1 Corinthians 12,4-7
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
August 4, 2002
Intro: Last week we looked at the 3 experiences that man can have
with the Holy spirit.
A- Each experience uses a Greek preposition to describe itself.
#1- Para (the Holy Spirit as our helper)
See John 16:8-15
A- This is the work of the Holy Spirit as He relates to unsaved or backsliden man.
1- The Holy Spirit as He calls man to a right relationship with God through the church by man.
a- The Para experience manifests itself through the universal knowledge of sin. (sin, righteousness, and judgement).
#2- En = in (The Holy Spirit as our seal of salvation)
Ephesians 1:13-14, In Him 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,14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
A- This is the existence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that earmarks us as Christians.
1- The Spiritual engagement ring of the betroth church of Christ.
a- The En experience manifests itself through the fruits of the Spirit.
#3- Epi (As the power of God living in man)
See Acts 1:4-8
A- This is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us for the Lords ministry.
The Holy Spirit working in us for the purpose of working through us according to the gifting given to us.
1- The Epi experience manifests itself through the gifting of the Holy Spirit.
Ø The Christians at the Church in Corinth experienced the Para experience and the En experience.
A- But they were a carnal church, at best, ignorant of the gifting of the Spirit.
1- They seemed to be a constant work of the flesh.
a- Attempting to do the Spiritual in the flesh.
- There was divisions between the various factions.
- They took each other to court,
- They fell back into idolatrous and immoral practices.
- They corrupted marriages
- Abused their Christian liberties.
B- We closed last week with the realization that man can not do even the most fundamental of spiritual things apart from the Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:13, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
1 Corinthians 12:4, There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
A- Gifts = A gift given of grace for the enablement of Spiritual service.
1- Spiritual gifts are not learned talents, natural talents, skills, or abilities. (But a good place to start looking)
a- Even the worse of the unbelievers posses these and can not use them for God’s glory.
- So the gifting that the Beatles had, that Einstein had, or Michael Jordan has does come from God.
· But Spiritual gifting will only come after salvation from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving others in the body of Christ.
· The gifts are not natural gifting but supernatural. (A natural man with supernatural gifts would use them foolishly).
Read Acts 8:18-25
1 Corinthians 12:4, There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
A- There are different appointments of gifts all for the use of the same spirit.
1- Different positions on the same team.
a- Hockey goalie
B- These varieties of gifts can be classified in 2 categories.
1- The speaking gifts: Teachings and prophesies.
2- The serving gifts: administrations, Helps.
1 Peter 4:11, If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Ø Now we have a listing of various gifts here in Verses 8-10 & 28, Romans 12:6-8, and in 1 Peter 4.
A- Why does God have the gifts listed in different places and why do the lists differ.
1- I think the answer is important when determining our own gifting.
a- The listing of the gifts are meant to be in general categories.
- To lead us in the right direction but not meant to be all-inclusive.
· Man tends to pigeonhole.
John 3:8, “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.”
1 Corinthians 12:5, There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
A- There are a verity of gifts BECAUSE there are a verity of ministries. (ways to serve God)
1- Many in the church are gifted to teach:
a- One at the pulpit, Some in youth, some in C.M., Foundations class, Some 1 on 1.
2- Worship = Sanctuary, C.M., Convalescent.
l- “There are differences of ministries”
A- (Read the ministries at CCO) Bulletin.
1- If we were all gifted the same way we would only have one or two ministries.
a- If all were drummers on the worship team.
Ø So the church receives a verity of gifts, all from the same Spirit, for the purpose of ministering (serving) the same Lord.
A- You need to know that to be Spiritual gifted and to use it for self-edification is to exorcise it improperly.
1 Peter 4:10, As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1- Serving Jesus is serving His people.
Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 Corinthians 12:6, And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
l- “And there are diversities of activities”
A- The Greek “energanuma” = activities, effects, operations, works.
1- It’s where we get our word for energy.
a- Paul’s point = There are different ways to expend energy in ministry but it is God (H.S.) who energizes us.
Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
b- This is why you get tired IN ministry but not OF ministry.
- When exorcising your gifts you are Spirit driven.
· A car and gas.
2- People who say “That’s the way that church does it”.
a- My interest is what the H.S. wants to do here.
1 Corinthians 12:7, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
A- Back to where we started.
1- The person baptized with the H.S., (filled, came upon) will manifest (or reveal) Him through the proper exorcising of their gifts for the good of the church.
a- Through a spirit filled teacher the H.S. will be seen through people having the proper knowledge of God’s word.
b- A Spirit filled worship leader (people will worship)
c- A Spirit filled parking attendant (orderly parking)
d- A spirit filled cleaning ministry
- The church will be clean and it will minister the Love of God to the people.
Closing
A- Did you notice one common thread that ran through verses 6&7?
V:6, “All in all”
V:7, “to each one”
1- Foe everyone of us God has a verity of gifts for a verity of areas of service, that He will energize us for, with the result being the edification of the church.
Read Acts 2:42-44&47
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
August 4, 2002
John 16:8-15
Ephesians 1:13-14
Acts 1:4-8
Luke 11:13
Acts 8:18-25
1 Peter 4:11
John 3:8
1 Peter 4:10
Mark 10:45
Acts 1:8
Acts 2:42-44&47