"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
I Corinthians 12:1-11
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship!
We're so glad you're here with us today.
Today's Message: Gifted
Today, I want to speak to all of you about what our role is in the church and I want to look at some common responses to the issue of being gifted individuals. I know we have discussed the body of Christ, several times before, in terms of its nature, and we’re not talking about His physical body, but the Church which is His new body. We’ve also discussed the witness of the body, that is, the importance of the body communicating. That is we who belong to Christ, who are His Church, who make up this body of believers, witnessing not only by our individual testimony, but by our collective testimony, love for one another and unity.
However, I believe there are three common myths that we typically think and some of you probably thought these things when saw the sermon title. I think one of the common thoughts is that, "I’m not good enough to be used by the church!"
I believe this is very likely how Moses must have felt, I mean he had all these excuses. "What if they don’t believe me?" "What if they don’t listen?" "What if I say something stupid?" As God answered each one, Moses finally just blurted out, "Please send someone else."
Moses didn’t have needed confidence in himself; he felt that he was not suited for the job. His first response was, "Who am I, that I should go?"
I believe, many of us, ask those same questions of ourselves all the time. Who am I, that I should serve the church? Who am I, that I should sing? Who am I, that I should usher? Who am I, that I should read scripture at youth group? Who am I, that I should read the liturgy?
We continually tell ourselves, "I am not worthy. I sin too much. I make mistakes. I’m too young or old. I am too broken. I am not a good enough person." I believe what we fail to remember is that this is exactly the kind of person, regardless of whether we are 8 or 80, male or female, is that God calls to Himself.
People, who can admit that we cannot do it by ourselves, people who have to depend on God to accomplish something. I believe it is the best way for God to show, this is the same kind of people that He uses all throughout the Bible to accomplish some of the greatest Christian successes.
Just take a look at Moses. He was a murderer. David was an adulterer as well as a murderer. Paul killed Christians for a living. Peter and Andrew, two of the disciples were just ordinary everyday fishermen. Noah was a drunk. Jacob was a liar. Matthew was a tax collector, one of the most hated groups of people in the first century.
However, God is a God of love and of forgiveness. He doesn’t seek to use "perfect" people to do his work, instead He seeks only people who are willing and wanting to please God. People who are willing to humble themselves before God and give themselves to Him.
I believe another common thought is, "My gifts don’t fit in the church!" There are times that people have these thoughts, when they know they are good at something but there doesn’t seem to be an opening or place for it in the church, so they just can’t see how it would be useful. I believe, that sometimes the church, as a whole, makes it seem like there is a small list of ways to serve and that is it. So, people will look at that list, they don’t feel like they could do any of those things, therefore, there is no place for them to serve within the church.
Fat too often, the church has certain positions, committee openings or jobs that it can fill. These positions are filled by the "best" people and are usually the ones who can do just about everything. Everyone else is there to show up on Sunday and kind of cheer these leaders along.
However, I believe that the church should be more like a t-ball game. For the most part, the basic game is the same. The only real difference is that everyone gets to play. If you have ever seen your children play, or if you are able to remember your own t-ball days, then you know what I'm speaking about. It’s madness. Regardless of how many kids are on a team they all get to play the field. They'll even make up positions just so that everyone can get into the game.
You have kids running around yelling things like, "I got short stop, I got first base, and I got the spot in the outfield by the tree and I am catcher near the dandelions." Then when the ball is hit, everyone is suddenly involved, and I do mean EVERYONE! Each kid has to touch the ball it seems before they can even think about getting the runner out. Every kid is somehow involved, everyone gets a turn to play.
I believe, this is sort of what the church should look like. The gifts that you have received, were given to you by God. He wants you to use them to serve Him. Those gifts can be singing, speaking, teaching, helping pick up after the service or leading a youth group, cooking or helping prepare for fellowship hour, bringing snacks for the youth group, painting or drawing, writing poetry, leading games at youth camp, etc.
If you have a gift that isn’t being used in the church right now, write a new category on a slip of paper and put it in the offering plate. Contact one of the church leaders to find out how and where you can serve the church, in the way God created you to serve Him.
I believe the last common thought is, "I have no gifts!" or "I'm not gifted enough!" to serve God.
This thought stems from how you view your self worth. A lot of the times we go through rough situations, we grow up in hard spots and we are filled with lies told to us by hurtful people and by Satan, telling us that we are worthless, that God can't use us, because we have no gifts.
I want to make something very clear here, that is, lies is exactly what they are, all LIES! If we look at verse 7 in the passage we read in I Corinthians, which says, "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Allow me to paraphrase, "Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, and everyone benefits." God has created everyone of us to serve Him, in some capacity and He has created us all in very unique and different ways, just so that we are able to serve Him in unique and different ways!
Growing up, I often had this sense of worthlessness, because my father's parents said I should have been aborted and offered to pay for it. It made me feel like I wasn't as good as my cousins, I must have nothing to offer. So, I felt like I wasn’t gifted. It wasn’t until around my 3rd grade year that I began to be encouraged by the people around me. My teacher helped me see that I was gifted, I had a knack for being in plays, most generally carrying the lead role. As I grew older, I was told that since I was a creation of God and that God gave me unique gifts just like He gave to everyone else. I was given the gift of being able to speak to others, to question things that were typically accepted as "normal." Now I'd also like to point out, this "gift" frequently got me into trouble in my younger days. Especially with my grandfather.
Because of how I felt growing up, I often took up for the underdog, trying to encourage them to be more that what others told them they could be. So, if anyone here today feels that they have no gifts, I strongly encourage you to reach out after our lesson today and speak with someone you are close to. Because the truth of the matter is that you are special, you are worth something! And YOU are gifted. You are a unique creative expression of God’s love for this world. So, don’t ever settle for anything or anyone who makes you feel less than that. You have a purpose. You belong!
And before you start thinking it, no I am not just saying that to make you feel better. I'm speaking this because it's the truth! God's truth! God has called every one of us here to serve Him in the body of Christ. We are all unique create images of God with gifts just as unique as the faces in this body. Every one here has a unique place within the body of Christ. Every one here has special gifts and talents, that can be used in the body of Christ. Every one here has been created GIFTED.
First, let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You and give You praise today just for being You and for what You have already done for us. And if You never did another thing, You are worthy of our praise. O' Lord, we know that what we have comes from on high, and is to be manifest. Help us to discover our unique gifts, through prayer, that we might minister to one another.
Lord, because we often feel as though our minds have been bombarded with truth, we pray that Your Holy Spirit might guide us in this today and that this message is of You, that I will have indeed spoken the oracles of God and not of my own flesh.
Father, You know how this message has burned in my heart for Your people. And I just pray, that You will take it and apply it to their hearts.
O precious Lord, may we minister in the energy of Your Holy Spirit. God, may we by prayer and the Word, looking upward to You, get on our knees before You and seek to know our gifts and to minister to Your people.
Father, we just thank You, for this incredible portion of Your Word, use it in teaching us today.
We pray in Christs’ name
Amen
Open with me your Bibles to I Corinthians chapter 12. In our continuing study of Paul's epistles to the church at Corinth, today we arrive at chapter twelve in I Corinthians. Follow along with me as I read to you from our text today to get it set in our hearts. I Corinthians 12:1-11.
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
In verse 1, Paul says, "Now concerning spiritual gifts," — or the word pneumatikon stands alone—there is no separate Greek word for "gifts" in this sentence. If it weren’t for the context, the word pneumatikon would be better translated "spiritual things" rather than "spiritual gifts." However, in verse 4 he introduces the word "gifts" or charismaton, and the subject of verses 4-11 clearly concerns spiritual gifts. The context therefore suggests that we should translate pneumatikon in verse 1 as "spiritual gifts."
".... brethren, I do not want you to be unaware." The original word agnoein can be translated "unaware" or "ignorant."
In verse 2, he says "You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led." The word ethne is usually translated Gentiles. However, the context here suggests translating it as "pagans," "heathen" or "unbelievers." The Corinthian Christians are still ethne , Gentiles, but they are no longer ethne, pagans or idol worshipers.
Then Paul says in verse 3, "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit."
Many find this to be a difficult verse. Was someone actually saying "Jesus is anathema"? Probably not. However, Paul uses the first part of this verse to establish a contrast with the last part. He says that the Spirit of God would never inspire someone to say "Jesus is accursed." Such a statement would have to be inspired by a demonic power. Alternatively, no demonic power would inspire anyone to say, "Jesus is Lord." Therefore, only the Holy Spirit would do so.
It was by the work of the Holy Spirit that these Corinthian Christians found Christ. And, it is the Holy Spirit that has inspired them to say, "Jesus is Lord."
Verse 4 says, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit." Or charismaton—from the word charisma, I'd like you note, that the word translated “gifts” in this verse charisma is different from the word translated "spiritual gifts" as in verse 1 pneumatikon. In most instances, pneumatikon would be better translated "spiritual things" rather than "spiritual gifts," as I previously mentioned. If you will remember, it is only the context of verse 1 that called for translating it "spiritual gifts." The word charismaton, however, is specifically a word about gifts or special abilities given by God to God’s people for God’s service.
The word charisma and is related to the word charis, which is usually translated “grace” in the New Testament. Charis is a significant New Testament word, especially in Paul’s epistles. The use it the New Testament has roots in the Hebrew word hesed, used in the Old Testament to speak of God’s lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness. To the Greeks, the word charis connotes generosity, a generosity that demands loyalty on the part of the recipient.
However, in the New Testament, the word charis refers to the undeserved favor of God. Likewise, the New Testament uses the word charisma to speak of spiritual gifts that are given by the Spirit to those who would never enjoy them otherwise.
Paul says there are a variety of gifts. And, in verses 8-10, he lists nine of those gifts, which are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Now, this list is not comprehensive, however, because we know that there are other gifts. In Romans 12:6-8, Paul lists the gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, and being compassionate. And, in Ephesians 4:11-12, he lists the gifts of being an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, and a teacher. I want to point out the variation in those three lists. While it is true, that there are some that overlap, however, each list includes distinctive gifts. Which, I believe, suggests that these lists are not definitive. In other words, there could even be other gifts, which are not mentioned in any of these three lists.
In I Corinthians 13:2, Paul does not use the word "gift," he says that these gifts, in the absence of love, are nothing. And he concludes chapter 13 by saying, "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." While there is no shortage of interpretations of this verse, I believe it to mean this, that love is not only a charismaton, a gift, but love, is the supreme gift. Love is not just a gift, it is the supreme gift.
In I Corinthians 12:5, Paul says, "And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord." Or service in some translations, is the word diakonion which is related to our word "deacon," which denotes a humble kind of service. In Matthew 20:26, Jesus said, "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant" or diakonos. Paul use of the word to show that he is merely a servant of Christ. And in Romans 15:8, he also calls Christ a diakonos or servant.
There are many examples of services that Christians might render, I'd like you to consider the janitor who sweeps the floor, carillonnuer, the musician who plays the carillon, the music director, the chancel choir, youth leaders, daycare workers, and the pastor, the list goes on and on. Each has its place, ranging from the humble to the exalted, none more or less important than another, we must exercise great care in appreciating them all.
Verse 6: "There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."
The emphasis, in verses 4-6, is that, while there are many good gifts, it is the one God who gives them all, and gives them to everyone. All Christians are spiritually "gifted" to some degree. Some, who are like Paul, will have many of the gifts which are listed above. While others, might have one or two of these gifts.
What can we take away from this? I believe, that if God endows each believer with one or more gifts, then we should be careful to look for spiritual gifts in other believers. Doing so will help us to avoid some of the irritation that many of us experience as we rub elbows with other people in the church.
We need also to remember that these spiritual gifts are just that—gifts! They all come to us by the grace of God rather than by some personal achievement. If we keep that in mind, I believe, that help us to have a humble spirit, if we happen to be among those who are especially gifted.
"But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." In the Greek: pros to sympheron—for that which is beneficial. The main point of this verse is that all these gifts are given by the Spirit for that which is beneficial—for the common good—not for the exaltation of the gifted person.
Here, in verses 8-10, here Paul lists nine manifestations of the Spirit. "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues."
Out of the seven gifts Paul mentions here, there is only one unlike all the others. Six involve some type of specific action, healing, miracles, prophesying but one is unique, one is different. And that one is faith. Faith is different. While true faith will manifest itself in some sort of action, the possibilities for its manifestations are endless—unlike healing, which is very specific.
Also, given Paul's earlier assessment of wisdom and knowledge, many find it odd that Paul would put these gifts at the top of his list. However, the wisdom and knowledge that Paul lifts up here are different from the wisdom and knowledge that he was talking about earlier. The earlier mention was human wisdom and knowledge. These, which he now mentions, are Godly wisdom and knowledge and these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit.
Faith is also different in that every Christians possesses it. Therefore, we might think of it as the umbrella gift under which all the other gifts are gathered. Within the church, there is a great deal of variety, but only one Holy Spirit. One Holy Spirit.
Today, many often talk about preaching prophetically but the definitions of prophetic ministry varies. Some think of prophetic preaching as preaching that takes risks. Taking risks by pronouncing unpopular judgments on powerful entities such as government or big business. However, much of what is called prophetic preaching today is really popular preaching in service of current cultural or theological fads. So, in truth, there is very little risk in preaching it, because it generally steps on no ones toes within listening distance, because it is very much in sync with the "popular culture."
In Closing....
While many today think of prophecy as a foretelling of the future, however, the role of a Biblical prophet was to convey a message from God to humans. And, in many cases, that did involve giving the hearer a glimpse of the future, but the foretelling was only in support of the larger prophetic message.
In Matthew 7:15; 24:11, 24, our Lord warned against false messiahs and false prophets. During my years in ministry, I have frequently been asked, "How can we tell the difference? How do we distinguish between true and false prophets today? I'd like you to consider these simple tests, however, I would like to preface them with this, when applying these tests, we must be very careful not to be hypercritical. Because, even Godly prophets are sinners.
Does the message exalt Christ?
John 16:13-14 teaches us, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you."
Does the message accord with scripture?
II Peter 3:15-16 says, "and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction."
Does the message pronounce judgment on sin?
Does it emphasize the grace of God?
Does it build up the church?
Does it produce Godly fruits?
Does the so-called prophet have a prophet-motive or a profit-motive?
Does the so-called prophet have a Godly character?
And to whom is the so-called prophet accountable, and to what degree?
Few sermon messages, will accomplish everything I've outlined, however, these provide a starting point for evaluating those who are presumed to have the gift of prophecy. It is also useful for those of us who teach the Word of God, in evaluating our own ministries and our own sermons.
I John 4:1-3 teaches us, "Beloved, 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. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."
We should not be the least surprised that God gives a special gift for discerning spirits. We know people whose reasoned judgments and graceful manner inspire our confidence. Therefore, isn’t it entirely possible that they are among those whose gifts include discernment of spirits!
Prophets delivered their message in various forms. Often, they delivered it orally. Some acted out their prophecy in dramatic ways, Hosea, for example. And, many recorded their messages in written form. The seventeen books from Isaiah through Malachi are books of prophecy, however, there are other books with written accounts of prophecy as well.
While its true, most Biblical prophecy that took place was in the Old Testament, however, the New Testament also includes accounts of prophecy.
In Romans 3:23-24, Paul teaches, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."
"....being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus"
What a gift, such a precious gift by His grace.
Beloved, we are both strong and healthy when we minister to each other.
May we use every good and perfect gift, all for His glory..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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