Spiritual Things: Power for Unity

Scripture Reading

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Sign gifts

Exposition 1 (1-3)

1 Corinthians 12:1–3 ESV

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

“Spiritual Things” (rather than Spiritual gifts)

vs. 2 Idolators vs God Worshippers (only 2 categories)

No background to rely on

I. Be careful how you judge professing Christians because there are a variety of Spiritual gifts.

Exposition 2 (4-7)

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

II. The Triune God Empowers Believers For the Good of the Body

In other words, the purpose of any Spiritual gift is to strengthen the whole.

The next verses serve as an illustration of this point

Exposition 3 (8-11)

1 Corinthians 12:8–11 ESV

8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Conclusion

Main Idea: Use your Spiritual Gifts in Unity to Strengthen the Body and not to Divide