October 1, 2006
Sermon #645
The Gifts of the Spirit 1
1 Corinthians 12:1 - 11 (NKJV) 1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2You know that£ you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by £the same Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Introduction:
Paul uses chapter 12 – 14 of the Letter to the Corinthians to answer questions about the "Gifts of the Spirit" so there is no way that I can cover the subject in one message. This subject is so broad that we will have to spend a number of Sundays discovering the depth of Paul thought. The first thing we need to look at is:
Are the gifts for today?
Why there is a question
1 Corinthians 13:8 - 13 (NKJV) 8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Dispensation theology states that the gifts disappeared with the age of the Apostles.
The fist question we ask is when did apostles disappear? – There were many recorded Apostles other than the 12 – including Paul!
Next when did the gifts disappear? All though Christian history we read of individuals who had one or more of the gifts!
Then why did the Apostle Paul spend so much time writing how the gifts were to be used if they were to stop when he finished writing?
When will they disappear?
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV) 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
The answer is: "When I see Him face to face" I will not need the gifts!
When and where did they get the gifts?
ILL; Those who say they got them when they were Gentiles (unconverted) from dumb Idols. NO! Dumb Idols cannot speak – in tongues or any other language – that’s Paul’s point!
At Pentecost!
Acts 2:1 - 4 (NKJV) 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all £with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
At the home of Cornelius!
Acts 10:44 - 46 (NKJV) 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
ILL: I want you to understand that "speaking in unknown tongues" is the only gift recorded solely in the New Testament – every other miracle, supernatural gift is recorded in the Old Testament including raising people from the dead!
What are the gifts?
Hebrews 2:4 (NKJV) 4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
1 Corinthians 12:4 - 7 (NKJV) 4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
They are for all
Manifestation means a showing forth
The Holy Spirit is the giver the Christian is the delivery person
There are nine gifts!
Revelation gifts – the eyes of God
A word of wisdom
A word of knowledge
Discerning of spirits
Power Gifts – the hands of God
Special faith
Gifts of healing
The working of miracles
Vocal/Inspirations gifts – the mouth of God
The gift of prophecy
The gift of tongues
The gift of Interpretation of tongues
The Revelation Gifts are the vehicles God uses to supernaturally reveal to His Church and His people things they could not know in a natural way.
The Power Gifts are the vehicles God uses to channel His supernatural power through His Church to destroy the works of the devil.
The Vocal Gifts are the vehicles God uses to supernaturally build up, strengthen, and encourage His Church.
VI. The Nine Gifts
The Word of Wisdom
Has nothing to do with being wise or natural wisdom
Has nothing to do with academic ability
Is a supernatural gift that pertains to situations in the future
Through this gift God lets you know how to deal with a situation as it arises in the future.
A Word of Knowledge
A knowledge that surpasses the senses of man
It does not come through study
It is not an intellectual ability
Relates to the present or past not to the future
Discerning of Spirits
Not a gift of suspicion
Not a gift of discernment
Not fault finding or judging
Not discerning of character
Is the supernatural ability to discern angels, demons, or condition of human spirit
Gift of Faith
Not natural human faith
Not the measure of faith
Not faith obtained from the Word
Not saving faith
Is an unlimited faith in a specific situation
The gift of healings
Not receiving healing through the Word
Not receiving healing through the communion
Not receiving healing through medicine
It is not healing through faith healers
It is the supernatural impartation of God’s Divine healing power through you to heal
The working of Miracles
Is the suspension of natural law
Feeding the 5000
Dividing the Red Sea
Multiplying the widow’s oil
The Gift of Prophecy
Is not the preaching of the gospel
Is not guidance
Is not telling the future
Is not a message of confusion, criticism, or condemnation
Is confirmation to your spirit
Must be in agreement with God’s Word!
The gift of tongues
Has nothing to do with the intellect of man
Is not a learned language
Is not the prayer language
It is a supernatural utterance proclaiming in a public meeting a message from God in a language unknown and not understood followed by an interpretation.
The Gift of interpretation of tongues
Is not a translation
The gift of tongues with the interpretation equal prophecy
Conclusion:
Our part:
Desire the gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV) 1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Exercise faith:
Romans 12:6 - 8 (NKJV) 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Don’t neglect the gifts you have:
1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) 14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
