Pastor Rob Carlson: 
Spiritual Gifts: "Fulfilling My God-Given Design" 
series: COMPASS: Chart Your Course
Sunday, February 15, 2004 

YOU ARE GIFTED!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?
You will be happiest & most fulfilled when you recognize and live out God's design for your life. 

1. God wants you to understand that He has given you something special. 

1 Corinthians 12:1--Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 

2. God gives gifts with specific intentions. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11, 18 (Page 1136-1137 in pew Bible) 

1 Corinthians 4:2--Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

3. Gifts varied widely and there are many of them. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-10 

Passages on Spiritual Gifts: 

• Romans 12:1-8: Prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy. 
• I Corinthians 12-14: Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, discernment, tongues, interpretation, apostles, teachers, helps, administration. 
• Ephesians 4:1-16: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teacher 
• I Peter 4:7-11: Hospitality 

4. Gifts are given to all believers. 

1 Corinthians 12:7, 11--Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 

(See also 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Timothy 4:4; 2 Timothy 1:6) 

5. Gifts are given for a purpose. 

1 Corinthians 12:7 (See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-31) 

6. Gifts are not a sign of spiritual maturity. 

It is better to be godly than to be gifted (1 Corinthians 13). 

Galatians 5:22-23--But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

7. Gifts do not bring glory to the believer. 

Romans 12:3--For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 

8. Gifts are validated by agape love. 

Romans 12:9--Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

9. Gifts work together to build up the body. 

Ephesians 4:11-16--It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God... From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

10. Gifts bring glory to God. 

1 Peter 4:10, 11--Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

Small Group Discussion Questions: 

1. What is the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts? 
2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
   What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 
3. How has God designed you? What gifts have you identified in your life? 
4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group. 

BCA-Online Homepage | Back to BCA page for AvantGo | Previous message