THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS - Part 3
October 10, 2007
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro: (12:2-7 read)
* 7 Challenges for this millennium-
Relationships, sin, marriage, materialism, now spiritual gifts… (unity cp to 11:33)
* This was a divided church - they were not getting along with each other & God… thus
* They had a problem understanding the TRUE NATURE of spiritual gifts.
Not much more divisive in this age to the church.
(12:1) "Ignorant"- we stand on the clear fundamental teaching of the word of God.
I encourage you to listen carefully- because you will be challenged on this doctrine.
Four things tonight about spiritual gifts…
Review:
Challenged - TO LEARN TO HAVE A NEW WAY OF THINKING (12:1-7)

I. We need to base our thinking on TRUTH not on our EXPERIENCE (12:1-2)
* BAGGAGE of the past…
* We come from a fierce INDIVIDUALISM- "I can do it myself"
So we approach this subject with, "How can I use & benefit from these spiritual gifts?"
So many then miss the point- not about "YOU" but the BODY.

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.
Note: This is fundamental - Rom 8:9 this is Factory equipment!

Just got into this part last week -12:4-7
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 a Supernatural empowerment.
A. 12:4 Specific word "gift" Greek "Charisma"- a divine gratuity; by GRACE
B. Five different terms (v 1, 4, 5, 6, 7) (combination lock lots of possibilities)
1. (v 1) "gifts" italicized correctly added - the context demands it (spiritual________)
2. (v 4) "diversities of gifts" - "charisma" gifts of grace
3. (v 5) "differences of administrations" -
4. (v 6) "diversities of operation" same God empowers all…
5. (v 7) "manifestation of the spirit"
Note: (1) We established that all believers are equipped with spiritual gifts at birth & that they are to be used in the context of the body.
(2) If you are a believer then you are supernaturally gifted by God. (v 7 & 11) "You are".
Combo lock- many combinations… 5 different words to describe the whole issue of spiritual gifts… i.e. "Teaching" but have a different administration of that gift. (Possibilities - many)
* Church this size same gift- the way it works for you different then in another believer.
C. See (v 4) "diversities of… "(v 8-10) nine listed gifts here… but if you go to the end of the chapter Paul changes some of the names (v 28-30) & then Eph 4 more listed
Eph 4:7 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
* No one left out!
Eph 4:8, 10-16 see the need to grow up & exercise your gift in the BODY- UNITY!
* Gifts here that are not in 1 Corinthians 12 (UNITY)
Rom 12:6-8 there is no ALL inclusive definitive "gift". (Based on these passages)
* Some 18 spiritual gifts mentioned. (2 x 9) 9=fruit bearing
The issue for being non definitive for a reason- the issue not the gifts but the GIVER of the gifts. (because we will want what someone else has)
* This gives you PURPOSE in life! (Next week we will look at each gift)

1 Peter 4:10 Two broad categories of the gifts
* Before computers- God was able to program the church with (manifold- "various in character" multi-colored) gifted individuals to make the church complete with ALL that it needed to accomplish the MISSION!
- 1 Pe 1:16 "…manifold temptations (trials) (Trials manifold… grace manifold)

* No matter what you need or have to go through we have what we need.
(To minister to others- not for yourself.)

1 Peter 4:11 Here Peter makes wide sweeping he breaks them into TWO basic gifts:
(1) Speaking gifts
(2) Serving gifts (I will cover these next week)
Summary:
1. If you are a believer - then you are a gifted individual
2. If you are gifted - it is supernatural
3. If your gift is supernatural then it will manifest itself either by SPEAKING or SERVING…
"Speak"- "to utter, to preach"
"Serve"- same word for deacon; "to attend, to wait upon…"
* So where are you- I Don't see "listening as a gift!"

D. (v 5) "Differences of administrations"
1. Same Greek word for "deacon"- a servant, to serve, to minister
2. Biblical gifts are given to us to apply to biblical ministry.
- If a believer, gifted, to serve, to serve in different ways.
Note: Some try to hide from this truth so as to not have to MINISTER (hide behind serving to ot have to minister). The biblical word translated both ways… "serve, minister".
* So God intended for us all to MINISTER & SERVE. (Stewardship, management)
* Are you ministering? No gift to be used outside of the local church ministry.
IN the NT all gifts were manifested to better the local church. No Rambo (gifted) Christians.

E. (v 6) "diversities of operations" - our word for energy- (talents parable)
1. To be manifested differently…
* But in all three areas it is the "SAME LORD". (v 4, 5, 6) "Same…"
No NEED to be jealous of any other Christian- God handled that already.
* A spiritual gift is NOT a spiritual gift unless it is ENERGIZED by the Spirit of God.
Ie. Several teachers in our church but it doesn't mean that you have the spiritual gift of teaching.
That helps us to understand that natural talents are not necessarily spiritual gifts.

Why we need to learn why God has gifted us (you). (By a new way of thinking)

IV. Learn WHY God has gifted you (v 7) (
A. When the spiritual gifts are operational in your life they will be manifest, they are going to be obvious, not hidden.
1. "To every man…" & the body of Christ will see it- because the body NEEDS it.
NOTE: If God brought you to this church then God knew that we needed you & you needed us.
Someone here is incomplete without you- if you are not here.
NOTE: I wonder if the 80/20 rule is in effect for this church?

B. Every believer is to use his/her gift for the good of the body. (v 7)
1. "Withal" archaic word added by translators… the gifts are not just to "profit", but clears meaning is that the gifts were given to profit to the common benefit of all in the church.
"W I T H -ALL" not individually.
* Not just for me or by me.
* God WANTS to work through us for us.

Conclusion:
What can you do?
1. You need to be very certain that you HAVE the Spirit of God. (v. 1-3) where Paul began.
2. If you know that you are saved- then is there anything in your life that would PROHIBIT the Holy Spirit from manifesting himself in your life?
(Like a clog in the pipe?) sin, pride, carnality, selfishness…
Maybe you need to repent of some things.
3. If you are not a part of this local church then how are you going to manifest you God-given gifts?
Get into our church or one that you can serve Him & others.
4. Maybe you are a member but you have just been sitting since you were saved, and you need to get it in gear.