Last Three Spiritual Gifts for a Transformed Life
Romans 12:6-8
Sept 1, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction (Romans 12:1-5)
A. Every believer has been equipped (gifted) from the inside-out to serve – new heart
B. Serving, makes perfect Christians on the outside
1. No longer conformed to the world around them – no longer giving in to the culture, the stresses, the pressures, the fashions of everyone around us
2. But “transformed”, doing the will of God
3. Perfect Christians are not people who don’t sin – that is our future life
4. But Christians are people who have discovered that God has equipped them to live like Jesus, act like Jesus did, and who become more and more like Jesus as they use the gifts God has given them
C. All of Romans 12 is focused on how a follower of Jesus Christ should use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them
1. Each gift is supernatural – not a talent, or an ability we find easy to do. It is an enablement, a power to do whatever God wants you and me to do
2. I have taught you four of the gifts. I will finish up by explaining the remaining three
3. Altogether, these seven gifts make ANY Christian just like Jesus. If only we all were actively using all seven gifts at the same time! What a church we would be!
II. Background (Romans 12:6-8)
A. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
B. The Seven Gifts, and How They Work
1. Prophecy – Preaching
2. Ministry – Serving
3. Teaching – Discipleship
4. Exhorting – Urging, Encouraging
5. Giving – Quietly supplying other people’s needs
6. Ruling – Managing people and projects for the work of the Gospel
7. Showing Mercy – being kind towards people who need it the most
8. If you had all these gifts, and were using them, you would be a perfect Christian! Christ-like!
C. Facts About These Gifts
1. You are saved is to serve – to do something for people other than yourself
a. Forgiven so that you can forgive others
b. Blessed so that you would be a blessing to others
c. Loved so that you would love even your enemies
d. Given a second chance so you would give second chances to others
e. Taught so you would teach others
2. And God gave you a spiritual ability to do that well!
3. None of the gifts are electrifying, or sensational – but they are needed!
4. All of the spiritual gifts can be used in the workplace, in our homes, and most importantly in our church.
a. As the hand serves the mouth a cool glass of water and refreshes the whole body, so will we be to our brethren as we seek to use the gift the Lord has placed in us.
b. Maybe you're a finger and you will point someone to Christ as you ask this week for the Lord to use you. Maybe you're a leg and will support the body during long days of work. Maybe you're a shoulder and you will be used to lift someone up who is down. Maybe you are a heart, full of compassion.
5. They should increase in ability, if only we allowed ourselves to use them
6. So, Don’t neglect to use your gift
a. Paul wrote Timothy where he says "Neglect not the gift that is in thee...” (1 Tim 4:14).
b. To neglect means to give it no attention. To ignore the giftings, and enablement’s of God in you. To refuse to use them for the benefit of the believers in your church
III. What We Have Studied So Far
A. Preaching (Prophecy)
B. Serving (Ministering)
C. Teaching
D. And last week, Exhortation
E. Let’s explore the last three gifts and prayerfully choose to start using as many of them that each of us may have for the Gospel’s sake – for Christ’s sake – and for this church’s sake!
IV.Message
A. #5 The Gift of Giving (Romans 12:8)
1. Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. The Special Gift of Giving
a. Every believer is to be a giver (Acts 20:34,35)
1) What is the opposite of a giver? A taker, selfish, a freeloader…
2) Acts 20:34,35 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
3) Matthew 5:38-42 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him [GIVE] the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
4) THAT is the life of a Christian
5) Giving stuff away!
a) Transferring ownership of something to someone else without compensation or reward. Giving something away with no strings attached
b) It is being generous instead of stingy
c) It is referred to as being open-handed, instead of being tight-fisted
d) It willingly shares what you have to meet someone else’s need
e) Giving away your time and money to people who need it – just being a blessing to them
f) Giving time and money to your church – not to some religious organisation in some other country or city, but to the fellowship they meet with every week, helping to pay the bills and get the Gospel out, with no strings attached, joyfully, and without regret.
g) And Giving to Missionaries – doing our part in praying for Missionaries, as well as sending them cold hard cash so they can preach and teach and discipleship people in far away places for FREE!
b. But not every believer has the Gift of Giving, which goes beyond normal giving
1) This Gift is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to contribute a lot of their material resources (money, time, talents) to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness and simplicity.
2) It is the drive to give things and money away without fear or regard of your lack, out of a deep sense of appreciation and love towards God
3) It is not natural. It is the supernatural ability where Jesus channels through you the meeting of the needs of the believers, whether individual, or together as a group
4) Matthew 14:15,16 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
5) The disciples did not know that Jesus was gifting them with the gift of GIVING!
6) All they needed to do what start giving, and God would give more through them
7) This person does not give expecting praise for it. He or she asks nothing in return. They give for the sheer pleasure of ministering to the family of God in this way.
8) And this person doesn’t give until it hurts – they give until it helps!
3. Characteristics of People with this Gift - A person with this supernatural gift is usually:
a. Charitable, Generous, Hospitable – they are very comfortable with giving away their money to people’s needs
b. Disciplined, Frugal, Careful, Responsible with their money – they are very careful in their spending habits – they actually PLAN to give, and set aside money for the next available opportunity to give
c. Resourceful – they are good at figuring ways of making money to be able to give more – side jobs, bake sales, buying and selling things from ebay
d. These kind of Christians make sure they always have something to give to those who have special financial needs – they don’t spend all their money
e. And they give “with simplicity.” That means they do so in such a way as to remain anonymous most of the time. They simply slip money into the hands of the recipient or get the money to them without them knowing.
f. They are exercising their Gift of Giving.
4. Why do givers give?
5. To meet someone else’s need in a tangible way
a. God doesn’t need our money
b. But people do. And sometimes, even God’s people need financial help
c. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good [THAT MEANS HELP] unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
6. Three Examples of People with the Gift of Giving
a. The Widow Woman and her Two Mites (Mark 12:41-44)
1) Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
2) Jesus honours a woman who had nothing because she gladly gave all as a gift!
b. The churches of Macedonia (2Corinthians 8:1-5)
1) They gave money out of their affliction, not out of their abundance!
2) 2Corinthians 8:1-5 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord,
3) The churches from the area called Macedonia loved to give money to help Paul keep doing what he was doing – preaching the Gospel for free!
4) They gave liberally out of deep poverty – a great contradiction!
5) They all had the gift of giving!
c. Christians in Philippi (Philippians 4:15-19)
1) They gave when no one else was giving!
2) Philippians 4:15-19 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall [NOW] supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
3) So, now God will supply all your needs ALL BECAUSE YOU PHILIPPIAN CHRISTIANS JOYFULLY and SIMPLY MET MY NEEDS!
4) It is a spiritual law – you take care of others, and God will take good care of you!
7. Concerns About Having Money
a. Beware of loving money – it leads you into every evil thing! (1Timothy 6:9,10) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
b. People with this gift need to give whatever God says give, with simplicity!
1) Money gives everyone a sense of great power and popularity
2) A power to control their lives and the lives of those around them!
3) We don’t use our money to control – only to help
4) Matthew 6:1-4 Take heed that ye do not your alms [MERCY GIVING] before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5) When YOU give, do it secretly, and simply – without any thought of return!
c. Just be a channel through which God uses you to help other people!
d. Because you are investing in heaven, not in stocks, bonds, bitcoin, or money markets
B. #6 The Gift of Ruling (Romans 12:8)
1. Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. Defining this Gift (Romans 12:8; James 3:4)
a. Ruling means Governing, Administrating, Managing
b. It means someone has the ability to be in charge, making decisions, guiding, controlling, not letting things just take their own course (James 3:4) Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
c. Managing, Overseeing things that go on in a church
d. It is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to understand clearly the goals that the Lord has for a Church or a Church ministry, and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals.
e. In simple terms, this is the gift of Managing people and projects
f. Thank God for people with this gift!
3. Most people hate managers
4. But a church needs them
a. The independent spirit of our society instinctively rebels at the idea of someone in a church being in authority over them. But that is just what a pastor is (Heb 13:7; 17; 24), and every manager HAS to have authority also
b. That’s why most people hate managers! But we need them!
c. Hebrews 13:7,8 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
d. Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
e. Hebrews 13:24 Salute [GREET] all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
f. These folks understand what has to be done for a Church to do God’s will, and they just love to get it done! They arrive early, and stay late. They do all the busy work, planning and preparing so people are helped and the Gospel is heard!
g. Every organisation needs managers – especially a Church. Without management of things going on, any organization will collapse. Management is not the ability to shuffle papers all day. It helps manage the affairs of the church by getting people organized enough to obey the pastor’s directions and get things done.
h. Go ahead and be diligent. We need you
5. Examples of this Gift of Management in the Bible.
a. Nehemiah – the entire Book of Nehemiah
1) He was burdened about the state of the walls of Jerusalem
2) It had been over 70 years since Jerusalem had been destroyed by Babylon
3) Now, God’s people the Jews were slowly being allowed to return to their homeland, but it was in no shape for people to dwell safely in
4) But Nehemiah cannot resist what God was putting on his heart (Neh 2)
5) So Nehemiah sets off to manage the rebuilding of the walls of the city of Jerusalem – a monumental task with impossible obstacles
6) So much rubbish - Many enemies - Weak resolve on the part of the workers
7) Yet, when you read in Nehemiah, you find that he constantly kept coming up to ways to accomplish the goal – he would never let anything discourage him from finishing the job!
b. Joseph (Gen 41:14-16, 25-42)
1) Genesis 41:14-16 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
2) Genesis 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
3) Genesis 41:28-36 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
4) Notice what Pharaoh does with Joseph
5) Genesis 41:37-42 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
6) Pharaoh was the top leader – the head of the nation of Egypt
7) Yet Joseph was put in charge of making sure the people of Egypt were fed, and protected from the oncoming drought – he became ruler, administrator
8) Joseph made sure that Pharaoh could better lead without being bogged down with day-to-day details of food collection and storage and pricing, and labour, etc.
9) Joseph was able to do all this because of God’s gift of management being given to him
10) By the way, the gift of management was not wasted because of all the trials that Joseph went through but it was “perfected” by his hardships!
c. There are two dozen other people in the Scriptures who found out what God and God’s leaders wanted done, and then they just got it done!
6. How can you know if you have this gift?
a. You create order out of organizational chaos
b. You will have a knack for developing strategies or plans to reach goals
c. You love to organize people, tasks, or events, managing the details carefully and thoroughly.
d. You help provide direction for God's people in a ministry – you keep people in motion, and producing fruit
e. You are not afraid of failing – because to you, the goal is worth the risks!
f. One Note – it is sad when people have this gift, but only use it on the job and not in their church!!!
g. Thank God for people with the gift of management
h. If you do have this gift, or want to find out if you have this Gift, then start getting involved in the many ministries of this church, and in the many projects that we constantly are working on:
C. #7 The Gift of Showing Mercy (Romans 12:8)
1. Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. Best Definition of this Gift (Luke 10:30-37)
a. Mercy is the compassion, mildness or tenderness of heart which causes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he or she deserves. The act of inflicting less punishment than justice demands.
b. Luke 10:30-35 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him [EVEN THOUGH HE SHOULDN’T HAVE], And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
c. Luke 10:36,37 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
d. Showing Compassion to Others who probably don’t deserve it
e. Seeing and feeling the joy or pain that is in someone else.
f. Where a Prophet has to rebuke and correct sinful behaviour, a Merciful person weeps for the trouble, the pain, the burdens, the problems that lie behind a sin or a failure.
g. Nurses usually have this gift! Dealing with people who brought pain on themselves
3. A merciful person is:
a. Joyful when people are happy, and sad when people around are sad
b. They are focused on the emotional needs of others, full of compassion, love, mercy, very forgiving; “can’t we all just get along?”
c. They notice and comfort those who are in distress.
d. Totally blind to the faults of the person they are working with – able to overlook a whole load of sin. their goal is a happy ending for everybody. they do whatever they can to give undeserving people another chance!
e. They get hurt a lot!
4. Mercy is easily understood by a simple illustration:
a. Has anyone else been in the situation where you are travelling the South Link and you look up and see a Garda car in your rear view mirror?
b. And then you look down and see that you are above the speed limit, along with every other car around you?
c. And you instantly take your foot off the accellerator and freeze in motion waiting to see what will happen, moving into the slow lane?
d. Let me tell you, It has happened several times to my surprise, that the Garda car did not come after ME. Instead, he just sped past, going after someone else!
e. So, in that moment as the Garda car disappeared ahead, I always remind myself the greatest gift we will ever receive is the one we least deserve—mercy.
f. I was guilty of speeding, and should have gotten a fine, but I experienced mercy! I did not get what I deserved!
g. Well, since God has been VERY merciful to you and me, as unworthy as WE are, placing all God’s wrath upon His Son instead of US, bringing us into the family of God, giving us a home in heaven, and His Holy Spirit…
h. Shouldn’t WE GIVE mercy to others?
5. Did you know…?
a. The box (the ark of the Covenant) in the holy of holies in the Temple that contained God’s absolute commandments was covered with a MERCY Seat – a place where mercy could be found, when they should only receive condemnation!!
b. The CENTRE of God’s throne and Temple is a throne of mercy! Not a place of absolute judgment and wrath. It is a place where sinful men, who have broken those laws can find mercy!
V. Summary and Conclusion
A. What Paul is describing in this chapter is the changed life a Christian has been empowered to live – the transformed life
1. Transformed from attention-seeking, selfish, self-centred, self-serving
2. To an invisible, selfless servant!
3. That is what it means to be Christian… Christ-like
4. To live the life of a servant of all
B. As we have looked at the gifts of the Spirit, my desire is that you have been able to identify with them to know which gift you have. Then you will be able to do as Paul wrote in 1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
C. Whatever gift God has given you to serve with, Neglect not the gift that is in you
D. Do you even know what gift God has put in you?
1. The gift of preaching, witnessing, presenting God’s absolute truths?
2. Ministry – doing the “yukky” things (“menial” things), the background grunt work
3. Teaching – taking the time to help people grow in their understanding of the Bible - discipleship
4. Or maybe it is Exhorting – Urging, Encouraging
5. Or Giving – Quietly, simply supplying other people’s needs
6. Ruling – Managing people and projects for the work of the Gospel
7. Showing Mercy – towards people who need it the most
E. Are you willing to use that gift so that other Christians can be helped and encouraged and strengthened?
1. Will you start to beg God to FILL your life with His Holy Spirit so that your gift is at work instead of just your talents?
2. Even if you do not seem to be specially gifted in something, we are supposed to be doing all of them anyways!
F. Church is the best place to start!
G. If you don’t know what it means to be born again of the Spirit of God, please come talk with me after church – your soul is at stake!