ROMANS 12:6-8 YOUR PART Gifts have been given by God for the benefit of those in the Body of Christ and to be used for the glory of God. Grace to use those gifts is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Faith is the element needed to use the gifts in the way God intends. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes appropriate use of those gifts in the house of God. He is able to work in power to fulfill the plans God has for His people. God is the same. The gifts He has given are the same today as they were in the beginning of the Church. The needs are the same in this day and age as they always were and God is still working in the world today in spite of the failures of men.
Prophets and apostles were in the foundation of the Church because they revealed the mind of God. Truths that were previously hidden about the Church have become a direct blessing and a gift to the people of God through those who have the gift of prophesy. The ministry of edification, exhortation and comfort begins with the Holy Spirit inspiring the prophet to speak profitably in proportion to his faith. This will be a constant need for the welfare of the Lord's people.
To minister to the material needs of the Lord's people can be a thankless service that can be overlooked or ignored. This gift was exemplified by the Lord Jesus when He came to serve rather than being served. Faithfulness to one's ministry and loyalty towards those who are being served will occupy all of one's times and effort.
Teachers are clear thinkers who have taken the time to prepare to expound the truth of God's Word more perfectly. The Spirit of God enables that person to know how to best present the truth in a way that is understandable to those who are seeking to learn from him. Through his earnest efforts, the Lord Jesus Christ is more clearly known. There is a passion in the teacher to make other believers see the greatness and blessings we have in Christ.
There is a difference in exhortation in that the one who has been gifted in this way appeals to those being exhorted to act on what has been taught by the teacher and understood with the mind. Without reservation but with focused concern, the exhorter motivates those by using the gift he has been given so that obedience follows understanding.
It is not an easy work to rule and lead the saints of God. Words are not enough to use in carrying out the expectations and needs of the office of the bishop. They are to watch over the people in their care with diligence. Sacrifices are necessary to organize and manage the work of the assembly. A certain vision of the needs of the flock in the future is needed as well as dealing with issues and problems that are presently affecting the work of the assembly. The Spirit of God does raise those up and gives them care and concern for the people of God.
To actually take the time to gladly care for the needs of others is not a common response of most people. We would rather have our needs met by others and be served by others, than be willing to serve others. To cheerfully show mercy with a joyful spirit is truly a gift from God. A sad countenance does not make an act of mercy less valuable, but it does not raise the spirit of one who needs to be comforted. There is great value in being able to empathize with genuine sympathy when visiting those who are sick and afflicted. Cheerfulness ("hilarious") merciful giving opens up the heart of one who is going through a difficult time. The Holy Spirit of God gives great value to the attitude of one believer towards another as well as the acts of mercy he does.
God Himself supplies this variety of gifts so the needs of all the people in the house of God are met. We need to know what God has enabled us to do best, and do it with our heart as to the Lord and not unto men.
In God's eternal purposes He chose to give gifts to men. He knew our weakness and helplessness apart from Him. With divine wisdom and understanding of each one - He gave gifts to us so His work among us can be done.
Some are able to put into understandable words The fundamentals of our faith so that as each truth is heard - All of us may realize our foundation is solid and secure - And the faith we are built on will last and endure.
To be a servant is not always to be appreciated by others; Especially when your ministry is not acknowledged by your brothers Who take all your efforts to by loyal and faithful; For granted and don't seem to be in the slightest way grateful.
Not everything in the scriptures are easy to understand.
So, teachers with divine help clarify things to the common man. They seem to see all things clearly that most of us miss - And as a result, about God's truth there is no need to guess.
There are those who know what God from us expects. The exhorter can lead and show people what is next. To motivate others into action is not an easy task. But the one who exhorts does so without being asked.
Generous giving is not a complicated action. To some people it is considered a means of satisfaction. Those who rule with diligence are usually good in leadership. And those who show mercy do so with care and fellowship.
All of these gifted people when they are found in one place - Are the evidence that through them God reveals His grace. Wholehearted use of the gifts that God has given - Is one way we can identify those who are going to heaven.
"Father of all who know Thee by faith: may all the saints here in this place be able to effectively use what they have been given as gifts from Thee to bring glory to Thee and blessing to Thy people. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."