Spiritual Gifts Series

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

I CORINTHIANS 14:12

INTRODUCTION: A lot is being said today about gifts. Like the issue at Corinth. The subject has arisen again. Many take what’s called the “supplemental gifts” and have made them the “supreme gifts”. I want you to note four things.

I. Some Gifts Can Be Very Controversial

Our modern day problem is really an age old problem. Many are taking the “sign” or “spectacular” gifts and making them the “supreme” or “superior” gifts. Go back and look at I Cor. 12:7-11. These were causing conflict and confusion in Corinth. I think this is one of Satan’s tricks to get us sidetracked with the trivial. We quickly lose sight of the main thing. We focus so much on the “sensational” we miss that which is more important.

There are those who think these “sign” gifts are proof of being saved or filled with the Spirit. But take a look at Eph. 2:8-9; 5:18-19. Others think the gifts were only needed during the founding and infancy of the church. Since then they have ceased because now we have the completed scriptures. Others think the sign gifts have ceased while the others remain.

I would not rule them out altogether since God still has them at His command to jump start a new church among unreached people groups. But understand “sign gifts” are just that. They point to something, some place or someone.

We could really argue that we still have “sign gifts” in other forms. Consider:

A. Healings: There are those who help bring healing physically (doctors), emotionally (counselors), relationally, and spiritually (ministers).

B. Miracles: Here’s a person God uses as an instrument for producing a solution that can only be explained supernaturally. How many hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses or missionaries have been used all over the world? When a healer can go to St. Jude Hospital and I see everyone of those children walk out healed then I will believe him.

C. Tongues: The Bible speaks of “new” tongues, “other” tongues and an “unknown” tongue.

D. Interpretation: Capacity to translate. In Acts 2 when people returned to their homeland they didn’t focus on the tongues phenomena but on the message of Jesus. Tongues are not the finish line but the starting line. Aren’t you glad someone spoke to you in a language you could understand?

II. Some Gifts Make A Great Contribution

A. Knowledge: Ability to understand mind of Christ related to a subject not specifically explained in scripture. See 2 Pet. 1:5-8.

B. Wisdom: Capacity to apply. Not pop-offs. When they speak people listen. They were important in the early church because the Bible had not been completed, canonized or circulated.

C. Faith: Extra measure. Beyond that needed for salvation or daily living. They believe the impossible. See Heb. 11

D. Discernment: Spiritual ability to distinguish between the spirits.

III. All Gifts Can Be Counterfeited

This is a satanic gift. This is what makes cult leaders! Remember Moses and Pharaoh’s magicians?

IV. Others Gift Should Be Comprehended

We need no try and understand how God has gifted others.

CONCLUSION: Now listen to me. You may claim to have some supernatural, sensational, sign gift. That’s fine. You may have spoken in tongues. Again, that’s fine. I have never spoken in tongues and have never had the desire to. I have enough trouble speaking in English and was a horrible Greek student. But be it known, I refuse to take a back seat to you or anyone else in any shape, form or fashion.

By the way, if tongues are so important why didn’t Jesus ever speak in tongues or say anything about the subject. I had a person to ask me once what I thought about the modern day signs, miracles and wonders movement? My reply was “not much!” I think Paul’s word to the Corinthian church with regards to the tongues movement was simple “cool it!” It’s not that big of a deal!