Spiritual Warfare - Gifts of the Spirit

Introduction

1 Corinthians 12:1–27 KJV 1900

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 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. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Our desire tonight is not to focus on what the nine specific gifts of the spirit are, but rather to understand why God gave them, and what place they are to have in our lives as children of God.

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

The idea Paul is trying to convey is not that we need to study and learn about what the “spiritual gifts” are

The idea is that we need to understand that they are given, that they are given by God, and they are given for His purposes

When God gives you a spiritual gift, He will also give you the understanding of how to use that gift. No study required.

Body

Spiritual Gifts in the Old Testament

Exodus 31:1–6 KJV 1900

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

Judges 14:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Judges 3:9–10 KJV 1900

9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.

The natural gifts God has given us have been affected by the Fall

They can be misdirected, or even lie dormant

God has, and does take the gifts He’s given and reveal them, direct them, and cause them to be perfected

God did that in the Old Testament, He does that today.

We also see that God has, and does give people supernatural abilities and gifts that are to be used for God’s purposes

We read in many instances where God came upon someone and they spoke about things present and future

Balaam, son of Beor

Isaiah

God used people to interpret dreams, giving them supernatural insight and knowledge

Joseph

Daniel

God gives, and uses, both “natural” and supernatural gifts to His people to be used according to His purposes.

They are given according to His will

They are not generally predicated on our obedience (think Samson, Balaam, etc.), but on the will of God being accomplished. He will use who He has available.

Spiritual Gifts in the New Testament

Whereas in the O.T., God used people specifically as He willed, in the N.T. He uses every believer and gives to all spirit-filled believers gifts according to His will.

This includes both “natural” giftings, and offices, as well as spiritual gifts

Romans 12:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ephesians 4:11 KJV 1900

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

As these gifts are given by God and, by right, God confirming His word through us, they must be used in a manner that gives glory to God and fulfills His purposes (v. 4-6).

They are not given for our benefit

They are not given to exalt us or to use them to heap to ourselves more honor

1 Peter 4:10–11 KJV 1900

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

These are a necessary and integral part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 2:3–4 KJV 1900

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Concerning Gifts

The gifts of the spirit can indeed operate through someone who is not right with God, or even through someone who abuses the gifts (Samson, church of Corinth, etc.)

As the gifts have a unity of source, so also they have a unity of purpose

There will be a continuity in their operations

God will use one or coordinate several to enact His will

God designed for us to come together as a body

No one of us can live outside the body. We need each other!

God distributes gifts, talents, and offices of operations to each man as He will. Not haphazardly or randomly, but specifically, and according to His will.

The amazing amount of variation and complexity we find in the human body, we’ll find in God’s church

Differences in cell structures between blood, bones, nerves, muscles, etc.

All of the diverse organs and parts of the body come together as one.

When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers

All parts work together for the benefit of the whole

What are the Gifts of the Spirit?

Word of Wisdom

A knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and the ability to explain them.

Supernatural insight into a specific situation

Word of Knowledge

Skill and understanding to give advice and counsel in difficult cases

Supernatural knowledge of event or circumstances that you couldn’t otherwise know

Faith

Faith of miracles

Faith in the promises and faithfulness of God to trust in Him in any situation

Faith to profess Christ no matter the difficulty or cost

Healing

Working of miracles

Raising the dead

Supernatural manifestations of God’s power

Prophesy

Foretelling

Forthtelling

Discerning of Spirits

Distinguish between true and false prophets

Discern someone’s true character and qualifications for office

Determine someone’s true motives

Divers kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 KJV 1900

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

The gifts of the spirit are one component of God’s overall plan for us.

We ought not focus on Gifts, signs, miracles, or wonders.

We ought to focus on getting as close to Jesus as we can, and becoming as much like Him as possible.

When our focus is solely on Jesus Christ and fulfilling His will, all these components simply fall into place.