The gift of Evangelist

Primary Text: Ephesians 4:11-14, see also Acts 21:8

The church is a lot like manure: Pile it up in one place and it stinks up the neighborhood.

Spread it around and it enriches the world.

                                                                                                                                    Luis Palau

The gift of Evangelist is the ability to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others in such a way that many non-Christians believe in Christ and are converted to Christianity. The purpose of the gift is to actively initiate and develop relationships with the unsaved in order to share the salvation message and lead them to repentance from sin to eternal life in Christ.

All of us are called to be prepared to share our faith when the opportunity arises, but most of us do not have the gift of evangelist. I know a preacher who has this gift, and I must say it is amazing to watch him in action. I’ve met him for lunch quite a number of times and it’s always the same: If we have to wait for a table, he’s talking to other people who are waiting, and the fact that he’s a preacher always seems to come up somehow, and the people he speaks with always seem to get an invitation to church. The same happens with the servers and anyone waiting in line to pay when we leave, and even more surprising is how many of these people show up on Sunday… and keep showing up; I really don’t see how he does it: He has this gift.

Again, we are all called to share our faith, but a person with this gift can produce results for the gospel that are above and beyond just sharing, and they are always looking for someone to speak to about Jesus, and the people they speak to seem receptive in uncommon numbers.

Cautions about the gift:

• Looking down on those who do not have the gift of Evangelist.

•Pressuring people to receive Christ before they are ready.

•Losing sight of the fact that the primary focus is to share the Gospel, not to “win a convert.”

Evidence that you might have it might include…

•You have a passion and confidence for sharing your faith.

•You eagerly develop authentic relationships with the lost with hopes of witnessing to them about Jesus.

•You have a strong grasp of Scripture.

•People are drawn toward Christ through you.

The gift of Intercession

Primary Text: Colossians 1:9-12

The gift of Intercession is the ability to pray for significant lengths of time, on a regular basis, and often observe specific answers to those prayers. The purpose of the gift is to pray fervently according to the Spirit of God for specific needs in the body of Christ, as well as for the lost.

Cautions about this gift include…

• “Hearing from God” and thinking you are the final authority.

•Spiritual superiority resulting in pride.

Evidence that you might have this gift can include…

•You see frequent and specific answers to your prayers.

•You pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis.

•You have a passion to pray for the lost.

•You find a great fulfillment in deep and intensive prayer.

•You pray for others and “Kingdom issues” far more than you pray for yourself.

•You have a daily awareness of ongoing spiritual battles.

With this, dear reader, we have completed our review of the gifts. Now we move on to the next part which is to figure out which gift or gifts you might have…