Spiritual Gifts

DECEMBER 7, 2022 STUDY NOTES “SPIRITUAL GIFTS” 1 CORINTHIANS 12:2-3 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES INTRODUCTION Paul begins chapter 12 by saying, “Now concerning spirituality” “Spirituality” is that which originates with God; is provided through Jesus Christ; administered by the Holy Spirit; lived through the life of a Spirit-Filled Christian The church in Corinth had many problems, “Spirituality” was the answer to those problems Individual Christians were living a “carnal” life, “Spirituality” would correct that problem Through the strength of the Spirit Christians can overcome spiritual weakness and carnality Through the leadership of the Spirit Christians can truthfully and faithfully serve God In the world today there are many religions and denominations identifying themselves with God There are many false religions because of their false teachings concerning Christ Satan leads people into religious error through false teachers and doctrines of devils, 1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; The Holy Spirit leads people into the truths of Christ through the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) The Spirit’s teaching is known as “good doctrine,” 1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. “Good doctrine” that is “according to Godliness,” 1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome (sound) words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (Through sound doctrine we learn “Godliness”) Paul tells us what Satan teaches concerning the “Lordship” of Jesus Christ The spirit of Satan says, “Jesus is accursed” Paul tells us what the Holy Spirit teaches concerning the “Lordship” of Jesus Christ The Holy Spirit says, “Jesus is Lord” Representing a vast difference of opinion which leads to a vast difference of lifestyle False teaching denies the Person and Work of Jesus False religion is centered upon the denial of Jesus as Lord A religious person can call Jesus Lord and live without Jesus as the Lord of their life Christians living according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus as “Lord” One of the tools of Satan today is a false identification of those called “believers” Satan does not want you to know the truth of being a Christian or the truth of living as a Christian When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are spiritually born-again (John 3:1-8) That new birth is the birth of the Spirit within us, we receive the Spirit at the time of the new birth We are Christians because we have received Christ into our life (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are Christians because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 8:16) We can now learn of Christ and begin to live like a Christian because of the Spirit within us The Spirit teaches us the Word of God which teaches us the truth of Jesus Christ (John 16:13-15) God’s Word is teaching us that because Jesus is our Savior, He must be our “Lord” Because Jesus is our Savior, and the Holy Spirit is within us we have been spiritually gifted But unless Jesus is “Lord” of our life there will be no evidence or ministry of spiritual gifts The manifestation of the Lordship of Christ over our daily life is the ministry of our spiritual gift To exercise our spiritual gift is to exalt our Savior as the Lord of our life (1 Peter 4:10) Satan works through religion and denominational identification to divide people And then Satan uses that division to turn people away from God and the true church Page 1 of 5 The Lordship of Jesus and the ministry of spiritual gifts unites believers in their service for God 1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. DUMB IDOLS--1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Before Paul tells what God will give true believers through the Holy Spirit He tells us what Satan will give through demons to those who will follow him, what a contrast Paul reminds them of their pagan past, when they were under the influence of Satan and demons Paul described that life to Titus, Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (Be sure that this verse applies to your past life and not present life) Something that Paul had already discussed with the Corinthians, 1Co 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (Which should no longer be in their life) The Gentiles were non-Jews, and they were also considered as pagans, 1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: “Gentile” was a word used in the NT to refer to non-Christians, those without Christ in their life They were not united “in Christ,” they were not united into the body of Christ, the True Church Christians are not to live like Gentiles, we are to live Christ-like before the Gentiles, 1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. As Gentiles they were “carried away,” seduced by Satan and sin, under Satan’s control “Carried away” explains what Satan does with your life through idols The word was used to identify a prisoner led away under armed guard and under their control They were under the control of a powerful outside force It was not a one-time experience but an on-going daily experience Referring to that which Satan daily influenced them to do Satan takes you away from God which leads to emptiness, loneliness, and despair Satan influences sin and worldliness which never fulfills the pursuit of happiness and pleasure Only Godliness or spirituality can satisfy the soul of man (1 Timothy 4:8) “Carried away” is the picture of a lost person who has been captured by Satan and sin They had been seduced by Satan and led astray “unto these dumb idols” The power that influenced them was not that of the idols because the idols are “dumb” “Dumb” does not mean unintelligent but “voiceless” “Idols” that are unable to speak, they are silent, having no power of voice An idol is an image or representation which stands for a false god, what good is a false god? Hab 2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Hab 2:19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. An “idol” is anything that takes possession of a person’s life and controls them Which is exactly what we should allow the Holy Spirit to do with our daily life As Christians we should be committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ Jesus must be the Lord of our life, the “ONE” who controls our life So, an “idol” is anything that takes the place of the Lord in our life How can a speechless idol teach you? How can a lifeless idol help you? Idols are man’s material creation, Psa 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. Idols speak not and see not, Psa 115:5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: Page 2 of 5 Idols hear not and smell not, Psa 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: Idols go nowhere and do nothing, Psa 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. Follow them and you are as dumb as they are, Psa 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. “Even as you were led,” they had been influenced, deceived, and led into idolatry Influenced by Satan and the world of evil spirits Christians are not to allow themselves to be led into idolatry, 1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. An idol is anything that takes you away from what God has for you Satan continually attempts to offer you a substitute for God in your life And there is no substitute for God, 1Co 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. You keep yourselves from idols by turning to God and serving Him, 1Th 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; Those who are spiritually blind cannot see where Satan is leading them Without the strength of the Holy Spirit, they cannot stand against Satan and resist him Without the Word of God, they cannot understand what Satan is doing to their life Those who are lost and those who are carnal do not realize they are being led astray by Satan Once being led astray by Satan it is only a matter of sinful choice, which sin is next Which leads to a life empty and useless, Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Life that is ignorant and blind, Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: From one sin to another, Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Paul now turns our thoughts from voiceless dumb idols to “Spirit-filled speech” SPIRIT FILLED SPEECH--1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. “Wherefore” calls for their attention upon the previous and to hear what he now says “Wherefore I give you to understand,” get this in your mind, you must understand I want to impress upon you the importance of what I am telling you, you must listen to me I want you to understand the influence of “dumb idols” and the influence of the Holy Spirit Paul is comparing Satan’s speech or worldly talk with “Spiritual Speech” The natural man is capable of speaking anything worldly he desires, lost people do talk worldly But only those who are born of the Spirit can speak the truth of “Spirituality” This verse is a comparison of what natural man can say and what Spirit-filled Christians can say Paul is revealing to us the communication that comes from the Spirit through the believer “That no man speaking by the Spirit of God,” speaking by means of the Holy Spirit The one who is under the influence of the Spirit, one who is controlled by the Spirit In no way will the Spirit-filled person speak words of heresy concerning the Person of Jesus Nothing that the Holy Spirit influences or encourages us to say or do belittles Christ in any way “Calleth Jesus accursed,” words against the Person of Jesus never come from the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit will never use the mental faculties of man to curse Jesus Page 3 of 5 Think about that when you hear someone use the name of God or Jesus in profanity Their words are coming from Satan’s influence and not the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit will only put words of praise into your mouth to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ The purpose of the doctrine of devils is to destroy the truths of Jesus Christ The basis of every false religious movement is to deny the Person and Work of Jesus Christ “Accursed” means let the curse of destruction be upon him, let him be the object of a curse “Jesus accursed” is a denial of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ Attempting destruction of the Person of Jesus comes through the denial of the truths of Jesus The denial of His virgin birth and sinless life is Satan’s “Jesus be cursed” To deny that Jesus is the One and Only Savior is Satan’s “Jesus be cursed” The denial of the Lordship of Christ is Satan’s “Jesus be cursed” Teaching that Jesus was merely a good man who greatly influenced others is, “Jesus be cursed” Jesus be cursed is of the antichrist movement, 1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. The Spirit teaches the truth of Jesus, 1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: The spirit of antichrist is not of God, 1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. The spirit of antichrist is present today, the future Antichrist is soon to come, he may be here To curse Jesus by word or deed is to deny who He is, what He has done, or will now do for you Satan uses more than spoken words in-an attempt to curse Jesus Deeds as well as words attempt to curse Jesus, a person’s lifestyle can be a mockery to Jesus “Accursed” can refer to a life that denies the person and work of Jesus Christ Living a sinful life condemns His nature, His character, His work within the life of a believer Satan and his demonic forces desire to curse Jesus, to deliver the life of Jesus up for destruction Anyone who would do that is under the influence of demons Under the leadership of the Spirit no one will ever be a curse unto Jesus And there are no exceptions, it will never happen “And that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost” The opposite of “Jesus accursed” is “Jesus is Lord” He can only be our Lord through the Holy Spirit Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to receive Jesus, to follow Jesus, to live for Jesus Under the leadership of the Spirit, it is impossible to deny the Lordship of Jesus As Lord, Jesus will be Owner & Master of our daily life Paul is not saying that it is impossible for a lost person to quote “Jesus is Lord” Listen to what Jesus said, Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. “Many” who are lost will claim Jesus as their Lord, Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (“Many” identifies with the evil of our world today) But Jesus will declare that He is not their Lord, Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Anyone can say the words “Jesus is Lord,” even a lost person can say those words But no one can speak or live the truth of the words apart from the Holy Spirit Only through the ministry of the Holy Spirit can the words be truthful and meaningful Unless you are saved and living a life of spirituality it is useless to call Jesus Lord, Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Paul is referring to the understanding and the commitment of those words in the spiritual life Page 4 of 5 Sinful man can mouth the words “Jesus is Lord” But only a Christian can give a true confession to the Lordship of Jesus You cannot discover that Jesus is Lord by yourself, it cannot be learned through the sinful nature The name of the church does not teach us that Jesus is Lord The name of the denomination does not teach us that Jesus is Lord The truth that “Jesus is Lord” comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit within the believer The message of Satan is “Jesus accursed” The message of the Christian is “Jesus is Lord” “Jesus is Lord” is a confession to the truth of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ “Jesus is Lord” proclaims the sovereign authority of Jesus and His rulership Thomas proclaimed that “Jesus is the Lord,” Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. The first message preached after the birth of the NT Church proclaimed that Jesus is the Lord, Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. The “Lordship” of Jesus Christ is not awaiting His return to the earth, Jesus is Lord today The Lord Jesus Christ will determine how far a sinful world can go before He returns as Lord It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit today that proclaims “Jesus is Lord” to the lost world The world that denies Jesus says that “money is lord,” pleasure is lord, sex is lord, man is lord Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to receive Jesus, to follow Jesus, or to live for Jesus Jesus can only be our Lord through the Holy Spirit within us Under the leadership of the Spirit, it is impossible to deny the Lordship of Jesus Jesus can only be the Lord in your life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit Paul said, “but by the Holy Ghost,” meaning but by the ministry of the Holy Spirit The ministry of the Holy Spirit in our life is to teach us of the life of Jesus We are to be controlled by the life of Jesus, which is known as the “Lordship of Christ” The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-controlled life, accepting the Lordship of Christ Jesus is Lord is not discovered or known through the wisdom of the world Man’s fallen nature cannot be educated through man’s knowledge and learn that Jesus is Lord You cannot discover that Jesus is Lord by yourself It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of sinful man The Lordship of Jesus only comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit The Spirit teaches us to put Jesus in charge of our life That is why Paul said, “I want you to understand spirituality and exercise your spiritual gift” When Christ returns all of creation will know that He is “Lord,” Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. When Christ returns all of creation will proclaim Him as “Lord,” Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Page 5 of 5