Sunday
Morning Bible Study
July 25, 2004
Spiritual Gifts
Introduction
Last week we began to talk about Spiritual Gifts.
A spiritual gift is an unearned, supernatural ability given to you by the
Holy Spirit.
God wants to give spiritual gifts today, just like He did in the early
church.
We talked about why God gives us spiritual gifts – He gives us gifts so
that we can serve Him and minister to others.
(1 Cor 12:1 KJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I
would not have you ignorant.
The Corinthian church knew of the gifts
of the Spirit by experience. Paul had wrote earlier that they didn’t lack any
of the gifts (1Cor. 1:4-7).
Yet despite their “giftedness” in spiritual things, they were also known as
a “carnal” church, an “immature” church (1Cor. 3:1). They were “ignorant” of some things.
Lesson:
Spiritual
gifts don’t make you more “spiritual”.
Those that learn to use the gifts of the spirit can sometimes come across
as if they’ve achieved a “higher level” of spiritual maturity.
Not necessarily so.
Here in Corinth, the most
spiritually gifted church was also the most carnal church.
What the Corinthian church lacked was
maturity in handling the gifts. Paul is aiming at addressing some of their
ignorance concerning spiritual gifts.
In 1Corinthians 12-14 Paul would be
addressing three basic areas about their lack of understanding in the gifts –
1)
Lack of appreciation of their differences.
This is what 1Corinthians 12 is all
about. Paul will talk about how each person is a different “part” of the
“body”. Each part has its own function.
(1 Cor
12:4-7 KJV) Now there are
diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. {5} And there are differences of administrations,
but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. {7}
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
There are different types of gifts and each person will have
different combinations of gifts in their life.
Each gift may be used in different
kinds of ministries, differences in
“administration”. A person with the gift of evangelism might be used in street
witnessing or preaching to a stadium.
Each person’s ministry has different results, “operations”. We need to be
careful that we don’t compare how God uses us with our gift with how God uses
someone else.
Lesson
Don’t compare yourself with others
All He wants is for you to be faithful
with what He’s given (or wants to give) to you.
Illustration
How
Many Kids?
Four expectant fathers were in a
hospital waiting room while their wives were in labor. The nurse arrived and
announced to the first man, “Congratulations sir! You’re the father of twins.”
“What a coincidence!” the man said with some obvious pride. “I work for the
Minnesota Twins baseball team.” The nurse returned in a little while and turned
to the second man, “You, sir, are the father of triplets.” “Wow! That’s really
an incredible coincidence,” he answered. “I work for 3M. My buddies will never
let me live this one down.” An hour later, while the other two men were passing
cigars around, the nurse came back. This time she turned to the third man, who
had been very quiet in the corner. She announced that his wife had just given
birth to quadruplets. Stunned, he barely could reply. “Don’t tell me, another
coincidence?” asked the nurse. After finally regaining his composure, he said,
“I don’t believe it. I work for the Four Seasons Hotel.” After hearing this,
everybody’s attention turned to the fourth guy, who had just fainted, flat out
on the floor. The nurse rushed to his side and after some time, he slowly
gained consciousness. When he was finally able to speak, you could hear him
whispering the same phrase over and over again: “I should have never taken that
job at 7-Up. I should have never taken that job at 7-Up. I should have never
taken that job at 7-Up...”
What God wants to do in your life may
not look like what He’s done in other’s lives.
You are unique. Your combination
of gifts and how God wants to use them is unique.
God wants you to find out the kinds of
things He has for YOU.
2)
Lack of love.
Paul will address this in 1Corinthians
13. They might have wonderful gifts, but if they don’t have love, the gifts are
worthless.
3)
Lack of order
This will be Paul’s focus in
1Corinthians 14. It appears that when the Corinthians came together, there was
general chaos in the church. The gifts were being used, but the service was a
mess.
(1 Cor
14:40 KJV) Let all things be
done decently and in order.
Word of Wisdom
(1 Cor
12:8 KJV) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom
There is a difference between the word
of wisdom and the word of knowledge. Knowledge is the assimilation of facts;
wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.
Definition of gift:
Supernaturally perfect answers to tough problems or practical guidance of
how to do something.
It does not mean that a person with this gift knows the answer to every
problem. They do not become “all wise”.
It comes when it’s needed. It comes when God wants.
Scriptural examples of the gift:
Jesus
The scribes and Pharisees thought they had Jesus this time. He was always
preaching love and forgiveness, yet the Scriptures were very clear about what
sin was and what its consequences were. They brought to Jesus a woman who had
been “caught in the act” of adultery.
(John 8:4-11 KJV) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in
adultery, in the very act. {5} Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such
should be stoned: but what sayest thou? {6} This they said, tempting (“testing”)
him, that they might have to
accuse him.
They’re trying to trick Jesus. If He
says to let her go, then He breaks the Law of Moses. If He says to stone her, then is would seem
He is contradicting His own teachings of love and forgiveness.
But Jesus stooped down, and
with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. {7} So when
they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him
first cast a stone at her.
Jesus doesn’t contradict the Law of Moses at all. He just clarifies who should be stoning the
woman.
{8} And again he stooped
down, and wrote on the ground. {9} And they which heard it, being convicted by
their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto
the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. {10}
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,
Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? {11} She
said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and
sin no more.
Jesus could have just done something like called lightening down on them.
But instead He used the situation to teach about sin, judging others, and the reality
of forgiveness. He had just the right
answer – a word of wisdom.
Word of Knowledge
(1 Cor 12:8 KJV) to another the word of knowledge by the same
Spirit;
Definition of gift:
Knowledge of persons, places, events, or things that you did not learn by natural
means.
Scriptural examples of the gift:
Jesus
When Jesus talked with the woman at the well –
(John 4:16-19 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and
come hither. {17} The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said
unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: {18} For thou hast had five
husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou
truly. {19} The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Jesus knew facts about this woman, though she had never met Him before.
Though Jesus knows all things, a person with this gift doesn’t know all
things. They do not become “omniscient”.
Sometimes, when people recognize a person as having this gift, they get
kind of intimidated, thinking that the person knows everything about them. Not
true. God will only reveal to them what He wants to reveal.
How the gift may be used:
Faith building – often used with
healing by stimulating a person’s faith to trust God for healing.
I remember one night when one of the folks had a picture in their mind from
the Lord about a specific condition in another person. They went on to describe
kind of a specific, unusual thing. It was the person sitting right in front of
them. Only a few of us knew of the condition beforehand. It was an incredible
encouragement for the person to realize that God knew.
Warning: A common thing you may
see in some services is where a person will be up front and they will say
something like, “Someone in the service has a bad back …” I have to tell you
I’m a little skeptical about some of these things. The truth is, probably half
of us in here have sore backs. Sometimes a thing like this can be misused and
abused when there is nothing supernatural going on at all.
Prayer with others – I’ve
seen this gift used in praying for people where someone prays for something
that wasn’t asked for, but was certainly needed.
Prayer for others –
without telling the person, just quietly interceding for them.
In his book Living Water, Pastor
Chuck writes (pg. 113),
“Years ago we were pastoring a community church. One Sunday my wife, Kay,
pointed to a fellow in our church who enjoyed a very prominent position in the
community. He was a great family man with a tremendous personality. Kay said to
me, “When I looked at him this morning, I just knew by the Spirit that he was
having an affair with his secretary. It came so strong. I first thought, “Oh, that’s terrible to think such a thing;
I should put that out of my mind. But it keeps coming back. He’s having an
affair with his secretary.” I replied, “Now Kay, the Bible says we shouldn’t
have evil imaginations.” She answered, “No! Every time I look at him, I see him
with his secretary. He’s carrying on!” I insisted, “Oh, come on. Not him!”
A few months later I received a phone call. This man and his wife were on
the line together. They tried to speak, but all they got out was a feeble
“Pastor Chuck”. Then their voices broke, they started sobbing, and couldn’t
continue. So I said, “That’s all right. I know what the call is all about.”
“You do?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes. You’ve been in an affair with your secretary for the last six months.
Come on over and let’s talk and pray about it.”
This man and his wife were shocked that I knew exactly what was happening. But
the Lord had already shown it to Kay.
I think that sometimes the Lord will give a person insight or knowledge
about another person. That doesn’t mean that we are to rush over and say
something. Sometimes we are just to be praying.
Faith
(1 Cor 12:9 KJV) To another faith by the same Spirit
In general terms, faith is:
Trusting
in something you don’t see.
It’s knowing in your heart that what God has promised, He will do, even
when it doesn’t look like it will happen (Heb. 11:1)
Definition of gift:
We are all supposed to have faith.
But the gift of faith could be defined as:
An
over and above ability to trust God to keep His promise.
(Mark 9:23 KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,
all things are possible to him that
believeth.
God gives to all of us faith. That’s how we are saved. But this gift of
faith is an ability beyond that to trust God for the miraculous, for the
impossible.
Scriptural examples of the gift:
Peter
Peter and John went to the temple like they did every day. Peter had seen
the lame man lying there before, yet this day something was different.
(Acts 3:4-8 KJV) And Peter,
fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. {5} And he gave heed
unto them, expecting to receive something of them. {6} Then Peter said, Silver
and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. {7} And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength. {8} And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into
the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Peter’s faith was demonstrated by speaking to the man, grabbing, and
lifting him up (vs.6,7)
How the gift may be used:
Praying for others. God lays
something on your heart. You are overwhelmed with an assurance, with a
confidence that God will indeed do it.
Counseling: To encourage
someone, “I just know that God’s going to do this!”
As with the others gifts, this gift may be mixed in with many of the other
gifts.
It takes faith to believe God for a miracle.
Miracles
(1 Cor 12:10 KJV) To
another the working of miracles
By definition, a miracle is something supernatural.
Examples of Miracles
In a sense, much of Jesus’ ministry would be called “miraculous” including:
Turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), Healings (Luke 6:19), Raising the dead (Luke 7:11-15; John 11), Feeding the multitudes (John 6), Walking
on water (Mat. 14:25)
Warnings
1.
Some supposed miracles may be hoaxes.
Christians are famous for being gullible.
Not every miracle is genuine.
2.
Some miracles may be genuine, but that doesn’t mean that God is behind
it.
Jesus talked about false prophets performing genuine miracles. (Mat.
7:22-23)
God said He’d allow false prophets to do miracles as a way of testing
whether or not we really love the Lord or just the miracles. (Deut. 13:1-3)
3.
Miracles don’t guarantee to cause belief in a person.
Don’t think your friend will really believe in Jesus only if he sees a
miracle. Jesus rebuked the cities that
had seen most of His miracles because they still did not believe. (Mat. 11:20)
4. The danger of adulation.
When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra (Acts 14:8-18), Paul healed a lame
man, and as a result, the entire town turned out to worship them as gods. A few days later, this adoring crowd had turned
against Paul and Barnabas and stoned them.
I think that one of the biggest reasons
why we don’t see too many miracles beyond healing, because there aren’t a lot
of people who could handle what would happen if miracles began to occur.
And yet miracles do happen. I’ve
read accounts of the revival that is going on in India,
and there are all sorts of stories of people who are being healed, others being
raised from the dead, and demons being cast out.
Healings
(1 Cor
12:9 KJV) To another faith by the
same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit;
In the Greek, both words are plural. We often think of a person who is used
to bring healing as having the “gift of healing”, and that’s totally
possible. But it could very well be that
the person who is healed is the one who has received the gift. The idea that “healings” is plural could even
carry the idea of different kinds of healings:
physical, emotional, social, spiritual...etc.
Does everyone get healed?
No. Many people teach today that God will heal everybody, all the time, all
they need is faith.
They teach that when a person is not healed, then there is either
unconfessed sin in the person’s life, or they lack faith.
When a person says that you lack faith, just say, “Okay, then we’ll use
your faith”.
Though it could be true that a person isn’t being healed because of their
lack of faith or because of unconfessed sin, it could also be that God doesn’t
want them healed, or at least not yet.
If God heals everybody, and all you need is faith, then why doesn’t Paul
just tell Timothy to claim his healing?
Instead, he says,
1Tim.5:23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a
little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
There is another doctrine that teaches people that they need to believe
that they are healed even when they don’t feel healed. The problem is that it is teaching people to
simply deny reality. They are taught
that if they ask for healing and don’t keep confessing that they are healed,
then they lose it.
There are no instances in Scripture of a person getting “healed” who needed
to be talked into believing that they were healed.
Examples of healings
Jesus’ life was full of healing others.
Sometimes He reached out and touched a person (Luke 5:12-13).
Sometimes they touched Him (Luke 8:43-48).
Sometimes Jesus healed by simply speaking a word (Luke 7:1-9).
There was another time when Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud, and spread
the mud on a blind man’s eyes (John 9:1-7).
Try that some time!
What do all these accounts have in
common? The only thing these things have
in common is that Jesus did the healing.
How to receive healing:
I think the simplest way to receive healing is to ask for it. I think the reason we don’t see more healings
is because we’re not asking.
1. Ask God to heal you (2Cor. 12:8).
2. Ask someone else to pray for you.
(James 5:16)
3. Ask others to lay hands on you
(Mark 16:17-18)
4. Ask for the elders to anoint you
with oil (James 5:14)
Beyond that, just be open to whatever
God wants to do – even if it’s just to give you grace to endure your affliction
(2Cor. 12:9).
In reality, this is exactly how we receive any of the gifts – by asking
God.
(Luke 11:11-13 KJV) If a son
shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if
he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? {12} Or if he shall ask
an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? {13} If ye then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?