Spiritual Gifts - An Introduction

An Living BasedSpiritual on WhatGifts You–Are, Not on What YouIntroduction Used to Be 1 1Corinthians 12:1-7,11 Corinthians 6:1-11 October 28, June 24, 2018 2018 THE BIG IDEA: Paul taught that the mark of a spiritual person is the Lordship of Jesus. God gives spiritual gifts to every Christian. These gifts vary greatly but are chosen by God for His glory and the good of the church. Spiritual gifts provide an opportunity for us to do even the simple and mundane things with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 11:1-7, 11 (ESV) Gifts he is about to discuss with them – ecstatic utterances (tongues), miracles, healings, and words of knowledge. • In other words, know that God’s gifts can be counterfeited by the Evil One. • We need to know that a sovereign God sometimes does unexplainable, miraculous things through and in the presence of His people – so don’t limit what God may do by your own lack of belief. 3. Spiritual People (Christians) Are Given Spiritual Gifts by the Holy Spirit • Definition: “Spiritual gifts are Holy Spirit-empowered abilities given to the members of the body to facilitate the growth, edification, and maturity of the church.” – Tony Evans 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be • Another way to think of them: They are the giftedness of Jesus seen in uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. • There are varieties of Gifts, Service [the ways gifts are put to use in His earthly ministry loosed in the Body of Christ, the Church. serving], and Activities [energema è effort or work that is ‘energized’ by the Holy Spirit]. (vv. 4-6) o There doesn’t seem to be a reason to categorize the gifts in a way that makes a case for God valuing some gifts over others. All gifts are Spirit-given. All gifts are Spirit-empowered. o Since all gifts are “grace-gifts”, having one rather than another is never to be seen as indicating special status in the church. The Spirit gives on the basis of His choice not our merit. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. o Another way to say it is that we don’t get to choose our gift! The 1. Spiritual People Declare that Jesus is Their Lord and Live o Never love or desire the gift more than the Giver of gifts, or we 11 Like It. • No true believer in Jesus can say “anathema” – Jesus be cursed! • No true believer will hesitate to declare that Jesus is Lord. This is a work of the Holy Spirit and the earliest confession of faith that we know of. (Romans 10:9-10) 2. Spiritual People Know the Difference Between the Holy Spirit and other spirits • Paul knows as well as the Corinthians that there were some behaviors in the pagan idol worship that looked remarkably like some of the Spiritual Giver of the gifts chooses what He will give us. become the bratty children who just want more and more for ourselves. o An Important question we will study is, “Do all gifts continue to be given throughout history or do some gifts cease?” • There is one God who gives the gifts and empowers them in every Believer. [vv. 4-6 – is a Trinitarian description] • Gifts are for the common good [to ‘build up’] of the Body of Christ, not for the entertainment or personal enjoyment of the individual Christian. • The charismata (spiritual gifts or grace-gifts) are named in Romans 12:68, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.