Spiritual Gifts,The Way a Church Grows Spiritually

[HKHaugan]

This will be the first in a series centering on spiritual gifts. It will by no means go into detail in the sense that you will know exactly what to do and how to do it.  The first thing we need to remember about spiritual gifts is that they are given by the Holy Spirit who gives them as He determines and empowers them.  Second these gifts are given to build the Body of Christ both in character and numbers.  Third, the Holy Spirit tailors the gifts to fit the individual so each individual will express their gifts according to their personal uniqueness.

What follows then is a general understanding of the gifts in order to allow individuals to identify with them, pray about them, study them, try them, seek confirmation as to their working from others in the Body.  

First in line is prophecy.  

Prophecy is the spiritual ability to bring God’s Word to bear in three ways, on the nation as a whole, on individuals in leadership and on individuals in a nation, a community and a congregation.  The Prophets in the Old Testament exemplify this threefold approach.  Israel was to collectively witness to the existence and presence of the One God.  Its leadership was to point to God’s Law and govern the people of Israel with the Spirit of the Law in mind.  Each citizen was to be a worshipper of God and live by faith and obedience to the Law and the rulers.  Prophets were course correctors who challenged the nation, the leadership and the people when they compromised with the world around them.  

In the Body of Christ prophecy can be experienced as the spiritual ability given a believer to sense God’s direction for the local Body, the awareness of the spirit’s direction for Body leadership and for individuals in the Body who need a spiritual stimulus to action or correction of behavior.  Prophecy can find its outlet in worship, in groups or in the individual who senses God’s will in a specific situation.  Probably the most common experience of prophecy is in preaching where the preacher opens up Scripture, dwells on the person and character of Jesus and brings a theme to the surface that reveals God’s intent for conversion or transformation or growth.  

But God’s wisdom is for balance in the Body.  So for those in the Body who are not preachers but have the gift of prophecy, the Holy Spirit moves them to step forward so that there is more than one person bringing God’s will, direction and motivation.  It is the prophetic gift that energizes, challenges and moves leadership and other gift bearers to be alert to the Spirit’s activity in the Body.   

When exercised it, like any gift, must be open to a gift of discernment to make sure a prophecy is from God.  In small groups or in worship confirmation is necessary.  If responses like ‘amen’ or in some sense its impact is felt within saying ’that was for me’ then it was real.   

Three things are necessary for prophecy to work.  

First, it has to be taught and encouraged.  

Second, it has to be received and expected as a normal work of the Spirit in the Body.   

Third, it has to be risked by those who believe they are receiving a word from the Lord.  

The preacher and the layperson also need to be able to receive a challenge as to their accuracy and in some cases to have people pray for them before they share since its effect touches hearts.  It is given, remember, according to the faith and measure of grace given the gift bearer that it be of God and not from self. 

There are too many supporting references in Scripture to record here.  However, search the prophets and the teachings of Jesus and Paul to see the extent and occasion of prophetic activity and you will see the tremendous value of this gift.  Scripture itself is the prophetic manual for each heart.