speech is experienced in non-Christian contents. Because of these conclusions, yet with some uncertainty, the gift of tongues is not included in the spiritual gift assessment survey explained in this book. The Gifts of Service and Help The gift of service is mentioned in several places. One is 1 Peter 4:9-12. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Another is Romans 12:6-7. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in the proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. The word for “service” in these verses means just that—service: to provide a benefit; to assist or help another. It is used to describe a woman in Romans 16:1-2. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. Paul uses three words for “servant” or “help” here. The first is “servant” as before (also translated “deacon” in other places); the second is “help” – to render assistance or aid; and the third describes a protector or guardian—one who keeps something secure and safe (it is actually the Greek word from which we get our English word “prosthesis”14). So we see what a servant Phoebe was: a helper, assistant, guardian, and keeper. This is similar if not the same as the gift of helps mentioned in 1 Cor 12:28. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking indifferent kinds of tongues. See generally, Thomas Schreiner, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Romans, Baker Books, 1998, pp. 786-88. 14 33 The word “help” here is only used in this passage in the New Testament. The Greeks used it for a person who did things that were helpful.15 This is the person who asks, “How can I help?” Or may be the person always looking and instinctively sees how they can help. And, the amazing thing is, rather than being in the way, or hurt more than they help, they really do help! Conclusions: 1) A person with the gift of service loves to help. 2) A person with the gift of helps loves to serve. 3) Those gifted in service or helps are driven to help; given to help; see ways to help; volunteer to help, 4) and actually are a tremendous help and blessing to others, to such an extent that without them the local church does not work. To get involved in service takes guts. It reminds me of the courage Peter had to muster when he left the other disciples, climbed off the boat, and joined Jesus on the water in Matthew 14. It was late at night, the wind was blowing, the waves were splashing, and they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. They thought they were seeing a ghost! But Jesus identifies himself, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter answers back, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” Jesus replies. Think about getting off that boat. Typically we think about Peter and his faith once he is on the water, when the reality of what he has done sets in, he begins to doubt and sink. Jesus helps him as he sinks, and comments, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” But what about the other disciples? What were they doing? They were still in the boat! Maybe they were thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding me! Get into the water! Let’s just sit here and wait and see what happens to Peter. Ah ha! Yes, look—you see. He is sinking. I knew it. Man, am I glad I stayed here!” Too often that’s our attitude about getting involved in Christian service. We don’t want to risk getting our hair messed up by the wind; or get splashed by the waves. Ministry is messy—you can get wet! But if Jesus says to Peter, “You of little faith,” what would he say to us who sit on our hands in the boat? Get off the boat! Get into the waves! Get involved. Stretch your faith! Now, let’s look at another way to climb overboard!!! pra ye r rcy ansh io se her antilhmpsis meant “to take part with, assist or help”. SeesdLiddell and Scott, A Greek-EnglishcLexicon, ip m tea administration discernme Oxford Press, 1968, p. 157. lity exh nt ry pita g an ev 15 st eli music w craf tsm rvi ce me it fa 34 givin helps h m na io iss hos or tat ion g As the gift of service matures the gifted render help ever increasingly for the benefit of others, without the need for recognition or return. They reflect a combination of measurable core values. The Gifts of Administration and Leading Just as a captain or pilot charts a course and steers a ship (another use of the Greek word for “administration”16) a person entrusted with gifts of administration and leadership directs, sets the course, guides the church or a ministry of the church, a family, school, business or corporation through the rough seas, narrow passages, and around the rocks. These people know when to hoist the sails, and when to get out the oars and row! They have the ability to see the contribution others can make, and help them participate. They have a knack of finding opportunities for others to get involved. An administrator is organized, direct, efficient; able to see the whole picture, the goal and direction, in accordance with the map or vision of the organization. Romans 12:8 mentions this gift: if a person is gifted in leadership then they must be allowed to govern diligently. The word for “leading” is also used in 1Timothy 3:4-5 in the phrase “manages his own household well” in describing the elder. A gifted leader is a manager entrusted with the oversight of the organization. For instance, they must lead and preside over the issues a church faces. Hybels writes, “Men and women with this gift exhibit certain shared characteristics. They have a vision they cannot help talking about. They are good at attracting people to their vision and training them to be effective. They see clearly what needs to be done and how to accomplish it. They know how to use the resources at hand. They spot potential problems early. Perhaps most importantly, they love to train new leaders.”17 Not only does the church, but all organizations need leaders. The need for leaders must be met, and the environment created to allow their gifts to function. Read Romans 12:8 again. It is actually exhortation to others to let them govern. A leader cut off from leading will hamstring a local body or organization. Conclusion: Those gifted in administration and leading make the organization operate with ease, organization, good communication, and spiritual growth. Exhortation and Encouragement An administrator or leader needs encouragement. He needs someone who will say enthusiastically, “Hey, you know, he’s right. We can do this!” Encouragement is crucial to keep a group going. 16 17 Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 456. Bill Hybels, “Live up to the Challenge,” Leadership, Fall 1996. 35 The person with the gift of exhortation and encouragement also has a corrective tone. “My friend, you really need to get your act together. Hey, we need to change and live for the Lord.” This aspect of the exhorter complements the teacher. While the teacher brings us to a point of understanding where we can say, “Oh yes, I see that,” the exhorter takes us to the point of commitment where we say, “Oh yes, I’ll do that!” This is why preaching and exhorting are closely related. Paul instructed Timothy to, preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction. Not only was this pastor to preach, but he was to support his teaching with the power of exhortation. Barnabas is a great example of an encourager. He was called the “son of encouragement” in Acts 4:36 (his name literally means “son of prophecy” but his character was one of encouragement). His encouraging character came into action when Paul tried to get together with the other disciples in Jerusalem shortly after his conversion. Rather than welcome Paul they rejected him and shunned him. It was Barnabas who went to Paul, encouraged him, and brought him to the Apostles. After explaining how the Lord had already used Paul’s evangelistic zeal the other Apostles accepted Paul and his ministry (Acts 9:26-28). The gifted encourager reflects the character of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is called the paraclete, (the same Greek word for “encouragement”) meaning, “the comforter,” and “encourager.”18 Just as the Holy Spirit comforts us, encourages us, even prods and exhorts us to live for the Lord, so too the person with the gift of encouragement, filled with the Spirit of God, encourages others. A pastor friend of mine recently received a nine page “Dear Pastor, let me tell you everything you are doing wrong” letter, with a copy sent to every member of the board. Nine pages! My friend was pretty discouraged. It is amazing how one person can effectively destroy a church, a pastor’s heart, or a ministry. But the Lord has provided a special gift, the gift of encouragement, so that His body can keep going in the face of bitter criticism. A few words of encouragement are so important, so powerful, and so vital for the body of Christ. The mature always find ways to encourage others. Conclusion: Encouragers and exhorters are God’s gentle servants to prod others in the body to be who God called them to be. Faith After the encourager helps us, it still takes faith to keep going. A person with the gift of faith is quick to step in and provide the spark needed to get things going, or to get them going again. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” So the person with the gift of faith must really make God smile! 18 Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, Greek-English Lexicon, p. 618. 36 The phrase, without faith it is impossible to please God follows an important verse about faith. I like the NIV translation of Hebrews 11:1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see. The person with the gift of faith understands with certain conviction what God can do. Because it is by faith (and not because of their experience or their own human intellect) they can be certain since it is God they are trusting. The person with the gift of faith reminds us that God stands behind His word; that God can be trusted; that God has called us to be part of a great work! Even though circumstances may argue against it, faith looks beyond the immediate details. The gift of faith is given to keep our eyes upon God. It is no surprise then that this lesson on faith end in Hebrews 12:2, reminding us to fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Conclusion: Those gifted in faith remind us of the magnitude of God—He can do it! All we have to do is trust Him to do it. Sign Gifts (miracles, healing, raising the dead, etc.) Mark 16:17-2019 says, And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get will. These “signs” accompany the preaching of the Gospel. They seem to accompany belief. But notice the variety of these signs—not just healing and tongues, but snake handling and drinking of poison, and exorcism. These are unqualified, unequivocal statements—that upon belief these signs will be present, and, there is no exception for failure in the passage. However, experience shows that people die even after the laying on of hands. Christians bit by snakes get sick. Some die. Believers drink poison and die. Even though the verse doesn’t allow for any, it seems like the exceptions rule. “Therefore this passage cannot mean that all believers will do these signs or that these signs will always be present in the Church.”20 It is possible that since Jesus associated these signs with those who “have believed”21 He was referring only those he was addressing who were believers. This seems to be affirmed in verse 20. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the We recognize that the precise ending of Mark remains an unresolved mystery of textual criticism. While a preferred ending may be at 16:8 (as represented by codex Siniaticus and Vaticanus), the ending “for they were afraid” seems very odd, and requires additional explanation. Arguments can be made supporting every possible ending. 20 Thomas R. Edgar, Miraculous Gifts, Loizeaux Brothers, 1983, p. 89. 21 The aorist tense generally indicates an unspecific past tense. 19 37 Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. It is even possible that the use of the past tense here indicates that by the time Mark wrote his Gospel that these accompanying signs with belief had ceased. The limitation of the signs gifts to the Apostles is also evidenced in Acts. Clearly, not everyone performed these signs. Acts 2:43 limits them to the apostles. And many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Similarly, Acts 5:12 states, The Apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. They were not done by all believers, but specifically by the Apostles (but for two exceptions, namely Stephen and Philip). These signs were accomplished regardless of the faith of the person healed (Acts 3), in public and private, even when they were unaware of doing it (Peter’s shadow falling on people). There were no failures, no exceptions, no faith meetings or faith requirements, no sideshow. It is the Apostles, and only the Apostles who fulfilled the promise of Mark 16:17-20. It makes sense that these wonders and miraculous signs were limited to the Apostles. Paul refers to them in 2Corinthians 12:12 this way: The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance. Since they mark an apostle then it is likely that they were not performed by every believer. They are the exception - to identify an Apostle - rather than the norm. Since the requirement for an apostle was to have seen the resurrected Jesus, it is not surprising that Hebrews 2:3-4 connects these signs with those who were eyewitnesses of the Lord. As with the signs and miracles the Lord performed, the purpose for these signs of an Apostle was to validate the claims of the gospel message (the benefit for the person healed is almost a second thought). For instance, even though it occurred in private, when Peter raised Dorcas, many believed on the Lord (Acts 9:36-42). The principle is stated in Acts 14:3, So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there (in Iconium), speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. The miraculous signs were given to the Apostles to substantiate their preaching of the good news of salvation. Today’s claims of signs and wonders fail to live up the New Testament expectations and purpose. This has been true throughout church history. Since the apostolic days, no one in the history of the Church has performed miracles and healing as described in 38 the book of Acts. This ability was restricted from the beginning—to those few to whom it was given, the gift was without fail (one exception in Mark 9:2-29), and under any circumstance (public and private; purposeful and unknowing; upon these with faith and without; willing and unwilling), for the purpose to confirm, support and validate the message of salvation. Conclusions: 1) The sign and miraculous gifts were with rare exception for the Apostles. 2) They were called “signs of an apostle” in 2Cor 12:12. 3) They were used by the Apostles in a multitude of circumstances and situations. 4) All evidence throughout church history of the continuation of these gifts fail to meet the kind of use revealed in Acts or given in Mark 16:17-20. 5) These gifts were given to validate and support the message of salvation the Apostles preached. Because of these observations, the gifts of signs and miracles are not included in the spiritual gift assessment survey explained in this book. Giving As much as any gift, there are certain people entrusted with the gift of giving. However, from outside evidence, it can appear that this is also one of the gifts that have passed off the scene. Here is a summary of giving as a percentage of income from research based on 29 Protestant denominations: In 1968 people gave to their churches 2.5 percent In 1993 that number dropped to 2.25 percent of their income In 2003 that number remained constant at 2.3 percent22 Often we hear about the tithe—giving ten percent of your income. Of course, the tithe in the Old Testament was a required tax. Benevolent giving was beyond ten percent. Today’s data shows we can’t even begin to think about giving beyond 10 percent—or even ten percent! I wish people gave five percent of their income. Could you imagine? What if our local churches had twice as much from giving! Think what they could do— increase support for missions and mission projects; sponsor outreach events to creatively present their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not an appeal for money, but is exhortation to be faithful to God. And if you have the gift of giving, then you are given to give. So, give! Use your gift as you would any other. Many have received financial blessing by the Lord to be able to give more. With them it seems that with the gift of giving came the gift of making money. God entrusts them with this gift to use in amplified ways as they mature. The Macedonians were givers like that. Paul writes to the Corinthians about them in 2Corinthians 8:1-4. 22 The Barna Group, www.barna.org, “Barna by Topic,” “Stewardship.” 39 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. They begged to give. What unique people! Conclusion: Those who “live to give” are blessed with time and resources to give in their wealth and even in their poverty. If you are gifted in giving, then now is the time! Mercy Romans 12:8 “…if it is showing mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.” “Mercy” refers to having compassion, pity, or charity to another regardless of their personal merit or level of deserving.23 One is merciful because another is in need and suffering, deserved or not. Mercy is related to justice. It was a concept found in the ancient courtrooms. While a rule of justice would say, “a violation of the law results in a sure and certain penalty” human experience soon recognizes that there are difficult cases where a cold application of the rule of law actually results in injustice. The rule of mercy would then apply. Mercy enters and the crushing hand of blind justice is stayed, and a more fair, equitable solution is found. Mercy is a characteristic of God. God is a person of mercy. When used of God it comes to denote grace. “He has freely bound himself to his people, so that the righteous can appeal to God’s (mercy). In the NT…God’s eleos (mercy) is often thought of in the original OT sense of “faithfulness.”24 “Mercy” expresses God’s commitment to His independent sovereign choices of those to whom He bestows His love. Mercy is God’s first preference. For example, in explaining the first commandment in Exodus 20:4-6, God says, You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Although He does judge, it is limited to few generations, whereas His love is for thousands. Other passages show God’s priority of mercy. Isaiah 28:21 refers to his justice as his strange work (KJV). Ezekiel 33:11 states, As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, University of Chicago Press, 1979, p. 249. 24 G. Kittle, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, reprint, 1987, 2:482-84. 23 40 Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel? Even toward the wicked God does not enjoy punishment. God’s propensity is toward mercy, not judgment or punishment. Mercy is His first desire, even though it may violate our understanding of blind justice. From the viewpoint of justice it was not fair that Jesus Christ, sinless and innocent, be judged for each and every sin of the human race. That was not justice. But because of God’s mercy to us Christ went to the Cross. Ephesians 2:4 reminds us, but because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. The Theologian Charles Hodge writes of God’s mercy: Goodness in the scriptural sense of the term includes benevolence, love, mercy and grace. By benevolence is meant that disposition which promotes happiness. All sensitive creatures are its objects. Love includes complacency, desire, and delight, and has rational beings for its objects. Mercy is kindness exercised toward the miserable, and includes pity, compassion, forbearance and gentleness which the Scriptures so abundantly ascribe to God. Grace is love exercised toward the unworthy.25 While there is a gift of mercy, all believers are exhorted to be merciful. The Pharisees were cursed for their lack of mercy in Matthew 23:23. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Jesus told them to show fruit of righteousness. But they extended no mercy to those in need. They had no fruit. More positively, James encourages his readers to produce fruit (4:17). But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peaceloving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Not to be Pharisees, we are to produce the fruit of mercy. While all Christians are exhorted to be merciful, there are those who are passionate about it. They are entrusted with the gift of mercy. Some are bent to reach out to those in need, take pity upon them, and extend a loving hand to them. There are those with the gift of mercy. These are not blind to the error and sin of others, but embrace a values grid that is quick to look beyond it to extend to them a loving and helping hand. They reflect the propensity of God. Conclusion: The person with the gift of mercy responds to others with compassion, understanding and grace, not to overlook their sin, but to point to God’s faithful provision in spite of it. Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, reprint 1981, 1:427. 25 41 Wisdom What is the gift of wisdom? We love this spiritual gift! The person with this gift is able to pull things down from the theoretical clouds to the earthy, practical, real life and risky day-to-day gut level. Wisdom heads the list in 1 Corinthians 12:8. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit. First observe that wisdom, like all the gifts, is for the common good: for the good of the local body. Second, notice that the gift of wisdom is not defined in this passage but merely mentioned as a gift given under the direction of the Holy Spirit. We have to look elsewhere to understand what this gift actually is. The best place to start is in the context of the same book —1Corinthians 1:20-25. Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. In this passage God’s wisdom is contrasted with secular human wisdom. We see that God’s wisdom is related to the message of salvation, and is contrasted to the wisdom of the Greeks. The Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block for Jews, and foolishness to Gentiles. It is foolishness to them, for why trust a God who died? Why acknowledge someone who allowed himself to be executed as Savior and Lord of your life? It seems foolish. But the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom. Not only is wisdom related to the message of salvation, but also to the entire revealed word of God. In the next chapter of 1 Corinthians (2:7-10) Paul further explores God’s wisdom. We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for it they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 42 Again we first see that God’s wisdom is related to the crucifixion of Christ. God planned a practical means of saving sinners by providing a substitute—the Lord Jesus. But the passage also speaks of a wisdom given by the Spirit of God which is beyond the gospel—wisdom revealed to us by his Spirit. This incorporates all things, even the deep things of God. In this context, wisdom is understanding the word of God: first the message of the gospel, and second, of deep theological concepts of God. This understanding of wisdom is also seen out in Ephesians 1:17. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Wisdom comes through understanding the word of God. However, don’t mistake wisdom for just knowing factual information—even things about God. It is understanding Him and His word with a practical purpose. In the practical section of the epistle, Paul tells the Ephesian believers (in Eph 5:15-16) to be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Here wisdom is related to how you live. We are exhorted to live carefully, economically and judicially—making the most out of every opportunity the Lord gives us. That is wisdom. Wisdom is very practical, very realistic, and very earthy. The person with the gift of wisdom is one who has keen insight into the word of God, and is able to see its impact for practical day-to-day living. This connection of wisdom to practical living only echoes what James wrote years earlier. The first New Testament book written clearly refers to wisdom as practical. In 3:13 James writes, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Wisdom is not only something you know, but is something you do. It reflects core values that allow a person to understand what to do and how to do it. Conclusion: The person with the gift of wisdom has an ability to keenly understand deep theological truths of the word of God, and to take them and make them simple and applicable in every day living. To Thine Own Self Be True Examining these gifts challenges us to discover who we are as God has gifted us. We then need the courage to employ them. Whether a natural or spiritual gift, the challenge is to live for the glory of God rather than for the service of self or in an attempt to satisfy the world. Read the sad yet revealing words of a famous artist, who lived his life pleasing the world. From the moment that art ceases to be the food that feeds the best minds, the artist can use his talents to perform all the tricks of an intellectual charlatan. Most people today can no longer expect to receive consolation and exaltation 43 from art. The refined, the rich, the professional do-nothings, the distillers of quintessence desire only the peculiar, sensational, the eccentric, the scandalous in today’s art. And I myself, since the advent of cubism, have fed these fellows what they wanted, and satisfied these critics with all the ridiculous ideas that passed through my head. The less they understood them the more they admired me. Through amusing myself with all these farces I became celebrated, and very rapidly. For a painter, celebrity means sales, and consequent affluence. Today, as you know, I am celebrated; I am rich. But when I am alone, I have not the effrontery to consider myself an artist at all, not in the grand old meaning of the word: Giotto, Titan, Rembrandt, Goya, who were great painters. I have understood my time and have exploited the imbecility, the vanity and the greed of my contemporaries. It is a bitter confession, this confession of mine; more painful than it may seem. But it at least and at last does have the merit of being honest.26 In contrast to the wasted talents of Picasso, a desire to first serve and please God should be our motive. The words of Daniel Webster are fitting: “The most important thought to ever occupy my mind was that of my responsibility to God.” From an interview with Picasso in Il Libro Nero by Giovanni Papini (1951), translated in Robertson Davies, What's Bred in the Bone, New York, Penguin, 1986, pp. 406-407. 44 26 Six Are They Natural or Spiritual Gifts? Many wonder about the difference between a natural talent and a spiritual gift. Does God just change our natural abilities or tendencies into spiritual gifts when we become Christians? No. A spiritual gift is the endowment of a special ability for service given by the Holy Spirit upon a member of the body of Christ. There are similarities, but spiritual gifts are different than natural talents. Natural Talents; Inclinations from God; from the time you are born for your benefit; the good of others must be recognized, developed, and practiced to glorify God; provide livelihood; joy Spiritual Gifts from God; from the time you are born again for the common good of the church body (1Cor 12:7) must be recognized, developed, and practiced to glorify God; serve and mature the church body (Eph 4:13) Source: Purpose: Process: Goal: Certainly God uses natural abilities or tendencies for His glory and to serve the church as well. While, for example, a person may be a gifted teacher (saved or unsaved) there is nevertheless the spiritual gift of teaching given by the Holy Spirit for service in the local body. There are several other natural abilities or personality traits which add to the confusion. A strong case that they are spiritual gifts can be made for some; less of a case for others. Here are a few of them. Hospitality Good reasons can be stated that there is a spiritual gift of hospitality. Many of us worry about seemingly every detail when they have people over that they make everyone uncomfortable and tense. They spend so much time being nervous that no one can relax or have any fun. But others seem to be able to put everything together, and effortlessly, and are able to enjoy themselves as well. When they have guests, they even have people help out—participate in the dinner, or in the dishes. Somehow it all works for them. The difference is dramatic. It is a spiritual gift. I Peter 4:9-10 may be speaking of this gift. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 45 Notice, in the context of mentioning spiritual gifts, hospitality is mentioned in the prior verse. Although this is the only place where it may so clearly be found, hospitality seems to be a spiritual gift. Conclusion: Hospitality is a special gift whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to open their homes willingly and offer lodging, food, and fellowship cheerfully to other people. Missionary Although it is never explicitly mentioned as a spiritual gift, it is possible that Paul, the missionary to the Gentiles, described the characteristics of someone with this inclination in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to wine the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (through I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Some people are just given to reaching out to other cultures, whether across the ocean, or across the fence. Conclusion: The Holy Spirit gives certain members of the local church the desire to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture or second community. Craftsmanship In the past, God has given special abilities of craftsmanship to certain individuals for special projects. Exodus 31:1-6 records one example: Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you. Some suggest that just as the Holy Spirit gifted certain men in the in this way in the past He does so now. Since no list is an exhaustive compilation of all the spiritual gifts, it can be argued that there are others not mentioned in the New Testament which God still gives. The gift of craftsmanship may fall into this category. 46 Conclusion: This gifted person is empowered by the Holy Spirit to use their hands and minds for the common good through building, designing, artistic, and creative expression. Music A strong case can be made that there is a gift of music. In the lengthy passage on spiritual gifts in general (1Corinthians 12—14) Paul includes this instruction in 14:26. What then shall we say brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. Paul mentions some coming to the assembly with a “hymn,” just as he mentions others coming to utilize other spiritual gifts. It seems likely then that some are gifted in music for the common good, just as others are gifted, for instance, with the ability to instruct. Conclusion: The person with the gift of music is enabled by the Spirit to enhance a local congregation’s praise and worship of God through music. 47 Seven Spiritual Bailments: The Standard of Stewardship In law there is a curious thing called a “bailment.” It is when property is delivered to another, who is to utilize or keep the property for the good of the owner until the time of trust is complete.27 For a bailment to occur two requirements must be met: 1) knowledge of the object 2) actual change of possession For example, let’s say you own a beauty shop. A customer walks in and hangs her coat. You see her hang her coat; in fact you have to wait for her to finish hanging her coat as you invite her to have her hair washed. Hanging it on the hanger (which your shop provided) she says, “Now I’m trusting you with this, dearee.” But, you’re not the only one who saw her hang her coat. So did another customer, who decided to help herself to it on her way out. Under the law of bailment, you, the shop owner are liable for the stolen coat because there was 1) knowledge of the object, and 2) it was in your shop and on your hanger—you took possession. So it is with spiritual gifts. We could think of them as spiritual bailments rather than spiritual gifts in that they are God’s which He entrusts to us for a time. It is a stewardship. There is knowledge of them, for every believer has a spiritual gift—“to each one there is given a manifestation of the spirit” (1Cor 12:7). So we know we all have one. There is knowledge of the object. There is also a change of possession—God gives them to us, and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we know we possess them. Like a bailment, we are responsible for what we do with the spiritual gifts the Lord has entrusted to us. God trusts us with our gifts. Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth" Have you ever tasted a sauce to see what it may need to make it better? I tried out a new recipe the other night on my wife. It was this sweet potato sort of stew thing. We sat down, tasted it. It was good. But there was just something missing...my mind was thinking, “would basal help? a little oregano? maybe rosemary.” But she curtly declared, “ It needs a little salt.” I never think of salt. Just a little salt, the flavors came alive. Used in the right quantity, in the right way, salt makes things taste better. Salt makes things more attractive to the old taste buds. When the Lord said, “You are the salt of the earth,” He was saying that 27 Black’s Law Dictionary, Eighth Edition, edited by Bryan A. Garner, 2006. 48 we should have a certain quality about us that makes Christ’s message attractive. It is through the function of our spiritual gifts that the Gospel can become attractive. They didn’t have refrigeration in the ancient world as we do today, so they also used salt as a preservative. Salting meat or fish would allow them to be kept longer. When Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” I believe He was not only saying we are to attract others to Him, but also that we preserve our society through the utilization of our spiritual gifts. So, we may conclude from this verse: Active believers preserve their society. Active believers attract others to the faith. Jesus also spoke a parable which directly speaks to the use of our spiritual gifts. Matthew 25:14-15 Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. First, make this important observation: the talents were given "according to his own A B I L I T Y " So, each one is individually responsible for what was given him, and no one is given more than he can handle. Matthew 25:16-18 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Notice, we have choices with what we do with what the Lord entrust to us! Matthew 25:19-21 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. “Master,” he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.” His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” The same kind of report and commendation occurred for the second servant. It is important to notice that even though we are to properly utilize what the Lord entrusts to us they are considered by Him as a “few things.” We can conclude, Fulfilling our responsibility is considered a small thing. Faithfulness to our talent will be evaluated. 49 Last is the third servant who hid his talent. Matthew 25:24-25 Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” This servant only knew certain aspects of the Master. One may know of the justice of God, and fear the holy wrath of God, but know nothing of His grace, mercy, compassion and love. This servant really didn’t know the Master at all. Yes, God is just and judges, but these are always tempered by His grace, mercy and love. The Lord’s predisposition is first towards love. But the third servant never saw it. Since he never knew the Lord he was banished to the place reserved for unbelievers—“outer darkness.” His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:26-30 Looking back over both the “salt of the earth” passage and this “talent” parable we find a common denominator: We must responsibly use what God has entrusted to us. We must mature in the use of our gifts. The richest storehouse on earth is not found in the gold mines of Ghana. The largest deposits in the world are not found in the diamond fields in South Africa. Nor is the world’s greatest accumulation of wealth stored in the safe holdings of Fort Knox. Where is the world’s greatest repository of wealth? The graveyard. The world’s largest bank is the graveyard. There are buried riches of all kinds. Not only bank deposits left to be fought over by heirs (where the lawyers get paid first!), but in the grave you will find dreams never fulfilled, visions that were never realized, books that were never written, songs never sung, ideas which never became reality, inventions that no one ever experienced, solutions to problems not taken advantage of. Buried in the grave are great preachers who died without ever preaching a single sermon, givers who never gave a dime, leaders who never led anyone to any mountain top. There in the cemetery are world movers and shakers but could never shake their bad habits or addictions. The graveyard is the richest place on earth! Our challenge is to rob the grave of its wealth, and live the potential God has given us. Leave the grave empty of riches having done all to serve the Lord our Savior before he calls you home. 50 Eight Maturing Your Use of Spiritual Gifts A Call to Action Businesses and consultants, colleges and universities, marriage and family counselors all use a similar tool: personality and aptitude surveys and inventories. We should do the same to discover and provide more avenues and outlets of our spiritual gifts. There should be something to measure our progress, and evaluate our spiritual maturity. The following survey is just that tool. There are three essential stages of human development. We demonstrate personal and spiritual growth and maturity as we transition from one to the other. The first stage we could identify as The Stage of Self (the “ME” stage). It is the infant who wants what he wants, when he wants it, as he wants. If he doesn’t get it he howls through cries, “ME, ME, ME. DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S ALL ABOUT ME?” Whether he simply wants attention, to be tickled, fed, played with, to grab mommy’s glasses, or daddy’s coffee… the infant is selfish through and through. Sadly, many adults remain stuck in this selfish, narcissistic, self-centered stage of personal and spiritual maturity. It is the date who says, “Enough about you, let’s talk about me.” It is the sin of self-centeredness. The second stage of spiritual development could be called the Stage of Team (Community, or the “Us” stage). We transition into the “Us” stage as we realize we are not the only people who matter in this world. We are not the only people in the universe. Others have significance, importance and an equal place in God’s creation. Other members of the team can make a contribution. This stage of development is where we realize to accomplish what we individually want to accomplish in life (a “ME” stage idea) we need the contributions of others. They have a place. Much has been said and written about the importance of community. Indeed, whether in your church, family, friends at school, or management team at work, community is important. Community is an incubator for personality development. We become less selfish, and are nudged to move from a “ME” philosophy, to an “US” point of view. “I need you and you need me,” we say. It is a worldview woven into the body of Christ. It is the “body” concept itself (1Corinthians 12). It is part of discipleship, accountability, and Christian growth. “I scratch your back, and you scratch mine.” It is part of loving one another. “Us” is a wonderful stage of human / spiritual development, but is not the final stage. Jesus ministered in community…mostly the community of the disciples. He instructed them that the “world will know you are my disciples if you love one another.” They were to be a Christ-love community. However, Christ’s greatest task and ministry accomplishment was not when He was functioning as part of the team, but when alone…all alone. Abandoned and forsaken by his team, He faced His goal alone. His vision and passion was so acute that the need to serve through the team became irrelevant. Driving toward the cross, Jesus illustrates a transition from the second to third stage of human development—from an “Us” mentality to implement a “You” worldview. This third stage of maturity is when we recognize the high place of service of others. Life is not about “me,” or even “us” through the exchange and 51 encouragement from the community. Maturity is reflected in the attitude of serving others e