Gifts of the Spirit – House Church Bible Study

Introduction

We have been looking at the Gifts of the Holy Spirit during the last few Sundays. House Church provides an excellent environment to encourage one another towards the discovery, and application of the gifts. Take time this morning to discuss and pray into these unmerited gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s Read our passage for today, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11;

1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know 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 distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 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 a message of wisdom, to another a 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, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

Paul listed out:

Different kinds of Gifts, Service, and Working (KJV – Gifts, administrations, and operations)

QUESTION: From what you remember, what are the differences between the three types of gifts?

Different kinds of Gifts

Charismaton (Charismata) – literally meaning ‘a gift of Grace,’ as they are distributed by the Spirit.

• These are gifts like a word of wisdom, word of knowledge, or discernment.
• Again, NOTHING we did, or can do, merits getting these gifts.
  • They are a GIFT OF GRACE, given AS THE SPIRIT determines…

Different kinds of Service

Diakonian (This is the service performed by Diakonos – the word translated DEACON)

• Some refer to these as Gifts of Office, or a ‘Calling’ on your life
• This would be a pastor, or a missionary, a craftsman, or a teacher
  • Specific roles and tasks… given by the same Lord

Different kinds of Working

Energematon – literally meaning ‘energy at work’.

• One interpretation is ‘an effect produced by the energy of God’
• This can be described as ‘gifts or workings of miracles’, by the same God
• This could be a miracle of healing, or provision, or a deliverance from addiction
  • Different than a calling or a gift, in that they are something that happens, or comes to pass

ALL THESE are the work of the One and Same Spirit;

Like a Master Conductor of a huge Orchestra

• Weaving together all the parts into a beautiful, complete body

QUESTION: Why are the gifts given… why are they distributed?

1 Corinthians 12:7;

Each manifestation of the Spirit is given for the ‘common good’ (original language… sympheron… (common profit)

• They are to build up one another; to edify and profit one another

QUESTION: Does that mean they are not an evangelistic tool? And if not, why would that be?

GROUND RULES for the use of Spiritual Gifts

Edification (build up)

At times, edification can be tough

The bible says that “The Lord disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6).”

QUESTION: What is the difference between Correction and Condemnation?

Correction is rooted in love, with the intent to build up.

Love

LOVE is the foundation, and the trademark, of all spiritual gifts.

If you do not have love, with a desire to build up and edify, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS using spiritual gifts.

QUESTION: What does the bible say about someone who uses spiritual gifts without love?

QUESTION: Have you ever come across a Christian like this? What was your reaction?

Grace (to allow people to ‘develop’ the gifts that God has given them)

One of the worst things you can do, is to squash an emerging gift in someone

QUESTION: What does extending grace to ALLOW and ENCOURAGE the development of gifts look like?

NATURE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The Gifts are distributed by Grace

Spiritual Gifts are a ‘Gift of Grace’, obtained without merit, as the Spirit determines

• The idea of the master conductor of an orchestra

The Gifts are Super-Natural by nature

There are natural gifts, and there are gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit that supersede natural abilities

The Gifts function together as a body

The body is made up of MANY parts, and each ‘part’ has been given a particular task, ALONG WITH whatever gifts are necessary, to fulfill that task

• ANYONE can be used to operate in ANY gift,
• But each ‘part’ has unique abilities to do things only that part can do

The Gifts are SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL of the person using them

QUESTION: Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33 and give examples of how this passage reveals order and control

The Gifts are MEANT TO BE USED

You have a responsibility having been given a gift; for the edification of others

If you do not use it, you are robbing the body

DIFFERENT KINDS OF GIFTS (First Set of the CHARISMATA from 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

This list is grouped into three ‘triads’ of giftings, often seen coupled together)

After reading over the giftings and their descriptions, talk among yourselves how you developed, and seen these gifts at work in your life, or the lives of others.

Word of Knowledge / Discernment of Spirit / Word of Wisdom

Word (Message) of Knowledge

Animportant distinction is that scripture does not say a ‘gift of knowledge’, but a ‘message (or word) of knowledge’.

• It literally means receiving some knowledge about a situation, or perhaps a person, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• This gift is often accompanied by Discernment of Spirits

Discernment of Spirits

This is the ability to distinguish whether something is of God, or from the enemy, or of the flesh

• I simplify it to say, the ability to determine the spirit of something (or someone)
• Acts 16:16-18

Word (Message) of Wisdom

This has been described as, ‘The correct application of knowledge’

• 1 Kings 3:16-28

Faith / Miraculous Powers / Healings

Faith

This is an overwhelming trust and belief in God, given to us in a time of need, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Miraculous Powers

The original word for miracles is ‘dunamis’, (where we get our word ‘dynamite’ from).

• A definition of this gift is the ‘Manifestation of God’s Power.’
• Wherever they go, things seem to just happen!

Healings

This is PLURAL in the original language

• It is not THE GIFT of healing… But GIFTS of healing

Prophecy / Tongues / Interpretation of Tongues

Prophecy

Defined as, ‘speaking the mind of God’

We are given the words to speak, and/or given a glimpse into the mind of God for a moment

• And we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to share that with others
• The eternal nature of prophecy seems to always point to the past, be applicable in the present, AND have ramifications for the future.
• We sometimes differentiate Prophecy from Tongues, as Prophecy is given in the common language, and tongues is given in unknown language, requiring interpretation

Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:2-4

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

• Tongues: is you speaking to God, for the edification of yourself
• Prophecy: is speaking the mind of God to people, for their edification to strengthen, encourage, and comfort
• We differentiate between personal tongues (which is just for you), and the GIFT of Tongues, which like all the other Charismata, is for the building up of others.

Personal Tongues

is the outflow of the Presence of the Holy Spirit within us,

The Gift of Tongues

is a PUBLIC gift, which requires the complementary gift of Interpretation of Tongues

• If you speak in tongues aloud in a church setting, scripture tells you that you are to pray for interpretation, so others hearing it can come into agreement with what is proclaimed
• Scripturally, Tongues, with interpretation, are also a sign for unbelievers, that they might ‘fall down and worship God’, exclaiming ‘God is really among you.’

Interpretation of Tongues

Then, is the Holy Spirit revealing to someone the meaning of what was spoken in tongues

• And giving that person the unction to present that message to those that are gathered

CONCLUSION

Eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but with the intent to love and build one another up. The gifts are given as the Holy Spirit determines; they belong to Him. We can do nothing to earn them, and we cannot choose what gifts we are given. It is our responsibility to use the gifts we are given as part of the body. A body of believers with the gifts properly at work amongst them is a beautiful symphony conducted by the Master, the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER

Relational Faith

Introduction

Question: What is faith?

Is faith believing in who God is? Or, is faith trusting in what God can do for us? Is it a combination of both, or perhaps one the fruit of the other?

Question: Is faith the cornerstone of our relationship with God, or is it Jesus?

This sounds like the chicken and the egg argument.

Scripture tells us that Jesus is the cornerstone.

Read: Isaiah 28:16a

So, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

Read: Ephesians 2:19-21

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

So, faith begins with Christ Jesus, a precious cornerstone, carefully placed by the Sovereign Lord.

This is why the order of Ephesians 2:8-9 is important;

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Question: What role does faith play in salvation, if we are saved by grace?

If ‘faith’ is viewed as the key to salvation, then we set ourselves on a dangerous path where the things of God are accessed through our own efforts.

It may feel like splitting hairs, but we are saved by grace, and grace alone. Salvation has been provided by the will of the Father, fulfilled in the work of Christ on the cross. It is a well of living water that has been established for any and all who would come to drink of its waters.

Faith, then, is simply the ‘cup’ that we draw that water from.

Question: Is the size of our faith a factor in salvation?

I do not need to have a ‘great faith’ (a big cup) to be saved. In fact, the majority of those who begin a relationship with Christ start with a belief as small as a mustard seed. For some, it is as simple as daring to believe, or even just hope, that what they have been told is true. Over time, that seed sprouts and grows into something strong and wonderful.

Hebrews 11:1 says (in the KJV);

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Question: Does this not mean that faith plays a factor in obtaining ‘things’?

It still matters what the ‘object’ of faith is;

Is it faith in obtaining the thing, or faith in the One who can grant the thing?

If we have a substance, or evidence of faith in us, it is to be ROOTED in WHO God is.

Read: John 3:16;

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Question: Do you believe that the order of this verse is significant?

Even before He does anything for us, God loves the world;

WHO God is, determines the actions that He takes towards us.

If we get this backwards, our interpretation of His actions towards us may cause us to question who He is.

In the beginning of the Bible, God declares that He,

“Created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female (Genesis 1:27).”

Question: What does this verse tell us about the purpose God created us?

We are created to bear (carry) His image in this world.

Question: What does that mean to you?

Jesus exemplified this ‘image bearing’, evidenced by His own words,

Read: John 14:9

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

We bear His image. We resemble and reflect Him. We are our Father’s children.

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:18

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

Read: 1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

These are relational terms. From the beginning, we were designed to be family with God.

Conclusion

Faith in who God is, His love for us, and the relationship He desires with us, sprouts and grows into an unshakeable faith. It can withstand the fiercest of storms. It protects from the deceptions of the enemy.

Prayer

Father, help me to put my faith in You. Who You are. Your love, Your grace, Your Word that tells me I am Yours.  Obviously, I will look to you in time of need for ‘things’, but even if what I hope for does not come to pass, my faith will not waver. God, protect me from the enemy who would want me to get that mixed up. Amen.