What are the Motivational Gifts?

Prophet (prophecy). One who receives and communicates the will of God.

Server (service). One who loves to serve others in practical ways with the love of Christ.

Teacher (teaching). One who loves to research and communicate the truth of God's Word.

Exhorter (exhortation). One who loves to encourage others to live a victorious Christian life.

Giver (giving). One who loves to give time, talent, energy and finances to support others and advance the gospel.

Leader (leading, organising) One who loves to co-ordinate, facilitate, organise or lead others in Christian work.

Carer (caring, showing mercy, or compassion). One who shows compassion, love and care to those in need.

NT Examples

John the Baptist: Matthew 3:1-17, Luke 7:18-20

Agabus: Acts 11:27-28; Acts 21:10-11

Philip's daughters: Acts 21:8-9

John, the author of the book of Revelation:

Definition

Prophecy in the New Testament has a general sense of speaking out the Word of God. It is primarily concerned in the New Testament with bringing comfort, warning, and guidance to the church. Prophecy only occasionally in the New Testament includes prediction of future events.

Characteristics of the Prophet

1. The eye of the body.
The perceiver, gifted with spiritual sight. They see things that the rest of us often miss completely. The prophet takes to heart the need for light in the Body of Christ. (Matthew 6:22-23). Prophets are the ones who most often receive revelation in the form of words, visions or dreams. The prophet senses the character of individuals, groups and places and may have the gift of discernment of spirits. John the Baptist was able to see quickly who Jesus was. (John 1:29) There is a danger though that prophets can jump to conclusions too quickly, and with too few facts.

2. Sees issues in terms of right and wrong.
The prophet has the special ability of having a clear and sound eye to detect God's truth. They tend see things in terms of black and white. John the Baptist was quite clear in his denunciation of the Pharisees. (Matthew 3:7). The prophet needs to be loving, or else he will come across as demanding and critical and will lose his audience.

3. Need to express themselves.
Prophets need to express their thoughts and ideas verbally or creatively. They can be the most persuasive of speakers, and have strong convictions about everything. John the Baptist was persuasive enough to draw big crowds out into the desert to hear him. The prophet is not the best diplomat. Because of the tendency to speak impulsively the prophet may speak his judgments too quickly and regret later what he has said.

4. Open about their own faults.
Prophets are open about their own faults. They tend to be perfectionists, and can be over introspective and self-critical.. They won't be content with accepting what someone else has said. They also depend on the Holy Spirit to illuminate God's Word. John the Baptist, after he was imprisoned was still not sure if Jesus was the Messiah, so he asked one of his disciples to check it out for him. [Luke 7:19].

5. Called to intercession.
They are above all people of prayer. John the Baptist's clothing of camel skins and food of locust and wild honey, was a part of his setting himself apart for prayer, in order to do his work of prophecy.

6. Has few or no close friendships.
Often prophets go through life with only a few close friends - or none at all. Prophets are loyal to the truth, even if it means cutting off relationships. John the Baptist was the desert prophet. [Luke 1:80]

How to Grow in the Gift of Prophecy

Since prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit, you need to be sure that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit.

Personal repentance of all present and past sins is an essential preparation.

Be open to the call of God on your life, and be totally obedient to it.

Develop your listening skills with God. Listen in prayer, worship, and Bible reading. Good Bible training is essential.

Write down the revelations you receive, even if it may seem silly at the time. You may see a pattern emerge.

Seek confirmation of the prophecies you receive. Be prepared to let others in the body of Christ test out your prophecies.

Be prepared to grow in the gift. When you fail, don't give up. It is easy for you to think something is worth doing or not at all, and to give up if it doesn't work. Satan wants you to give up,

When you receive a word of someone else, ask yourself if you love them. Check if you are meant to share the word with them, and if so check on when the appropriate time is.

Value the body of Christ. Work hard to develop normal relationships with others in the Body of Christ who you need to balance your own gift.

Go next to section 3.

To go back to the Home Page.