1 Corinthians 12,8-11
1 Corinthians 12:8-9
August 18, 2002
Intro: Paul seems to be moving on the next question presented to
him from the church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 7:1, Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: …
A- Paul is going to be spending chapters 12-14 answering their questions on Spiritual gifting.
1- Another issue that the church at Corinth seemed to be unclear about.
a- Probably the most important issue in the church today.
b- Probably the area in which there is the least amount of understanding.
B- In the past 2 studies we have examined the experiences that man is able to have with the Holy Spirit. (How the H.S. interacts with man and relates to him.)
#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.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
#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.
1- The Holy Spirit working in us for the purpose of working through us according to the gifting given to us.
a- This experience of the Holy Spirit is described as upon, or baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- The Epi experience manifests itself through the gifting of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
A- The gifts are generally broken down in 2 categories.
1- The speaking gifts: Teachings and prophesies.
2- The serving gifts: administrations, Helps.
B- We know that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit by the existence of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
1- The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to EVERYONE whom the Holy Spirit has come upon.
a- If you do not have a gifting of the Holy Spirit you are 1 of the 2.
- Not baptized with the H.S.
- Ignorant of the Gifts of the Spirit.
Ø 2 Things before we look at the listing of the gifts in verses 8 – 11.
#1- This list is not all inclusive.
A- It is an outline to lead us in the Lords direction for our ministry.
1- You’ll not find certain gifting of the H.S. listed here.
a- Counseling, parking, cleaning.
#2- No one gift is any more important than any other.
Matthew 10:40-42, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.41 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
A- All those who participate in a blessed service.
1- Give example of our church.
1 Corinthians 12:8, for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
Ø The word of wisdom
A- If you are unsure of your spiritual gifting this is a good place to start because this is a gift that is available to all.
1- No matter what ministry we are involved in wisdom from God is essential.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
a- Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.
- Rattlesnake illustration.
· Knowledge: Poisonous snake, The Latin name for it, Knowing it bites, how much poison, and how long you have to live.
· Wisdom: Don’t go near it.
Psalm 111:10, he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
2- To have wisdom is not to be a wise person (center of knowledge and it’s application a guru.
a- Notice that this gift is not “to be wise” BUT a word of wisdom.
b- People with this gift will still do foolish things.
- In the context of ministry they will be able to make decisions to the furtherance of the work that God’s desires to do.
An example in the church age Acts 6:2-4, Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;4 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
1 Corinthians 12:8, for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
See Acts 21:10-11, Acts 21:17-26
A- To have a “word of knowledge” has noting to do with smarts.
1- It has noting to do with what you may have heard, studied, or learned.
a- Those are not bad BUT works of the flesh.
2- “Word of knowledge”: To know of something that you could not possibly know form any external source.
a- David Williams son.
b- Leonard and the demolished building.
B- This gifting would be essential for:
1- Teaching, counseling, leadership.
a- When a Christian has a feeling about something or someone that comes to pass I believe this is a word of knowledge.
b- Ever been in a teaching where you thought that the teacher was talking to a situation in you life?
1 Corinthians 12:9, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
See Hebrews 11
Turn to Daniel 3:16-18
A- This is the intensive ability to trust God in difficult and circumstances and in the face of overwhelming obstacles and human impossibilities.
1- An ability to take the promises of God to heart.
B- There are different types of faith that is supplied by God that may or may not apply.
1- Faith that brings salvation
Hebrews 12:2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, …
a- Does not apply to our context in 1 Corinthians.
2- Faith that is to become fully-grown.
a- Comparable to a deeper relationship with the Lord.
- A more mature version of #1.
Jude 20, But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
1 Corinthians 12:9, … to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
A- This is not a gift that one person possesses all the time to exorcise at will.
1- If true you would be able to empty the hospitals.
a- I often wonder if the possessor of this gift is the person praying for the healing or the person receiving the healing.
2- Paul at times in his ministry was able to be used to heal.
Acts 28:8-9, And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
a- At times not.
Philippians 2:25-27, Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
1 Timothy 5:23, No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
2 Timothy 4:20, Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
Closing
1 Corinthians 12:11, But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
A- works all these things: Energizes for all these things.
1- The Greek “energanuma” = activities, effects, operations, works.
a- It’s where we get our word for energy.
- The point = This is energy that comes form God and not us. If us then our power our works.
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.”
Ephesians 4:12, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
1 Corinthians 12:8-9
August 18, 2002
1 Corinthians 7:1
John 16:8-15
Ephesians 1:13-14
Galatians 5:22-23
Acts 1:4-8
Matthew 10:40-42
James 1:5
Psalm 111:10
Acts 6:2-4
Acts 21:10-11,
Acts 21:17-26
Hebrews 11
Daniel 3:16-18
Hebrews 12:2
Jude 20
Acts 28:8-9
Philippians 2:25-27
1 Timothy 5:23
2 Timothy 4:20
Acts 1:8
Ephesians 4:12