Introduction To Spiritual Gifts

Subject: Introduction to spiritual gifts

Text: 1 Corinthians 12

Introduction

“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. 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.” (v1-3)

A.I do not want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.

Most of us probably have lots of questions about spiritual gifts

1.What is a spiritual gift?

2.Do I have a spiritual gift?

3.What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts?

4.How many different kinds of gifts are they?

5.Are the gifts for today?

B.I do not want you to fear spiritual gifts

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.

Most of us probably also have lots of fears about spiritual gifts

1.What if God gives me a spiritual gift that I’m uncomfortable with?

Main points

•To answer some questions about spiritual gifts

•To alleviate some fears about spiritual gifts

•To ask you to seek to discover and use your spiritual gift

1. What is a spiritual gift?

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (v7)

A. A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit

B.A spiritual gift is a visible demonstration of God at work

2.How many Spiritual gifts are there?

There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts

There are 9 different kinds of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

“To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”

The 9 different gifts can be divided into 3 categories of 3 gifts each

In category 1 we have the 3 Power gifts

1. Healing.

With the spiritual gift of healing God’s supernatural power is applied to a person’s physical or emotional needs.

2. Faith (not saving faith but supernatural faith that moves mountains)

The spiritual gift of faith is to believe God with confidence for things unseen.

3.Miraculous powers

a.The supernatural ability to do the impossible

“With God nothing is impossible.”

C.The 3 Revelation gifts

A. Wisdom

The spiritual gift of wisdom is the distinctive ability to discern the mind of Christ and apply scriptural truth to a specific situation

B. Knowledge.

The supernatural ability to reveal something you could not have known

C. Distinguishing between spirits/Discernment

The supernatural ability to perceive whether a person’s actions originate from Godly, satanic or merely human sources.

Finally we have…

D.The 3 vocal gifts

A. Prophesy.

The supernatural ability to speak for God to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. It is not primary a matter of prophesying the future. It is forth-telling, rather than foretelling.

B. Speaking in tongues.

The supernatural ability to speak in a language which you have never learned

C. Interpretation of tongues

The supernatural ability to interpret a language which you have never learned

Question: What are some of the purposes for God giving the church spiritual gifts?

The most important purpose for God giving the church spiritual gifts is…

A. Spiritual gifts are given to show us who God is

"God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is:"(v6-7)

1.When the power gifts are manifested they show us that God is all powerful

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” Acts 3:6-8

Has God lost his power? Does He still wish to manifest his power through the spiritual gifts?

What does the revelation gifts show us about God?

2.When the revelation gifts are manifested they show us that God is all knowing

God knows everything. The Holy Spirit would lead us into all the truth