Gifts of the Spirit pt. 1

The purpose of the gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:”

- God doesn't want us to be ignorant or uninformed about gifts.

It’s like having a Christmas present you didn’t know you had!

Greek word for gift- Charisma

It comes from the Greek word for Grace- Charis

Charismatics- Spirit-filled

Spirit-filled = Believes that the gifts of the Spirit are still in effect today.

Many years ago as missionaries would travel to other countries and work with the tribal people they would bring and give them sundials. The natives were so fascinated by these sundials that they put a roof over them.

A lot of people have put roofs over their gifts. They have them, but don’t know how to use them!

Gifts of the Father- Romans 12:3-8 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Context- Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Gifts of the Father are inspirational/motivational

Gifts of the Son- Ephesians 4:7-11 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,”

The gifts of the Son are people. These are geared towards ministry and equipping.

Gifts of the Spirit- 1 Corinthians 12:1-12

1 Corinthians 12:1–12 NKJV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”

Spiritual gifts are a specific manifestation of God's grace and we are the tool and vessel used to bring that manifestation forth.

Your gifts will reveal God’s grace and heart to you

Your gifts will reveal God’s grace and heart towards others through you

Your gifts, used in the right way, are your primary means of fulfilling the purpose of God in your life.

1 Timothy 4:14-16 “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Purpose of Spiritual Gifts: Your gift is not primarily for you.

For the common good of the church 1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”

If you do not use your gifts you will be left unfulfilled in many ways and the church will suffer.

To make the Body of Christ work efficiently and effectively 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Romans 12:4-8 “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

To serve and build up the church 1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”

1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

1 Peter 4:10-11 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

To bring glory to God 1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

It gives us an opportunity to receive and spread hope Ephesians 1:15-23 “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills a…”

To demonstrate the works, power, and glory of God to the world John 9:3-4 “Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

John 11:4 “When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.””

To encourage the church 1 Corinthians 14:31-32 “For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”

For the equipping of the saints for ministry Ephesians 4:11-12 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,”

Building up Each church was designed to have each office functioning in it. How many churches do you know that have or allow that?

To help those in the body to mature and grow up in the faith Ephesians 4:15-16

To confirm the truth and power of God's Word- Mark 16:15-20 “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”

Some churches believe that gifts of the Spirit are no longer for the church. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”

Jesus is the perfect and He hasn't come yet. These verses are talking about spiritual maturity.

Gifts are to equip us until Jesus returns. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Difference between gifts and callings- Nurse example- called to be a nurse, but uses gifts of service, mercy, compassion, administration, leadership, exhortation, encouragement and others

Some callings are also gifts: Apostle, Pastor, Teacher, Prophet, Evangelist

Dangers of Gifts:

Pride

Chasing after the gifts and not the Gift Giver

Ignoring the gifts

Idolizing those who are effective with their giftings

Having wrong motives in using your gifting.

What are your gifts?

Tests for gifts?? I don't prefer them. I think you end up with man's view of what your gifts are and not what Holy Spirit says. They limit you and put you in a box.

Pray and ask Holy Spirit what gifts you have and if there are any He wants you to have. Write them down.

Ask people that are close to you what gifts they might see in you.

Earnestly desire 1 Corinthians 14:1 “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

Gifts are sometimes imparted by others: Romans 1:11-12 “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”

Things that can block your gifts:

Without

Unworthiness

Doubt/skepticism

Ignorance

Denial

Self-pity/fleshly feelings

Division 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Timidity

Fear of man

Willful sin

Pride

1 Timothy 4:14-16- Hands on training