Sermon 050497

1Co. 12:7-11                        Manifestations of the Holy Spirit - II                                   5/4/97

Series 23.4                                                                                                                         ABCC

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      572

·        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

·        Diversity in the body of Christ is from God Himself (v. 4-6) – no basis for arrogance or boasting!

·         Each individual believer is equipped by the H Spirit to serve in the body of Christ (v. 7)

- “manifestation” = to make known, reveal.  The Holy Spirit is revealing God, His ways & His works through these manifestations.  These manifestations are to benefit the body of Christ directly or indirectly!

·        The Holy Spirit deserves the glory for these manifestations (v. 11)

- He exercises absolute sovereignty over HIS manifestations in the body of Christ  - “just as He wills”

- He is the source & provides the power of HIS manifestations in the body of Christ = no basis for arrogance!

II.   Specific Manifestations in the Body of Christ (v. 8-10)

       These manifestations are unplanned & unrehearsed – the Holy Spirit energizes & distributes them “just as He wills”!

     A. Word of wisdom

           “logos” = word, message, utterance; an unplanned utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit & the content is filled with

            Godly wisdom.  It may be essential doctrine, but this wisdom is only discernable to the believer (1:18-21; 2:6-10, 14).

     B. Word of Knowledge

            An unplanned utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit & the content is filled with knowledge. (2:12-13, 15-16)

     C. Faith

            An unplanned, supernatural conviction that God will reveal His great power & glory in a specific way & in a specific

            situation.  Paul referred this as “…faith, so as to remove mountains” in 13:2.  Read D. A. Carson, pg. 39 & note 65

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit - II, pg. 2

     D. Gifts of healing

            The unplanned, supernatural ability given to a believer who is used by God in the physical healing of another individual. 

            The word “gifts” implies a variety of manifestations & believers for a variety of sicknesses; every healing is special!

     E. Effecting of miracles

           Unplanned demonstrations of God power in various ways for various reasons & needs in the body of Christ.  Miracles

           = “dunamis” - mighty power & strength.  Mighty power against demonic oppression, weather & natural events, etc.

     F. Prophesy

           An unplanned, spontaneous & intelligible utterance or message inspired by the Holy Spirit to be spoken in the gathered

           assembly of believers for edification and encouragement of the congregation (14:3, 29-33 = it may contain error!)

     G. Distinguishing of spirits

            The unplanned, supernatural ability to discern what is & is not of the Holy Spirit and whether or not it contains error

            (1Jn. 4:1; 1Co. 14:29).

     H. Tongues

            An unplanned, spontaneous & unlearned utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit to be spoken in the gathered assembly

            of believers or privately in prayer.  This was & is the most controversial & will be addressed in detail in chapter 14.

     I.   Interpretation of tongues

            An unplanned, spontaneous ability given to a believer by the Holy Spirit to interpret the manifestation of a tongue

            spoken in the gathered assembly of believers (14:27)

These specific manifestations have been documented for the church to see this great variety ways that God reveals Himself & His activity in the body of Christ.  This is all intended not to draw attention to the gifts or manifestations or to individual believers, but rather to edify the body of Christ so that we might glorify our God!  He is the God of wisdom, knowledge, healing, etc.