Bible Studies
Using the Gift of Speaking (1 Pet. 4:10-11)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. There are various texts throughout the N.T. that identify various gifts that God has given people to be used in His kingdom. E.g. Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-10, 27-31; Eph. 4:8c-12. 2. All of the gifts are spiritual in nature. Some are miraculous; others are not. The working of miracles and the gift of healing are miraculous (1 Cor. 12), whereas the gifts of giving, leading and showing mercy are not (Rom. 12). 3. I do not want to talk to you about any of those gifts tonight, but one mentioned in 1 Pet. 4:10-11: the gift of speaking. Reading of text. 4. I take the speaking here to have reference to that associated with the special work of communicating the message of God through such things as preaching and teaching. I do not take this to have reference to the more generally mundane conversations of men. There seems to be no special gift in that. 5. How then is this gift to be used?Discussion:
I. It is to be used in light of one’s stewardship of a grace given by God (10).A. When God gives a gift it comes with the responsibility that it be used in a way suitable with the accomplishment of His objectives.
1. Stewards must give account of their stewardship (Lk. 16:2).
2. They are to use what they have been given faithfully (1 Cor. 4:2).
3. Speakers need to give serious consideration to the objectives that God has. In 1 Cor. 14 there is quite a discourse identifying the purposes of God for speakers.
a. Edification, exhortation and consolation (v. 3).
b. Edification (v. 4).
c. Edification (v. 5).
d. Speech is to be clear, so that people will know what is spoken (v. 9) for the edification of the church (v. 12).
e. Edification, and the instruction of others are mentioned in verses 17, 19.
f. “Let all things be done for edification,” verse 26 says.
g. Verse 31 refers to speaking “so that all may learn and all may be exhorted.”
4. 1 Cor. 12:7 indicates that gifts are given “for the common good.”
B. The gift is not given to exalt the individual, nor those in that individuals association (Cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:3-10; 4:1-2).
II. It is to be used in serving one another (10).A. It is not to be used in a self-serving way (cf. 2 Pet. 2:3).
1. Either for personal glory as noted above.
2. Nor for sordid gain (cf. 1 Pet. 5:2) or personal privilege (cf. 1 Pet. 5:3).
B. Speakers particularly are serving to instruct, exhort and edify others.
C. Speakers must be willing to endure hardship (2 Tim. 4:5-6).
D. Must depend upon God to supply their strength (v. 11). Cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:10-13.
III. The ultimate objective is that God be glorified (v. 11).A. God is glorified when speakers speak the word of God people are instructed, edified, exhorted and consoled so that they do the things that God wants them to do.
B. God is glorified when unbelievers see the good works of His people and are prompted to honor the Lord (Matt. 5:14-16).
IV. In light of such objectives one must communicate “as one who is speaking the utterances of God” (v. 10).A. Cannot rely on one’s own wisdom (James 3:13-18).
B. The speaker has a very powerful influence (James 3:3ff).
C. Being a speaker is an awesome task.
1. Must spend time with the word.
2. Give attention to prayer (James 1:5).
Conclusion:
1. Sometimes I am afraid we confuse the gift of speaking with being an eloquent speaker. 2. Moses had the gift of speaking, but may have not been eloquent (Ex. 4:10-12). 3. Paul had the gift of speaking, but described himself as “unskilled in speech” (2 Cor. 11:6). He said he did not come to the Corinthians “with superiority of speech or of wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1). His dependence was upon the wisdom and power of God. 4. The gift of speaking may be more of a gift of assignment than it is a gift of eloquence. Nevertheless, it is a gift to be used to the glory of God. 5. Maybe we would do better to judge speakers more on their content and less on their eloquence.
