The Gift’s Of The Spirit

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:7-13


In our Salvation we have responsibilities and benefits. (Spiritual Gift’s) Most look at personal benefits not responsibilities. How many gift’s? What are the gift’s? Why do we receive them? How should we use them? Who gives them? Let’s answer these questions.

GIVEN BY WHOM?:

Two Greek word’s used: Pneumatika: refers to the source, The Holy Spirit (pneuma) and Charismata: refers to the fact that they are given by God’s Grace (charis). Not based on worthiness or our abilities but by God’s sovereign choice. Because they are given by the Spirit of God they are part of our New Life in Jesus.

WHY DO WE RECEIVE THEM?:

Three key text’s that answer this: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. Look at the diversity of these gift’s. Paul identified different gifts to the Romans than to the Corinthians and Peter spoke of them but didn’t specify them. The importance of them? To Glorify God. Why do we receive them? To make the body functional and whole (Romans 12:5) to “form one body”

HOW MANY GIFT’S ARE THERE?:

Opinions vary on the amount and what they are. Romans 12 lists seven. 1 Corinthians 12 lists nine. Some overlap but indicate God has more.

WHAT ARE THESE GIFT’S?:

Wisdom and Knowledge: The ability to grasp spiritual truth’s in the Word of God and apply them to life.

Prophecy: The ability to provide divine revelation to the church. In the New testament it seems that it is used to determine God’s will more than foretelling future events.

Discerning of Spirit’s: Is usually connected with prophecy. It is the ability to check the authority and validly of a message or messenger. It is meant to prevent False Prophecy.

Healing and Miracles: Referred to as “Sign Gift’s”. Used as validation for the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (early church). God still heals but this gift seems to have decreased with the written word and it’s validation.

Tongues and interpretation of tongues: One of the most misunderstood gift’s. The Greek word “glossa” means any language. Read Acts 2:6-11. The disciples did not know the Galatians language yet they heard the message of God in their own languages. Two points are made clear in these passages 1) The crowd’s heard and understood what was being spoken about Jesus Christ 2) We are told what languages the message was received in. Remember, languages not babble.

Faith, Serving, Encouraging, Giving, Ruling, and Mercy: These gift’s are self explanatory. The one common denominator. Given by God Himself, for His Glory in His Church.

We can learn from these gift’s but don’t limit them or you have missed the point. In all three passages we are given a specific purpose, that is where we should direct our attention.

Romans 12:8 Use these gift’s according to the charter of God and His revealed will simplicity, diligence, and cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:25 Given for no division in the body, and that we should have equal concern for one another.

1 Peter 4:11 “that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

We all have gift’s of the Spirit, given by God’s Grace. To Glorify God, to Glorify His Church. To express His charter through our simplicity, diligence and cheerfulness and to keep the body of the church from separation. To make us equals, not for our personal benefits.