Bible Study - Priceless (5) - Equipped with GOD'S Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - January 3, 2016

Bible Study – Priceless (5) – Equipped with GOD’S Gifts – January 3, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Priceless: Finding Your Value in GOD.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

GOD has uniquely gifted us to serve HIM.

If you get nothing else out of this lesson, focus on verse 11:

11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these (Spiritual Gifts), distributing to each one as He wills.

IT IS GOD WHO GIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO WHOM HE CHOOSES!

Christians can desire the “Gifts of the Spirit” as written in 1 Corinthians 12:31:

31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

When “Spiritual Gifts” are being manifested within the church it is easy for Christians to focus on the gifts that seem to be very popular such as “speaking in tongues” or “prophesying.” The purpose of “Spiritual Gifts” is to minister to the Spiritual body of CHRIST. This is not ministering to the brick and mortar church but to the true church of which CHRIST is the cornerstone, of which the brick and mortar church can benefit.

The intent of “Spiritual Gifts” is for Christians to be equipped by GOD to carry out certain needed and necessary functions within and outside the Spiritual body. We will get into more detail regarding the Spiritual body in our next lesson. Let’s focus on the Gifts.

There are over twenty gifts mentioned in the Bible. [Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-12; teaching, administration, giving, making money, helps, cheering someone up and the list goes on] Each time they are mentioned it is clear that the list is open-ended. Keep in mind, “GOD gives to whom HE chooses.”

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:1-6:

1 About matters of the spirit: brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 

Paul was writing about “matters of the spirit.” His intent was to address the roll of the Christian as a whole person (body, soul and spirit) functioning within the Spiritual body of born-again believers.

In Ephesians, Chapter 6, Paul wrote about the spirit world. In the physical world in which we live, there is the spirit world superimposed around us. Both GOD and Satan are vying for our attention. Keep in mind that our earthly parents, Adam and Eve, chose to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. With the knowledge of good and evil humans must choose between GOD and Satan – flesh or the Spirit, darkness or Light, Truth or error, sin and eternal death or forgiveness and eternal life.

We can tap into the evil spirit world overtly or accidentally – mediums, horoscopes, fortune tellers, witchcraft, tarot cards and the list goes on. A Christian cannot be possessed by an evil spirit or demon but a Christian can be oppressed by an evil or demon spirit. Satan can counterfeit gifts that appear to be from GOD. Those involved in pagan worship have opened themselves to the occult world and to demons and evil spirits. As the light of CHRIST shines into those delivered from this evil spirit world it exposes areas that must be redeemed via the process of sanctification. The indwelling Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians by the renewing of their minds. Christians are to fill their minds with light and truth which comes from study of the Bible, scripture memorization, prayer and obedience.

2 You know how, when you were pagans, you were led to dumb idols-being led astray. 

3 Therefore I am informing you 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. 

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 

5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 

6 And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. 

Notice that Paul revealed there are gifts, ministries and activities manifested by GOD and gifted to Christians by GOD. Notice that Paul reveals that the Trinity of Spiritual activity comes under the authority of the Trinity – Spirit, LORD and GOD – thus manifesting them in unity and harmony according to the plans and purposes of GOD. Remember JESUS said “HE only said or did that which HIS Father told HIM to do or say.” That is true for Christians today but many are afraid of being led by the Holy Spirit. What would their friends say or think about him or her if they allowed the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him or her? Christians can squelch the manifestation of the Spirit because they want to be socially or politically correct.

Here is something to ponder:

Paul listed:

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 

Paul tied “Gifts” to the “Holy Spirit.” Gifts come from the Greek word “charis” which means “grace” thus “charismatic” for those filled and led by the Holy Spirit.

5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 

Paul tied “different ministries” to the “Lord or CHRIST.” The Greek word for “ministries” is “diakonion” and means to “serve.” It is where we get our word “deacon.”

6 And there are different activities, but the same God is active in everyone and everything. 

Paul tied “different activities” to “GOD, the activator.” The word “activities” is related to “working.” It is not busy work but working as led by GOD.

There is a heavenly hierarchy Who orchestrates the affairs of mankind upon earth.

GOD is in control of all things but in particular HE is in control of the broad and overarching activities or work needed to govern the world and direct history according to HIS plan and purpose.

JESUS commissioned Christians to go into the world. JESUS having lived as a human HE has intimate knowledge of what is required to establish ministries to serve and meet the physical and Spiritual needs of all peoples and to disciple and equip them to serve.

In turn, the indwelling Holy Spirit is the intimate and personal communicator with each individual Christian and the Triune GOD. Christians are equipped accordingly to function in the Kingdom of GOD here upon earth according to HIS plan and purpose.

Consider this hierarchy for accomplishing the will of GOD in the world where the knowledge of good and evil prevails.

GOD equips HIS children, Christians, to carry out HIS plans and purpose. As there is a diversity of ministries, there is, also, a diversity of “Spiritual Gifts” to accomplish a diversity of “activities.” But all are carried out in harmony and unity. Paul lists some of the “Gifts of the Spirit” in our next scripture.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:7-10:

7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: 

The purpose of “Spiritual Gifts” is to help others. A manifestation ties a Spiritual truth to a supernatural event. This application is within the Spiritual Body, as well as, outside the Spiritual body. Spiritual Gifts are to contribute to the Spiritual and ethical well-being of the true church and within the brick and mortar church.

Every Christian has at least one Spiritual Gift.  As mentioned earlier, Spiritual Gifts are distributed by GOD and manifested by GOD in and through the obedient life of the Christian.

Spiritual Gifts must not be measured by thinking or saying that one Gift is more or less important than another. Certain Gifts can be desired but when a Christian receives a Gift, it is GOD’S decision. GOD will not give you something that will harm you but to draw you closer to HIM.

Can Christians attempt to concoct a gift? Yes! The human physiology is creative but the fruit will determine the validity of the gift. Christians must trust GOD to give to whom HE chooses at the time the Gift is needed. There is a diversity of Gifts but there is also unity, order and harmony associated with the Gifts.   

8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 

Wisdom comes from GOD. Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. GOD knows the heart of every person and HE ministers to them by giving a message of wisdom or a message of knowledge to meet the needs of those who hear and act upon the delivered message be it “wisdom” or “knowledge.”

9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 

Faith is a Gift. This could be puzzling. Faith is required for salvation, stepping out in ministry or living by faith are other steps of faith. Some Christians are called to live by faith and that is a Gift. Those not called to live by faith will find living by faith very difficult simply because they are living by flesh-faith or self-faith.

I recall a friend of mine, Hugh, told me that he wanted his son to spend time with a missionary friend, John. John lived by faith. John was home from the mission field on furlough and Hugh wanted his son and John to spend time together. John was scheduled to pick Hugh’s son up to attend a meeting where John was the main speaker. Hugh gave his son a credit card and told him to fill John’s car with gasoline because he knew John would likely need it.

John came and before going out the door to attend the meeting, Hugh said,” John, wait a minute. I have a sport coat upstairs if you want it and it fits you can have it. Hugh’s son ran upstairs and got the coat. John tried it on and it fit him perfectly. John replied “Look, it matches my pants.” John then told Hugh that he had asked the LORD to provide him a coat for his speaking engagement for that evening but whether or not he had a coat, he would speak. GOD provides.

When his son returned home that evening, Hugh asked him how the evening had gone. His son told him that they had not driven very far when John’s car began to stop. John said, “My car must be out of gas.” Hugh’s son said to John, “Oh, here is dad’s credit card and he told me to tell you to fill your car with gas.” They coasted into a gas station and filled up.

That is living by faith but it is a Gift from GOD and GOD provides. Such faith living is not something we decide to do on our own. Some may test GOD and determine that they are going to live on faith but what do you think will happen? GOD Gifts those whom HE chooses and HE provides. HE then provides for their needs.

Healing is a Gift and requires faith. James gives some specific instructions for praying for the sick as recorded in James 5:13-16:

13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 

14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. 

15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful. 

I believe in divine healing. We must keep in mind that Gifts of the Spirit are manifested by GOD. Some think they must have faith to heal but what is needed is such a relationship with GOD that when HE instructs a Christian to lay hands on a person and pray, he or she does it. The person who is sick can call in the elders of the church to anoint him or her with oil and pray over the person.

GOD can heal divinely by HIS touch, through the medical industry or even death.

Faith is required when a Christian is called into fulltime ministry or respond to GOD’S leading him or her to move, change jobs, change careers and the list goes on.

10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. 

This is not an exhaustive list of Spiritual Gifts.

Now, I speak from personal experience and an, “I think.” I have found that Gifts may be for a season. Some can be more permanent. Some are manifested for a specific purpose, put on hold and then return later to minister for a specific purpose. All Gifts are directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can desire certain Gifts but again it is up to GOD to grant.

Many years ago, I wanted the Gift of tongues but after trying, I never received it. Oh, I babbled something and tried to make myself believe that it was a tongue but it was self-induced. The LORD spoke very plain to me. “English is a perfectly good language for you. If you ever need another language, I will give it to you. I speak in many ways – music, art, poetry and various tongues.” That satisfied me and I rejoice with friends who have the Gift of tongues. 

In this verse, we see some of the “Gifts” Paul listed:

-         performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. 

-         Miracles are events for which there is no human explanation. Some have tied miracles to exorcisms. Exorcism is an area that is a calling. A Christian must be thoroughly prepared to battle Satan during an exorcism. You must have a cadre of prayer warriors who have no un-confessed sin and in harmony with each other, GOD and the person performing the exorcism. But miracles go beyond exorcism. My family and I have been delivered from sure harm because of GOD’S protective hand.

-         Prophesy can be troubling. It can refer to speaking things yet to happen or to speaking to an audience. Prophesy can be preaching spoken by a person anointed with GOD’S message. It can be a message of encouragement, reconciliation, building up or any area only GOD knows that HIS children need to hear and act upon.

-         Distinguishing between spirits is vital to all who seek truth. Discernment of truth and error is the Gift of knowing the difference between truth and false prophesy or utterances. Satan tries to masquerade as GOD and uses false teachers and preachers to speak tainted truth. 1 John 4:1 gives Christians a way to test the spirits because not every spirit comes from GOD.

-         Different kind of languages and the interpretation of languages are Gifts of the Spirit. At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon those in Jerusalem, they spoke in known languages. The abilities to speak known languages and to interpret known languages are Gifts. Here it can get tricky because Gifts and talents are often very hard to discern. I have been told and experienced that when someone with a talent does what he or she does, we applaud but when a person with a Gift does what he or she does, it warms our hearts and we are brought closer to GOD. Yes, speaking in an unknown tongue is a Gift and it is very personal. Often, people who have had trauma in their lives, GOD gives them this heavenly language to comfort them. Ms. Cory ten Boom had the Gift of tongues. Often, no one knows who has the Gift of tongues unless asked. But keep in mind when unknown tongues are spoken publically, they must be interpreted, thus the Gift of interpretation of tongues. When tongues are spoken in private, the Holy Spirit gives the speaker the interpretation within the heart of the Christian. It is a knowing within the heart that human words cannot fully reveal. Oh, but it bathes the soul with the presence of the LORD.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:11:

11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each one as 

He wills.

This is a vital verse. GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to whom HE chooses according to HIS will and purpose.

It is vital that we, as Christians, have an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST so that we will respond according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Christians need to ask the LORD reveal anything in their lives that blocks HIM from granting them certain Gifts.

Do you recall what JESUS said about healing a young son as recorded in Luke 9:37-42:

37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 

38 Just then a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he's my only [child]. 

39 Often a spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; wounding him, it hardly ever leaves him. 

40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't." 

41 Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 

42 As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, cured the boy, and gave him back to his father. 

Allow GOD to build the relationship in you such that you can be equipped with any Spiritual Gift and the willingness to respond according to HIS will and purpose for you.

Blessings!!!