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All About Spiritual GiftsA well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the amazed interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately needing a rest and 40,000 people in the stands, desperately needing some exercise.” What a picture of many churches today. When you compare the members who actively participate, you find it’s usual a small group of diligent Christian workers struggling “down on the field” while most others act like spectators, “sitting on the sidelines, eating hot dogs and popcorn.” God’s strategy for the church is not like a sports event. It does not call for the job to be done only by the “professionals.” In our faith, all believers have their own positions – their won spiritual gifts to be used “for the common good of all the church.” As we continue our studies in 1 Corinthians we find the Apostle Paul speaking about propriety in worship as he lays down the principles of the working of the Holy Spirit within the church. How Christians should be on the front-lines, not the sidelines. The church in Corinth had some issues, they were confused about the proper order of the church. They misused and miss understood the gifting of God within the church - so Paul gives them direction in the uses of spiritual gifts. When we follow God's guidelines we find it, builds the church up. But when there is carnality, like in Corinth, we that hinders, and divides the fellowship. So starting in Chapter 12 Paul deals with the first principles of these the gifts of the Spirit in the Body of Christ. READ THE TEXT 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-7 -- ALL ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS As we said, the church in Corinth had problems in the ways they were worshiping, there was error that lead to division, when God had called them to unity. There was error as they allowed their old lives to influence their new found freedom in Jesus Christ, so Paul lovingly and directly lays down some proper understandings about the working of God within the church. Today, we are surrounded by books and philosophies of men that tell us “how to worship God”, techniques for “growing the church.” Most of them are not based on scripture, they are not based on the principle that the Spirit is given for the common good. Lets consider three important points that Paul brings out today.
Ignorance is a lack of understanding, someone once said. “Ignorance can be fixed stupid is forever.” So Paul is once again trying to straighten out some misunderstandings about God. Four times in the scriptures Paul uses the words, “I do not want you to be ignorant.” He says it in Romans 11, and 1 Corinthians 10 concerning the nation Israel, how God has a plan for them, how they have experienced a harding in part, and how their history serves as examples to us so we will keep our hearts from evil as they did. The second time he wants to dispel ignorance is right here, concerning spiritual gifts. How they are for the building up of the church and not to cause divisions in the church. Then in 1 Corinthians 15 he dispels ignorance about the resurrection of the dead. Finally in 1 Thessalonian 4, he wants to dispel ignorance about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. I think it is interesting that to this day, these are the same areas churches divide over, the same areas that there is a lot of spiritual ignorance. Israel, has the church taken the place of the Jewish people in the promises of God? Or is God going to open their eyes and hearts one day to know that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Spirituals gifts, there are churches at both ends of the spectrum, some of our hyper Pentecostal brothers say that if you do not speak in tongues your are not even saved. Others say, no the era of miracles ended in the first century. Some church divides over the resurrection, some speak of soul sleep, others believe that to be absent from the body is to be in the very presence of the Lord. Finally, the return of Jesus Christ, churches divide over when and how he is going to come, of course when Paul speaks about that ignorance, he simply says. 1 Thess 4:18 Therefore (comfort) encourage each other with these words. Comfort from having ignorance dispelled, encouragement comes when ignorance is revealed, so that is what Paul does here in the first part of 1 Corinthians 12. First he dispels ignorance by exposing error. 1. HE EXPOSES ERROR If your going to dispel ignorance, you first must expose error as error. Our text begins by addressing “spiritual gifts”, really the word “gifts” is not there in the original, it is inserted to bring clarity, literally, he is saying considering spirituals, about “pneumatikos”, I do not want you to be ignorant. He takes them and us to our past, before the church in Corinth were believers - they like us were influenced and led astray by dumb idols. When you and I were not followers of Jesus we were led astray by the influences of this world, the things of idols and idolatry. I been reading a Christian Classic, “The Christian Manifesto” by Francis Shaffer, in it Shaffer talks about the world view of the Christian, and the world view of the rest of society. He points out how everyone is ether following God's view of life, or the view that we are here not by design but by chance. God's view holds all of life as sacred and holy, the other values life as nothing. God's view says vocation, and all human life are highly valued. The world says that our value in this world is based upon our contribution- rather then being a gift of God. So Paul exposes the lies, he exposes the error for the Corinthians and for us- that each one is uniquely made, and gifted for the common good of others. 2. HE BRINGS THE TRUTH It was the Spirit who gave birth to the, church on the day of Pentecost and it is the Spirit who ministers in and through the body today. In the Corinthian church, unfortunately, were grieving the Holy Spirit by the carnal ways they were using spiritual gifts. They were like children with toys instead of adults with tools, and they needed to mature. The gifts are given for the “good” of the whole church. They are not for individual enjoyment, but for corporate employment. The Corinthians were using their spiritual gifts selfishly to promote themselves rather then to prosper the church. When we accept our gifts with humility, then we use them to promote harmony, that is God's plan - and helps the whole church. When the focus is on the gifts it leads to division and emptiness rather then unity and harmony. Think about Christmas, for those not focused on Jesus Christ, Christmas can be a awful time, a time of loneliness, emptiness, and division. Why? Because for them its only about gifts, focusing on finding something that Aunt Bertha will be happy with. Wanting something for yourself that will make you happy. But reality is gifts in and of themselves leave us empty. But when we focus on the gift giver, when we live to use our gifts for God, then there is completeness, unity, and a building up of ourselves and others. So there in V3 Paul gives us the truth, that no one speaking by the Holy Spirit can curse Jesus, and no one can acknowledge him expect by the Holy Spirit. Sure anyone can say the words “Jesus is Lord,” but it can only be real in a persons life when the Holy Spirit is working. That's our test to see if we are in the faith. That's what shows us we are in the faith, that's how we know if someone is a believer or not. 1 John 4:1-3 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit , but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. There is how we recognize the Spirit of God at work. He came into this world to do one thing: To exalt Jesus Christ. That is all he does, he gives glory to the Lord, unites believers, and builds us the church. John 16:13-14 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. Jesus is Lord" was the creed of the early Church. The Romans attacked that and tried to make Caesar - Lord, when the early church was persecuted they tried to made the Christians choose between saying, "Caesar is Lord," and they could be set free, or, "Jesus is Lord," and they would meet the lions, or be burned at the stake. Of course history tells us in the first century over 5 million believers held fast and gave up their lives rather than deny that Jesus is Lord. Lord means , “master” The one in charge of all human events. Today I believe too many church goers have another master other then Jesus Christ, too many are mastered by the world, their own flesh or even the devil. Today the world at large says, "Science is lord." they believe that technology and science will save the planet. Others say, "Sex is lord, " "Pleasure is lord," "Feeling is lord," "Money / drugs/ gambling/ alcohol is lord," its all about making self lord. Like the old poem says. It matters not how straight the gate, First Paul exposes that ignorance.
As I said, the original text literally says, “concerning spirituals”, the Greek word is pneumatikos where we get our word “pneumatic”, or “air power.” In the scriptures we see the “wind of God” and the “breath of God.” When Adam was created, God breathed the breath of life into him, the pneumatikos of God. When Jesus told the disciples to “receive the Holy Spirit” he breathed on them, and the pneumatikos of God was there. Then in Acts chapter 2 when the Spirit was poured out on the church, the wind blew in that room, the pneumatikos of God blew into the lives of the believers in that room. So Paul says, “concerning the breath of God, the Spirituals of God, I want you to understand what God has for us.” Then he lays down a foundation of the working of God Paul takes them to the principle of one God. 1. ONE GOD Deut 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one . Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These are the word a Jewish man and woman says every day, its called “"the Shema”, each day they reaffirm the truth that God is one. In Corinth the people were divided over the working of the Holy Spirit in the church. So Paul takes them to the truths about our God. Today many churches are divided over the working of the Holy Spirit in the local church. Why divide, why not be united like God who is always united. John 10:30 (Jesus said) “I and the Father are one ." Unity is always pictured in the godhead, so here in our text is a powerful understanding of the trinity. Here we see God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all one, working together within the church to build up the believers, to draw the unbelievers, to glorify God in the workings of the church. 1. GIFTS – SPIRIT. Paul speaks of the Gifts, he says they are from the Spirit. Gifts, the Greek word, “Charisma”, “a freely given gift.” Perhaps the list in Romans 12 the practical administrative gifts of the Spirit that God uses to build up the church. TURN TO ROMANS 12:6-8 Not and exhaustive list, but the working of the Spirit in very practical ways to help the church fulfill its roll on earth. Prophesy, speaking forth the word of God. Serving, practical things done to bless others, meals given, tables cleaned, chairs straightened. Teaching, bringing to life the word of God in by instruction to children, adults, or anyone in between. Encouraging, bringing a word to build up others in their faith. A word of hope, or a word for growth. Giving, blessing others by giving, its not a matter of the size of what is given, but blessing others by allowing your life to be a catalyst to give to others. Leadership, the ability to govern, organize, give direction and impart vision. Finally Mercy, the supernatural ability to forgive, restore, and help others by extending grace to one another. Gifts of the Spirit. Used for the common good of the church to build one another up in the faith. Some think these practical gifts are “second-rate."
compared with gifts like "evangelism." But without faithful Christians
exercising the gift of service, evangelism efforts would be less effective.
Because it is true that people don’t “care how much you know until they know how
much you care.” I though about that and had to wonder if our community care if our church were to pull out the Valley? Would anybody even notice you or I left this valley that is our mission field? 2. SERVICE /ADMINISTRATIONS -LORD Here is a different word, “Diakonia” - we get our word Deacon, or a waiter of tables/ a server, or minister. Speaking of the triune God, Paul attributes service to the Lord. That from Jesus come the spiritual gifts of service. TURN TO EPHESIANS 4:7-13 It's Christ who apportioned these services, “He gave gifts to men." These gifts like so many things in the church - have been debated and argued, but Paul simply says that these gifts are in the form of people. Some he made to be apostles, or those who have been sent out. That's what apostle means, now I do not believe there are apostles in the sense of Peter or Paul today, for they had to had seen the Lord to be called apostles. But there are those within the church who are sent out, not greater then others, but given the gift of vision, and a missionary heart like Peter and Paul. Some to be prophets, those who would speak forth the word of God. Not necessarily foretelling the future, but forth-telling the word of God. A word of counsel, a word of encouragement, a word of exhortation - given by the spirit, as this wonderful gift of service comes right from Jesus. Some he gave to be evangelists, the gift of soul winning and the gift of encouraging others to fulfill their rolls within the body of Christ. Pastors or overseers, literally, “under shepherds”, those entrusted with the spiritual care of the local congregation. Finally Teachers, often times this functions within the life of the prophet, evangelist, or pastor, but there are many many more within the church who are anointed to teach, to take the word of God and bring it into everyday application for the church. Why are gifts of service given? EPH 4:12-13...To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Gifts so we might help others become mature, until we arrive in the fullness of the Glory of Christ. 3. WORKING / OPERATIONS – GOD The third part of the trinity, is God the father, and to him Paul attributes the workings of the Spirit. Again it is a different word, the word “energeo” where we get our word “energy” - literally meaning “mighty in work.” Here is the working of what we call miracles. Does God still work in the miraculous today? I believe he does. How does he work? We will be considering that over the next few weeks as we look at chapters 12-14. But lets leave this by saying, that God often works naturally in supernatural ways. We have seen ignorance exposed, and principles laid down, finally.
After straightening out the error, and laying down the principles, Paul explains the how the Spirituals work within the Church. In the first century, the miraculous was common. Peter and John walked up to the temple one day, and there was a man who had been paralyzed his entire life, he was begging for alms, which was his right as a disabled person. But Peter and John did not offer him money but something much better. Acts 3:6-9 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God. God met that man right there, in a supernatural way, healing him of the outward flaws in his body. God was working naturally in supernatural ways. The question is does God still work like that today? I believe he does, but not in a showy way, or a way that draws attention to the people. I read a story this week of a man who was putting metal roof on his barn when all the sudden he slipped and began to slide down the roof. He cried out to God to save him when no sooner he got the words out of his mouth a nail caught his pants and stopped him. When he stopped he said, “never mind God I took care of it.” We should not question if God still work in the miraculous? But are we looking for him in the miraculous? God works in amazing ways everyday, sometimes in the little things of life, as he guides us into safe passages, as he provides job or the blessings he pours out. Other times he works in the unexplained. The heart of this portion of text is found there in verse seven were we find the working of God explained. 1 Cor 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1. THE COMMON GOOD. Jamie Scott tried out for the play at his elementary school. He had his heart set on being one of the main characters, but his mother feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded to the children, Jamie's mother and a friend went to pick him up, just in case he was terribly disappointed. When Jamie saw his mother, he rushed up to her, his eyes shining with pride and excitement, and said, "Guess what, Mom. I've been chosen to clap and cheer." There are not minor parts in the body of Christ, there should be no stars in the church. Each one is given gifts, for the common good, to build one another up in the faith, to encourage us in the things of God, to help us reach the prize of heaven. How do the gifts function in the church today? When we focus in on the gift giver, when we recognize that it is God's plan to build us up and use each one in their gifting, the gifts function quite well. We pray for the sick and leave it in God's hands, we speak the word, and let the Holy Spirit work. We pray for miracles and let God work out how he will do it. John MacArthur -in his book “Charismatic Chaos” Tells of a church skit that wanted to be very realistic when one Pentecost they used actual fire to depict the descent of the tongues of fire on the apostles. As the fire came down the stage went up in flames. There before a horrified congregation, the entire church burned to the ground. MacArthur says: “The moral is clear: “Pray for Pentecostal power, but don’t try to manufacture it.” I think that is why there is so much division among churches today, far too many are trying to manufacture Holy Spirit manifestations. We see them on TV, a lot of show but little substance, we hear about their ministries and for a love gift we can be part of “the power of God.” Going back to the principle that God is one, division over how God works is -well, divisive and sinful. We are living in exciting days, I believe God wants every Christian to discover what God has given him / her to do. It is God's desire that we follow the Holy Spirit and allow him to work in and through us. Because no matter what age we live in, when we discover our purpose and gifts from God, that is when believers are complete. Are you ready for something exciting to taking place? It is my hope that 2006 will prove to be a great year for our congregation as we discover what God desires to do in and through us - by his Spirit. Well, there is a lot more to understand about the gifts of the Spirit. We will discover it over the next few weeks as we continue our studies in 1 Corinthians. But for now I want to leave us all with one simple scripture that becomes the key to being used by God in any part of your life. When John the Baptist was being used powerfully by God he said. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. PRAY, INVITE, BENEDICTION, SING. Series: 1 Corinthians -Through the Bible |
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