CCF: Spiritual Gifts - Who Needs Them?
1 Corinthians 12
By Dr. Keith Shubert
Preaching is disturbing those who are comforted. Teaching is comforting those who are disturbed. In this chapter Paul is trying to teach the believers in Corinth.
Corinthian church faced difficulties and problems with spiritual gifts which is accounted in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Chapter 12 deals with the theology of spiritual gifts, how it work, how its designed, and its purpose. Chapter 13 teaches us the right attitude as we exercise our spiritual gifts. Chapter 14 talks about the exercise or how to apply our spiritual gifts in the church.
Every Christian has a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit so we can help each other and we can see that in 1 Corinthians 12 verses 7, 11, and 18. We receive those spiritual gifts at salvation, the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
A spiritual gift is a God-given ability for service. – Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, 367
A spiritual gift is a spiritual capacity for development. – Earl Radmacher, Sermon on Gifts
Spiritual Gifts are NOT:
a.) A Place of Service: the gift is the ability, not where the ability is used. It’s not a location.b.) Age Group Ministry: the gift is the ability, not who benefits from it.
Spiritual gifts are only those mentioned in the Word of God.
New Testament spiritual gifts include teaching, evangelism, pastor-teacher, encouraging, administration, faith, giving, service, showing mercy, apostleship, wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, discerning spirits, tongues, interpretation, miracles and healings.
I. Theology of Spiritual Gifts
A. Introduction: Seeing Christ as God (verses 1-3)
Understanding gifts begins with seeing Christ as God.
God the Father is God, the Holy Spirit is God, and Jesus Christ the Son is God. But the Father is not the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is not the Son and the Son is not the Father. The Holy Trinity.
B. Unity of Spiritual Gifts (verses 4-11)
The Holy Spirit gives each of us spiritual gifts.
Believers are given varieties of gifts, ministries, and effects by the same Spirit, Lord and God. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. The purpose of the spiritual gifts is not to enhance you but to enhance others.
Our different gifts are united in the triune God.
God the Spirit gives(distributes) the spiritual gifts (verse 4).
God the Son appoints the place or location of the ministry of the gifts (verse 5).
God the Father empowers or gives the energy operative through the gifts in the place of ministry (verse 6).
The Holy Spirit alone chose the gift that you got. He alone decides which gift each person should have because He knows best. One evidence of the Spirit’s work in your life is your spiritual gift (verses 7-11).
Using your spiritual gifts can highly encourage you but that is not the purpose of spiritual gifts that is the result.
C. Diversity (verses 12-31)
1. Reason for Diversity (12-13)
For we (Christians) were all baptized by one Spirit into one body (verse 13), the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
2. The Illustration of Diversity (14-26)
Believers with less-honored gifts should not feel unneeded (verses 15-16).
There is no spiritual gift that all of us have. God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.
3. The Application of Us (27-31)
All are not apostles, but we are to earnestly desire the greater gifts.
Emphasize the gifts that edify the most members (verse 31).
God wants us to know our spiritual gifts and to use our gifts for His glory.
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