The Gifts of the Spirit: Chosen Just for You

Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a topic that is absolutely powerful and deeply personal: the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now, before you start wondering if we’re about to start a spiritual Olympics where everyone’s running around trying to win a gold medal in prophecy or speaking in tongues, let me put your mind at ease. This isn’t about competition – it’s about God’s perfect purpose for each of us in His kingdom.

We’re going to explore seven gifts from Isaiah that transform our hearts, and nine gifts from Paul that empower us to serve others. But here’s the key point: God chooses which gift(s) He gives you based on His plan for your life and His kingdom. That’s right, He hands out the gifts like a cosmic talent agent, and trust me – He knows exactly what you need to fulfill your purpose.

But hold onto your seats, because NO ONE has all of the gifts. Not even the Apostle Paul. Yep, that’s right. So, let’s take a closer look at these gifts and see how you can identify yours and use it to serve His kingdom.

The Seven Gifts of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3)

Let’s start with the seven gifts from Isaiah. These are gifts that deal with your character and spiritual growth. They’re the kind of gifts that help you become more like Jesus, and they’re foundational to our walk with God. When the Holy Spirit rests on you, these gifts shape you into a stronger, more godly person.

Here’s the list:

1. Wisdom – This is the ability to apply knowledge in a way that honors God. It’s not just about knowing facts, but knowing how to live them out.

2. Understanding – This gift gives you the ability to see life through God’s perspective, to understand His will in every situation.

3. Counsel – This is the gift of giving godly advice to others, helping them navigate life’s challenges with God’s truth.

4. Fortitude (Strength) – The gift of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. It’s spiritual muscle to keep going when things get tough.

5. Knowledge – This is knowing and understanding the mysteries of God and His Word. It’s the ability to comprehend the depth of God’s will and His plan.

6. Piety (Reverence) – A deep, heartfelt devotion to God that expresses itself in worship and honor. This is an intimate relationship with God that fuels your love for Him.

7. Fear of the Lord (Awe and Reverence) – A humble, respectful fear that puts God in His rightful place. It’s a reminder of who He is and who we are in His presence.

   
   

The Nine Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Next, let’s look at Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians 12. These are the empowering gifts that help us serve the body of Christ and further His kingdom. These are the gifts that help us do supernatural things to bring glory to God and build up the Church.

Here are Paul’s gifts:

1. Word of Wisdom – The ability to speak words that bring divine clarity and insight, helping others make wise decisions.

2. Word of Knowledge – A deep understanding of spiritual truths that can be shared in a way that builds up the Church.

3. Faith – Not just saving faith, but the supernatural ability to believe and trust in God’s promises, even in impossible circumstances.

4. Gifts of Healing – The ability to pray for the sick and see them healed by God’s power.

5. Miraculous Powers – The ability to perform miracles – like turning water into wine, or parting seas (okay, maybe not that big, but you get the idea)

6. Prophecy – The ability to speak God’s message into a situation, whether for encouragement, correction, or revelation.

7. Distinguishing between Spirits – The ability to discern whether something is from God, the enemy, or just human.

8. Speaking in Different Kinds of Tongues – First, we should point out that the expression “heavenly language” is nowhere found in Scripture. Speaking in a foreign earthly and known language as a sign of the Spirit’s presence and power.

9. Interpretation of Tongues – The ability to interpret the foreign language spoken by others, bringing understanding to the Church.

   
   

Why Does God Choose Which Gifts You Get?

Alright, here’s where it gets really interesting. God doesn’t just randomly hand out gifts, and He doesn’t give all the gifts to one person. He chooses the gifts He gives you based on His purpose for you in His Kingdom.

Think about it this way: If you were putting together a sports team, you wouldn’t make everyone play the same position, right? You need some quarterbacks, some wide receivers, and some defensive players. Why? Because every position has a unique purpose in the game.

Well, God’s team works the same way. He gives different gifts to different people based on the role He has for them in His kingdom. Some people may have the gift of healing because God’s called them to minister to the sick. Others may have the gift of prophecy because God’s called them to speak His truth in difficult situations. Some have the gift of wisdom, others the gift of knowledge, and still others the gift of faith.

And here’s the kicker: NO ONE has all the gifts. You’re not Superman (sorry). Even Paul didn’t have all the gifts! You’re not meant to do everything – you’re meant to do what God has gifted you to do, and when you work together with others, the body of Christ is complete.

IV. How Do You Identify Which Gifts You Have?

Here’s the good news: identifying your gifts doesn’t require a super-spiritual radar or a trip to the Holy Spirit gift store. You don’t need to stand on one leg, chant a prayer, and wait for a gift to fall out of the sky. Here’s what you can do:

1. Ask God: God is the giver of all gifts. Ask Him what gift He has for you and why He gave it to you.

2. Pay Attention to Your Passions: What excites you about serving God? If you find yourself deeply passionate about healing, prophecy, or teaching, that could be a clue!

3. Look for Confirmation: God often confirms your gifts through others. If people regularly come to you for advice (counsel), or if they see you step up in moments of need (fortitude), that could point to your spiritual gift.

4. Try Serving: Start using your gifts! You don’t need to have everything figured out. Step into areas where you feel led and watch God work through you.

   
   

Conclusion: Embrace Your Gift

The bottom line is this: God has given you exactly the gifts you need to fulfill His purpose in your life. You don’t need to compare yourself to others or wish you had someone else’s gift. Every believer has at least one gift (some of you may have more), and the beauty is, we need each other’s gifts to build the Kingdom of God.

So, embrace your gift. Use it to serve, to encourage, to heal, to lead, to discern, and to love. You were chosen, equipped, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do things that no one else can do quite like you.

Let’s pray,

Lord, thank You for the unique gifts You’ve given each of us. Help us to identify and embrace our gifts, not for our glory, but for Your kingdom. We ask that You empower us to use our gifts to serve others, build the church, and bring glory to Your name. May we never compare our gifts to others, but always be faithful in using what You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, go out and use your superpower for God’s Kingdom! You’re not just gifted – you’re chosen for a purpose!