Spiritual Gifts.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

 

 

Not to cause anyone any undue stress but Christmas time is approaching and in fact, is two months away. The tradition of Christmas is the giving of gifts, the greatest of which is the giving to humanity by God of His son Jesus who came to die for the sins of humanity so they can have forgiveness from sins and eternal life (John 3:16; Luke 2:1-21; Romans 5:8). However, God gives those choosing to believe in Jesus as his or her savior other gifts to aide them in serving the Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 provides teaching on these gifts to inform the Church on their use.

 

The passage begins with Paul stating that his purpose for writing about spiritual gifts is so the Church in Corinth is informed about their use in the assembly of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:1). Paul then tells of the background of pagan worship of idols many of the believers in Corinth have come from (1 Corinthians 12:2). He reminds them that one speaking in the Spirit of God would never curse God with only those speaking in the Spirit of God able to genuinely say “Jesus is Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:3).

 

While there are varieties of gifts they all originate from the same Spirit and while there are varieties of service in the Church, they serve the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4-5). There are varieties of activities in the Church but the same God empowers these activities to everyone (1 Corinthians 12:6). These gifts of the Spirit are manifestations of the Spirit given to believers for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). Paul then lists the gifts of the Spirit given to individuals in the Church,

 

1)      The utterance of wisdom

2)      The utterance of knowledge

3)      Faith

4)      Gifts of healing

5)      The working of miracles

6)      Prophecy

7)      Distinguishing of spirits

8)      Various kinds of tongues (languages)

9)      Interpretation of tongues (languages) (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

 

The power behind the administration of these gifts is the Holy Spirit who apportions the gifts to individuals as he wills (1 Corinthians 12:11).

 

Paul’s teaching regarding particulars of public assemblies continues with teaching on spiritual gifts. With many of the Corinthians coming to a belief in Christ from pagan worship, Paul begins by differentiating between pagan worship of idols and worship of God by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:2-3). Christianity is not the worship of a dead idol but a living God who came to fallen humanity, died for their sins, and was resurrected from the dead (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8, 8:11). All three persons of the Trinity are involved with these spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts, believers use the gifts to serve the Lord, and God the Father empowers the gifts in everyone (1 Corinthians 12:6).

 

One finding his or her gift is crucial to one finding his or her calling to serve the Lord. For example, one with the utterance gifts of uttering words of wisdom or knowledge might have a calling to teach, preach, or counsel. One with a gift of faith might have a calling as a prayer warrior. One with the gift of healing might have a calling as a medical professional or one who prays for the sick. While it is God who works miracles, some have a gift as an instrument of God in working miracles like one praying with others for a miracle in their life or one able to solve problems thought impossible to solve. While we think of prophecy as one predicting the future, the prophets in the Bible were watchmen who warned people of impending doom for their disobedience to God. One with the gift of distinguishing between spirits might have a calling to discern whether a word spoken by someone is of the Lord or not. The gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues are the gifts often mistaken for what occurred on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). However, this is not a manifestation of the Spirit but a gift. Therefore, one with this gift is one with the ability to learn and speak other languages so they can speak to people speaking different languages as well as serve as an interpreter.

 

While there are evaluations that assist with finding one’s gift. One should seek godly counsel from someone who may see abilities in them. Once one determines their gift, they should seek a way to serve the Lord using their gift, so they are not like the man with the one talent who buried it in the sand (Matthew 25:14-30). God gives people gifts with the intention they will use them to serve the Lord for His glory.

 

The greatest gift given by God was His Son who came to earth and died for the sins of humanity so they can have eternal life with God in heaven. If you have not prayed to receive this gift of salvation from God, I encourage you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.