Spiritual Gifts in the Life of the Church - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Spiritual gifts in the life of the church
1 Cor 12:1-11

1. Importance of spiritual gifts
2. Source
3. Purpose
4. Nature
Goals: to realize presence and work of Holy Spirit, especially through His gifts that are given to the church for participating in edification of believers.

New section with very important topic – on spiritual gifts. Has been much confusion, ugly practices in the name of this grace…

Yesterday on ladies seminar I had to translate and there they were talking about things they are thankful for : gift of forgiveness, blood of Jesus and Holy Spirit. I think you ladies are more prepared for what Lord wants us to teach for next few months. I believe Teresa was led by the Holy Spirit in her gift of teaching to teach us about

1. Importance of spiritual gifts:
101 fundamentals of Christian life.
“Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”1 Cor 12:1-3
Reality of every Christian. With a I dwelling of Holy Spirit everyone is given a spiritual gift. Corinthians experiences these gifts but didn’t know what to make out of them. Should be teaching for every new believer.‬‬
It’s place in New Testament.
Large and detailed sections on spiritual gifts, main once in 1 Cor 12,13,14 Rom 12, 1 Peter 4, Eph 4. For full teaching study all, in Corinthians we see mainly list of miraculous gifts, in other passages they are divided into two categories mainly ministry of word and ministry of mercy
Rooted in trinity
“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.” 1 Cor 12:4-6
It is desire of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit for gifts to be given and practiced. Spirit gives and encourages, Son provides context, Father energizes. It has been designed by God for believers to share Gods purposes, desires, love for others.
Much confusion and misuse ,practices.
Decisions, self assigning glory, pride, jealousy, complaining, fake experiences, fears, confusion. Chose either to choose Spirt or Word of God – where both Spirit and Word should go together.

Lesson: good time for us to be educated, to examine our attitude towards Holy Spirit – are we afraid of everything that had to deal with His gifts, are we welcoming them in our lives.
This will gives us new realizations, new goals, new guide for priorities. Where life of self- preoccupied, self-centered average Christian will become kingdom, Christ centered, other centered person.

2. Source of spiritual gifts:
Presence and work of Holy Spirit
In the text, it’s all about Holy Spirit
Not the gift of the Spirit but gifts of the Spirit. Gift of the Spirit would refer to gift of the Spirit , person of trinity to the new believer who would live now in the person.
Before we can talk about gifts we should know who is in charge of them and what is their purpose.

“Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”Jn 16:7,13,14

his task first of all to show us Jesus that he is God, “Jesus is Lord” by the Spirit. Then his task is to show us reality of our unity with Christ and each other at the same time is to build our faith , free from sins, change our behavior encourage our love and worship.‬‬

“He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”Jn 14:17
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Lesson: communion may become Christ-less as well practice of spiritual gifts may become Spirit-less. Many good comments about personal or LWBC life can be attributed to human achievements. Another failure may be if we get used to do what we usually do without inviting Holy Spirit do His spiritual work. We also should always consider ourselves as a helpers or participants in His ministry not inviting Him to help our ministry. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit, we need His participation, His miraculous work. Each one of us commended to be filled with the Spirit. Church can go to new experiences of dependence and abilities to be what god intended church to be.

3. Purpose of the spiritual gifts –
to participate in the ministry of the Spirit

“A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:”1 Cor 12:7
manifestation – work of God is more visible to others when gifts are practiced. When believer that is in need is served by other to build his/ her faith. With words of encouragement, truth, prayer, gifts of helps, giving, cleaning, visiting, organizing, ‬‬

To serve and strengthen others in faith

Illustration with birthday cake:
Once I was given and article with observations of one of the birthday where many people present. It was focused on the responses to the one event that took place. During event one person was carrying birthday cake and tripped on the way. Cake falls on the floor. It was interesting to see how people of different personalities participated in this incident, one came with encouraging words, another ran after broom and mop, another started give directions how to deal with this situation, another left party rushing to the store to get another cake… (leader, encourager, giver, comforter, helper)

This story shows participation to the need , they all shows care and love. This story illustrates human personalities and abilities to help. Sometimes we describe these people to be cute and nice
Similar is happening with spiritual gifts – however it is not onLy on the physical level but things happening on the spiritual level when Spirit is involved and he is doing miraculous things using our spiritual gifts.

“Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,” Eph 4:7,11,12
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Illustration with new born Davida
I want to share something personal. You all probably know, William. He is adopted by our family, he is very special boy to our God, our lord has decided to-place him into our family five years ago. Back then, William couldn’t live with his parents, because of their lifestyle. His parents' parental rights were taken away. Recently, now this is going to be secret revealed, Williams mom gave birth to a little girl. Now he has a baby sister, she is about two month old. Because their parent were taken parental rights, this girl is now needs parent who would adopt her. Our family prayed and we are open to receive her if our Lord wants her to live with us and with William in one household. Meanwhile Davida is staying with her Aunt, Vita. Vita herself has three children and not too long her husband died. She is about 35 years old. She decided to take Davida for now, until adoption is legal. She is a nurse, and her employer gave her 2 month maternity leave.
How does our Lord look at that household. She is a widow and David’s, little girl is an orphan. God is for both of them, he cares for them.
We shared this story at our group for a prayer support, everyone was eager to see what God would do. And guess what, next day we have one member of our group coming to my house with large amount of money for Vita, for us to send it to her. When I told her she refused to take it, that we might need it. I want us to see how Spirit works through gifts, he used a person wit (giving gift to care for another, I had to use my gift of discernment to explained to her that this is how God shows His love and care for them in times of need. She was greatly thankful to God for his fatherly love as well as the love of his people who responded in obedience. In this instance our God was glorified, Holy Spirit manifested.

To glorify God

“If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”1 peter 4:11
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Lesson: we need to understand the goal of spiritual gifts. Until we begin cultivate love and care for people gifts won’t be used. We need to work together in any need we hear (Samoylenko Roxi, Savchaks and Rafa to Greece, every Sunday service , many involved– we need someone to vacuum carpet right after service ) we need to realize that spirit works beyond our community, he worked with unbelievers as well with other churches.
We can share:
our people, we can lunch another church plant,
we can share our experience of switching to English language
Resources with mission in Greece and other places
We shouldn’t think that spiritual gifts only have to be public or miraculous, Spirit works in many different ways. If you see the need pray how you can you meet that need, and she will show what is your part in it.

4. Nature of spiritual gifts
“A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues.”1 Cor 12:7-10
• Are not same as spirituality
• Not human activity
• Not human talents
• multitude of them
• Every Christian has at least one
• Not earned or deserved
• Each is valuable
• Same source and purpose
• Temporary

In conclusion:
Acknowledge Holy Spirit in your life and life of LWBC
Welcome gifts of the Spirit and practice them
Study four passages (1 Cor. 12-14, Rom 12, Eph 4, 1 Peter 4)
Pray for Holy Spirit to fill your life and life of our church