“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers (and sisters), I do not want you to be ignorant.” 1Corinthians 12:1
As Paul addresses several of the early churches, he instructs them about spiritual gifts. We have looked the gifts as teaching gifts, serving gifts, and miraculous gifts. What is the goal of gifts?
Corinthian Problem: They were using gifts to serve themselves
Ephesian Problem: They were struggling with bad teaching. (Jesus + _______)
(58ad) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-30.
(66ad) Do your best to present youself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
(80ad) This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges thast Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1John 4:2-3
(90ad) Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelations 2:4-5
Three words used to describe spiritual gifts:
- [pneumatika] = spiritual gifts, the spirituals
- [charismata] = grace gifts
- [Domata] = presents, spoils of war
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower earthly regions. He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens in order to fill the whole universe. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors, and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. Then we will no longer be tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:7-16
What are the goals of the gifts?
- Immediate goal = Equip believers
Apostles = to send forth
Prophets = proclamation and prediction
Evangelism = seek the lost
Shepherd / Pastor = love and lead with grace and truth
Teacher = help people understand God’s revelation
- Eternal goal = Become Christ-like
1. Bring unity
2. Bring knowledge of Jesus
3. Bring fullness of Christ
- Personal goal = Grow together
1. No longer immature
2. Grow into maturity
3. Everyone contributes
Do you need Jesus?
Will you take the next step?
Have you discovered your spiritual gift?
Have you moved into one of our ministry needs?
Have you joined a team?
Will you be a gift?
