Do You Know What You Have?

Studying The Gifts Of The Spirit

Focus: In these lessons we need to realize that the “Gifts” (all nine of them) are still quite relative for today and He wants to speak to us through all of them. Miracles are still being performed, healings are still happening, words of wisdom and knowledge are still being given in this age. Prophecy and Divers tongues along with interpretations of tongues is still happening among the true believers of and in God. Pastor Walsworth and I have discussed this. We want to give you the information and knowledge that we have gleaned from years of ministry and experience. Buckle your seatbelts, bring something to write notes on.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–14

Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-14, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-13

Introduction: Spiritual gifts are unique abilities given to each believer by the Holy Spirit, designed to strengthen the Church and manifest God's love in practical ways. They are not just individual talents but divine empowerments for ministry. Recognizing and employing our spiritual gifts can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. This message/ study is intended to encourage us, the listeners, to step out in faith, use their gifts in service to others, which can lead to stronger community bonds and increased spiritual vitality.

This sermon/study is intended to emphasize that spiritual gifts are essential for the Church's mission. By understanding our gifts and cultivating them, we can contribute to the body of Christ in meaningful ways, supporting one another in faith and good works.

This can also help each of us to help guide and point others to Christ: The spiritual gifts given to believers are rooted in the ministry of Christ, who empowered His followers to serve and lead, indicating that every gift is a manifestation of His continued work on earth through the Spirit-filled believer, His Church.

Big Idea: Please listen carefully; Spiritual gifts are not just personal assets but sacred responsibilities that enhance our community and reflect God's love in action, calling us to engage actively in His mission.

1. The Gifts of the Spirit are quite diverse as we will see in this series.

We will explore how the diversity of spiritual gifts reflects God's unified purpose for the Church. We will also be emphasizing that these gifts originate from the same Spirit, they also encourage unity among believers despite varied expressions of service and activities. By highlighting this point I hope to inspire us to appreciate and celebrate diversity within the Church as an opportunity for growth and mutual support in fulfilling God's mission.

2. Manifest for the Common Good

In this series of teaching, I hope to examine how each gift is a manifestation of God’s Spirit, meant to benefit the common good of the Church, as a whole. We will also discuss how individuals often overlook the importance of the so-called 'lesser' gifts, emphasizing that all are crucial. I also want to encourage you, the listener, to recognize your gifts and utilize those gifts in and for service to the Church and our communities, thereby fostering a culture of gratitude and purpose-driven action. There is a very large need for this.

3. Growth and Steward Gifts

I would like for you and me to consider how the nature of spiritual gifts requires intentional development and faithful stewardship. I would urge you to invest time in discovering and honing your gifts. How can Pastor Walsworth & I suggest to you ways to implement spiritual gifts in daily life, thus advancing the Church's mission through committed action and sacrificial service.

4. Equip the Saints for Unity

The spiritual gifts are intended to (1) equip and mature the Church, (2) enable believers to attain unity and Christlike character. I would also like to emphasize that engaging with spiritual gifts in the community enhances personal growth and strength. Now, if you’ll turn in your Bible with me to 1 Corinthians 12 we’ll begin reading from verse 1.

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

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.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.”

The Apostle Paul said that he didn’t want the members of the body of Christ to not know who they were in Christ and what God intends for His glorious church. In all of his writings to the church, Paul was adamant about each one to know exactly who they are and what God desires for each one. With that being said, it is my intention to re-familiarize all of us again (no matter how long we’ve had the Holy Ghost) with all nine gifts of the Spirit and what and to whom these gifts concern. These gifts are not mysterious nor are they to be feared. These gifts are meant to help the body of Christ to grow spiritually, to be able to cause us to be sensitive or as I like to say, be able to sense that He wants to work within the body, His Church. As the text says in verse :

1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” Which simply means that the gifts are to help all of us to gain strength, wisdom and guidance to become who He wants us to be. So, let us begin this message/Bible study by learning about His gifts. There are nine gifts of the spirit just as there are nine fruit of the Spirit (which can be a study of its own at a later time.

This series of lessons will be an in depth, but hopefully (lol) not so far over our heads that we get confused. I urge you to come with a way to take notes. I also encourage you to ask questions, should you need a more in depth understanding of this study. God wants us and needs us to have an understanding of the spiritual realm that we are in. We are bombarded on every side, but like Paul in another of his writings to the church, but not in despair. If ever there’s been a time in which we need more understanding, it is in this day and time.

Again, let’s look at these nine gifts as follows:

The word of Wisdom

The gift of Knowledge

Faith

Gifts of Healing

Working of Miracles

Prophecy

Discerning of spirits

Divers tongues

The interpretation of tongues. All of us can be used of God in and through the gifts. We have been admonished through the Word to “ covet the best gifts”. All of us should be open to be used of Him in these gifts. I can explicitly remembe the very first time I was used in the gifts. It was at our home in Eldorado, AR. This was shortly after Deb and I were married. We lived in a shot-gun apartment on Short W. Second street. We had gotten ready for bed and we were praying. As happens to many, we were having some financial difficulties. My job didn’t pay much, and Deb had gotten laid off from hers. The rent was due, all of the utilities needed to be paid, etc. (all of us know that drill) and we had no idea of how this was going to be accomplished. You know what, God knew…….we were lying on our bed, praying and crying, and God’s amazing presence just came into our home and spoke to us through the gift of tongues and interpretation of the same. It was so very powerful and very personal. As long as I live I will never forget those first ten words He spoke….”my children, whom I love, I will take care of you!” Let me say again just how personal and powerful were His words to us! He let us know that He knew us as individuals, as His very own family, as He said, “my children”!

I want us all to remember that the moment you had your own personal “born again experience” you were immediately placed in the hands of God.iI You were embraced by His loving and caring arms.

A song that was written by Dottie Rambo, “I’m sheltered in the arms of God”. No matter if the winds and the storms are raging, no matter if the “wolf” is at the door, no matter what kind of calamity you are facing, you are protected…..you are sheltered in His arms. I’m going to make a statement that I hope will impact your life and help you understand that the gifts of the Spirit are in you because they are a part of the Holy Ghost you received when you were born of the Spirit. Should God choose to use you, and you have to be open to Him doing so, then He will use you in any one of those nine gifts. As I have already stated, the gifts are not something to be afraid of. They are here to lift up the individual member of His body and to edify the whole body of believers, what we call “the church”. They are not mysterious, nor are they “spooky”. They are Holy gifts of the Holy Ghost here for, again, the edification of the whole body and singularly, the members of the body of believers , you and me……! After that first experience of being used in the gifts, I knew that God really does know who we are and what we go through on a daily basis, and that He is always there to see us through. He wants us to depend on Him, but He also wants us to be able to stand on our own feet and lean on our understanding of what we have heard fro the pastors, teachers and evangelists when necessary.

A newborn doesn’t come into this world walking and talking does it? It does not come with knowledge, especially the knowledge that he/she is a sinner. That knowledge comes later It comes knowing nothing, it comes desiring to learn from his/her parents and their (the parents, etc.) understanding of God’s Word.

We watch and nurture that child…..they say their first word(s), they take their first step(s), and we are overjoyed at those accomplishments. Their families are overjoyed when that same child realizes their need of God and comes to the knowledge of how he/she gets their own born again experience! The same is true in the spiritual realm. God is overjoyed when we overcome something that seems to be a hindrance to our growth in Him. He is always there to pick us up should we falter along the way.

He wants us to rely on Him, but He also wants us to realize that through Him we can do anything…..I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Always realize that He is always there, and He really knows and cares……fear nothing…..put your trust in Him…..rely upon Him. He will never ever fail you.

When I come before you the next time, I will be “TREACHING” on the first and second of the nine gifts that have many benefits for God’s people, Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom, which are similar, but have a different effect on the receiver (you and me). Until such time, happy studying. I used to tell my ninth graders that very thing but would add and study hard, and be blessed doing so…..it will be worth it.