South Main Baptist Church
Aug 15, 20222 min
Romans 1:11-12
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Our scripture for today is from the book of Romans in the Bible. It is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the Christians in the city of Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. In this letter Paul expresses the strong desire to personally be present with the believers in this church. He longs to be with them that he might impart to them some spiritual gift. He lists the reasons for the gifts as follows: First, to make them strong, and second for them to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. So, what is your spiritual gift? Pray that God might reveal that to you today!
1. The major categories of the Spiritual gifts in the Bible are the “Church Gifts” (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher), the “Serving Gifts” (helping, mercy, giving, ministry), and the “Supernatural Gifts” (healing, tongues, interpretation, discernment). Which of these gifts do you feel that you may possess? (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11).
2. In our main scripture for today, Paul wrote that he wanted to “impart some spiritual gift” to his readers. And sometimes you may not realize you have a gift, but then someone else speaks into your life about an ability they see in your life. Can you think of and relate a time when someone else noticed that you have a gift? What qualities did they “impart” to you?
3. In Galatians 5:22-23, another list is in the Bible called the “Fruit of the Spirit” which are the characteristics of Jesus (love, joy, peace, patience) growing in you as walk with Him. Of the “Gifts of the Spirit” and the “Fruit of the Spirit” which do you think are the most important? (Hint: See 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:13).
1. Pray to God and consult other believers to determine the spiritual gift or gifts that you possess. Then determine to begin to use them for God’s glory in our world.
2. Don’t forget to develop and exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit as you exercise your Gifts of the Spirit in your life. Without God’s love, it’s all in vain.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the Spiritual Gifts you give to me. Help me to use them for your glory alone – not for the approval of people, not out of fear or retribution, nor to gain power and prestige. Forgive me when I work for appreciation, recognition, or congratulation. For it is You we serve and not mere men.