sf194 - Spiritual Gifts - An Overview (1 Corinthians 12 1-7)

1 Corinthians 12:1-7

INTRODUCTION

Overview

In chapters 12-14 Paul deals with the subject of spiritual gifts against the background of divisions and moral laxity in a church that lacked no gift (1:7).

Ø Chapter 12 deals with the unity and diversity of the gifts,

Ø Chapter 13 with the power of love,

Ø Chapter 14 with the specific gifts of prophecy and tongues.

“Spiritual gifts are divine enablements for ministry, characteristics of Jesus Christ that are to be manifested through the body corporate just as they were manifested through the body incarnate.” (MacArthur)

Three Categories of Spiritual Gifts

Speaking gifts

Serving gifts

Sign gifts

1A. How the Gifts are Described

1B. They are God’s gifts (12:1-3)

The source of counterfeit gifts (12:2)

Dumb, literally without voice

The test of spiritual gifts (12:3)

Ø The negative test: to say that Jesus is accursed is to condemn His nature, His character, and His work.

Ø The positive test: a sincere confession of Christ’s deity and sovereignty.

2B. They are grace gifts (12:4)

Gifts, charisma, grace, salvation gifts

These are you spiritual birthday gifts.

3B. They are good gifts (12:7)

Given to be a blessing to others!

“Not toys to play with, but they are tools to build with!” (Jerry Vines)

2A. How The Gifts Are Designed (12:4-6)

1B. They are specific (12:4)

Individuals have different gifts

Ø There are several different lists (Romans 12; 1 Peter 4) therefore these are illustrative not exhaustive.

2B. They are supportive (12:5)

Each gift is given to enable the individual to serve, to minister

3B. They are supernatural (12:6)

These are not natural talents.

God provides the gift, the ability, and the power to do the work!

3A. How The Gifts Are Distributed

1B. Individually (12:7)

“Each one” - every believer is a gifted believer!

2B. Sovereignly (12: 11, 18)

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

4A. HOW THE GIFTS ARE DISCOVERED

Do not worry about it.

Ask the right questions.

What desire has the Holy Spirit given you?

Farmer - PC in clouds “preach Christ”... “plow corn”

What do you enjoy?

What do others encourage you to do?

Surrender to the Spirit.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

APPLICATION

The Real Source of Power...

Pump organ - little boy worked the bellows; no power no music.