THE MINISTRY OF THE BODY

 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  (New American Standard) 

“As all of you have received your spiritual talents, you must keep on using them in serving one another, as good trustees of God’s many-sided favor.” (Williams)

GIFTS OF SERVICE (motivational)

Discovering our Spiritual Gift, the development of this gift and the exercise of this gift is not an option, it is an order from God, and He expects us all to do these three things. The purpose of Spiritual Gifts is to enable the Christian to participate more effectively in the implementation of the commission of Jesus to "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).

For the Church to operate to the best of its full potential, each member must discover what motivates him. The key to this discovery lies in the words "interest" and "ability". The goal of God for His Church is that each member is placed in a ministry where he is interested and where his abilities can be best put to use. To place a person where he has no interest is like putting an "eye" to function as an "ear". When every member of the Church serves according as God has endowed, the result will be a natural growth of the body (Eph. 4:16). These gifts make possible the ministry of the body. "

UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

"Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant" (I Cor. 12:1). Such ignorance is not in any way a blessing! Ignorance of Spiritual Gifts is one of the main reasons for the retarded growth of the church. This ignorance is also the root of discouragement, insecurity, frustration and guilt that oppresses many brothers and curtails their overall effectiveness for God.

There is a difference between a ministry and a motivational gift. A ministry is an area of service and a motivational gift is that inner drive and capacity that God has given to every individual without exception and without merit. God gave you this gift when you were saved, on like a natural talent that you are born with.

Do not confuse Motivational Gifts (spiritual gifts) with natural talents. Such as playing an instrument, cooking, painting, singing, etc. Do not confuse these gifts with the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is developed, a gift is discovered.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts is the key to understanding the organization of the Church. No local church is what it should be, what Jesus prayed it should be, what He gave and trained it to be, until you understand the Spiritual Gifts.

The Bible says in I Corinthians 12:7-13 that the new birth experience is what places the person in the body of Christ and He gives each member a unique gift that qualifies him for a specific function in the body. The words " to everyone" (I Cor.12: 7.11, I Pet. 4:10; Rom. 12:3) and "all" (I Cor. 12:13; Rom. 12:4-5,6 ) show that by virtue of the new birth, each member has at least one gift. The Living New Testament paraphrases Ephesians 4:7, "However, he has given each of us special abilities - what he wants us to have for its rich store of gifts." This indicates that no member of the body of Christ can say that he is not qualified or cannot do something in the evangelization of the world.

Each member must recognize that Spiritual Gifts are not produced by the intellect nor the natural talent. But they are a product of the Grace of God (Rom. 12:6). Someone may say, "I thought grace was unmerited favor of God." Yes it is. But more than that, Grace is the desire and ability given by God to do His will. The Apostle Paul reveals that:

A. The grace of God caused him to work (I Cor. 15:10).

B. Not living for Christ is to frustrate His grace (Gal. 2:20-21).

C. He was a Minister by the grace of God (Eph. 3:7).

D. God motivated in him the desire to do and gave him the ability to do (Phil. 2:13).

Grace, then, is the divine motivator that enables every child of God to do His will, "... to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). A person, without Christ, is incapable of doing anything good (Rom. 3:10-12).

Since God has given us these gifts freely, it is clear that He gave them so we could use them. "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Pet. 4:10). The Apostle Peter makes two important points here. First, everyone has received gifts and abilities. Second, everyone should use their gifts ministering. No one is exempt, everyone should get involved. All the people of God must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of their stewardship (Romans 14:10-12, Col. 4:17, Luke 16:1-2).

Paul specify three groups of Gifts in the Body of Christ which are the gifts of preparation (equipping), spiritual gifts and gifts of service.

A. Preparation (pulpit and preaching) Ephesians 4:11-13: God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." The primary task of these gifts to the church is of capacitadores and trainers.

B. Spiritual (signs) I Corinthians 12:8-10: God gave these supernatural Gifts for use in public worship (and other purposes), word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues.

C. Service (motivational) Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:28: God gave these Gifts for service in the Body of Christ, teaching, leadership, prophecy, exhortation (encouragement), mercy, service, giving, administration and support .

REASONS WHY SOME CAN NOT DISCOVER THEIR GIFT

A. There may be unresolved conflicts in your life for which the matter is being clouded and you do not hear the voice of God because things are no right between God and you.

B. You are not involved in some type of ministry or service where by your motivational gift will not come to the surface if you simply keep it to yourself. 

C. Trying to imitate someone else's gift. This will confuse you.

D. Failure to analyze what you do and the motivation behind it.

E. Confusing Ministry with gift. Ministry is the activity in which you execute that which God has called you to do, motivated by a particular gift.

DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS TO MINISTER IN THE BODY

The first step in discovering  your gift is not by working at it. The first thing that you have to do is learn to walk in the Spirit. If you do not learn to walk and live in the Spirit then you will see and do everything in the flesh. Then everything you do is going to be done by pure human effort. When we are in the Spirit all the gifts work together, but when we are in the flesh there will be conflict and confusion like the Corinthian church. The second step is to ask yourself, "What is my motivation for doing this, for feeling this way or behaving in this manner?" The third step that you must know is the characteristics of that gift.

The way to know if God wants you in a certain area of ​​service is to prove that area, "so that you may prove what is the will of God, pleasing and perfect" (Rom. 12:2). The secret to finding the will of God is summed up in one word "prove." This word means "to prove, to put to the test, with the  hope of the approval." We "prove it" upon trying it out; with the hope approval already in our mind. Put your gift to the Test and see how you fit in. Look for hints or clues. You should be conscious of the following:

A. WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Solomon advised, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it" (Eccl. 9:10). Christ said, "Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest" (John 4:35). What do you see? What needs are obvious to you? Is there a need for teachers to give home bible studies? Perhaps there is a need for intercessors?

B. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Do you have good office skills? Are you a good teacher? Do you have good communication skills? These could be keys as to how God wants to use you in your ministry of gifts.

C. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

Do you like children? Do you love making flower arrangements? You can watch the children for a mother is in a class for new converts or encourage a shut in with a call.

D. WHAT DO  YOU FEEL?

What is your desire? What would you like to do for the Lord. Don't be too general in this area.

E. WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

Whoever God has truly called to service in a specific area will find confirmation from the body, the church of God. Have you received a good comment from your pastor or the brethren  on something that you have tried to do for Christ?

EVERYONE MUST DISCOVER THEIR GIFT AND USE IT

It has been found that in most businesses that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. This is also true in most churches, 20% of the members do 80% of the work and give 80% of the money.

What would you say to your 13 year old child if  he came to you one day and said to you, "I'm not going to go to school any more, I'm not going to do anything. I don't want a profession, I'm just going to live and have a good time." You probably would tell him, "Look, your mother and I have already invested time and money to rise you."  He turns 18 and comes to you with the same thing, he doesn't want to do anything. You would probably say to him, "Look, you're wasting your life, your time and your talents." What do you think that God is telling you if you're not serving? God wants to use you to serve others. Why do you think God has blessed you?