Christian Service

  


​We are all born with certain innate abilities. The natural talents each person has been given, depend on what the Lord plans to accomplish in and through that life. When an individual is “born again” and becomes a member of God’s family, the Holy Spirit then endows the new believer with one or more spiritual gifts.
 
As Christians, we are called to act as the Lord’s servant-stewards. He bestows specific abilities so we can carry out His good work both locally and throughout the world. Our responsibility is to evaluate how we have been gifted, and to prayerfully discern where our efforts will be most helpful.
 
The Bible lists a wide range of ministries in the New Testament. Much of our work will take place outside the church building and may not even look like “Christian service,” but God has directed the use of our talents serves Him. We are free to use God’s gifts in any way we choose; yet, we should take seriously Jesus’ warning in the parable about a man who gave money to three servants. Two invested their sums wisely and gained more, but the third did nothing with his share. When the servants were called to give an account of their actions, the master was pleased with the first two but angry with the one who wasted the gift (Matthew 25:14-30).
 
Someday every saint will account for how he or she used the gifts and talents given by the Master (Romans 14:12).
 
Do you wish to please the Lord? Then identify your strengths, and make every effort to use them for Him.

Definitions of Spiritual Gifts Specifically Listed in the Bible:

ADMINISTRATION:   1 Cor. 12:28 - to steer the body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others (Greek Word: kubernesis - to steer, guide, helmsmen)

APOSTLE:   Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28 - to be sent forth to new frontiers with the gospel, providing leadership over church bodies and maintaining authority over spiritual matters pertaining to the church (Greek Word: apostolos - 'apo'=from 'stello'=send; one sent forth)

DISCERNMENT:   1 Cor. 12:10 - to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power

EVANGELISM:   Eph. 4:11 - to be a messenger of the good news of the Gospel (Greek Word: euaggelistes - preacher of gospel; eu=well, angelos=message - messenger of good)

EXHORTATION:   Rom. 12:8 - to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be (Greek Word: paraklesis - calling to one's side)

FAITH:   1 Cor. 12:8-10 - to be firmly persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction

GIVING:   Rom. 12:8 - to share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return

HEALINGS:   1 Cor. 12:9,28,30 - to be used as a means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually

HELPS:   1 Cor. 12:28 - to render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry

HOSPITALITY: 1 Pet. 4:9,10 - to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one's home or church as a means of serving those in need of food or lodging (Greek Word: philoxenos - love of strangers; 'philos'=love; 'xenos'=stranger)

KNOWLEDGE:   1 Cor. 12:8 - to seek to learn as much about the Bible as possible through the gathering of much information and the analyzing of that data

LEADERSHIP:   Rom. 12:8 - to stand before the people in such a way as to attend to the direction of the body with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of these goals
 
MERCY:   Rom. 12:8 - to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but more so caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress

MIRACLES:   1 Cor. 12:10,28 - to be enabled by God to perform mighty deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin and means

MISSIONARY:   Eph. 3:6-8 - to be able to minister in another culture

PASTOR:   Eph. 4:11 - to be responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, guiding, and feeding a group of believers entrusted to one's care

PROPHECY:   Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Eph. 4:11 - to speak forth the message of God to His people (Greek Word: prophetes - the forth-telling of the will of God; 'pro'=forth; 'phemi'=to speak)

SERVICE:   Rom. 12:7 - to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done (Greek Word: diakonia - deacon, attendant 'diako'=to run errands)

TEACHING:   Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 - to instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth

TONGUES:   1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28 - to speak in a language not previously learned so unbelievers can hear God's message in their own language or the body be edified

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:   1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27, 28 - to translate the message of someone who has spoken in tongues

WISDOM:   1 Cor. 12:8 - to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations