October 8, 2006
Sermon # 645
The Gifts of the Spirit 2
Introduction: It may seem that the Apostle Paul has jumped from one subject to another but he hasn’t. The progression of Chapter 12-14 is quite logical but his thoughts are interposed by several illustrations. We have a rather long illustration comparing the human body and its diversity while retaining it’s unity. Many Bible commentaries get sidetracked by the illustration and forget that the subject is still the gifts. Paul is merely pointing out the diversity of gifts all belong to the same Holy Spirit and that the differing gifts within the Church belong to the same Church!
1 Corinthians 12:11 - 31 (NKJV) 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,� is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,� is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you�; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.� 22No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
I. Gifts are not only supernatural manifestations but people are also gifts to the church.
Ephesians 4:7 - 16 (NKJV) 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.� 9(Now this, “He ascended�—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
ILL: Note in the Ephesians letter Paul writes that Jesus in His ascension gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers as “gifts.� Now I want to tell you that it is rude to refuse a gift, to hand it back unopened, unused and unappreciated! When we do not appreciate those whom God has called into ministry we insult Jesus! Paul writes that we give more honors to the less spectacular parts of our body why should we not give honor to the parts of His body?
II. The Supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit
A. Revelation gifts – the eyes of God
1. A word of wisdom
2. A word of knowledge
3. Discerning of spirits
B. Power Gifts – the hands of God
1. Special faith
2. Gifts of healing
3. The working of miracles
C. Vocal/Inspirations gifts – the mouth of God
1. The gift of prophecy
2. The gift of tongues
3. The gift of Interpretation of tongues
III. The Appointed gifts of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV) 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
A. Apostles (Who is an Apostle?)
• Jesus Himself: Hebrews 3:1 - 6 (NKJV) 1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
ILL: Those who say the time of the apostles is over are really saying:
1 Corinthians 12:20 - 21 (NKJV) 20But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you�; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.�
2
• The apostle builds on no other man’s foundation
1 Corinthians 3:9 - 12 (NKJV) 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
Romans 15:18 - 21 (NKJV) 18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.�
• Paul The Apostle: 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 10 (NKJV) 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
• Other Apostles: Galatians 1:18 - 20 (NKJV) 18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20(Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
B. Prophets
Acts 21:7 - 14 (NKJV) 7And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’� 12Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.� 14So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.�
• The Prophet foretells and forth tells
3 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV) 3But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
ILL: Acts 15:30 - 33 (NKJV) 30So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words
C. Evangelists
Acts 21:7 - 9 (NKJV) 7And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
Acts 8:4 - 8 (NKJV) 4Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to ï‚£the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:26 - 40 (NKJV) 26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.� This is desert. 27So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.� 30So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?� 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?� And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.�34So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?� 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?� 37Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.� And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.� 38So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
D. Teachers
1 Timothy 4:12 - 16 (NKJV) 12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, ï‚£in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 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. 15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
E. Workers of Miracles
ILL: A Miracles is a reversal of the natural law.
ILL: Jessie DuPlantus told the story of how he was held in a tumbling car – they had to cut the car open – the stearing wheel was broken off and a steal beam through his seat but he was unharmed!
Acts 12:5 - 10 (NKJV) 5Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!� And his chains fell off his hands. 8Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals�; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.� 9So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Acts 13:6 - 12 (NKJV) 6Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.� And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
F. Gifts of Healings
Acts 14:8 - 10 (NKJV) 8And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!� And he leaped and walked.
G. Helps = service
ILL: I can hear the cry now, “Oh God don’t give me as a gift of service!�
Acts 9:36 - 42 (NKJV) 36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.� And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
ILL: Those how usher, greet, etc are exercising the gift of helps!
H. Administrations.
ILL: The word comes from “Pilot� –My home was on a sea port – the captain of a ship dismissed the “Pilot� and ended up putting his ship on the dock!
Conclusion:
1 Corinthians 12:29 - 31 (NKJV) 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the ï‚£best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
ILL: The Answer is NO!
THE CHUCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. TO THOSE WHO SAY WE NO LONGER HAVE APOSTLES & PROPHETS I WANT TO ASK WHICH PART OF THE BODY HAS BEEN AMPUTATED? AND TO THE REST I WANT TO ASK WHAT PART ARE YOU?
