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Your Spiritual Gifts 9
Outline:
Introduction
Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
Review: Your Spiritual Gifts
5-Fold Ministry
The Apostle
The Prophet
Pastors
Evangelists
Teachers
Intercessor
Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:11-13
1 Corinthians 3:6
Acts 13:1-3
Acts 15:1-2
1 Corinthians 14:3
Acts 11:28
Acts 21:8
Introduction
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Jesus gave these gifts to “the church”
this is not talking about the local church
These aren’t just abilities…these also carry responsibilities in the church
The List
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors & Teachers
Referred to as
Gifts of the Son
5-fold ministry
Some argue Pastors and teachers are one office (in the Greek).
But there are pastors who are not teachers and teachers who are not pastors
So we will look at both offices
These are “ministries” or "Offices" … not gifts.
They are roles or "positions" within the body of Christ.
Different Christian Views
In the modern landscape of 2026, the "responsibilities" of apostles and prophets are a subject of intense debate.
Cessationist
believes the offices ended; manifestation gifts ended
Mainstream Continuationist
Gifts exist - varying views on apostles and prophets
Mainstream Charismatic
Continuationist ; title exist, Varying views on offices
Pentecostal
Continuationist, Office and title - Apostles are often pastors
New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) / Prophetic Movement (e.g. Bethel)
Continuationist; 5 Separate Offices exist
My View
I’m a mainstream continuationist
I believe in the gifts
I don’t see compelling evidence that the offices have ceased.
I believe there are many counterfeit apostles and prophets (and pastors)
I find errors in the arguments of cessationists
I believe sometimes people are just arguing over semantics
Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
The two greatest days in your life are:
the day you were born
the day you figure out why you were born
– – Mark twain
The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason
If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God
Your calling is the purpose that God created you for
It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
It is how you serve his purposes in the world
A Christian’s Callings
Christians have
General callings
A Unique calling
General Christian Callings
All Christians are called to:
To Love God
Love your neighbor
Make disciples
Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification
Unique Calling
Additionally, you were given unique
Natural ability
Acquired skills
Spiritual Gifts
Personality
Desires and preferences
Life experiences
All of this makes uniquely qualified to serve others, and to glorify God
Your gifts and talents are owned by God… Not you
Success is Measured by Faithfulness, Not Impact
In this series we will discover:
What a purpose is and why it matters
What makes you unique
How your life experiences have prepared you for your calling
What is your unique purpose
How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose
Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose
Review: Your Spiritual Gifts
Gifts, Ministries, Effects
Same Spirit gives
Different gift
Different ministries
Different effects
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Gifts
The raw spiritual "tool" or talent.
This is the internal enablement from the Holy Spirit
Examples
Prophecy
Healing
Speaking in tongues
Ministries / Functions
The specific office,role or sphere of service where you use your gift.
Example:
Pastor
Choir director
School teacher
Gift vs Ministry
You might have the gift of teaching, but that gift can be expressed in many different ways.
Example: Gift of teaching
Pastor
Jail ministry
Classroom
You can have the gift of prophecy, but not serve in the office of a prophet
You might be in the parking lot ministry
Effects
The supernatural impact or outcome of the gift being used.
Example
3 types of tongues
Manifestations vs. Permanent Gifts
Manifestations
The Holy Spirit can give any gift to any believer at a specific moment to meet a specific need.
Permanent Gifts
What people call "having the gift" is a consistent history of God choosing to work through someone.
3 Lists of Gifts
In this series, we are going to discuss three different classifications of gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible
Motivational gifts
Romans 12:6-8
Prophecy: Speaking on behalf of God.
Service (Ministry): Practical help and attending to the needs of others.
Teaching: Explaining and applying truths and instructions.
Exhortation (Encouragement): Calling others to a specific course of action or providing comfort and counsel.
Giving (Contributing): Sharing personal resources with others. - "generosity."
Leadership (Leading): Providing direction and oversight.
Mercy (Showing Kindness): Acts of compassion for those in need.
Manifestation gifts
1 Corinthians 12:7-12
The Word of Wisdom: A supernatural insight or practical application of truth to a specific situation.
The Word of Knowledge: A supernatural revelation of facts or information that could not be known by natural means.
Faith: A unique "heroic" level of trust or certainty in God’s power to act in a specific moment, beyond ordinary belief.
Gifts of Healing: Supernatural power to restore health—physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Working of Miracles: The performance of signs and wonders that bypass natural laws.
Prophecy: A spontaneous message or "word" given to strengthen, encourage, or comfort others.
Discerning of Spirits: The ability to distinguish between different spiritual influences (whether something is from a divine, human, or dark source).
Various Kinds of Tongues: Speaking in a language not previously learned by the speaker.
Interpretation of Tongues: The ability to explain the meaning of a message given in tongues so the community can understand it.
Ministries/function/offices
Ephesians 4:11-12
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
5-Fold Ministry
1 Corinthians 3:6
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
Every believer has a different role in the church
Not every church will have all gifts
These are offices that exist in the body of Christ… Not necessarily at every local church.
Different churches focus on different missions.
Some churches may specialize in one of these ministries
Example: evangelical church specialize in converting non believers
Semantics
People can have different assumptions of what the role actually means.
The word “missionary” (Latin) is the same word as “apostle” (Greek)
It wouldn’t be incorrect to refer to a missionary as an apostle
Similar to how we use the word “disciple”
We are still “making disciples” today
Paul gives criteria for testing some of the roles
We’ve discussed testing apostles and prophets in previous lessons
There is more biblical support for a modern day apostle than there is for a modern day lead/senior pastor
In Acts, there we no single pastor leading a local congregation
The Apostle
Role of the Apostle
A modern day Apostle is a church planter and/or pioneering new church movements.
Not a pastor of an individual congregation
Responsibilities include:
Expansion: Acting as a "sent one" to reach unreached areas.
They serve as the unifying link between different local congregations.
Accountability: They provided a standard against which "prophets" and "pastor/teachers" were measured to ensure the church didn't drift into error.
They authorized the Local Team (The Elders) to shepherd the people
An Apostle Must Be Sent
“Apostle” means “sent one”
So the implication is that you were sent by some authoritative Christian body
Acts 13:1-3
1Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were [a]serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
When who had fasted and prayed and laid hands on them?
The prophets and teachers laid hands on them to anoint them on their mission
Paul and Barnabas were apostles sent by the church in Antioch
Paul Couldn't Set Doctrine
Acts 15:1-2
1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And after Paul and Barnabas had [a]a heated argument and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
The church in Jerusalem was the highest authority for early Christianity
Paul had to go to the church in Jerusalem to get clarification of the Christian doctrine to teach
The church did not accept Paul’s doctrine solely on his claim to have seen Jesus
Paul did not have the authority to set doctrine on his own
I don’t recognize any self appointed/ordained apostle
Example: them/they
Dr. Wilson
Reverend
The Catholic Church refers to them as “Bishops“
The Prophet
The office of the prophet works to ensure the entire congregation is hearing God clearly.
They help the church keep its "spiritual ears" open.
In the New Testament, the role of the prophet shifted significantly from the Old Testament model. While Old Testament prophets often functioned as national advisors or solitary figures bringing "judgment" warnings, New Testament prophets were integrated into the local body to serve as a "spiritual immune system."
Roles of New Testament Prophets
Strengthening, Encouragement, and Comfort
1 Corinthians 14:3
3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, [c]exhortation, and consolation.
According to, the primary goal of the prophetic gift is to "build up" the church.:
Encouragement: Providing "words" that remind individuals of God's love or their specific calling.
Direction: Offering insight into a person's life or a church's mission
Confirmation: Validating what a person has already been sensing in their private prayer life.
Hear from God / Holy Spirit
Forwarning
Acts 11:28
27Now [y]at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and [z]indicated [aa]by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the [ab]world. [ac]And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
(The Example of Paul’s Arrest: Acts 21:10–11)
Words of Knowledge
Key Distinctions of the New Testament Prophet
Social (Activist) Prophet
In the Black Church, the "Prophetic" function is often inseparable from Civil Rights. A leader who speaks out against systemic racism is frequently described as having a "Prophetic Voice."
This is the legacy of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Baptist) or Richard Allen (AME). The "Prophetic" gift is used to hold the nation accountable to God’s standards of justice.
Anointed Preaching
(The "Logos" becoming "Rhema")
Prophetic Preaching
If the pastor is speaking things they could not have known through natural means—like mentioning a specific struggle you had that morning or using a phrase you just prayed in private—most charismatics and Pentecostals would call this a Word of Knowledge or the Gift of Prophecy.
The Mechanism: God gives the pastor a "revelation" (a thought, image, or feeling) specifically for you.
The Goal: To show you that God sees you intimately and is pursuing you.
The Experience: You feel like the pastor "read your mail" or "was in your living room this week."
Is it Prophecy? Some call this "prophetic preaching," but others argue it’s just the Holy Spirit doing his job as a Counselor, using the sermon as a tool.
Note:
This is also a skill that can be learned:
Using universal truths
Using “you” centered language
Pastors
Shepherd / caregiver
The word pastor literally means shepherd. They focus on the internal health of the flock—
counseling
protection
long-term emotional support.
Teaching the congregation, the words of God
The pastor/teacher
tailors his word for his congregation
Take the word of God and make it applicable to the people of God.
Some are good pastors and not at being teachers and vice versa
The Role of a Pastor
The pastors deal with the people
Jesus tells Peter “if you love me… Feed my sheep”
He never asked Peter if he loves sheep
"Feeding" the Flock
Teaching: This isn't just academic teaching; it’s helping people apply the Bible to their specific life struggles (marriage, parenting, grief).
Protection and "Watching"
Identifying Wolves: Watching out for people or ideas that might bring division or false doctrine into the local community.
Counseling and "Binding Wounds"
The Pastor is the primary "soul-care" provider.
Availability: Much of their day is spent in one-on-one meetings. They sit with the grieving, the sick, and the conflicted.
Maintaining Community
The Pastor is the "glue" of the church.
Conflict Resolution: Mediating disagreements between members to keep the "unity of the Spirit."
Note:
Everyone with the pastor gift doesn’t need to start their own church
You can pastor in a specific ministry in a church
Evangelists
Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth with them. Evangelists are able to overcome the normal fear of rejection and engage non-believers in meaningful conversations about Jesus. Their gift allows them to communicate with all types of people and therefore they receive a greater response to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Acts 21:8
On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
He was one of the seven men chosen an Acts 6
“it’s not good that we should serve tables”
The Evangelist: The "Messenger of Good News"
The word evangelist comes from euangelion, which literally translates to "good news." An evangelist is essentially a proclaimer or a herald.
Role: Their primary mission is to share the core message of the faith with those who haven't heard it. They are often itinerant (traveling) speakers.
Authority: Their authority is generally tied to the effectiveness of their preaching rather than the governance of church laws or structures.
Focus: They are "outreach" specialists. They are less concerned with the administrative running of a church and more focused on the initial act of conversion and spreading the word.
Evangelist focus on:
The cross
The blood
Jesus
Evangelist example: Billy Graham
He was a "herald" or a "proclaimer." His primary calling was to travel and deliver a specific message (the Gospel) to large crowds to invite them to faith.
Billy Graham famously said that he didn't have the "shepherd’s heart" for local church pastoring; he had the "voice" for the global stadium.
• He pastored for 2 years, but he quickly realized his temperament and calling were better suited for the "itinerant" (traveling) life.
considered the evangelist with the largest reach in history
in person to more than 210 million people in 185 countries.
1.12 million people to a single service—
1973 crusade in Seoul, South Korea
more than 3.2 million people attended in total - five-day crusade
"I am not a theologian. I am an evangelist."
He never went to seminary
note:
While several Nigerian pastors lead congregations of millions, Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is widely recognized as having addressed the largest crowds in a single gathering.
Joel Osteen: Televangelist
Pastor (Shepherd)
Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church
• Focus: Providing consistent eencouragement, care, and spiritual guidance to a specific local and global "flock."
• Style: His messages are designed to nurture the emotional and spiritual well-being of his listeners, which is the hallmark of the pastoral gift.
Evangelist (Messenger of Good News)
Focus: Outreach and the initial "good news."
Style: His messages are highly accessible and aimed at a broad audience, including those who may not be regular churchgoers. The goal is to bring people into a relationship with God through a positive, hopeful message, which fits the primary function of an evangelist.
In the current era, Joel Osteen is often cited as the most-watched pastor due to his massive media and social footprint: [1]
7 million weekly viewers across more than 100 nations
Broadcast Media
29 million followers on Instagram; 23 million on Facebook.
reached nearly 4.63 million people in a single weekend - peak periods
Size Doesn’t Matter
An evangelist might also specialize in 1-on-1 ministry
Teachers
The ability to understand and communicate biblical truth in a clear and relevant manner so that there is an understanding and application. Skilled at learning, researching, communicating, and illustrating truth.
These people enjoy studying and learning new information, and find joy in sharing it with others.
Teacher’s Role
Explaining the “Why”
The "Why": They don't just tell people what to believe; they explain why we believe it.
Accuracy: They spend time in the "Original Intent" of the Scriptures, ensuring that the church isn't taking verses out of context.
Protecting the "Truth"
The Teacher is the guardian of the truth.
Detecting Error: They are the first to notice when a "new" idea or a "word from a prophet" contradicts the established Word of God.
Counter-Heresy: Much of their time is spent dismantling false teachings that creep into the community.
Developing Curriculum for Maturity
The Teacher is responsible for taking a convert from "milk" to "meat" (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Growth Tracks: They organize the path for how a new believer learns the basics of the faith and matures into a leader.
Clarity: They take complex theological concepts and make them accessible to the average person.
Warning for teachers
You like to deal with ideas and can become legalistic
We can become impatient with people who don’t get it
Question to see if you have the teaching gift
Do you like studying and researching?
Do you love, imparting, biblical truth to others?
Do people come to you for insight in scripture?
When you teach, do the lightbulb go on for people and they get it?
Do you go down into and are fascinated by details that other people don’t find interesting?
Maybe you are an intercessor
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8qo9CLB/
Instructor: Michael Leadon
References
Unchained Disciples Teachings:
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 3 (The Gift of Prophecy)
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 4 (False Prophets)
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 5 (The Gift of Discernment)
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 6 (The Gift of Tongues)
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 7 (The Interpretation of Tongues)
Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 8 (Apostles)
The spiritual gifts are pastors and teachers – what’s the difference?
LifePoint Church, AZA
What is the spiritual gift of teaching
Mark Driscoll
Understanding the role of evangelist, pastors, and teachers
Dr. Faith CW.
Why the five fold ministry collides, cultural catalyst
KV ministries
Extra
The Joy of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:29-31; 13:1-2
29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.
1If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Loving your neighbor is more important than having a spiritual gift
Love is more important – Francis Chan
https://youtube.com/shorts/nsSIedwGVvo?si=pRMwCLiS7eiJJOav
You can speak in tongues, but.
You haven’t forgiven your coworker
You have the gift of healing but
You have a sibling you haven’t talked to in five years.
You have the gift of discernment but
You don’t honor your parents.
You call yourself a prophet but
You don’t sacrifice for your spouse
You can preach well but
You are impatient.
Your kids don’t respect you
You cheated on your partner
“The pastor's home lives speak louder than anything they can do in the pulpit.”
Relationship with spouse.
Character of their children
— Jessica Koulianos ( Benny Hinn daughter)
Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 10: 21
21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden [the truth] from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
The Holy Spirit filled Jesus with joy
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit
The Bible tells us you should know a tree by it… What?
Fruit
So we can also know that the Holy Spirit is present by its fruit.
What are the fruits of the spirit?
Galatians 5: 22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Filled with the Holy Spirit is analogous to being “filled with anger“
When you are “filled with anger“ it influences the way you speak and the way you act.
Filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxfWwOSOaLDbioM9tiEmkT5xjfzwGrx1kT?si=9ovsFWKZ1bqfQ4Wz
When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out
when you squeeze an apple, apple juice comes out.
If you are filled with the Holy Spirit and you get squeezed… Then that means the Holy Spirit should come out.
When you get
Caught in a traffic jam.
Someone yells at you.
Someone betrayed you.
Someone disrespects you
Someone disagrees on your political views
Someone spreads lies about you
Someone doesn’t pay you your money back
Your friend doesn’t do the things that you think your friend should do
What comes out?
If you are filled with the Holy Spirit then what comes out should be
Love
Joy
Peace.
This is the test of whether someone is “filled with the spirit“
Being filled with the Holy Spirit should mean you have a supernatural amount of
Patience
Joy
kindness.
Righteousness
Peace
Self Control
Gentleness
Love
Discerning the spirit.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV6pnMrDSPj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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