THINKING
BIBLICALLY ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
September 26, 2007
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com
Intro:
Three things today about spiritual gifts…
Note: (12:1) "brethren"- we have a tendency
to write off other believers that disagree with our positions
about controversial doctrines… don't do that.
* We separate from other believers when they "walk"
opposite from the WOG.
WE NEED
TO LEARN TO HAVE A NEW WAY OF THINKING
I. We need
to base our thinking on TRUTH not on our EXPERIENCE (12:1-2)
Note: The big problem facing them was they didn't get
the concept of the "body" but thought that the
gifts were for the individual.
Today - because we have a fierce sense of INDIVIDUAISM.
(All about me) (All for me)…
"How can I use this gift for ME?" That is the
call by many Christians today.
Paul saying, "The gifts are for the BODY".
- The gifts have no meaning or purpose outside the body
for the individual believer.
1 Cor. 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom ye were called
unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
When we were called- we were called to a "fellowship"
not an "individualized" personalized Christianity.
There is no such thing. Called to a family, a group!
* There is NO Christianity (BIBILICALLY) apart from the
"Fellowship"!
* This is the context of the "gifts"…
* So many today base their Christianity on past experience-
key word "experience". (Feelings)
II. We have
to learn to base our thinking on a NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD'S SPIRIT. (12:3)
* Paul is reminding them that they had a relationship
with God's Spirit that had replaced the evil spirits that
controlled their lives & controlled them.
Note: This is fundamental - without the Spirit of God
there is NO SALVATION. Got it ALL!
(Rom 8:9) Factory equipment!
* 1 Jn 4: (Context) before 1st century was over the Gnostics
were a PROBLEM-
- They were DENYING Jesus' humanity… like today's
"New Agers" - "The One"
* I Jn 4:1-3 God became man & died for us- that is
the ISSUE- whether they confess that Jesus has come in
the flesh. (Not just say the words)
Mt 7:21 Jesus saying that it isn't about "words"
but "doeth…" LIFE.(Not repeating some
words."
* It is about a belief system that changes the way you
live… Based on a FACT of history.
1 Cor 12:3a "Jesus" his human name.
Paul is already combating this issue
* They said the OT states anyone that hangs on a tree
is "cursed"- so God came into Jesus after his
birth & left him before he died.
1 Cor 12:3b "Jesus is Lord…" that is the
issue! (Not Christ, Not God…)
* The message of the NT - that Jesus is God!
* This is where it all starts- Is Jesus LORD to you?
III. We
need to learn to see beyond OUR NATURAL TALENTS &
ABILITIES (12:4-7)
Note: A
spiritual gift is NOT the same thing as a natural talent
or ability.
A spiritual gift goes beyond your natural ability- it
is Supernatural.
A. 12:4 Specific word "gift" Greek "Charisma"-
a divine gratuity; by GRACE
1. Different gifts; different administrations; different
operations
2. Don't get hung up on this list (9 here) more in other
passages & I believe some not listed.
3. Different kinds, different service, different energy
(all by the Spirit of God -NOT talents
B. Five different terms (v 1, 4, 5, 6, 7) (like a combination
lock lots of possibilities)
1. You may have the gift of teaching but the administration
of that gift may be different than somebody else that
has the gift of teaching…
2. You may have a 5 level gift that comes out better than
someone that has a 1 talent gift.
C. Each one of us has a unique contribution to make to
the body- all by the Spirit
Conclusion:
1. Do you have the Spirit of God in you?
2. Are you trying to make the Spirit work for you or are
you letting Him work in you?
3. Do you confuse you natural abilities with the gift
that the Spirit gave you?
4. Have you identified the gift(s) you have?
5. Are you using those gifts to build up the body of Christ?