God's Graces for His People: You are fully equiped

There is much confusion about spiritual gifts within the body of Christ these days, but this confusion is not just a contemporary issue. It seems clear from the Apostle Paul’s writing, that the church of Corinth was in need of clarification as well.

Paul simply spoke about these spiritual gifts in Romans 12 and Eph. 4, very much in a matter-of-fact fashion. But here in 1 Cor. 12-14, Paul writes in a manner that clearly corrects wrong thinking about the nature, source, and exercise of these gifts.

Given the hunt among Christians for the realization of spiritual gifts within each believer’s own life, it is easy to get distracted with the spiritual gifts that are listed in the N.T., the categories of these gifts if any, and how, where, or by whom these gifts should be used.

The minute believers here the phrase, “Spiritual gifts,” that is where their minds turn. Often, believers are dragged into the quagmire of over-introspection, a swamp that can hardly be escaped, once one steps eye-ball deep into it. Rarely, if ever, do they stop to consider the definition and nature of these gifts.

Throughout the Sunday’s in May, we are going to focus more on that definition and the nature of Spiritual gifts, more than the specifics of each spiritual gift. When we are finished, the hope is that we better understand what the Holy Spirit has given us through salvation. Second, the hope is that we have a greater passion to use those gifts as God intended.

So, if you haven’t already, turn with me to Paul’s address to the Corinthian church on the subject, 1 Cor. chapter 12. Since we risk being distracted with all the supporting material that Paul shares with the church, rather than trying to cover all the verses in chapters 12-14, I want to begin by just focusing on the verses throughout Ch. 12 that deal with the definition and nature of these spiritual gifts.

Of course, like in the English, there are two Greek words used to help the church understand what Paul is talking about. The Greek words are the words we get “Spirit” and “Grace” from.

The concept of these gifts and the form of these words we know as “spiritual gifts” appear exclusively in Paul’s writings, with one exception, 1 Pet. 4:10, where Peter expresses the responsibility each believer has in employing these gifts, and for what purpose they were given in the first place.

In the Greek language, every occurrence of this form of the word “gifts” refers to a concrete expression of a grace. So, what are these “graces?”

Dr. Ken Gardoski defines them as, “…a ministry that the Holy Spirit graciously grants to each believer at conversion for building up the body of Christ to the glory of God.”

Likewise, Gordon Fee defines them as, “…gracious bestowments of the Spirit in the gathered community for the sake of building up the people of God (God’s Empowering Presence, 33).

Kenneth Berding, in His paper in JETS (March 2000) for Confusing Word and Concept in ‘Spiritual Gifts’ suggests cancelling “Spiritual Gifts Classes” start a new one called “Ministering to One Another.” I can make this paper available to those who would like to read His journal entry on the subject.

So, let me give you my summary of spiritual gifts. This will be included in the notes attached to today’s sermon in Faithlife.

It is important to first note what Spiritual Gifts are not. Spiritual Gifts are not talents or abilities God designs all people with when he forms them (Psalm 139:14).

Spiritual Gifts are also not presents or rewards given for the benefit and joy of the recipient. So, what are spiritual gifts?

Spiritual Gifts given to the believer by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Cor. 12:7, 11, 13, 18; Heb. 2:4; 1 Pet. 4:10) are:

“specific ministry assignments to be manifested within and for the benefit of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13), uniquely and capably for God’s glory (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11; 1 Pet. 4:11).”

There are two categories of spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:11), speaking and serving.

Each of those 2 categories has two types of gifts, temporary and permanent (1 Cor. 13).

There are also two focuses of those gifts, the assignments and the person (although not clearly differentiated).]

So, let’s look at these selected verses in 1 Cor. 12 and see if we can now understand the nature of these “Ministry Assignments,” as we consider how God fully equips you to fulfill His expectation (His Call) in You, God’s Graces for His People.

The Big Idea:

You have been graced as a grace to show God’s grace.

1 Cor. 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Spiritual Gifts have many Expressions, but One Purpose 1 Cor. 12:7

1 Cor. 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

“Each one” — for every believer

Each believer is individually and uniquely given them

They are sourced from the Holy Spirit

They are given with purpose, “for the common good.”

1 Cor. 12:11, 13 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

They are given out of unity according to a unifying purpose 1 Cor. 12:11, 13

1 Cor. 12:11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

The source for these gifts comes exclusively by the H. S.

All these gifts come from the act of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer

Note, “works” is present tense and continual

Your gifts are designed specifically for you

It is according to the Holy Spirits will, not one’s own desire or performance

Believers are added into the unity of one body

Any nationality (Jew, Greek)

Any status of life (slave, free)

Single source (all drink from one)

1 Cor. 12:18 “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”

Spiritual gifts represent many parts of one functioning body 1 Cor. 12:18

1 Cor. 12:18 “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”

God places

Multiple parts (members)

Individually added to the whole

One body

According to His unified purpose

1 Cor. 12:25-26 “that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Spiritual Gifts are for the mutual care empathy within the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12:25-26

1 Cor. 12:25-26 “that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

No division

The same care for one another

A unified sensitivity with one another

A unified joy with one another

God’s graces for His People: You are fully equipped, you are unified with the body, you have a single purpose for and with the body, for the mutual benefit of the body, designed by and continuing to be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

The Big Idea:

You have been graced as a grace to show God’s grace.