SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST
MEMORY SCRIPTURE
And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (1 Samuel 17:33).
Talents & Abilities in beleven and unbelievers alike
Spintual Gifts related to Talents & Abilities Further Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Spiritual Gifts that a clearly Supernatually Derived
Talents are different from spiritual gifts. The former comes at natural birth while the latter comes with spiritual baptism.
BRIEF COMMENT
Paul's response to David's willingness to confront Goliath is S grounded on the physical appearance of the young lad. From Saul's viewpoint, David lacked the experience and stature of a seasoned warrior, while Goliath was a battle-expert giant. To address this, Saul attempted to outfit David with his own armour, providing him with a bronze helmet and a coat of mail (1 Sam. 17:38) in an effort to compensate for what he perceived as David's lack of expertise in warfare. Nevertheless, David's unwavering faith in the LORD is evident, in his statement: Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Sam 17:45). David's trust in God's protection, grounded in his past experiences, distinguishes spiritual gifts from mere skills.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon 19: This Huram: Skilled In Bronze Work (1 Kgs. 7:14)
Tue 20: The Gifts Need To Be Guided (1 Chro. 25:7) Wed. 21 Talents Can Be Inherited (Gen. 4:12)
Thur: 22: Talents Are Given According To Ability (Matt. 25:15)
Fri. 23: Talents Also Require Accountability (Matt. 25:16)
Sat. 21: This Uzziah Invents Engines Of War (2 Chro. 26:15)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. Talents may be inherited at birth, but spiritual gifts are received at the new birth in Christ.
2. Talents are natural gifts, spiritual gifts are supernatural. Talents may be inherited at birth, but spiritual gifts are received at the new birth in Christ.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:21-22; Daniel 1:17
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To compare and contrast talents and spiritual gifts.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
i. give practical examples of talents as being natural;
ii. give practical examples of spiritual gifts as being supernatur and
iii. discuss the relevance of, and differentiate between talents and spiritual gifts.
INTRODUCTION TEXTUAL SOURCE: 1 SAMUEL 16:13-23; 17:4,31-33; 2 KINGS 3:15; PSALM 68:24-25
Last week, we discussed the works of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ. We should not be ignorant of how the Holy Spirit operates when we come together as a Church, or in our lives as individual believers. Getting acquainted with the ways and works of the Holy Spirit is the pathway to exercising our spiritual gifts to the fullest.
This week, the focus is on such a volatile subject: Talents Versus Spiritual Gifts. The two are intertwined but not the same. Talents are natural aptitudes or skills, but spiritual gifts are abilities and enablement from the Holy Spirit. For a talented individual, is it the Holy Spirit that is at work, too? Are being talented and spiritually gifted the same? A comparative scriptural study between the two, showing their similarities and differences, will help us a lot in putting a clear difference between the thin lines. The lesson for this week answers these questions and many more.
LESSON OUTLINE
1. TALENTS ARE NATURAL
II. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR BELIEVERS
LESSON EXPOSITION
1. TALENTS ARE NATURAL (1 Sam. 16:18; 17:4,31-33)
And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (17:33).
a) 17:4: ...Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath (TLB). The people of Gath were people of great heights (cf. Josh. 11:22). Goliath measured over 9 ft. tall (v. 4)-an advantage in battle (cf. 1 Sam. 9:2), added to the fact that he was a talented man of war from his youth, showing his wealth of experience as a warrior (v. 33).
b) vv. 34-37: David was also talented and skilled, both in music and shepherding. The testimony of his experience with the lion and bear confirms him as a versatile shepherd and man of war.
c) 16:18 gives us a clearer picture of his natural endowments: skillful in playing (musical instruments), a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person. Added to these are being skilled in poetry and song composition.
d) 17:33: Saul, being a tall man (9:2), had more of a natural view than the supernatural dimension of the battle (cf. vv. 38-39).
e) v. 39: That David could not move with Saul's armour implies that natural talents are not fit for spiritual battles. You don't fight God's battle with human weapons.
f) Talents are as a result of our genetic inheritance. They also can be developed through practice and training. They are natural endowments, but are still from God, the Giver of all things.
II. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR BELIEVERS (1 Sam. 16:13-23; 2 Kgs. 3:15; Psa. 68:24-25)
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah (1 Sam. 16:13).
a) 1 Sam. 16:13: It is possible to be talented but not anointed. The anointing upon David transformed him from being natural to spiritual.
b) vv. 16,19-23: The same anointing moved him from being a skilled musician to a minstrel (psalmist) who could minister healing to a distressed king.
c) v. 18: And the LORD is with him. The major factor (the presence of the Lord) distinguishing the spiritually gifted from the naturally talented the difference between David and Goliath.
d) Identifying David as a carrier of God's presence besides his natural and spiritual endowments shows that God's presence in the believer's life is not concealed from men (cf. Gen. 39:1-2; 41:37,38).
e) 2 Kgs. 3:15: And while the minstrel played, the hand and power of the LORD came upon Elisha (AMP). It takes a spiritually gifted minstrel and not just a talented musician to minister healing and bring down the power of God via musical instruments (cf. 1 Sam. 10:5-6).
f) Psa. 68:24-25: The Psalmist describes the triumphal procession of God into the sanctuary: singers in front, musicians behind, girls playing the timbrels in between (TLB). This differentiates Spirit-filled gospel music ministers from mere "gospel entertainers".
g) Spiritual gifts are as a result of the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They also need to be fanned to flame (2 Tim. 1:6).
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Talents are for both the saved and the unsaved, but spiritual gifts are for the saved alone.
2. Talents may be self-centred and money-driven, but spiritual gifts are God-centred and purpose-driven.
QUESTIONS
1. Talents are for both the saved and the unsaved, but spiritual gifts are for the saved. Discuss.
2. Ministry differs from entertainment. Discuss.
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
* Refer to part I of the lesson exposition.
* One doesn't need to be born again to possess one, or more talents, but spiritual gifts require one to be born again.
* Talents are innate, but spiritual gifts must be activated in a person's life through Holy Spirit baptism.
* Talents are natural gifts, whereas spiritual gifts are divine.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2
* Refer to part II of the lesson exposition.
* Ministry work is deeply spiritual, centred on rescuing individuals from the pit of sin, self and flesh, and firmly establishing them in their faith (1 Sam. 17:34-35). In contrast, entertainment primarily focuses on providing amusement and enjoyment.
* It requires a life of holiness, consecration and commitment to studying God's Word, fasting, and prayer. Conversely, entertainment doesn't necessitate these spiritual practices for its execution.
* It takes on forms like drama, music, teaching and preaching, each with the purpose of nurturing and discipling people. Entertainment covers forms like comedy, skits, and acting at social events, with the primary goal of bringing viewers laughter and relaxation.
* The ultimate objective of entertainment is to bring relaxation, while ministry aims at saving souls and facilitating their spiritual growth.
* Ministry is driven by the Kingdom-oriented views, seeking to further God's work, whereas entertainment often prioritises financial gain.
LIFE APPLICATION
Talents are abilities that can be learnt, or natural, while spiritual gifts are divine endowments focused on serving a religious community. Both can positively contribute to an individual's life and the Church, if managed effectively. Our church needs talented individuals in various areas,
including decorations, technical units, and media units. Those with spiritual gifts can serve in their respective areas without competition, or jealousy.
CONCLUSION
Gradually, we have just come to the end of the sixth lesson. G Whether you are talented or or spiritually gifted, ensure they are used solely for the glory of God.