Dave Havir - 7 Gifts of Romans 12

Dave Havir, focusing on the seven gifts of Romans 12:6-8, emphasizes that these gifts are not ranks of power. A minister is a servant, not a “boss.” These seven gifts can be possessed by any member of God’s Church, and should be used to edify or build up the body of Christ’s. To desire a spiritual gift is not wrong, but not for the purpose of grasping power and dominance over someone else. Love is the most important of God’s gifts. Some of the gifts are more useful than others, but all are useful. Speaking in tongues probably refers to actual spoken languages, but if one believes that the Pentecostal glossalia is a manifestation of spiritual gift, it is absolutely worthless unless these sounds actually edify. Ministering is not so much a matter of being a big shot teacher, as it is cleaning commodes and washing people’s feet. Our ministry should concentrate on servant leadership, not tyranny and dominion. With teaching comes a sense of responsibility and stewardship of God’s Word. Teachers must cultivate the skills of comforting, exhorting, and especially edifying. All of us should exercise the gift of giving; giving should be a willing act, not a result of “guilting” or manipulation. God has not given anyone dominion over our faith. One of the most valuable unsung gifts one could attain is the gift of mercy. Mercy trumps sacrifice. Whatever gift we receive has been designed for the edifying the Body of Christ, not exalting the self.

Apt to teach * Bernie Monsalvo * Carol Bald * Cleaning crews * Clergy * Comforting * Control freak * Diakonos * Diakonia * Diakoneo * Didaktikos * Didaskalia * Didaskalos * Didasko * Doulos * Edification * Eleeo * Eleemon * Exhorting * False prophet * I Corinthians 13:2; 14:1-6 * Gibberish * Gift of presiding * Gifts of prophesy * Giving * Insight * Instruction * Islam * James 3:1 * Pastor * Mark 7:7 * Mathew 5:7; 9:13; 12:7; 20:25-28 * Mercy * Mysteries * Not rank of power * Parakaleo * Power hungry people * Presiding * Prophesy * Prophesying * Ruling * Servant leadership * Serving * Seven gifts of Romans 12:6-8 * II Corinthians 1:3-7; 24 * Shepherd * Showing mercy * Speaking in tongues * Teaching