Sermon 042097

1Co. 12:7-11                        Manifestations of the Holy Spirit                                         4/20/97

Series 23.3                                                                                                                          ABCC

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      570

·        Arrogance & boasting was a major problem at Corinth (4:6-7,10,18; 5:6; 8:1)

·        Christians must exercise discernment regarding what & who is spiritual – 12:1-3

- Spiritually inspired speaking is no guarantee of being led by the Holy Spirit (Ac. 16:16f; Rom. 8:9b)

·        Diversity in the body of Christ is from God Himself (v. 4-6)

·        Diversity in the body of Christ is a fact & is essential (v. 4-6)

There are varieties of gifts, ministries & effects.  God gives the believer gifts, calls him/her into ministry (form of service) and provides supernatural results – therefore, no basis for arrogance or boasting!

II.   Each Individual Believer is Equipped to be Effective in the Body of Christ (v. 7)

       “manifestation” = to make known, clear, evident, reveal.  The Holy Spirit is revealing or making something known!

     A. There are no exception – “each one”-v. 7, “each one individually”-v. 11 (well educated, uneducated,

            wealthy, physically fit, poor health, married, single, parent, no children, young, old, own home, rent apt., ….)

     B. The Holy Spirit is revealing God, His ways & works through these manifestations

          (Jn. 10:38; 16:13-14; Phi. 2:13; Think of the ministry of Peter & Paul – they were not interested in  

             revealing their gifts, but rather Jesus Christ = Ac. 3:11-13; 14:8-15; 1Co. 14:18-19)

     C. The manifestations are for the good of the body of Christ

            - to edify & build up other believers directly or indirectly is the ultimate purpose (14:4b,5e,12b,26c; Eph. 4:12).  We

            must never brag & compare gifts/manifestations – it creates self-centeredness & division; Christ is not glorified &

            the body of Christ is not edified!

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit, pg. 2

III.  The Holy Spirit Deserves the Glory for These Manifestations (v. 11)

     A. The Holy Spirit is the source of these manifestations/gifts

     B. The Holy Spirit enables effectiveness in His manifestations – “works” = energeo (to be

            operative; to effect; to put forth POWER)

     C. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in these manifestations – “distributing …just as He wills”

            Believers do not determine who will have a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit or when it will occur – so why

            are people pretending to do that today (healing rallies, entire auditoriums speaking in tongues, word of knowledge, etc.

            at will – whomever, wherever & whenever they want to).  NO, the Holy Spirit is sovereign & like the WIND! (Jn. 3:8)

     D. The Holy Spirit is a person – “as He wills” – He has will, volition, desires & He makes decrees

     E. Unity of the Trinity/Godhead

           “But one & the same Spirit works” (v. 11) & “but the same God who works” (v. 6)

We can conclude by saying that each individual believer (without exception) is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and has been equipped to serve in the body of Christ.  The Holy Spirit reveals God’s ways & works through manifestations in individual believers for the benefit of the body of Christ.  The Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes these manifestations and enables effectiveness (give power) in these manifestations as believers use their gifts.  Neither the manifestations & gifts of the Spirit nor the individual believer are ever to be the center of attention, but all of this leads to submission, adoration, love & worship of God Himself through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit!