SPIRITUAL GIFTS (20)
The gifts we are discussing in this series are the Spiritual Gifts from Romans 12:3-8:
- Rom 12:3-8
- 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body , and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV
There are four speaking gifts
- •Prophecy – Proclaimers/God’s Loudspeakers
- •Teaching – Explainers/Guardians of Truth
- •Exhortation – Encouragers/”How to” Persons/Concerned with the way we act
- •Pastor/Shepherd/Teacher – Guardians of the Flock
Now we are going to look at the Encourager – the gift of EXHORTATION.
Encourager – is another name for the exhorter. Encouragement to him/her is more than “cheering you up” or assuring you everything will be “OK”, they will stand beside you and walk with you through very difficult circumstances.
All Christians should seek to be encouragers. However, there are some who are especially equipped by God with the gift of exhortation. They usually make good counselors.
Additional Traits of the motivational gift of EXHORTATION:
- The word translated “exhortation” is a form of the word paraclete. The word literally means “one who is called alongside to help”. The exhorter has a dual role – One is the comforting role. The other is the counseling role.
- They are good listeners
- They show empathy and understanding
- They never stop with “It’s OK. You’re OK”
- They almost always encourage with a plan of action for moving forward to greater emotional and spiritual health
- The gift exhorter knows when we need to be admonished or challenged
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“Coach” would be a good modern word to describe the gifted exhorter
- Good coaches have an uncanny ability to know when to get in a player’s face, when to give an understanding pat on the back when a player has messed up, when to show a player a better way to execute the plays, and when to help players develop the skills of their position
- They often express their gift in writing as well as speaking – they may write terrific notes of letters and encouragement
- They are big on application – they believe that Bible truth works in the lives of believers
- They delight in showing individuals how to change, whereas the person with the gift of prophecy wants them to decide to change
- They feel comfortable in small groups or one on one
- They prefer dialog and discussion rather than lecturing
- They prefer to help you “work it out for yourself” than just to tell you what to do or believe
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They are spiritual “cheerleaders”
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They desire to cheer on believers to walk in faith, whatever circumstances they face
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They won’t just tell you everything is going to be OK. They will stay with you to work out a plan of action
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They will stick with you during difficult circumstances to help you be strong and remain faithful to the Lord
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Potential is a key word for the exhorter•They perceive potential in people who want to grow spiritually•They see potential for growth even in times of testing•They are more person centered than the teacher•They are more patient than the one with the gift of prophecy
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They are likely to challenge persons to either get with the program or make room for somebody else!
In addition to my own material I have included quotes from the following:
- C. Peter Wagner “Your Spiritural Gifts”
- Gordon Lindsay “All About the Gifts of the Spirit”
- Adult Education and Discipleship Ministries – FBC – Garland “Gifts are for Giving”
- Biblesoft Libraries
- Sandy Trice
- David Francis
Today's Word From God 
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