Understanding Spiritual Gifts: A Comprehensive Guide

Description

What are spiritual gifts Author and pastor Sam Storms has spent several decades teaching on the topic of the spiritual gifts and equipping believers in the faithful practice of God's gifts. Yet there remains a great deal of confusion about the nature of the gifts and how they best function in the body of Christ. In this comprehensive guide to the spiritual gifts, Storms addresses the many bizarre and misleading interpretations that abound and confronts the tendency to downplay the urgency of spiritual gifts for Christian living and ministry. He explains how spiritual gifts, both the more miraculous and the somewhat mundane, are given to build up the body of Christ. God has graciously provided these "manifestations of the Spirit" so that believers might encourage, edify, strengthen, instruct, and console one another, all with a view to an ever-increasing, incremental transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. Throughout this guide, Storms unpacks the glorious truth that there is a supernatural and divine energy or power that fills and indwells the body and soul of every born-again believer. God does not call upon us to speculate about the nature of this power or to embrace it as a mere idea. His desire is that we avail ourselves of it to partner with him in his purposes on the earth. His desire is that we cry out to him that he might intensify, expand, increase, and deepen the manifestation of this power through us in ever more demonstrative and tangible ways in our lives. Understanding Spiritual Gifts is useful as a reference to address common questions about the gifts, but it also serves as a training manual for using and exercising the gifts in ministry. It is perfect for any individual or group who wants to grow in their understanding of the gifts for today.

Sam Storms (PhD, University of Texas) is founder of Enjoying God Ministries, which provides biblical and theological resources to the body of Christ. He is also the senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City and a former professor. Storms travels both in the United States and abroad, speaking at churches and conferences. He is the author of over two-dozen books and a contributor to the Zondervan Counterpoints volume Are the Miraculous Gifts for Today? He blogs regularly at www.samstorms.com.

'One drop of strength from the Divine Helper is better than a lifetime of committee meetings, strategy sessions, and building programs. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, we do not have what it takes to love people and lead them to Christ. Yet, because of the Spirit's power, we have everything we need! Many Christians, however, are confused. We wonder how to have a relationship with the Spirit. Are the gifts of the Spirit for our time? For my life? If so, how do I access and use them? These are essential questions in these last days. For that reason, this book is a timely resource. Sam Storms writes with the heart of a pastor and the skill of a scholar. His preparation is impressively thorough and detailed. This book will serve as a go-to tool for all of us who seek to walk in the Spirit.' * Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author * 'Sam Storms has given the body of Christ a gift in Understanding Spiritual Gifts. This is, without doubt, the best book I have ever read on the subject. Sam brings clarity to this often-misunderstood subject, awakening us to the necessity of spiritual gifts in order to live the fruitful lives God has designed for us, and to fulfill the mission he has assigned to us. It is time for the body of Christ to function as a whole, healthy, and strong body, which is impossible without the operation of the spiritual gifts given to us by God. This is a book for this hour.' * Christine Caine, founder of A21 and Propel Women * 'Sam Storms has written the most comprehensive book on spiritual gifts I have ever seen. I can't think of a question about the gifts that he does not address. And his answers are based on the simple statements of Scripture, not preconceived theories about the gifts. Although Sam is a scholar, this book is not a scholarly, theoretical examination of spiritual gifts. It is an eloquent, easy-to-read, practical explanation of each of the twenty-one spiritual gifts and why they are essential for the spiritual health of the church. Sam will help you discover your gift and learn how to use it effectively.' * Jack Deere, author of Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit * 'Thank you, Sam Storms; you've done it again. You have written an important book that addresses a crucially important and practical subject that the Holy Spirit is emphasizing today. With the mind of a scholar and the heart of a pastor and as a radical lover of Jesus, my dear friend Sam Storms has written a truly comprehensive guide to the subject of spiritual gifts. I can't think of a biblical text he doesn't explain or a controversial question he doesn't seek to answer. He is fearless and tireless in this because he wants to empower and equip people to walk in their full inheritance in the Holy Spirit. You may not agree with Sam's view on everything pertaining to gifts of the Spirit, but I promise you will be challenged, encouraged, and informed by his book. And I assure you that you will get a lot of Bible! The people of God are desperately in need of a consistent experience of the power of God, and the primary way God has provided for this is through the many gifts the Spirit empowers. I can't recommend this book too highly.' * Mike Bickle, International House of Prayer, Kansas City * 'When the opening sentence of the first chapter of this book is 'Christianity is inescapably supernatural,' readers are immediately alerted to the necessity--not the luxury, not the option--of the presence, empowerment, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Who better than Sam Storms to walk us through this essential subject? With constant reference to Scripture, Sam tackles such pressing matters as desiring and praying for spiritual gifts in the light of God's sovereignty, and how to discover one's gift(s). And he does not shy away from controversial topics such as continuationism vs. cessationism, the nature of speaking in tongues and its related gift of interpretation, and whether there are still apostles today. From a continuationist, Calvinist perspective on spiritual gifts and in a way that shuns irresponsible (mis) representations of other viewpoints, Understanding Spiritual Gifts will certainly be the standard work for years to come.' * Gregg R. Allison, professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary * 'If you are wanting an introduction to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, this book is for you. If you are already knowledgeable in the gifts of the Spirit, this is the book for you as well. It is a source book for the seasoned Christian. You should secure extra copies to give away. No one is more able to produce a balanced book like this than Dr. Sam Storms. With a solid background in the Word and the Spirit, he has written a book that will be edifying and God-honoring.' * R. T. Kendall, minister of Westminster Chapel (1977-2002) *