1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (Part 57) Spiritual Gifts

Their diverse nature—vv. 8-11

Organizing gifts into a pattern

• The needs of the mind: 1) The ability to communicate—v. 8; 2) The ability of appropriation—v. 9

• The needs of the body—vv. 9-10a

• The needs of the spirit—v. 10b

• A summary—v. 11

Each gift has a purpose

• Is the purpose age long—if so it exists

• Is the purpose historically fulfilled?—if so no longer exists

Outline for our study

• The classifications of gifts

• The features of gifts

• The diversity of gifts

Classify gifts

• Permanent—age-long purpose

• Temporary—they accomplished their purpose and are finished

Permanent gifts

• Teaching, administration, pastor-teacher, exhortation, giving, mercy, faith, serving

Temporary gifts

• Apostle, prophecy, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discernment of the spirit

The church age

• Begins in Acts 2 with the day of Pentecost

• Ends with the return of the Lord

• The church age must be viewed in two phases: 1) Pre-canon 2) Post-canon

Definition of a spiritual gift

• Emphasis on the source—v. 1—pneumatakon

• Emphasis on the basis—v. 4—charisma

A spiritual gift—it is a God-given ability of extraordinary proportions for serving the body of Christ

Aspects of Gifts

• Their distribution: 1) Every believer has one; 2) The existence of them is sovereign

• The distinction

• Their variety

• Their goal

• Their priority

• Their identification—how do you know what you are gifted to do? . . .1) Desire; 2) Blessing; 3) Recognition; 4) Opportunity