All God’s Children Got Spiritual Gifts - Study 9/29/11
All God’s Children Got Spiritual Gifts
Sing along with me. “This little light of mine am gona let it shine. This little light of mine am gona let it shine. This little light of mine am gona let it shine. Let is shine, let it shine, let it shine”. You now recall this familiar Sunday school song. Well, it is true if you are a child of God as defined by God(“To all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”. John1:12-13). God created all but not all created human beings are God's children. Are you a child of God? Every child of God has some gift from God and we better use them and allow people to use theirs.
Apostle Paul again answers one of the Corinthian Church’s direct questions to him. Does every one of us have a spiritual gift and how are we to use them? What are the gifts? “1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols (1 Corinthians 12:1-2). Paul does not to leave the Corinthians in the dark regarding spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, many in the church today are in the dark (ignorant) concerning spiritual gifts. There are two camps in the body of Christ. There are those who believe there are spiritual gifts and they brag about having them; and then there are those who think the gifts were only for the early church and no longer needed by today’s church.
Let us not be ignorant of spiritual gifts. The problem with the Corinthian Church was that they came out of the background of previously serving “dumb, mute gods or idols”. Dumb gods do not speak to its worshippers so it is a stretch for the Corinthians to now worship a “living God” who speaks and relates with His people. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (John 16:13-15). I am happy that the Spirit of God has come and now lives in us and relates with us and speaks to us. Do you hear Him speak to you? Then you have spiritual gifts. Let’s obey the voice of the Spirit of God and use His gifts (his revelations) wisely for building up the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Paul establishes the source of the gifts from the beginning. 4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” vs.4-5. “Same Spirit”. Do you see the trinity at work here? The Spirit, the Lord Jesus and God the Father? The same God. We must not be confused about this important point. It is not that Jesus is here doing his own thing and the Father is doing something different and the Spirit is on a different page. Notice the progression – the gifts, lead to service and service leads to God working out His purposes in our lives and the lives of all we touch and relate to.
2. What are the gifts? There are some differences but we all can have any or more than one at different times. Here they are- “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues” vs.8-10. Also more are listed or expressed differently in Romans 12. 6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b] faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” Romans 12:6-8.
3. The spiritual gifts are for the sole purpose of building the body of Christ. Like the physical body, the eye, being a gift for seeing also needs the ear to hear. The physical body can’t go anywhere without the feet and likewise we cannot function without the organs we cannot even see such as the heart, the lungs, kidney etc. Basically we cannot brag about having any one gift unless it is useful and in unison with the rest of the gifts God has given other members of the body of believers in Christ.
4. You are too important to me to just be left alone to do your own thing. I need you and you need me in the body of Christ. Keep in mind that the Church or the body of Christ is not just your congregation where you gather. Unfortunately, our present church set up does not encourage and facilitate the proper functioning of the body of Christ. Someone said we have reduced it to three gifts – the pastor teaches or preaches, the choir sings, and everyone is expected to give gifts (offering). This is not the true and proper functioning of the body of Christ. We have left the functioning of the body to just a few which makes for a weak body. Imagine, telling your ear, lungs or your colon to take a break from week to week? In the Church everyone has something to offer because the Spirit relates to all of us. Let’s break down this imaginary wall of laity and ministers. We are all ministers of the living gospel. There are no laity (those who lay down and do nothing).
The body of Christ is not a particular denomination but the living universal Church of Jesus Christ. The gifts God has given you and me are for the bigger body of Christ and not just your local congregation or denomination. “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” vs.18. Next week we will study the proper means and use of the gifts. For now, let us get rid of the ignorance that says “I have no gifts” because we serve a living God that speaks to us and not a “dumb god” that does not speak to us. What is the light you have been given? Let it shine. Has God given you money, a word or any other thing to encourage/rebuke another believer in Christ? Imagine the consequences when we do not obey such voices? May we obey!
Lord, renew my mind about your gifts and the purposes for your gifts in me. Help me to have a listening ear and obedient heart to listen and obey your promptings through your written Word and other times you speak to me. Help me to recognize your voice and help me to use all that I receive from you for the building up of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to receive from other believers in Christ as you build me through them. Amen.
Sing along with me. “This little light of mine am gona let it shine. This little light of mine am gona let it shine. This little light of mine am gona let it shine. Let is shine, let it shine, let it shine”. You now recall this familiar Sunday school song. Well, it is true if you are a child of God as defined by God(“To all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”. John1:12-13). God created all but not all created human beings are God's children. Are you a child of God? Every child of God has some gift from God and we better use them and allow people to use theirs.
Apostle Paul again answers one of the Corinthian Church’s direct questions to him. Does every one of us have a spiritual gift and how are we to use them? What are the gifts? “1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols (1 Corinthians 12:1-2). Paul does not to leave the Corinthians in the dark regarding spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, many in the church today are in the dark (ignorant) concerning spiritual gifts. There are two camps in the body of Christ. There are those who believe there are spiritual gifts and they brag about having them; and then there are those who think the gifts were only for the early church and no longer needed by today’s church.
Let us not be ignorant of spiritual gifts. The problem with the Corinthian Church was that they came out of the background of previously serving “dumb, mute gods or idols”. Dumb gods do not speak to its worshippers so it is a stretch for the Corinthians to now worship a “living God” who speaks and relates with His people. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you” (John 16:13-15). I am happy that the Spirit of God has come and now lives in us and relates with us and speaks to us. Do you hear Him speak to you? Then you have spiritual gifts. Let’s obey the voice of the Spirit of God and use His gifts (his revelations) wisely for building up the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Paul establishes the source of the gifts from the beginning. 4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” vs.4-5. “Same Spirit”. Do you see the trinity at work here? The Spirit, the Lord Jesus and God the Father? The same God. We must not be confused about this important point. It is not that Jesus is here doing his own thing and the Father is doing something different and the Spirit is on a different page. Notice the progression – the gifts, lead to service and service leads to God working out His purposes in our lives and the lives of all we touch and relate to.
2. What are the gifts? There are some differences but we all can have any or more than one at different times. Here they are- “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues” vs.8-10. Also more are listed or expressed differently in Romans 12. 6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b] faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” Romans 12:6-8.
3. The spiritual gifts are for the sole purpose of building the body of Christ. Like the physical body, the eye, being a gift for seeing also needs the ear to hear. The physical body can’t go anywhere without the feet and likewise we cannot function without the organs we cannot even see such as the heart, the lungs, kidney etc. Basically we cannot brag about having any one gift unless it is useful and in unison with the rest of the gifts God has given other members of the body of believers in Christ.
4. You are too important to me to just be left alone to do your own thing. I need you and you need me in the body of Christ. Keep in mind that the Church or the body of Christ is not just your congregation where you gather. Unfortunately, our present church set up does not encourage and facilitate the proper functioning of the body of Christ. Someone said we have reduced it to three gifts – the pastor teaches or preaches, the choir sings, and everyone is expected to give gifts (offering). This is not the true and proper functioning of the body of Christ. We have left the functioning of the body to just a few which makes for a weak body. Imagine, telling your ear, lungs or your colon to take a break from week to week? In the Church everyone has something to offer because the Spirit relates to all of us. Let’s break down this imaginary wall of laity and ministers. We are all ministers of the living gospel. There are no laity (those who lay down and do nothing).
The body of Christ is not a particular denomination but the living universal Church of Jesus Christ. The gifts God has given you and me are for the bigger body of Christ and not just your local congregation or denomination. “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” vs.18. Next week we will study the proper means and use of the gifts. For now, let us get rid of the ignorance that says “I have no gifts” because we serve a living God that speaks to us and not a “dumb god” that does not speak to us. What is the light you have been given? Let it shine. Has God given you money, a word or any other thing to encourage/rebuke another believer in Christ? Imagine the consequences when we do not obey such voices? May we obey!
Lord, renew my mind about your gifts and the purposes for your gifts in me. Help me to have a listening ear and obedient heart to listen and obey your promptings through your written Word and other times you speak to me. Help me to recognize your voice and help me to use all that I receive from you for the building up of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to receive from other believers in Christ as you build me through them. Amen.
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