Different, But The Same Series

1 Corinthians

Different, but the Same

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

May 18, 2003

Intro:

A. [Fair Exchanges]

The husband’s idea of a gift exchange:

His gift is a new set of golf clubs.

Her gift is a new pair of dishwashing gloves.

The wife’s idea of a gift exchange:

His gift is a new snow shovel.

Her gift is a new coat.

The child’s idea of a gift exchange:

The child gets a new baseball bat and some new games.

Dad gets a new video game.

Mom gets a new racecar set.

B. [illustration]

On Christmas morning, the children in a family do not usually all receive the same gifts.

One gets a football, one a puzzle, another receives a doll house, and another a table game.

Yet, although each child does not receive the same gifts as the others, the parents intend the gifts to be enjoyed by all the children as they use them together.

The same is true of the gifts God gives His children.

We do not all have the same gift, but we are all to use our gift for the good of all in God’s family.

C. They are different, but the same.

1. Our text is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

2. We will read our entire text at this time.

3. (Read entire text.)

4. Now this morning I want to focus in on three verses: verses 4, 5, & 6; first...

I. Different gifts, same Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV), There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

A. Now in chapter 12, Paul turns to the area of Spiritual gifts.

1. And actually, Paul will deal with this topic in chapters 12, 13, and 14.

2. I will tell you today and will remind you in the coming weeks that all three of these chapters are on the subject of spiritual gifts.

3. While those of you who know what chapter 13 is may question that I say it has to do with spiritual gifts, you will understand after I’ve explained it to you.

B. First we need to define what spiritual gifts are.

1. Spiritual gifts are what we would call talents and abilities.

2. The Greek word is “charisma.”

3. Charisma is a word that we often use to describe some people.

4. We say that he or she is a person with a lot of charisma.

5. When we are saying that, we are usually saying that there is something special about them.

6. The definition of the Greek word “charisma” is: a divine gift.

7. We all have a built in desire to serve God in order to say thanks for what He has done for us.

8. And God has given us the talents and abilities to serve Him with.

9. Those talents and abilities are called “gifts.”

10. They are gifts from God that we are to use to serve Him.

C. That’s what verse four is referring to when it says there are different gifts, but the same Spirit and verse 11 says the same thing.

1. It is the HS that gives the gifts.

2. The gifts are given by the HS.

3. There are many different gifts, but they all come from the HS.

D. Spiritual gifts are therefore different from natural talents and abilities.

1. The difference is in the power of the HS.

2. A talent or ability that is given by the HS has the power of the HS behind them.

3. [Illustration]

a. It is apparent that I have the gift of teaching.

b. I can tell you that I’ve always had a natural ability to communicate.

c. But it wasn’t until I released control over that ability to the HS and began depending on His power that I was ever able to preach effectively.

d. What ability that I have to teach, is not my own natural ability, its from the HS.

e. The truth is that I really didn’t take any preaching classes in college to speak of.

f. I went to and graduated from Bible College, but I went there and majored in Christian Education, specifically in Youth Ministry.

g. Now I know that I’m not the best preacher that has ever lived, but I do know that the HS has control of my preaching and is using it effectively.

h. Because I really don’t have much education, talent, or experience at preaching—it has to be a God-given gift!

E. You see that’s how spiritual gifts are.

1. Everyone who is saved has been given at least one spiritual gift.

2. Verse 7 says “Now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is given...”

3. And verse 11 says “…he gives them to each one…”

3. And Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”