“ How to Identify the Spiritual Gifts  ”

 “EXHORTETH”

Romans 12:8

Introduction

  A) What is this word “exhorteth”

• It comes from the root word… “exhort” which means; to advise, to warn, to plead

I. Characteristics of Exhorteth

  A) They want to encourage spiritual maturity

• Many times they will want to encourage others to do better at their bad habits, and tell them to change their ways…etc.
• Paul Is our example with this gift.
• Note Paul’s goal in Colossians 1:28,29…

  B) They have the ability to know where Christians are in their              spiritual growth

• I Corinthians 3:1-4…
• In verse 3…  “For ye are yet carnal” Paul sees these Corinthians as “carnal”
• “Carnal” means worldly. Act like an unsaved person.

  C) They want to give exact steps in how to grow spiritually.

• In many of Paul’s writings we can see where Paul gives steps to spiritual steps…
• Ephesians 4:11,12,14...
• Ephesians 6: 10-13…
• Titus 2:11,12...

  D) A determination (decision) to explain the truth

• In other words… You may wish to explain something that is true to others in a way that they will believe it.
• Paul explains the Resurrection in I Corinthians 15:35-49…
• Paul loved to reason (explain the facts) with people… 18:4 and Acts 26:28…

  E) Have the ability to see spiritual goals won

• This person may see that another person has reached a point in their life where they are growing and so they try to let them know to make them feel good about it.
• Paul could picture in his mind…spiritual goals for workers and churches… in Philippians 3:12-16…
• Then Paul uses examples in his own life… in verse 17 and in Philippians 4:13…

  F) They believe in face to face discussion to get results

• Paul longed(desired) to see fellow believers … I Thessalonians2:17 and I and I .
• Thessalonians 3:10…
• Thessalonians 2:11,12…

  G) They have an ability to fit in with others of different backgrounds.

• In other words… They may have been a murderer at one time or rapist, or drunkard, or smoker or gossiper or whatever and so after they show others their change they can help them with their problem.
• Paul wrote… I Corinthians 9:19-22…

  H) They have a desire to keep peace with all Christians

• Many times these people try to keep peace with the catholics, protestants, muslims, and all the other religions.
• Paul worked hard to solve problems and divisions between others.
• I Corinthians 3:3-9…
• Philippians 2:2…

I) They have the ability to welcome personal troubles to help others with their spiritual growth

• Paul glorified in his troubles (infirmities) because it brought Christ power and glory.
• II Corinthians 1:5…
• II Corinthians 4:17…
• II Corinthians 12:9…

II. Misuses of the gift of “Exhorteth”

  A) Getting people excited to early

• Many times people with the gift of exhortation will get others excited because they can see what it could be like in the future.
• Goals or projects are often explained without telling how long it will take.

  B) Taking “family time” to counsel with others

• An exhorter loves to help people with their problems.
• They are willing to take time away from their family or other obligations to take care of someone else’s problems.

  C) Treating family and friends as “projects” not “persons”

• an exhorter may not treat his family “special”.
• A family should be treated better than others.

  D) Sharing private illustrations without permission

• Always ask permission of family or church member or others to be able to use them for an illustration or example.

  E) Starting new projects before finishing old ones

• An exhorter has goals for others and sometimes for self
• Many times they will get others involved with a project and then leave that one to start another.
• This makes many people unhappy.

  F) Encouraging others to depend on them rather than depending on God.

• Many times an exhorter is very easy to encourage and make others believe in them.
• But this also makes others follow him or her rather than follow the convictions of the Holy Spirit or God Himself.

  G) Depending on visible results rather than a true change of heart

• When an exhorter gives advise then he sees the person following that advise on the outside but on the inside they are still neglecting God.
• This means they are easy prey for the false believers.

H) Ignoring basic bible doctrines

• Sometimes an exhorter will try to be practical when many of Gods ways are not practical.
• We do not want to follow what everyone else is doing though it may seem right. Follow what the scriptures say.

  I) Exhorting someone when you don’t really know the person or problem

• Wait and hear all the facts before you try to help some one.
• Half the facts will lead to half the help.
• Take your time in dealing with others and their problems.