Grace and Gifts

Gary Rucci
5th March 2017

A Church was looking for a new pastor. The elder gave an update: We've not been able to find a
suitable candidate, though we still have one promising prospect. We have received several
applications and we've followed up each one with phone calls and interviews and examined at least
three references on each. The following is our updated report.
o Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how he and his wife
enjoy walking nude in the woods.
o Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years but with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building
projects.
o Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to show he never
slept with another man's wife, but did offer to share his own wife with another man.
o Joseph: A big thinker, but a bit of a bragger, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison
record.
o Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes
blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.
o David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his
neighbour's wife.
o Solomon: Great preacher but our church building would never hold all of his wives.
o Elijah: Prone to depression and collapses under pressure.
o Elisha: Reported to have lived with a widow while at his former church.
o Hosea: A tender and loving pastor but our people could never handle his wife's occupation.
o Deborah: Good references but shes a woman
o Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to
have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of foreign river.
o Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his language.
o Jonah: Refused God's call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a
great fish. He told us the fish later spat him out on the shore near here. We hung up.
o Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but
has problems with wealthy people. Might fit in better in a poor congregation.
o John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn't dress like one. Has slept in the outdoors for
months on end, has a weird diet, and unnecessarily provokes denominational leaders.
o Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper and even has been known to curse. Aggressive at
times, bit a loose cannon.
o Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving
with younger ministers, harsh and has been known to preach all night.
o Timothy: Too young.
o Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend
them all and this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long.
And, of course, he's single.
o Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how
to handle money. We're inviting him to preach this Sunday. There are possibilities here..

We are continuing our series on Grace. Today we will look at the connection between grace and
gifting, but we will spend time taking a closer look at those leadership gifts like the pastor.

There are three (3) primary groups of gifts outlined by Apostle Paul.

We are only going to have a brief overview today:

Motivational Gifts (7) - Romans 12:6-8

Manifestation Gifts (9) - 1Corinthians 12:4-11
Ministry Gifts (5) - Ephesians 4:11
Miscellaneous Gifts (eg. missionary, celibacy, craftsmanship, intercession etc)

There are 21 gifts clearly outlined in scripture with several other miscellaneous gifts referred to (as
above plus helps and administration sometimes being distinguished from other Romans 12). These
will vary depending on which author you are reading and whether or not, they believe in the Person
and Work of the Holy Spirit in the world today.

Lets take a quick look at the 21 gifts listed:

Motivational Gifts Manifestation Gifts Ministry Gifts

prophecy word of wisdom Apostle

serving word of knowledge Prophet
teaching faith Evangelist
encouraging gifts of healings Pastor
giving working miracles Teacher
leading prophecy
mercy discerning spirits
tongues (diff Acts 2)
interpretation of tongues
We will take a closer look at the five (5) Ministry Gifts today.

Lets observe the connection between Grace and Gift:

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us Rom 12:6
(Holy Spirit) distributes to each one as He wills (decides) 1Cor 12:11
to each one of us grace was given acc. to the measure of Christs gift Eph 4:7

Heres the good news we are all gifted! Because of Gods grace and His design on our lives we
have been given the opportunity to express His Kingdom to others in these very special ways.

You are not gifted because of: education, wealth, raised well by your parents, your birthplace,
opportunities, skills you have developed, experiences you have had. These factors may have
shaped your behaviour. But your spiritual gift is supernatural and given to you by God in
accordance with His Grace!!

In fact we have usually received more than one gift. Ive met people with all sort of gift-mixes:

Encouragement and Prophecy

Mercy and Giving
Serving and Words of Wisdom
Leadership and Gift of Faith
Evangelist with Gifts of Healings
Apostle with Discerning of Spirits

What gift-mix are you?

We are meant to discover it, embrace it, learn about it, stir it up, and then - motivated by love, we
are to use it to serve others! (not just in church)

It is your greatest contribution to the community of disciples you belong to but it is also the best
thing you bring to your workplace and community!!

Lets take a closer look at the 5 Ministry Gifts listed in Ephesians 4 and unpack the critical role they
play in seeing local churches become strong, healthy and multiplying communities of disciples.

Ephesians 4:12-16 (NKJV)

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till
we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature)
man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the
cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into
Him who is the head Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth
of the body for the edifying of itself in love

Summary: equip, unity, stability, maturity, inspire Christlike living, synergy, effective structures and
government, mobilise people and cause growth.
Exploring the Ministry Gifts in Ephesians 4

verse 12 Equipping = perfecting (KJV) = Gk: Katartismos

Kata = a standard by which judgement is made
Artismos = to repair and to adjust as a craftsman
Artismos translated as mended, fitted, prepared, framed and perfectly joined together

This is what these gifts do: they mend lives and churches / establish foundations / prepare and equip
people to play their part in the Kingdom of God / networkers and connectors / unifiers / visionaries /
pioneers / catalysts for growth

The reason why so many churches dont grow, mature, multiply and fulfil their mandate is because
they have not experienced the regular ministry and input of these 5 (five) gifts. THIS IS A CRITICAL
PART OF GODS PATTERN FOR MULTIPLICATION

Apostle = Dream Awakener (JR Woodward)

People wake up!! They awaken and call people to join in Gods mission to renew all things. They
create a discipleship culture and desire to see the church strengthened and growing.

Gk Apostolos = One who is sent, an envoy or ambassador.

They establish church government and foundations. Sets things in order to advance Kingdom of God.

They create a SENDING culture. Disciples are made, leaders are developed, churches are planted and
they multiply. Breakthroughs occur on the margins, hard places are opened, strategic people come
to Christ, missionaries are sent.

We are part of the Apostolic Churches of Australia. However the name we bear doesnt always
describe who we are. Unfortunately like so many others we have become an almost irrelevant
denomination. May God awaken us to His Purpose in this season!!

Prophet = Heart Revealer

They reveal Gods heart for people and they reveal peoples hearts toward God both His Church
and the world for which He died!

Gk prophetes = One who speaks forth by the inspiration of God. A seer. They declare the mind and
message of God. They foretell and forthtell.

They speak out Gods revelation in order to encourage and strengthen people toward Gods
purposes. They equip people to live out Gods new social order by igniting all gifts and making them
aware of Gods work in their midst. They seek justice for the poor and marginalised.

They are feelers and revealers. They sense and discern things in the spiritual realm. They want to
reveal what God thinks and feels about a situation.
They work closely with Apostles and teachers to establish the foundations of churches, bringing
strength and creating a multiplication DNA. (Ephesians 2:20 and Acts 13:1)

NOTES:

Just because a person prophesies it does not make them a prophet. This is not to be confused with
the gift of prophecy listed in 1 Corinthians 12.

However prophets will prophesy but as weve seen its not the only thing that do. In this regard we
have an over-emphasis and obsession with prophecy.

Those pastors that carry a prophetic unction can find it more difficult to prophesy in a local context
because they pastor people and become familiar with their issues.

Like the Apostle there is a distinction between the gift and the office. The gift is given by God but the
office is given by men (denominations).

1Cor 9:2 Paul confesses that some people did not acknowledge or receive him as an apostle, but that
didnt change the truth that he was an apostle.

This makes these five-fold ministry gifts spherical.. in other words they thrive in certain spheres,
contexts, domains and nations.

Example: African apostles in UK preaching but not recognised there.

Evangelist = Story Teller

They share Gods story in a way that the lost hear the good news and accept it and their own life
story is transformed.

Gk euaggelistes = bringer of good news

They equip the church to proclaim the gospel by being witnesses, agents of redemption and
ministers of reconciliation, turning secular jobs into sacred vocations. Inspiring the church to live as a
sign and foretaste of the Kingdom of God.

They are consumed with the goal of seeing His glory fill the earth. They accelerate growth in the
church. They have this unique ability to relate to the unsaved. They carry a passion for the lost that
causes them to be bold, to take risks, to be creative and innovative.

Example: John Partington (19th) and Carl Butler (Easter) and Scott Hanzy (Oct)

However we have under-utilised the gift of the evangelist by making them guest speakers only. They
are equippers. (Hoping to bring Carl back again)
Pastor = Soul Healer

They seek to bring healing and wholeness to people and relationships. They create an environment
that facilitates healing, growth and transformation.

Gk poimen = shepherd. In scripture also described as watchmen, protectors, guides and physicians.

They equip people to create and live in a community that cultivates authenticity, reconciliation and
life-giving spirituality. They help people connect with God the ultimate soul healer.

They are committed disciple makers, nurturers & stabilisers. Motivated by seeing personal growth,
breakthrough and wholeness in peoples lives.

NOTE: We call everyone a pastor ! (or worse Reverend) Why? In KJV Poimen appears only 18 times =
shepherd 15, Shepherd 2, Pastor 1.
Some pastors are Romans 12 Teaching and Leading gifts BUT NOT Ephesians 4 Pastors!! Which is
why maturity, growth and multiplication does not occur.

After years of research and surveys the profile of THE PERFECT PASTOR has been
developed.

The Perfect Pastor preaches exactly 15 minutes, and thoroughly explains the scriptures with
expository preaching.

They condemn sin, and promote right living but never upset anyone. They resolve conflicts,
never take sides and keep everyone happy.

The unsaved visitors understand all that is preached while the mature believers enjoy the
fresh revelation.

He works from 8:00 AM until midnight and is also the janitor, gardener and repair man.

He makes $600 per week, wears nice clothes, buys good study books, drives a recent model
car.... he tithes and gives about $200 per week to missions and the poor.

He is 30 years old and has been preaching and leading for 25 years. He is wonderfully
gentle, kind and handsome. He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all
his spare time with senior citizens.

The perfect pastor smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humour
that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.

He makes fifteen calls a day to church families, visits prisons and hospitals; Spends all his
time evangelising the "unchurched" and is always in his office when needed.
Teacher = Light Giver

They shed light on the sacred text and help people understand it in a life-giving way so that it can be
applied to their everyday lives. They cause people to learn Gods ways.

Gk didaskolos = an instructor, an imparter of truth

They equip the congregation with a hermeneutical approach to the bible that enables them to
embrace truth and live in a manner that is faithful to scriptures. They help people to immerse in
scripture and be transformed by its truth.

NOTE:

This is not the same as the teaching gift listed in Romans 12. Again a person may be able to teach
(Rom 12) but it does not make them a Teacher (Eph 4).

Teachers will teach but its not the only thing they do. They are governmental gifts who equip the
saints for ministry, they bring maturity, stability and foundational apostolic doctrine.

Please be aware when people say The only teacher I need is the Holy Spirit quoting John 14:26 and
1 John 2:26-27. Let the alarms go off!

If we didnt need any other person than the Holy Spirit to teach us, then why did He give people with
the gift of teaching (Rom 12) and provide Teachers (Eph 4) to the Body of Christ?

In the same way when people believe they should simply do whatever the Spirit leads them to do.
We must ask, then why did God create leaders and provide wise counsellors? Why did he create
authority? Why did He Himself give Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers?

IN SUMMARY

Nikki and I believe wholeheartedly in the operation of the five Ministry Gifts listed in Ephesians 4.

These are HIS GIFTS. The outpouring of His Grace upon certain lives!

When we abide by Jesus pattern we will see His Kingdom come. We will see growth, salvations,
baptisms, signs and wonders, miracles, breakthroughs, multiplication and Kingdom advancement.

Over the next 3-5 years we will work diligently to create a group of Ephesians 4 Leaders who will
give leadership and direction to Rivercity Family Churches (plural).

PRAY for the Gifts of God to be activated and stirred up in your lives.