There are three questions we are attempting to answer in this presentation: What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? What Does it Mean for Us Practically as a Church? How Do We Properly Use the Gifst of the Holy Spirit? The text we base this presentation on is from Ephesians 4:7-16 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”[b] 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 1. What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? Definition: Gifts of the Holy Spirit are abilities given by the Holy Spirit to all who believe in order to meet the needs of others so that the Church and community around us can become more like Jesus. There are Different Categories of Spritual Gifst 1. Truth Related What are truth related spiritual gifts? and (evangelism) 2. Giving Direction Which spiritual gifts give direction? and 3. Help Which spiritual gifts are there to help and assist those in need? All gifts of the Holy Spirit are there to satisfy the need of another person (physical, spiritual, relational, mental) Spiritual gifts make us dependent on each other. Spiritual gifts Equip us for Service This is the of spiritual gifts. Teachers, evangelists, pastors, elders, prophets are there to equip people for the work of service. 2. What Does This Mean Practically for Us as a Church? There is no passive, idle Christians “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10) To understand, embrace and exercise your gifts is to find , and in life. Some practical problems: There is so much to be done and only few people do it There are many people who readily receive but struggle to give Once you start exercising your gifts problems arise What are Two Fundamental Problems and Holy Spirit is there to elimate both Spiritual Fruit Must be the goal of Spiritual Gifts Every Christian should have the whole package of Spiritual Fruit but not every Christian will have all spiritual gifts. 3. How Can We Properly Use Spiritual Gifts? Only the fruit of the Spirit will make the gifts of the Spirt effective and purposful. “Speaking the truth in love will build ourselves up into the fullness of Christ.” (15.16) Pau does not talk about spiritual gifts without talking about love.