Spiritual Gifts, 19 June 2011
19 06 11 Filed in: Sermons | The Holy Spirit
Big Idea: The Holy Spirit gives gifts to Christ-followers in order to serve the Body of Christ, the Church.
1 Corinthians 12
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1-3)
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, instructing them concerning spiritual gifts. He makes it clear that spiritual gifts are all about revealing the lordship of Jesus as God over all things and people. If someone calls themselves a Christian but they don’t call Jesus LORD, they don’t have the Holy Spirit. Love and submission to Jesus are the primary evidence that someone has the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (4-6)
These verses reflect the Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit. They also show that God loves unity in diversity. We are not all the same, but we are all loved the same. God gives the gifts. If you don’t like your gift(s), take it up with Him!
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (7-11)
What’s the point? Paul lists several spiritual gifts that are distributed by God in order to build up the Church and glorify Jesus.
Paul then goes through a lengthy discussion on the body and the uniqueness and value of each part. He continues in verse 27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (27-30)
The answer, of course, is no!
We’ve all been given at least one gift, we have been given different gifts, and each is vital. We are all different parts of one Body, the Body of Christ.
We need you. We need your part. We need your gift. Every part is important.
Romans 12
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (4-8)
Did you notice that this list is different than the one in 1 Corinthians? There is no absolute list of spiritual gifts.
There are assessments that will help you discover your gift(s). Every assessment is slightly different so none is perfect, but you can find one at
http://www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual gifts are all about serving Jesus and His Bride, the Church. They should never be selfishly sought for our personal pleasure or benefit.
Seek the Giver not the gifts
Years ago my friend Paul told me about visits from his parents. Each time the car pulled into the driveway, his kids would run out to meet grandma and grandpa. After hugs and kisses, the grandparents always retrieved gifts for the kids out of the trunk. As the years went on, rather than greeting grandma and grandpa, the grandchildren ran to the trunk seeking after the gifts rather than the giver.
It’s the same way with spiritual gifts. We need to seek God and receive the gifts as a bonus. God is not our cosmic Santa Claus. He is worthy, holy, awesome God who chooses to bless us...to bless others.
The fourth and final passage relates primarily to church leaders, but it illustrates, again, God’s design, creativity, and diversity.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s 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
Do you see the five different gifts?
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Shepherd or pastor
Teacher
At Scio, our elder board has been intentionally formed to have each of these five gifts represented. Each of us is different, yet together we form one team with the mission to “prepare God’s 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.
To conclude, spiritual gifts
are given by God benefit the Church and glorify God every believer gets at least one many members but one Body no gift given to everyone all gifts are needed develop your gift(s) use your gift(s) we need you!
You can listen to the podcast here.
1 Corinthians 12
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1-3)
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, instructing them concerning spiritual gifts. He makes it clear that spiritual gifts are all about revealing the lordship of Jesus as God over all things and people. If someone calls themselves a Christian but they don’t call Jesus LORD, they don’t have the Holy Spirit. Love and submission to Jesus are the primary evidence that someone has the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (4-6)
These verses reflect the Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit. They also show that God loves unity in diversity. We are not all the same, but we are all loved the same. God gives the gifts. If you don’t like your gift(s), take it up with Him!
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (7-11)
What’s the point? Paul lists several spiritual gifts that are distributed by God in order to build up the Church and glorify Jesus.
Paul then goes through a lengthy discussion on the body and the uniqueness and value of each part. He continues in verse 27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (27-30)
The answer, of course, is no!
We’ve all been given at least one gift, we have been given different gifts, and each is vital. We are all different parts of one Body, the Body of Christ.
We need you. We need your part. We need your gift. Every part is important.
Romans 12
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (4-8)
Did you notice that this list is different than the one in 1 Corinthians? There is no absolute list of spiritual gifts.
There are assessments that will help you discover your gift(s). Every assessment is slightly different so none is perfect, but you can find one at
http://www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual gifts are all about serving Jesus and His Bride, the Church. They should never be selfishly sought for our personal pleasure or benefit.
Seek the Giver not the gifts
Years ago my friend Paul told me about visits from his parents. Each time the car pulled into the driveway, his kids would run out to meet grandma and grandpa. After hugs and kisses, the grandparents always retrieved gifts for the kids out of the trunk. As the years went on, rather than greeting grandma and grandpa, the grandchildren ran to the trunk seeking after the gifts rather than the giver.
It’s the same way with spiritual gifts. We need to seek God and receive the gifts as a bonus. God is not our cosmic Santa Claus. He is worthy, holy, awesome God who chooses to bless us...to bless others.
The fourth and final passage relates primarily to church leaders, but it illustrates, again, God’s design, creativity, and diversity.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s 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
Do you see the five different gifts?
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Shepherd or pastor
Teacher
At Scio, our elder board has been intentionally formed to have each of these five gifts represented. Each of us is different, yet together we form one team with the mission to “prepare God’s 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.
To conclude, spiritual gifts
You can listen to the podcast here.