Motivational Spiritual Gifts and how Jesus illustrates them

Jesus possessed all the gifts in great measure and He exhibited them all in Scripture. (See Saturday for the Perceiver Gift)


As a Server He worked with His hands as a carpenter, He washed His disciples feet and said the greatest is the servant. He exhibited a great amount of energy in his 3.5 year ministry. How He kept going is an amazing feat. If you'd like the Biblical references for these, email me and I'll send them to you.


As a Teacher He continuously taught as He went. The crowds would gather, He would sit and teach. He taught at synogogues and on the hill sides in boats and as He walked along. He fulfilled the Law. He taught Truth because He is the Truth the Way and the Life. He quoted Scripture, but He never overwhelmed with His knowledge. Often times, His disciples would wait until the crowds dispersed and then ask what His teaching meant. John 14 is a good example. He was intelligent, curious and self-controlled (He made the whip He used to drive out the moneychangers.)


As an Exhorter He taught people how to live a victorious life The Beattitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. He gave positive illustrations in His parables and teachings and He gave step by step instructions such as in Matthew 18:15-17 15 "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him--work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. 16 If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. 17 If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love. He accepted people as they were such as the robber on the cross who was with Him that day in Paradise. His own life was a witness to the truth... He lived what He preached.


As a Giver He fed the 5000 and the 4000. He gave His energy to others such as when the woman touched the tallit of His prayer shawl and she was healed from her 12-year illness. He told John the Baptist when John questioned, that the blind see and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed the deaf hear and the dead are raised, the wretched of the earth have God's salvation extended to them. He gave His life so that we might live.


As an Administrator He chose and organized His followers, not only the twelve but also the 70 as in Luke 10. He was highly motivated to finish His mission. He recognized His authority came from God and He exercised that authority. He delegated jobs to His workers. He endured criticism from those opposed to His mission. He took responsibility -- the ultimate responsibility -- for the weaknesses and the sins of those who follow Him.

As a Compassionate Person He showed love towards the rich young ruler whom He knew would turn from Him and reject Him. (Mark 10:21) He was not only aware of people's physical needs, but He supplied them. He was alert to emotional and psychological needs. Matt 9:36 36 When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. He expressed emotion when He wept. He mourned over Jerusalem. He was alert to the needs of His followers to "Come with Me to this quiet place and rest."


There are so many more that there is no space to write them all. I'm quite sure you could think of several just halfway thinking about it.


This study was taken from Charles Stanley's sermons and from Don and Katy Fortune's book Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Their website is www.heart2heart.org


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