Over the last few days we have been looking at Paul’s broadest explanation of spiritual experience and spiritual gifts.Speaking as we were of the importance of discovering our own spiritual gifts from God, the Holy Spirit, I thought I’d tell you about Peter Wagner. In his book “Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow” (that’s the title, not the first chapter), he tells that, as a young minister, he went out as a missionary to Bolivia, determined to be the Billy Graham of Bolivia. He had studied hard and long for years, learned Spanish, poured over Biblical theology and trained in preaching.He gave his first message – nothing happened. He thought ‘I need to do more work on the sermon and offer more prayer’ – so fully prepared, he tried again. Nothing. The people were super-glued to their seats. He wrestled with his own motives. Was he truly consecrated to Christ – what was wrong? He recalled his professor at Seminary who could even win people for Christ sitting next to him on a bus.When he tried it “the passenger was mad and I was devastated” he confessed.
For months he struggled – till he read a book about spiritual gifts, and contacted the author to confer with him about his personal gospel-preaching problem. Then he made the spiritual discovery of his life – God had not given him the gifts of an evangelist! From that day on everything changed “I was no longer an eagle learning to climb a tree” He had, of course, as do all Christians, the privilege of sharing his faith and witnessing to others of his Christ. But now he knew. He was a teacher! That was his gift. He was flying! He was a better missionary, a happier man, a better husband and father-and Boy! such a gift of teaching God had given him. That is where he is truly at home in the Spirit, when he is teaching.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12: 6-8

A Prayer:
Praise the Lord, who always sends his troops into battle fully equipped and armed with the virtues and power of Christ.

Now read about the diversity of spiritual gifts in Exodus 35: 30-36b