Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:39-42
The Samaritan woman was an evangelist. After a brief, but powerful encounter with Jesus, she quickly goes out to tell others about this Jesus, who "told [her] everything I ever did."
How will God use you? What is your spiritual gift? Who does God intend for you to be?
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13
This passage in Ephesians is one of the "gift lists." It lists 5 spiritual gifts:
1. The apostle - This is the man or woman who goes out from home to share the good news of Jesus. A missionary can be an apostle because she leaves her home to share the gospel.
2. The prophet - A prophet or prophetess hears God's voice and shares it with others to comfort, encourage and build up others.
3. The evangelist - An evangelist also shares the good news of Jesus. An evangelist is different than an apostle in the way that the evangelist shares the gospel to those right around her: friends, neighbors, coworkers. The Samaritan woman was an evangelist because she talked about Jesus to the people in her town (and they believed!).
4. The pastor - A pastor is a shepherd, one who cares for the sheep in his or her flock. This is a man or woman who cares for the emotional and spiritual needs of those around him or her. This "pastor" is not necessarily what we think of as the leader of a church. Though many Pastors have a "pastor" gift, they may also gave the other spiritual gifts. My pastor, for example, is an evangelist and a teacher.
5. The teacher - A teacher explains and expounds the Bible in simpler terms, makes connections between Scriptures, and applies the Word to our daily lives, all with intention that the listener or reader is changed by God's Word.
I think it is really important to notice WHY God gives us these gifts. And please note, when you have committed your life to follow Jesus, He does give you a spiritual gift. If you dont know what that gift is, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, and to reveal to you what that gift is.
Back to WHY:
1. ...to equip his people for works of service... (Eph. 4:12a) We are given spiritual gifts in order to serve one another effectively. These gifts are not for us, but for others, to be given away, for God's glory, and not for our own.
2. ... so that the body of Christ may be built up... (Eph. 4:12b) God's goal for us as we use our spiritual gifts is to build each other up. To build someone up is to make her or him more effective, more useful, stronger.
3. ...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God... (Eph. 4:13a) We are each given different spiritual gifts. When they are all used together, unity is created. Oneness. A common goal is reached through different means. We are each useful. One part of the body is not more important than another. The result is unity. A church is a group of people all intending to serve God as He created them. When we are actually doing that with humility and intent to serve, unity results.
4. ...and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13b) When we use our spiritual gifts as God has given them to us, in order to serve others, build each other up, and with the goal of unity, maturity will result. We will grow stronger in our faith and in our knowledge of God.
May the Holy Spirit reveal to you your spiritual gifts. May you use them for His glory and not your own. May you use your gifts to serve and build up the body with the goal of unity. And may God bring maturity to your spiritual life as you serve Him as He designed you.
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