MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS

Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (KJV)

Introduction

The Motivational Gifts are temperaments that people are born with, and are characteristics of their personality.

There are seven "motivational" gifts (gifts of grace) listed here in Romans 12. There are 4 verbal gifts. These are people who tend to be very good at talking with others and have the ability to lead through communication with others. There are four of these: Prophet, Teacher, Exhorter & Administrator. There are 3 non-verbal gifts: Servants, Givers & Mercy.

A. The Greek word carisma "charisma" means "a gift". The Greek wordcaris"Charis" means "grace", and the word cairw? "Chairo" means "joy". So "Chairo" is the root word from which "Charisma" and "Charis" come.

B. God gives to every man "a measure of faith". (Vs. 3)

1. This refers to our "capacity to believe", or as He puts it in Matthew (the servants given talents) "according to his several ability". (Matt. 25:14,15)
2. The Greek word translated "measure" is metron "metron" from which our word "metric" comes, and it means "a limited amount."
3. We are all born with faith.
   • Example - a child will believe anything you tell him.
   • When a child stops believing is when he does wrong and knows it and does not make it right, rather justifies himself in his actions.

C. When we come to Christ and make Him the Lord of our lives, this "capacity to believe" - this "measure of faith" begins to be exercised, but we cannot change what God made us, or what God gave us - why? Because it is a gift of grace (undeserved favor) - we had nothing to do with it. (Vs. 6-8) (Vs. 3)

1. But we can exercise it to the best of our ability and God will say to us, "Well done, good..." (Matt. 5:21,23), or we can be like the slothful servant and hear the words, "Thou wicked and slothful..." (Matt. 25:26-30)

D. We're not to "reply against God" for making us as we are, but we are to learn how to operate in our "motivation" according to wisdom. (Rom. 9:20) (II Tim. 2:20,21) (I Pet. 4:10)

E. We have each been given a gift (an ability) of grace, a measure of faith (a capacity to believe), and we have only one dominate motiva­tional gift, however, we may function in all areas of ministry as God directs.

1. You will fit more neatly into one of these categories than you will fit into the others.

F. As we talk about the seven motivational gifts, I want you to measure yourself, analyze yourself to see which one you best fit into.

G. These do not necessarily mean that this is your only function in the church. For example - you could have prophet motivational gift and teach also, but not be a teacher!

H. The final test of your motivational gift will be joy.