Church Unity & Diversity

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 ESV

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Introduction:

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (NIVGTSB): He does not precisely define what each gift is (his point is to emphasize that the Spirit distributes diverse gifts), so we can only guess what some of them are. The message of wisdom and the message of knowledge are probably the ability to give wise and knowledgeable advice in specific situations. The gift of faith is not saving faith but probably an extraordinary ability to trust God in a specific situation for something that God does not explicitly promise in the Bible (cf. 13:2). Healing (not the permanent gift of healer) is helping a sick or wounded person become healthy again in a specific instance.

When we talk about the work of the Spirit. When we talk about the gifts of the Sprit. The question is where do we start that conversation?

This is where we start!

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Salvation

It is impossible to make a saving confession of Christ apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Listen to what he says here.

1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV)

3 ...no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s be very clear about it. When we talk about a saving confession … Jesus is Lord!

Romans 10:9 (ESV)

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The work of the Spirit of God is to bring conviction of sin and confession of Christ.

Any real discussion about Spiritual gifts begins by setting the parameters for those gifts. The gifts of the Spirit are for those who have the spirit. Those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord.

Conversely

You can’t reject Christ and be filled with the Spirit.

A rejection of Christ might be motivated by a spirit but not the Spirit.

If you don’t embrace Christ you don’t have the spirit of God. No matter how talented an individual might be. No matter how impressive he is…If he rejects who Christ is he doesn’t have the spirit of the living God.

The second thing you see when Paul talks about Spiritual gifts is:

Diversity

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (ESV)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

What do we lear from this?

When we are talking about Gifts of the Spirit - Please don’t think that it is like a production line where everyone receives the same part!

The body of Christ is more like a mosaic where the many different parts form one glorious picture.

SO REMEMBER:

God decides what spiritual gift you get.

This is not like trying on cloths to find the very best fit. It is not like picking out just the right movie to watch on Netflix.

The Sprit of God makes the assignment.

1 cor 12 11

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Gifts are given based upon the will of God not the want of man.

So when Paul says to one is given…to another…to another...

He is telling us that God is sovereign over this. The diversity of Gifts within the body is part of God’s good design. HE HAS A PURPOSE FOR EACH GIFT HE GIVES EACH MEMBER!

Gifts are given for the good of the church body.

Look with me at verse 7 because he is teaching us the very heart of this opening section about Spiritual gifts and why God gives them.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Individual believers receive spiritual gifts for the good of the faith community.

We must not privatize spiritual gifts.

We must not individualize spiritual gifts.

Spiritual gifts are not primarily about me but we.

Brothers and Sisters God has given you your spiritual gift for the good of the body.

Be Humble

The Corinthians didn’t do that. They were spiritual showoffs. They flashed their gifts to impress others with there spiritual resume. They made their gifts about themselves. In some ways it seems that they were taking credit for the gifts they had.

Your spiritual gift should never be used to help others be impressed with you. When Paul says in verse 7 “the manifestation of the Spirit” he is talking about the invisible God being displayed visibly through the Sprit empowered ministry of the local church.

A Spiritual gift is not about me, it is about we…HE!

BE HUNBlE!

If God has given you a gift to advance the mission of the Church then:

Spiritual gifts are no proof of spirituality.

Samuel Chadwick

Be Useful

Serve, Teach, Lead, Pray, and Give, ... Tell,

God has given everyone who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ a gift! So use it. God gave you that gift on purpose - so use the gift for that purpose.

How do I find my gift?

If you will serve He will show!

You will discover your spiritual gifts by serving in the church.

When your Christian experience is more about watching what happens up front than what your part in the body is...

There is a place for you to serve so do it!

Your spiritual gift matters.

CONCLUSION:

What are you going to do with what God has given you?