In the Service of our King Part 1: What are the Gifts of the Spirit?

Introduction

I remember Christmas 1994 very well. I was so excited for Christmas Day to come, not because of something I was hoping to get but for something I was giving. My mom had a part-time job as a court clerk that took place on a Tuesday night. I was taken to my aunt’s house who made many things from from wood. That autumn I started making a nativity scene for my mom. We would pick out the patterns, cut them on the saw, and I would paint the cutouts of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and an angel. A few days before Christmas I would wrap it up and hid it so I could surprise my mom on Christmas morning. I was excited to give it and I gave it to her and she loved the present and even more so that I had made it for her. Has there been a gift that you have given and the excitement from the other person put a smile on your face? What if the other person ignored the gift? What if they did not even bother to open the gift? What if they just kept it, but never looked at it or used it? As believers in Jesus Christ, we have accepted the free gift of salvation. We have opened that gift. We have been redeemed, we have been saved. Our sin has been erased. Yet, many believers fail to realize that the moment we accepted Christ as Savior we were also gifted with the Holy Spirit whom gives each believer at least one spiritual gift and more likely than that, more than one. Yet, many believers have never unwrapped these gifts or used them in the way that God wants us to use them.

Thesis of Sermon Series

This sermon series is entitled: In the Service of the King. My prayer for this series is that you will discover what spiritual gifts are all about. That you will discover what your gifts are. That you will use them for the edifying or building up of the body of Christ here at First Baptist Church and for the reaching the lost for Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit when are saved

Just to debunk anything thoughts you have on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is NOT a lesser person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal Persons. One God in three persons. The Holy Spirit is also NOT a force like in Star Wars. Many cults will deny that the Holy Spirit is a Person. Yet, He is a Person.

As we begin to look at the Gifts of the Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, or Grace Gifts as they are often called we need to look briefly at some of the work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. We do not have time during this four week series to do a full study on Pneumatology (the Study of the Holy Spirit), but I want to lay some ground work so we have a foundation for what will be taught concerning the gifts of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Convicts Us

Before we can accept the free gift of salvation found only in Jesus Christ, we have to know that we are sinners in need of a Savior. God, the Holy Spirit, convicts us of sin and woos us to Jesus Christ. Listen to these words of Jesus when Jesus spoke to the apostles the night He would be arrested.

John 16:8–11 NKJV

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Holy Spirit convicts, exposes sin as sin. The same Greek word is used that is used here that Jesus also uses in John 3:20–21 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”” The Holy Spirit exposes sin and brings it to the light of Jesus Christ.

Puritan preacher William Bridge writes:

Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans Grace for the Weary

I see the sinfulness of sin, so let me also see the graciousness of grace, and the fullness of Christ. I come to you for righteousness, because I see my sin is exceedingly sinful.

The exposing and convicting of sin is a work of the Holy Spirit before we are saved after we are saved.

We know that before Christ we and the world around us are spiritually blind. The World is blind and so were we. I once was blind, but now I see.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NKJV

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

We pray that God would open the blinded eyes of those who are perishing that God would convict them of sin and what is right. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

John Newton who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace toward the end of his life with failing health and failing memory recounted. “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!”

Yes, that is indeed true. We are great sinners in need of a Savior and the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and shows us the need for a Savior. Our spiritual blindness is lifted and our relationship with a Holy God changes.

The Holy Spirit Regenerates, Seals, Adopts Us, and Dwells in Us

When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit regenerates us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

You are a new creation in Christ! Titus 3:5 “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” John 3:3–8 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””

Jesus does a word play with the Wind and Spirit. In Greek the word for Wind, Breath, and Spirit are the same word. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (Inspiration - God- Breathed).

Dr. Floyd Barackman puts it this way, “Regeneration is the act of God the Holy Spirit whereby in response to salvational faith, he cleanses and renews gosel believers’ inner being and imparts to them spiritual life.”

When we are saved we have that second birth, that birth from above. We are born-again! We were born once by water when our mother’s water broke and now we have been born by the Spirit of God!

As someone once wrote or said. Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.

Have you been born again?

The Holy Spirit also seals us. The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the church in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:13–14 “In Him (Jesus Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Often times the word “seal” is used when talking about a signet ring. The ring that a king or emperor had special to them. Wax would be melted on a rolled up scroll and then the ring would go in. It had the mark of that high official. It is a promise and a guarantee. In the story of Joseph in Genesis, the Pharaoh gives Joseph his signet ring so that if Joseph promised payment for grain. It was assured and guaranteed! So when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The payment for our sins is guaranteed! The payment has been in full! God’s signet ring has been placed on the transaction! You have paid for once for all. PAID IN FULL! The wages for the payment of sin was death and Jesus Christ took that bill you and I owed and paid for it.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary God’s Seal

Because we do not directly and immediately receive the fullness of all God’s promises when we first believe (since it is “reserved in heaven for us,” 1 Pet. 1:3–4), we may sometimes be tempted to doubt our salvation and wonder about the ultimate blessings that are supposed to accompany it. While we are still in this life our redemption is not complete, because we still await “the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). Because we have not yet received full possession of our inheritance, we may question its reality or at least its greatness.

As one means of guaranteeing His promises to those who have received Jesus Christ, God has sealed [them] in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every believer is given the very Holy Spirit of God the moment he trusts in Christ. “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you,” Paul declares (Rom. 8:9a).

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.””

Not only does the Holy Spirit Convict us of sin and lead us to salvation by opening our blind eyes. Not only does He regenerate us and seal us for Heaven. God’s Holy Spirit indwells us and shows us that we are adopted into God’s family.

Romans 8:12–17 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

You and I as believers in Jesus Christ has been adopted into God’s family. We are His children. We are heirs with God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ! We are in His family!

The Holy Spirit of God lives inside of us! The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells inside each of us.

Romans 8:9–11 NKJV

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

The same Spirit, God the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives inside each believer in Jesus Christ! Take a moment to let that sink in.

Paul refers to our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

We have Him dwelling inside of us and changing us from the inside out to be more like Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells us. That means we change, because of His influence in our life. Also, sin in our life can grieve Him.

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” We are sealed, but our sin can grieve Him. As I said earlier, the Holy Spirit is not a force, He is a Person. We want to be under His control. So that the life that God wants us to live will be lived out by the Holy Spirit. Paul later in Ephesians writes Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” KEEP ON BEING FILLED. It is not a one and done. Yes, we receive the Holy Spirit, He will never leave us nor forsake us. He seals us and adopts us into God’s family. Yet, sometimes we are not filled with the Holy Spirit. That does not mean we lose our salvation, Paul is not implying that at all. He uses drunkenness as an illustration. When someone is filled with drink they are under the influence of the alcohol. When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, they are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

These are gifts we have from the Holy Spirit, but these are not even the Gifts of the Holy Spirit we are going to be focused on. God has given us His best.

Gifts of the Spirit

As we move into the next couple of weeks we will be looking at a couple of different passages and I would encourage you read them:

Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.

The Apostle Paul talks about the people and the gifts that God has given to the church. As this series is about, In Service of the King. How do each of us use the gifts that God has given to us for Him and His Kingdom? It is not about us, it is about Him.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?

Maybe you are here today or listening online or on the radio and you have never been born from above. John 3:3–8 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””

None of these gifts you will have. You have not been regenerated, sealed, adopted, and the Holy Spirit does not dwell inside of you. Yet, maybe this morning the role of the Holy Spirit is convicting you of your sin and your need for Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the church in Rome:

Romans 10:8–13 NKJV

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

When you see your need for a Savior and knowing that you are a sinner in need of His grace, you admit that to Him and believe in Your heart and confess it with your mouth. It is a life change! Many will pray a prayer, but it is not the prayer that saves you nor the words you say, but the heart that truly repents and believes in Jesus Christ. If you have never done that today, I pray that you would speak to me or Pastor Chris or Pastor Pat so you could know for certain that you are saved and that Holy Spirit lives inside of you. It is most important decision you can ever make and it is the start of a journey that will never end. It will be difficult at times, but it is the most wonderful gift you could ever receive.

Conclusion / Call to Action

For us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior are we living as a Romans 12 believer. Maybe some of those difficult times have take away your joy.

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Our lives are on the altar of God. He wants us to serve Him. I want to close with a familiar poem by CT Studd called One Life.

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

The question today is: Are we giving our time, talents, treasure, and the gifts that God has given to us for this one life?