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’
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
Posted: April 25, 2023 by abundantlifepa.com Leave a Comment
Bible Study for House Church – April 30, 2023
Our Manner of Death
Two Sundays ago, we looked at Acts 1:1-8, and Jesus’ instructions to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that the Father had promised.
Jesus had given His disciples many convincing proofs that He was alive, told them that it was not their business to know the dates or times set by the authority of His Father, and then instructed them that when the Holy Spirit came on them, they would receive power.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
About a half year ago, we had a message on this passage that highlighted the Greek word for the English word, ‘witnesses.’
Someone Read Mark 15:33-38
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Jesus walked among them. He taught not as the scribes but taught with authority. He walked on water and He raised the dead.
QUESTION: How is this significant for us as an example?
We can be the most gifted speaker we know; the hardest worker or the most faithful servant in our church… but it is the manner of how we daily lay down our life, that people will recognize the presence of God in us.
QUESTION: Do you attribute the title of a, “Godly Man or Godly Woman” more to a great preacher, or to those who love and serve unconditionally?
A dilemma in our churches today: is that there are Christians who are trying to show Christ to a world through giftings and programs without the inconvenience of having to lay down their lives.
Back again to Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Ends of the Earth
Expanding circles of influence
Some will be witnesses (martyrs) only in the first circle – Jerusalem (home)
Some see this geographically as your own hometown,
Or… you can see it as what you are familiar with, established friend and family groups.
QUESTION: If being a witness corresponds with the laying down of our life; How can we be a witness in ‘Jerusalem’?
Some folks influence extends further: A witness to Judea.
QUESTION: Is one called to be a witness in Judea (and beyond), and not be a witness in Jerusalem?
The influence of those witnessing to Judea extends to the community (or region).
Those who we are not in relation with but have shared interests and concern for community.
QUESTION: How can we be a witness there (in Judea)?
Interesting that sometimes our influence in Jerusalem extends into Judea and beyond without our direction.
In Tuesday’s Bible Study, we looked at Acts 11:19-21
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
QUESTION: What do we notice in there regarding the spread of the Gospel?
Some believers spread out from Jerusalem, but only spoke to the Jews in the regions that they fled to.
QUESTION: what are some examples of that from your own life?
Samaria is the other side of the tracks.
Geographically, some people view ‘Samaria’ as the country that you live in.
But Samaria can also be views as people that may be near, but not ones in which you have much (or anything) in common with, or that you have a desire to.
Canada is a perfect example of both a geographic and relational ‘Samaria’
QUESTION: How can we be a witness to Samaria (in our Country)?
Finally, ‘To the Ends of the Earth’ is pretty much self-explanatory.
Geographically, all the nations of the world
QUESTION: How can you be a witness to them?
Outside of the obvious geographical division, the four groups could be summarized like this;
We are called, and we are commissioned, to reach ALL of them
Some people’s witness (the laying down of their life) may only be to their immediate group
Some people will influence not just their family and friends, but their witness will extend to those beyond their immediate circle, even impacting the world stage.
QUESTION: Is any one of the four groups greater than the other?
What is important is how well you witness to the groups(s) you are called to.
PRAYER