The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Part 8

of our study of the Person & Work of the Holy Spirit

Welcome!

Intro

√ Evangelist

√ Administration

The gift of Evangelist

√ Back to what is becoming a very familiar scripture!

Eph. 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

We see that the Bible speaks of evangelism as a gift!

(vs. simple enthusiasm)

“Evangelism” = “To proclaim the good news”

Gospel defined:

I Cor.15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

I Cor.15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

I Cor.15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

I Cor.15:4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

A person with the gift of evangelism has a God-given ability to present the Gospel in a way that is clear and compelling to the unsaved.

Additionally, there is with the gift an anointing by the Holy Spirit Who works with the evangelist as he preaches the Gospel to bring conviction to the heart of the unsaved and prompts them to make the step of faith.

Ex. Billy Graham – undisputed gifting to bring folks to the point of commitment!

√ The ministry of the evangelist is primarily, though not exclusively done outside the church. Ministering in areas where the Gospel has not yet been preached.

That’s because his ministry is to the unsaved.

Though, I’ve seen effective evangelism within the church.

Ex. Monday evenings at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

√ The New Testament has many examples of those who were called and gifted by God to be evangelists.

Philip

Acts 21:8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

The Bible records Philip’s work as an evangelist in Acts 8 – preaching in Samaria and then in Gaza to the Ethiopian eunuch.

Evangelist minister both to groups and to individuals!

Note: Philip did not begin his ministry as an evangelist – he began by waiting on tables! (Acts 6)

Ap. If you don’t know what your gift is – don’t sit – get into the war and do something. The Lord uses people who have a servant’s heart – willing to do anything for Him!

√ So, we see that some people have been given the gift of evangelism. But that doesn’t mean that the rest of us are excused from sharing the Gospel!

Every member of the Church has a responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those the Lord brings our way.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Even pastors!

2Ti 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The gift of Administration

√ Back to another familiar passage…

I Cor. 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Unfortunately, this is the only verse in the Bible which specifically mentions this gifting – at least by this title.

However, we know what the word “administer” means…

“To manage”

…and there are many sections of scripture in which we find people doing the work of administration.

Ex. Joseph – everywhere he went people put him in charge of administering something!

Potiphar’s household

Prison

Nation of Egypt

If we apply that definition to the Church we see that administration involves the management of the activity of the church.

A person with the gift of administration, like Joseph, has a God-given ability to oversee the material aspects of the church.

Ex. The distribution of food to the widows

Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

Acts 6:3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Duties: make sure that every widow in the church receives their portion of food and that no one is overlooked.

Qualifications: good reputation – full of the Holy Spirit – wisdom.

Note how important the function is of these men with the gift to administer the business of the church.

If they do their job properly, the strife within the church is removed and unity is restored!

Ap. We mustn’t be ignorant of the fact that Satan will use any tool he can to bring discord to the Church – even the saints in the Church!

Every church will experience growing pains and problems – the challenge for the members of the church is to treat each other with love and then pray for wisdom to resolve the issue.

Those with the gift of administrations are those who can see the solution to each problem and oversee the implementation of the solution.

Homework

√ So, what’s your gift??

If you still aren’t sure I’d encourage you to do like Philip did and find a place of service so that the Lord can speak to you.

Ex. Door ministry