INTRODUCING SPIRITUAL GIFTS
RUNNING TO WIN A PRIZE
September 16, 2015MONEY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
September 21, 2015GCC MESSAGE
1 CORINTHIANS 12: 4-11
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. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
ROMANS 12: 4-8
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
BACK GROUND TO PAUL’S TEACHING ON GIFTS
1. The young church had many gifts being exercised.
2. They were either abused, under utilized or misused.
3. The church in Corinth was surrounded by a background culture:
a. Pagan society
b. Idolatry
c. Philosophers
d. Demon worship and witchcraft ( fear for evil forces)
4. He wanted them to understand the proper use of gifts.
ATTITUDES ON GIFTS TODAY.
These attitudes depend on your background.
Cessationism is the doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing ceased with the original twelve apostles.
The best way to approach the study of spiritual gifts is to get a clear understanding of our God.
1. All Powerful and Miraculous.
2. He is all loving to his people.
3. He is Personal and wants to get involved in the affairs of his people.
BEST APPROACH
Put yourself in a learning posture. Ask God to help you to listen and learn. Do not fight. No one should force you into anything it is OK for you to keep considering. Remember the most important thing is your relationship with God that takes you to heaven.
II. 5 KEY LESSONS ON GIFTS
1. THEY ARE GIFTS.
- A gift is given, it is free, it is determined by the giver
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You can accept the gift or refuse it.
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Gifts are different from fruit. You receive the gifts but the fruit you have to bear it. For a Christian it is when you are spiritually healthy that you bear fruit. Galatians 5:
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Gifts come from outside of you while fruit come from inside of you.
- Fruit deal with your character.
- Gift deal with your giftedness.
2. VARIETY OF GIFTS.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit
Many gifts. 1 Cor. 12 shows 9.
Romans 12: 3-8 shows 7
Ephesians 4: shows 5.
3. ONE HOLY SPIRIT
Romans 12: 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
It is God who gives the Gifts. He originates them, He owns them. He gives them as he wills.
4. THEY ARE MANIFESTATIONS.
7 To each is given the manifestationof the Spirit for the common good.
Demonstrative. Supernatural. They do not come from your training or experience. It is God at work through the believer.
5. FOR OUR COMMON GOOD.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Gifts are not for you. They are for us all. Some gifted people want to use them to get money or get fame. They are for us all.
a. To open a door for the non-believers to know the reality and existence of God.
b. For God’s people to experience the hand of God in the individual or body life.
c. To demonstrate the kingdom of God now.
