1 Corinthians 12:4-20

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ part 2

Would you open your Bibles to...

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

Pray

Intro

√ Did you do your homework?

Read…

Romans 12:6-8

I Cor. 12:4-11

I Cor. 12:28

..and talk about the different gifts in your Growth Groups?

√ The gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ part 2

We’re going to go back over some of the same territory we covered last week and make some more observations regarding the gifts of the Spirit.

The purpose of our study is to heed the Biblical mandate to know about the gifts of the Spirit, to stir our hearts to desire the gifts in our own lives, and to put them to use as God intends.

Toward the purpose let’s look again at verses 4-11 of 1 Corinthians 12.

Every believer has a gift (vs. 4-11)

1Cor. 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Cor. 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

1Cor. 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

1Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1Cor. 12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

1Cor. 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

1Cor. 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1Cor. 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

√ Every believer has a gift

Important to understand that every believer is given a gift by the Holy Spirit.

It’s not just the pastor who is called by God to accomplish His work.

Rather, every Christian has at least one spiritual gift…

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Vs. 11

Peter adds…

1Pe. 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

You may not know what your gift is yet, but each one of us has been given one.

Did you pray this last week about it?

If you don’t know what your gift I’d suggest that you do the following:

• Get educated ~ find out what the gifts are and what

gifts are available.

• Ask God to reveal what His gift to you is.

• Ask other believers what gift they see in your life.

• Pray for opportunity to step out and exercise your gift.

• Step out in faith and see how the Lord responds.

Don’t worry about messing up! Part of growing in our faith is learning to discern between our own desires and the Lord’s voice and direction for our lives.

Ex. Pastor Chuck

After graduating from Bible College he set out to be an evangelist.

At that time in the US and in his denomination evangelism was the hot ticket and getting all the attention.

Naturally young men like Chuck figured that to be called by God into ministry equated with a call to be an evangelist.

What he discovered was that he really wasn’t gifted as an evangelist and came home a bit disappointed.

But, later he discovered that God had called him to teach rather than preach!

Once he settled into his gifting then God really blessed him.

So, don’t be afraid to step out in faith and see if God’s in it or not. He knows your heart and that you’re just trying to please Him.

Gifts are for the benefit of others (vs. 7)

I Cor. 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

√ Gifts are for the benefit of others

This is a very important observation, that is, the purpose of the spiritual gifts is to build up and encourage other believers, and they are not for self-glorification or prideful boasting…

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” ~ vs. 7

By way of example we can look at Jesus’ earthly ministry in which we find Him manifesting all of the spiritual gifts, yet never with the purpose of drawing attention to Himself.

In fact, often times He went out of His way to make sure that only the person or people who knew were those He ministered to.

He told the leper, the deaf man, and the parents of the little girl whom He raised from the dead …

“Tell no one…”

There were of course other reasons that Jesus wanted to keep a low profile but we can also discern that it was never His purpose to use the gifts for His own benefit or self-promotion.

He came to do the Father’s will and to minister to hurting people.

Unlike the folks at Corinth and many today who love the limelight and adoring attention they receive when they are operating God’s gifts of Grace.

Ex. The guy at Joplin

Furthermore, a study of the text before us reveals that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given primarily for use within the Body.

That is, they are given to be used primarily for the benefit of the local church.

The implication is that believers should be actively involved in a local assembly of Christians.

Because that’s where their gifts are meant to be used.

So, the believer who doesn’t make church participation a priority in life is like the unfaithful servant who buried his talent in the ground.

Ex. Teaching

If I don’t come to church whom will I teach?

Prophecy ~ if I’m not in regular fellowship with other Christians to whom will I prophecy?

Helps, can’t be of much service if my “church” is some guy on TV.

Nor will you receive the blessing of others’ ministering their gifts to you!

Ap. Use your gifts!

The point is that when folks chose not to come to church they are neglecting their responsibility to the Lord and the local body of believers who are not receiving the benefit of their gifting.

Ex. A pandemic in Western Christianity

Even the Mega-Churches are struggling to get members to show up and participate on a regular basis.

My friend D.N. at one of the largest and fastest growing churches in our area told me that they’re currently running a program to try and get their people to just attend church on a regular basis.

All they’re asking of their people is to come to church for seven consecutive weeks!

The Church cannot operate as Jesus designed it when members of the Body are absent more than they are present.

God gives the Gifts (vs. 11)

I Cor. 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

√ God gives the gifts

God is the source of all spiritual gifts.

You can’t get them at seminary, or from chasing the latest revival.

Rather, the Bible teaches that each member of the Triune God is involved in giving spiritual gifts.

The Father

Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

The Son

Eph. 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Eph. 4:8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."

The Spirit

I Cor. 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Here’s the main point we want to comprehend, these supernatural abilities are “gifts” from God!

We cannot earn a gift through human effort.

Spiritual gifts are not rewards for diligence or spirituality.

No one should boast of, or be idolized for having a more prominent or visible gift.

The gifts do not represent a degree of spiritual growth or value.

They are gifts of God’s unmerited grace given by God to individual believers according to His purpose and plans.

That’s an important truth because it is human nature to elevate people in our mind because they posses a gift that draws a lot of attention…

…don’t make the mistake of thinking your gift is not just as valuable because it isn’t seen on stage.

Ex. Evangelism – Billy Graham

Billy’s the guy on stage, the person you see, but he’s only one man of hundreds involved in putting together a successful evangelistic outreach.

So, if you have the gift of administration and are responsible for getting Mr. Graham to the places that he preaches on time, and you do that faithfully unto the Lord…

…even though no one in the stadium knows who you are your reward will be just as great as Billy’s!

That’s because we’re rewarded for our faithfulness to use the gifts that God has given us…

…not for simply possessing the gift because God is the One who gave it.

The Gifts are varied (vs. 18-20)

I Cor. 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

I Cor. 12:19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

I Cor. 12:20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

√ The gifts are varied

There are many gifts and all of them are important to the proper functioning of the Church.

Paul likens them to a human body where each member plays a vital role in a healthy church.

Every believer has a gift, but no one has all the gifts!

Each member of the Body needs the gifts practiced by the other members of the church.

There are no unimportant members.

Ex. Just like the human body

Sometimes in our own flawed wisdom we think that one part of the human body is not essential, like an appendix, but every part is needed for the body to work properly.

Medical science once thought that the appendix was a useless remnant of our evolutionary past.

But more recent studies have found that the appendix is necessary as it serves as a reservoir for good bacteria to reboot the digestive system after a severe stomach flu.

In the same way there are no unnecessary members, or gifts, in the Body of Christ.

Even the gifts that don’t seem significant are in fact necessary!

So don’t belittle yourself or your gifting just because it isn’t highly visible…

…you’re gift is essential to the effective working of this body!

Ap. Answering the phones

I’ve got a group of volunteers who come in and simply answer the phones, keep people from charging up the stairs, and do the detail work necessary to keep the church running.

May seem insignificant compared to casting out demons!

But without their help I could not prepare to teach nor would I have time to meet with and counsel people.

Gifts can be developed (2 Tim. 1:6)

√ Gifts can be developed

Some gifts, like teaching for example, can and should be developed through repeated use and the study of God’s word.

2Ti 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

And…

2Tim. 2:15 Be diligent (KJV “study”) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Other gifts, like healing, can’t really be developed. However, they are operated by faith, which can be developed by prayer, study of God’s Word and by use.

Ex. The disciples’ inability to heal

Mat. 17:14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,

Mat. 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.

Mat. 17:16 "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him."

Mat. 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me."

Mat. 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

Mat. 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

Mat. 17:20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Mat. 17:21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Ap. Faith

Unbelief keeps many a Christian from exercising their spiritual gifts.

The solution is to grow in your relationship with Jesus through prayer and the study of God’s Word…

…both of which are the conduits through which God imparts faith into our lives.

Remember, all the gifts require some level of faith to operate, but as we saw in the example with the disciples some of the gifts require greater faith than others.

Ex. Healing

The Bible encourages us to pray for healing (ref. James 5:13-15) and the promise is that God will heal the sick!

However, I also know that God is Sovereign and not a Genie and can for His own good reasons chose not to heal (ref. Paul ~ 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Well, I had fallen into the bad habit of hedging my prayers for people with the caveat that…

“God can heal you, but may not…”

…because I thought it wise not to set people up for a possible let down if God chose not to heal them.

But God spoke to my heart and showed me that I was really more concerned with how I would look if my prayers weren’t answered!

That my job as a pastor was to just pray in faith for the sick and let God chose how He would answer!

Friends, God wants to work more than you do!

He’s more concerned for the lost than you are!

He wants to work in the lives of His people more than you do!

He wants to fulfill His promises more than we want to see them fulfilled!

But, His power is only released when we step out in faith to claim His promises and to use the gifts that He has given us!

Ap. Lack of faith

So, what do you do if you know that you have a lack of faith!? Do what the father of the boy did when Jesus confronted him and the disciples about their lack of faith…

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” ~ Mark 9:24

Pray! Ask God to give you greater faith so that you can enjoy the abundant life He promised and so that you can effectively use the gifts He has given you to bless His Church!

Close

√ The gifts of the Holy Spirit

So, this morning we learned that…

Every believer has a gift

The gifts are for the benefit of others

God gives the gifts

The gifts are varied & all equally important

The gifts can and should be developed

So, we’re getting educated regarding what the gifts are, what gifts are available…

…pray then that God would reveal what gift(s) you have and that He would grant you the faith to use them.