The Biblical Context of Spiritual Gifts 2
Notes
Transcript
The church in Corinth was a young church filled with “babes in Christ”. Much was happening in this church, and Paul knew that the organisation and service in the church was chaotic and dysfunctional.
The black church in NJ
10-15 minutes after the service was supposed to start and suddenly someone started talking a little louder at the back of the church - Holly and I were looking around as we couldn’t quite tell what was happening - Suddenly it hit us, he was praying
After praying - a queue of people began walking from the back of the church with tamborines and singing - no song books - no words on a screen
The queue of people stretched from one side of the church to the other, and people began to join them in singing, but we had no idea what the words were to the song
When the song ended, one singer would start singing another song - we found a song book, and started searching through it - someone sitting behind us saw us looking and directed us to a song
The process kept happening over and over again
The service was supposed to end at a certain time, and I was supposed to preach. The time drew nearer and nearer. I was left with 10 minutes to preach.
The spirit of the people was so giving and generous, but the service was chaotic and confusing to anyone coming in
A gift is not the same as grace.
Unsaved people can have natural gifts, even gifts of genius. Shakespeare, Einstein, and Beethoven
Morality is not the same as morality.
Some men and women have tremendous ability are wholly without ethics or morality. Some have used their gift without conscience.
A believer can have spiritual gifts without any regard to spirituality or Christlikeness
A successful evangelist, a brilliant Bible teacher, or a compassionate pastor may or may not be spiritual.
The Corinthians had all the gifts, and, yet, they were also the most carnal and worldly of believers.
Some great Bible teachers have been tyrants at home
Some admired pastors have run off with the church pianist
Some evangelists have been taken with greed an pride
Just because someone is spiritually gifted does not mean that they are like Christ.
Paul addresses this problem with the church in Corinth.
The Introduction of Spiritual Gifts
The Introduction of Spiritual Gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Paul did not want then to be ignorant of spiritual gifts and their purpose
Ignorance is the mother of all kinds of mischief
Even today there are whole movement of Christians focusing on the misapplication and out of context of spiritual gifts
The focus of chapter 12-14 is to bring the context of spiritual gifts into the Biblical perspective that furthered the Gospel instead of promoting how spiritual one may or may not be
The focus of the Bible is pointing to Jesus
How we take these 3 chapters and apply them indicates where our hearts focus is and what we want to point people towards
There have been some good people who have made the focus an experience or a feeling.
There is a hostile world around us eager to exploit our ignorance in this area of the Christian life
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
Those reading the very words of Paul in his letter to them were called to remember where they were once… unsaved and following dumb idols.
Paul knew that they gave their gifts to dumb idols.
They followed the focus of society and ended up carried away into things they never thought they’d do.
Satan and his demons deceived them with counterfeit gifts and demonic oracles.
Paul reminded them of what they had been saved from, and warned them that the same practises can be brought into the church.
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Stolen Computer:
Listed a computer on eBay - sold from someone that lived nearby
Paid promptly with Paypal with an address listed very near where we lived
He asked if I could meet him after work and he just pick up the computer
The money was in my account, Paypal verified it, so sure, why not?
I met him, and he went away with the computer
The next day I get an email from Paypal stating that the account that paid had been hacked and I had to pay the funds back
What?! Long story short, the man I met was the hacker, and because he collected the item I was not covered under Paypal’s protection because there was no shipping tracking number
The man who I thought was a buyer turned out to be a thief
The Holy Spirit is well aware of that there are people who say anything to deceptively work their way in to the church
Paul relays the test - They must say, Jesus is Lord
Anyone can say these words
This is where context is so vital!
Paul was speaking about the spiritual gifts, specifically public ministry gifts like prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpretation
The HS recognises the danger of deception and puts in tests and safeguards when someone is using a spiritual gift
Deceptive spirits know Jesus and and even confess Who Jesus is
Jesus saw this:
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
Paul saw this:
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Paul reinforced this thought in:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
John gives us a test
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Confess that Jesus was put in the womb of a virgin named Mary, born of the flesh, lived on this earth like you and me, was tempted and yet never sinned, died on the cross, was buried, rose bodily from the grave, and ascended bodily to Heaven
A confession of the humanity of Jesus leads to the confession of the deity of Jesus.
An evil, deceptive heart and spirit will not confess this
The Holy Spirit will:
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Indwells the believer
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
teaches and guides us in the words of Jesus
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Testifies of Jesus - confirms, validates, and gives evidence
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
The HS points us to Jesus, affirms in our hearts Who Jesus is, encourages our hearts to believe and hope in Jesus as Saviour, quickens (brings to life) our spirit when we by faith call upon Jesus as our Saviour, brings us into the family of God, and then directs our heart to help people know Jesus as their Saviour
The role of the HS is to help our hearts to be focused upon Jesus Christ and strive to bring testimony of encouraging people to come to Jesus for salvation
Therefore, those that have a premise, a plan, to promote themselves through their gifts, is not doing following the HS.
When the focus becomes all about a gift instead of Jesus Who enables the gift, then that person is speaking or using their gift contrary to the leading of the HS.
When Jesus is not Lord, Master, of one’s heart; they will not direct others to Jesus
The Source of Spiritual Gifts
The Source of Spiritual Gifts
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
God is creative
No 2 snowflakes are the same
No 2 leaves are exactly the same
No 2 person is exactly the same
No 2 sunsets are exactly the same
The infinite imagination of God reaches further than any man can fathom
The HS, Who indwells or resides within us, knows the very number of the hairs upon our head. Not only does He know how many hairs are on our head! He knows us and knows our strengths, weaknesses, and abilities.
The church in Corinth had people with different gifts. Not everyone had the same gifts.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Diversities - variety
Pack of Walkers crisps - Salt & Vinegar; Cheddar & Onion; Ready Salted
The HS indwelt every child of God in Corinth, and the same HS knew who could handle what gift
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
The wording here is different than the other 2 phrases speaking into the differing gifts the Corinthian believers had and saw God use
Administration - role especially done in service to others - service or ministry
God gave different gifts to different people to use for the same purpose in following the Lord
Lord - Master - Authority - Every child of God in Corinth had the same Authority - Jesus
These different ministries were to be melded together to create one purpose - to bring glory to God
Holly - plays the piano and sings - if I took her place, it would not be good!
Is she took my place, well, the sermon would be better - did I say that right?
The HS intended for the gifts He gave to the Corinthian church to mesh together in harmony edifying the Lord and His people
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Operations here means implementation:
Knowledge - teach doctrine - Parents needed to know doctrine, the children needed to know doctrine
Tongues - language - Latin, Greek, Celtic (Galatia), Germanic, Hebrew
Help someone come to know Jesus as Saviour
Help teach discipleship in that same language
Help teach that person how to lead others into a relationship with Jesus
It is the same God that leads, directs, and gives opportunities to use those gifts
God knows one’s gifts, helps them to know how to use their gifts for the Lord, and gives opportunities to use those gifts
Philip - A deacon in the church in Jerusalem
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Philip - a deacon went on a missions trip to Samaria -
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Philip saw God use him through some gifts of the HS:
Word of knowledge - expound the truth to make it applicable
Working of miracles
People were getting saved and baptised
Philip used the gifts God gave him not to lift himself up, but to further the Gospel
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Philip did not do a miracle here
Philip did not perform in any way
He simply used the gift the HS gave him of knowledge to help the eunuch to believe on Jesus, and become a child of God
The eunuch gets saved, and Philip baptises him
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
What did Philip do? Preached in all the cities.
The HS took Philip to the coast - Azotus (Ashdod) and Philip worked his way from Azotus up the coast to Caesarea
Playing softball - first base catch - caught the ball, and tagged the runner out
Contrast Philip to Simon, the man who got saved under Philip’s preaching:
The apostles hear about what is happening with Philip and they send Peter and John to help
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Simon saw a gift he wanted. He presented himself as a great sorcerer that had a great power of fortune telling and presented himself as some great one
Now, he sees the apostles working with those whom have gotten saved, and the HG could be witnessed indwelling these people and their lives were changing
Simon’s former “gifts of sorcery” were nothing next to what the HG was doing
He wants this gift so badly he offers money to have
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Bitterness - Peter said, your identity has been so tied into being the great one that everyone goes to, that now people are turning to God, your heart is bitter in jealousy over God’s prominence in Samaria now.
This iniquity, sinful desire, is going to destroy you.
Simon was so used to performing, and now God wanted to shape his life, his identity, to something better.
Playing softball - last batter in the last inning - we were losing by 1 run, and there was 1 person on base - we had the opportunity to win - the pressure was on - I swung, and hit the ball into the outfield… straight into the fielder’s glove - I was out and the game was over… we lost
I can still remember the adrenaline of the moment - it was exciting
I can still remember the pressure of having to perform - it was agonising
There is a moment that excites our heart and soul when we see God work through an experience or time, but God never intended that experience to be something that had to be worked up in a performance or a moment of some euphoric feeling
Rather it is the tool the HS would in a moment to further the Gospel
If we had to dwell in the performance and everything was based on whether or not I had the opportunity to use the gift, how agonising would it be had the opportunities been taken away
My heart would be tormented in the constant pressure to perform in a moment rather than knowing the fruit of HS given peace
God gave the Corinthian church gifts to further the Gospel.
Jesus is Lord - The HS points to Jesus - the gifts points others to Jesus
A premise that takes that glory, that direction is not of the HS
Wisdom - apply the knowledge with understanding
Knowledge - Teaches to help others know what they believe