"Spirit-Giftedness" (Acts 14:1-28)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 3/9/2018 9:44 AM

My Worship Time                                                                                    Focus:  Spirit -Giftedness

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                       Reference:  Acts 14:1-28

            Message of the verses: I have to say that today’s SD is going to be a bit different than most of the ones that I write and the reason is because as I am following the outline of John MacArthur from his commentary on the book of Acts he usually uses a set of verses and then comments on them, but this time he writes about “Spirit-Giftedness” that is seen throughout the entire 14^th chapter of Acts as it is evident throughout the entire chapter.  As we look through this chapter we see Paul and Barnabas using the gifts that the Spirit of God has given to them to minister in the places where they went as described by Luke in this chapter.

            MacArthur writes “A spiritual gift is not a natural human ability or talent but a bestowment by the grace of God on believers that provides a channel through which the Holy Spirit’s power flows in ministry (1 Cor. 12:1 4ff.).”

            I have studied the gifts of the Spirit several times since I became a believer and can say that it is kind of easy to remember where they are located as there are two books that they are located in the 12^th chapters (Romans and 1 Corinthians), and two books that they are located in the 4^th chapters (Ephesians and 1 Peter).  I have also been taught that some of the gifts that are mentioned in these different books were what is called “sign gifts” that is they were gifts that the Spirit of God gave to believers in the early church to get the church established, and once the entire Bible was completed there was no need for these gifts to be given.

            John MacArthur mentions that in chapter 14 there are four gifts mentioned and used by Paul and Barnabas:  First is the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10), which is the Spirit-given ability to proclaim the Word of God with clarity and power.  Acts 14:1 states “1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.”  The next gift we see is teaching (Rom. 12:7).  “22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22).”  Paul and Barnabas also manifested the gift of exhortation (Rom. 12:8)—the spiritual encouragement that leads the one encouraged to pursue a righteous course of action.  Verse 22 finds them “encouraging the believers to continue in the faith.”Lastly we see the gift of leadership (Rom. 12:8):  MacArthur writes “As part of their duties, Paul and Barnabas ‘appointed elders for them in every church’ (23).  They did not leave their new converts to fend for themselves.  Their leadership gifts enabled them to bring structure to the newly formed congregations and install appropriate leaders.” 

            MacArthur continues “Those four gifts are at the heart of all spiritual ministries in building the church.  They are still vital today for pastor-teachers and evangelists.”

            Effective ministry in the church demands the collective functioning of spiritual gifts as seen in the 12^th chapter of the book of Romans where Paul exhorts the church by writing:

“6  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

            MacArthur concludes:  “It was because Paul and Barnabas had ministered their gifts effectively in their local church (cf. Acts 13:1-3) that God chose them for the challenge of missionary service.  They had proven their faithfulness and were ready for a wider scope of ministry.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I think that Spiritual Gifts are something that all believers need to know about and to use for the cause of Christ.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Use the gifts that God has given me to bless the church.

Answer to yesterday’s Bible question:  “Those who hear his teachings and do them” (Matthew 7:24).

Today’s Bible question:  “Who said ‘For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’?”

Answer in our next SD.

3/9/2018 10:18 AM