1 Corinthians 12:8-9

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ part 3

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

Pray

Intro

√ Did you do your homework?

Pray for wisdom regarding the gift that God has given you?

Do you know your gift?

Did you pray for opportunity to use it?

Did you step out in faith and use it?

Remember, the most important aspect of our study of the gifts is not just to acquire knowledge…

…it is to be a good steward of the gift that God has given us by putting it into practice!

√ The gifts of the Holy Spirit ~ part 3

Now that we know the general purpose of the gifts, and that it is God’s will for us to seek them and to put them into practice…

…it’s time to begin defining the different gifts mentioned by Paul in our text.

We’ll look at the gifts mentioned here in verses 8-10 over the next two weeks.

We’ll define the different gifts listed and look at Biblical examples of their proper use with the goal of encouraging you to use your gifts for the benefit of the Body.

For homework we’ll dig into the scripture and look for examples of the gifts in operation.

Word of Wisdom (vs. 8a)

1Co. 12:8a for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit…

√ Word of wisdom

The first gift mentioned by Paul in our text is the Word of Wisdom, which is often operated in conjunction with a word of knowledge.

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

The Word of Wisdom is the God-given ability to rightly apply knowledge.

Specifically the word of wisdom is the ability to use knowledge for the work of the Kingdom of God, and in the preaching and defense of the Gospel.

It is not the same as wisdom that is obtained through study, or our own effort…

…rather, it is divinely inspired, it is a gift.

√ Purpose of the gift

Providing a reasonable and irrefutable answer those who oppose the Gospel…

…and the proper application of knowledge.

Ex. Jesus’ promise to provide a word of knowledge

Mat. 10:18 "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

Mat. 10:19 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;

Mat. 10:20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

We find the gift demonstrated a number of times in the Book of Acts even as Jesus had promised in Matthew 10.

Ex. Stephen

Acts 6:9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Ap. Defending the faith

Part of our responsibility as believers is to be able to tell others why we believe the Gospel, Peter exhorts us to…

“…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” ~ 1 Peter 3:15

Like Stephen, no matter how ready you and I are to answer the questions of seekers and critics there will come times when human wisdom will prove insufficient for the task.

That’s because no matter how much we study and prepare there will always be questions asked that we won’t be prepared for.

It’s then that we most need the gift of the Word of Wisdom!

We need God’s wisdom to be able to get to the heart of the individual and to dismantle the opposition.

Ex. Jesus when the religious leaders tried to trick Him with questions.

Luke 20:39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, "Teacher, You have spoken well."

Luke 20:40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore.

So, pray for the gift of Word of Wisdom ~ some folks will receive the gift for specific decisions, others will receive the gift for wisely leading the Church.

Word of Knowledge (vs. 8b)

1Co. 12:8b …to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

√ Word of knowledge

The gift of the Word of Knowledge refers to the God-given ability to know facts about a person, a situation, or a spiritual truth, that could not have been known by human means.

In other words, God gives you revelation that you could not possibly know by natural means of inquiry.

You’ll find a number of examples in both the Old and New Testament where this gift is demonstrated.

Ex. Jesus

John 4:16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”

John 4:17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’

John 4:18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.

So, a Word of Knowledge is exercised when the Holy Spirit provides information to someone about the condition, or situation of another person.

√ The purpose of the gift

Couple of purposes…

To serve as a divine “wake-up” call ~ sort of like God sending a little reminder to you that He knows what’s really going on in your life and while you may be fooling everyone else you’re not fooling Him! (ex. David & the woman at well).

To encourage the believer; in a course of action or in a time of trail of confusion (ex. Ida)

In both cases when the word of knowledge is manifest it is one of those gifts that radically demonstrates the reality of God’s existence and care!

√ Using the gift

Interestingly it can happen consciously and unconsciously!

When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well He was aware of the situation at her home.

When preaching or teaching the gift can be operated unconsciously by the pastor!

Ex. Pastor Chuck and the guy from Lido Island.

Most pastors are very careful not to target their messages. So, if you get hit between the eyes you better listen up because it’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you!

Ap. Can be used in a one-on-one situation, or during a believers meeting.

√ Not prophesy

The word of knowledge is different than prophecy in that it is simply a statement of facts…

…whereas prophecy is a proclamation from God.

Ex. Nathan’s confrontation with David.

Word of Knowledge = facts regarding David’s sin

Prophecy = God’s judgment of David’s sin

It is a marvelous gift and useful when ministering to believers, and unbelievers!

Faith (vs. 9a)

1Co. 12:9a to another faith by the same Spirit…

√ Faith

This is interesting! Our text tells us that one of the spiritual gifts is the gift of faith.

We understand that all believers have a certain amount of faith…

…for it is by faith that we are saved!

For example, Paul tells us…

“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.” ~ Rom. 12:3

There is, however, the gift of faith which Paul speaks of in our text in I Cor. 12:9.

√ Definition of the gift

The gift of faith is a special God-given ability to trust God when all others have lost faith, or have little faith.

Ex. The gift of faith

Matt. 9:2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Matt. 9:3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

Matt. 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Matt. 9:5 For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

Matt. 9:6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Matt. 9:7 And he arose and departed to his house.

Note in this example that it was the friends of the paralytic who had faith that Jesus could heal, not the paralytic himself!

That’s a good example of the gift of faith in operation.

Faith that God can and will work in a situation even if the person or people who will benefit from God’s work don’t have the faith for themselves.

√ The purpose of the gift

Two fold…

Accomplish the work of God by releasing His power to work a miracle.

To encourage those whose faith is weak.

So, the gift of faith is an unwavering trust that God can and will do the impossible!

Ex. Men with the gift of faith

George Muller…

Raised up and supported orphanages solely on faith!

Missionary William Carey who said…

“Attempt great things for God – expect great things from God!”

They had faith when others did not, or would not, trust God to do great things!

√ Using the gift

Those with the gift of faith can pray for others who have a great need, yet lack the faith to ask God to meet that need.

I often find that it’s easier to exercise faith for other people than it is to believe for God’s work on my own behalf!

It’s been my experience that God will bring us to a place in which we may lack faith that God will work in our own lives…

…so that we will be encouraged to continue in, or seek out, fellowship so that others can pray in faith for us.

Ap. Weak faith

There are times in all of our lives in which we can be so beaten down that we cannot exercise faith in our own situation.

It’s at those times that those with the gift of faith are most valuable.

A good gift to pray for and to use for the benefit of others!

Healings (vs. 9b)

1Co. 12:9b …to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

√ Healings

The gift of healings is the God-given ability to supernaturally restore someone to health.

Not by modern medicine, nor through the skill of a physician, or by the natural healing mechanism of our body…

…rather, simply by the power of God as exercised through the gifts of healings.

We find many examples of this gift being operated by Jesus and His followers.

Jesus in Galilee…

Mat. 8:14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever.

Mat. 8:15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.

Paul on the island of Malta…

Ac 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.

√ The purpose of the gift

1) Sign to confirm the Gospel message.

Mar. 16:17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Mar. 16:18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Ex. GFA

2) To minister to God’s people

Jam. 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Jam. 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

√ Does God still heal people?

I have to tell you that not all Christians believe that God still heals people today. One Bible commentary that I enjoy, though not always agree with, includes this commentary on the gifts of the Spirit…

“With the possible exception of faith, all these gifts (knowledge, wisdom, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits and tongues) seem to have been confirmatory and foundational gifts for the establishment of the church and were therefore temporary.” ~ Bible Knowledge Commentary

The reason this commentator believes this is that he has not personally experienced these gifts in operation.

But, I would ask…

…does that mean that the gifts are not for today simply because we haven’t experienced them?

If we use that logic then we’ll soon have to cast aside much of what we believe!

I haven’t ever seen Jesus, should I therefore reject the reality of His life, death, and resurrection?

I’ve never seen Heaven, should I therefore reject a literal Heaven as described in the Bible?

This is the same logic that the Jesus Seminar scholars use to reject all the miracles recorded in Scripture!

I think a better approach is to make the Bible the standard for my doctrine over my experience.

Further more the Bible doesn’t ever say that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including healing, were only for the 1^st Century Church.

Note: the cessationists' argument that the completed Canon of Scripture is the “perfect” in 1 Cor. 13:10 runs contrary to Gabriel’s prophecy recorded in Daniel 9:24…

…where we find that prophecy is not put away until Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom.

In fact, quite the contrary, as we’ve seen in our study together the Bible exhorts believers in every age to…

1Co 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

And…

1Co 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Which would be unnecessary if the gifts were not meant for us today.

Ex. Why else would James instruct Christians to pray for healing if the gift of healings was only meant for the 1^st Century? (Ref. James 5:14-15).

√ Why doesn’t everyone get healed?

Good question!

Some teach that God has promised us “perfect health” and that anyone who isn’t experiencing perfect health is lacking faith, or in sin.

But is that true? Let’s look at what the Bible says.

√ The Disciples

Paul

2Cor. 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

2Cor. 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

2Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Cor. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

And….

Gal. 4:13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

Gal. 4:14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

May be an indication of the sickness that Paul suffered from, some have suggested it was malaria.

Paul’s friends

2Tim. 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

And to Timothy…

1Tim. 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

The point is that the experience of the Christians in the early Church was not one of perfect health.

We can be sure if that was God’s promise to us, then Paul and the others would have been praying toward that end.

Instead we find that the 1^st Century Christians experience was much like ours…

…sometimes God healed the sick, other times He chose not to.

√ Lack of faith?

Others teach that if you get sick it’s because of sin or a lack of faith.

Is that true? Is there a Biblical foundation for that teaching?

First of all think about how silly that is.

I guarantee you that every person that teaches that will die of the last thing that they get sick from!

More than that, Jesus corrects that wrong doctrine in His ministry to the man born blind…

John 9:1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.

John 9:2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

John 9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

Let’s balance that with Paul’s instruction in I Cor. 11

1Co. 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1Co. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1Co. 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1Co. 11:30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

So, the Biblical balance is that…

We’re not guaranteed perfect health!

The early disciples didn’t experience it.

However, we are to pray for healing!

But not everyone we pray for is healed.

It’s God’s prerogative!

It’s fine to seek medical solutions to our health problems just as Paul encouraged Timothy to do so.

And, it’s an interesting observation that God saw fit to add a medical doctor to Paul’s missionary team to help him deal with his many physical problems.

However, let’s give God an opportunity to heal first!

Sickness is not always, in fact most often is not, the result of personal sin.

However, Paul warned the Corinthians that some of them were sick because they were not honoring Jesus in their communion time.

So, God does still heal people today and many in of us have experienced that gift in our life…

…so pray for the sick and leave the results to God.

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