Gifts to Equip the Church

Intro

It is appropriate that we conclude this study on the Holy Spirit by reviewing the nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.

Thank God for the helps He has set in the church! Not everyone can be an apostle or prophet, but every Christian can find opportunities to serve.

You have probably noticed an overlapping in many of the gifts. This is not to be wondered at. They blend together like the colors of the rainbow.

The Holy Spirit within us strengthens and works through each member of the body of Christ according to the need of the moment to accomplish His special ministry.

Sermon’s outline:

General Considerations;

Word of Wisdom;

Word of Knowledge;

Faith;

Gifts of healings;

Miraculous Power;

Discernment of Spirits;

N.1 - General Considerations

See chart.

N.2 - Word of Wisdom

Acts 6:9–10 NIV

Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

This is a proclamation, a declaration of wisdom given to meet the need of some particular occasion or problem.

It is not dependent on human ability or natural wisdom but is a revelation of divine counsel.

Because it is a “message” of wisdom, it is clear that only enough is given for the need.

Question: Name 3 people who may have used this gift in the New Testament. B) Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Stephen.

N.3 - Word of Knowledge

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light [enlightening] of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Knowledge clearly has to do with the knowledge of God, the Gospel, and the applications of the Gospel to christian living.

It is a gift bringing supernatural illumination of the Gospel, especially in the ministry of teaching and preaching.

Quiz: Which of the following kinds of knowledge would you most expect to gain through the gift of a word of knowledge? Knowledge of

a) how to do your work better.

b) how to work a chemical equation.

c) how to work a mathematical problem.

d) where to find a lost article.

e) the nature of a disease which afflicts some sick person.

f) God. (yes)

g) Christ. (yes)

h) truth revealed in the gospel. (yes)

i) proper application of the gospel requirements. (yes)

N.4 - Faith

Acts 20:10–12 NIV

Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

The gift of faith may be defined as “faith imparted by the Spirit of God for protection in times of danger, or for divine provision, or it may include the ability to impart blessing.”

The Holy Spirit may use a song, prayer, testimony, or preaching as a channel to communicate faith or raise the level of faith in the Body.

N.5 - Gifts of Healings

Both the words “gifts” and “healing” (1 Corinthians 12:9) are in the plural in the Greek.

Some take this to mean that there are a variaty of forms of this gift.

There is no evidence that the apostles were able to heal whenever they felt like it by some resident power of healing.

We read of “extraordinary miracles through Paul” at Ephesus:

Acts 19:11 NIV

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,

This implies that in connection with the establishing of the seven churches of Asia through Paul’s ministry at Ephesus, unusual miracles were done that did not take place everywhere.

N.6 - Miraculous Powers

Acts 13:9–11 NIV

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Both words are in the plural, and again the suggestion is that many varieties of miracles or deeeds of power are available.

This gift is especially operative in connection with the conflict between God and Satan.

These acts of power bringing defeat to Satan might include the casting out of demons.

N.7 - Distinguishing the Spirits

Acts 5:3 NIV

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

The Bible speaks about three kind of spirits:

The Spirit of God;

The spirit of a person;

The devil’s spirit.

It involves a supernaturally given perception, differentiating between spirits, good and evil, true or false, in order to make decision.

Like the other gifts, this one does not raise an individual to a new level of ability. Nor does it give anyone the power to go around looking at people and telling what spirit motivates them.

Questions

1 = B

2 = A

3 = D

4 = C