September 25, 2022

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Service Type:

Introduction

Looking at 1 Cor 12:1-11

We are missing out 11:17ff because this is about Communion
Better to return to this at our next Communion Service)

Chapter 12 – beginning a new section 12-14

Speaks of spiritual gifts
One of the most controversial parts of the Bible today
People have very strong views about gifts

Charismatic churches

The central chapter (13) reminds us the key is Christian love

Reading from the UFM Statement

This should not become a point of division
This should not to cause problems

Reading Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Cor 12:1-11

Different gifts

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Revealed at Pentecost

Tongues of flame and speaking in tongues
The focus in Acts 3 is not on the manifestation but on what happened …

people were convicted of their sin and their need for Jesus Christ
3000 people were baptised

The Spirit had come to glory Christ

After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit continued to move in great power – examples

Acts 14:3
The signs and wonders were to attest the apostles were from God
They were to draw attention to the preaching of God’s word

Miracles were provided to establish a new church

In Corinth

Gifts were given to the local church – e.g. miracles, healings

Comparison between Romans and 1 Corinthians
The gifts given to one church were not the same as given to another church
The lists are not exhaustive

They had supernatural gifts yet they were an immature and carnal church

Paul had to write 1 Cor 13 – without love the gifts avail nothing
Chapter 13 is central to chapters 12 & 14

Overview:

Differing gifts – one giver (v1-7)
Identifying gifts (v8-11)

Differing gifts – One giver (v1-7)

The Corinthians are mainly Gentiles – from a pagan background

They had followed idols – often in ignorance
They are not to be swept along by this ignorance (v1-3)

People were being carried along in church

Think about what people are saying
Consider what is a work of the Holy Spirit
Would anyone say Jesus is accursed?

Examples

There must have been false teachers

Diversity of gifts but only one Lord (v4)

There are different gifts given to the Church
No one person posses them all
No one can boast because the gift is given by God
No one should compare themselves to anyone, nor one church to another

The Trinity – Spirit (Holy Spirit), Lord (Jesus Christ), God (the Father) (v4-6)

Jesus ascended on high and gave gifts to men – Eph 4:8
All three persons of the trinity are involved

Any gifts are given for God’s glory

We should be careful in saying ‘aren’t they are gifted’
God has gifted people in other ways

The gifts are given for the profit of all (v7)

Example of Magus the Magician
For the building, edification and growth of the Church

Identifying gifts (v8-11)
The Word of Wisdom (v8)

An ability to read and weight complicated matters

Example of King Solomon

Jesus lived and did miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit

In His humanity he was limited

The Spirit gave Him words of wisdom
Example to the Pharisees, Sadducees, His teachings (“no-one spoke like Him”)

Examples today:

A word from God for a situation
Insights into the word of God
Bringing light into darkness

A gift to a few but not everyone because people have differing gifts
Given through the Spirit (v8)

Not just though study

The Word of Knowledge (v8)

Examples:

Peter had a word of knowledge when Ananias and Sapphira came before him

The Spirit of God revealed this to Peter

Paul said that savage wolves would come
Paul preaching in Lystra saw a man had faith to be healed
Paul certain he would be delivered from prison

Does this happen today?

Of course it does
Example of Hudson Taylor
God gives this intermittently

A special understanding of the word of God
Always that the Church would be encouraged, edifying and for the prophet of all

Faith (v9)

Given by the same Spirit
Every child of God has faith – a gift from God

This is a difference faith – not saving faith in Jesus Christ
An extraordinary faith – a deep assurance and trusting in God

Example of George Muller
James 5:14-15

Miracles (v10)

God still does this today

Often in Missionary situations
They are not common

There seem to be epochs of miracles – times when they occur and when they did not occur

Moses – the exodus
Elijah and Elisha
Daniel and the time of the exile
The ministry of Jesus Christ (for 3 years)

Quantity, quality, power
Unprecedented miracles showing He was the Son of God

Time of the apostles – even in the book of Acts

This seems to be diminishing

Just as it happened

Healings (v9)

From sickness, disability and demon possession

We see this in the New Testament – example with Peter at the Beautiful gate

For the healing of the man and the subsequent proclamation of the gospel

No faith healers or healing campaigns

In fact, rare occasions in the New Testament often on virgin territory where the gospel had not been preached

Different from miracles – raising a person from the dead e.g. Eythcus, Dorcas)
It reminds us of the power of God
Healings seem to be diminishing in the New Testament

It is no longer needed – the letters of the apostles (the full revelation of God) had been given
Signs are no longer needed for confirmation

Additional Gifts

Discerning of spirits – to detect evil spirits
Tongues – is it speaking or hearing in a different language?

Always at the bottom of the list – 1 Cor 14:19
Prophecy and the forth-telling of God’s word is to be valued more than tongues

Interpretation of tongues – there must be an interpreter

We will look at this more in Chapter 14

Prophecy – the difference between Old and New Testament

Eph 2:20 – no more apostles, therefore no more prophets – since it was foundational

To look at this further next time

Closing Remarks

The Spirit distributes gifts as He wills (v11)
The life of the Church is dependent primarily on the work of God / the Spirit

Examples of gifts to the Roman Church

The work of the Church is primarily spiritual

Not about physical action or social care
Many gifts are speaking gifts to build up the people of God and to help understand revelation

We should pray for gifts

We need to stir up the gifts within us