He Determines

ILLUS. - Jane Stanford wrote: My husband admired our six-year-old daughter while she was dancing around the kitchen. Finally, he stopped her with a hug. "You know," he said, looking Amy in the eyes, "you're cute - just like your father." Amy was silent for a moment. "You mean my heavenly Father or you?"

Our parents - our Fathers - are placed in our lives to point us to our heavenly father - even through their imperfections - youngest son “quit acting like your father” - we pray that Perfect “cute” Heavenly Father come through

We do that by allowing God to determine His purpose for our lives and the spiritual attributes and gifts to accomplish his purpose.

Our Scripture this morning is from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 NIV

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Informed & Influenced

verses 1-3

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

- Prevents us from being led astray

- Corinthians having troubles

Different & Same

verses 4-6

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

“Exactly the same only different” - never quite knew what that meant

It is how we try to make sense out of a new situation - is there something common even if there are differences

The work of the Trinity - all three are working with the same purpose - because they are the same person.

Gifts, service, working

In ALL of them the same GOD - the Father - is at work

Determines & Distributes

verses 7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,  and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

The gift isn’t for you! It is for the “common good”

Not a Christmas wish list; not presents with “our name” - “Mine, Mine!”

Not guessing - like an interview; does’t have to wait until we perform

He knows us best

He knows our potential

He provides all the resources we need

He Determines & Distributes as he decides what is needed

Like Your Father

To the Corinthians and to us

Don’t abuse the gifts given - don’t selfishly hoard them - they might be taken away

The Holy Spirit - He wants you to be “like your Heavenly father”

Others will see God in us because of His Spirit

Others will find Jesus as their Lord and Savior because of His Spirit

We can be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Allow the gifts that He determines and gives to us be used in our lives

May God hug us and look into our eyes and say “you look like your Father”.