Foundations of Faith
SPIRITUAL GIFTS (IV)
We shall wait and deal with the so-called sign gifts of healing, working of miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues in the next issues of GROWING. This leaves two spiritual gifts to be discussed.
This gift is simply called “helps” in 1 Cor. 12:28 and “ministry [or service]” in Rom. 12:7. It is often linked with the gifts of ruling, giving, showing mercy, and other spiritual gifts. All of us have helped and served many times. Most of us will gladly lend a hand when asked. But the one gifted in helping and serving no doubt is distinguished by continually being sensitive to what needs to be done and goes and does it without being asked.
The Apostle Paul labeled Priscilla, Aquila, and Urbane “helpers [or fellow workers]” (Rom. 16:3,9). Martha and Phoebe were noted for their service to others (Luke 10:40; John 12:2; Rom. 16:1). The greatest of all examples of helping and serving is found in the Holy Trinity:”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1). “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). “The Spirit also helps our infirmities” (Rom. 8:26).
The word “ministry” in Rom. 12:7 is related to the one translated “deacon” in 1 Timothy 3:12. It is also used to describe the activities of evangelizing and preaching and teaching the Word of God (Acts 6:4; 12:25; 20:24; 2 Cor. 5:18). So while there is a special gift of helping and serving, all spiritual gifts are ministries by which we serve the Lord (1 Cor. 12:5).
Scripture tells us that “in the latter times [today, certainly!] some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1-3; see also 2 Pet. 2; 1 John 4:1-3). All believers in Christ, including those who are but “little children” spiritually, have the power through the Holy Spirit to distinguish between truth and error (1 John 2:18-27; 4:6). But each one of us needs always to pray for wisdom and discernment whenever we are faced with new teachings or spiritual experiences. Sometimes we are troubled by a teaching or experience that does not seem to be quite right but we cannot put our finger on what is wrong with it. For example, a friend may describe to us with great enthusiasm the experience of being “slain in the spirit.” It is well to discuss these things with others in our local assembly. There may be many in the assembly who can help us; one who has the gift of “discerning of spirits” (1 Cor. 12:10) may be of particular help in this regard.
The Apostle Paul clearly had this gift. Not only did he discern what was false, but also recognized when there was true faith, such as perceiving that the crippled man of Lystra “had faith to be healed” (Acts 14:9). (See Assignment 4)
Running the Race
SERVING THE LORD (I)
Have you ever asked, “How can I serve the Lord?” Some young Christians get hung up on trying to learn what their spiritual gift is. They seem afraid to do anything for the Lord until they know their spiritual gift. But they have it backward. We are to imitate Saul of Tarsus who, when converted, asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). If we pray for opportunities to serve the Lord, He will very quickly show us plenty of them. If we are truly sincere about wanting to serve the Lord, He will show us needs and will burden our hearts to do something about those needs (see Jan99).
In the series on “Spiritual Gifts” we seek to define and describe each gift. In this series on “Serving the Lord” we approach the same subject from a different angle, namely, looking at how the men and women of the Bible served the Lord. Since we have studied the gift of helping and serving earlier in this issue, let us begin with this area of service.
1. Noah built an ark (Gen. 6).
2. Joseph provided food for the nations in time of famine (Gen. 41-43).
3. Bezaleel, Aholiab, and others constructed the furnishings of tabernacle (Exod. 35:30-36:2).
4. The Levites erected and transported the tabernacle (Num. 3,4), and served as doorkeepers, treasurers, and musicians for the tabernacle (1 Chron. 24-26).
5. Rahab hid the spies (Josh. 2).
6. Jonathan helped and protected David (1 Sam. 20).
7. The widow of Zaraphath fed Elijah (1 Ki. 17:8-16).
8. The woman of Shunem provided housing for Elisha (2 Ki. 4:8-17).
9. Jehoshabeath hid the heir to the throne (2 Chron. 22:10-22).
10. Job helped the poor, orphans, widows, blind, and lame (Job 1:8; 29:4-17).
11. The widow gave her last two mites (Mark 12:42-44).
12. Barnabas, Ananias, Sapphira sold land and gave money for the needy (Acts 4:34-37; 5:1,2). (See Assignment 5)
13. Dorcas made clothing for the poor (Acts 9:36-42).
There is no special gift for praying. All believers can do it (Eph. 6:18).
1. Abraham pleaded with the LORD to spare Sodom (Gen. 18:23-33).
2. Moses prayed for the nation of Israel (Exod. 17:4,11,12; 32:11-14,30-32; Num. 21:7).
3. Abigail pleaded to David to spare her household (1 Sam. 25:14-35).
4. Esther pleaded to King Ahasuerus to spare her people (Esth. 5-7).
5. Job prayed for his sons and his friends (Job 1:5; 42:10).
6. Daniel prayed for his people, the Jews in captivity (Dan. 9:1-19).
7. Anna prayed night and day in the temple (Luke 2:37).
8. The Lord prayed often (Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28; 11:1; 22:32,41; John 17).
9. The apostle Paul prayed for nearly everyone he knew (Rom. 1:9; 10:1; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:9; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1;3; Philem. 4).
10. Epaphras prayed for the assembly at Colosse (Col. 4:12).
Do these examples give you any ideas yet as to how you can begin to serve the Lord?
Assignment 4: (a) Write out a passage in Acts 16 that demonstrates the Apostle Paul’s ability to discern spirits, even when being flattered. (b) Write out a verse in Acts 5 that shows how another apostle had the gift of discernment.
Assignment 5: Ananias and his wife did a good work in selling some land and giving some of the money to help the poor. So why did God punish them with death?