Transcript

Using The Gift Glorifies The Giver

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-30
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Pastor Randy Smith

1. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

For the past four weeks we have discussed eleven marks of a healthy church. The church was purchased through the blood of Christ. The church is owned by God. Needless to say, God values the church and is obviously concerned as to how we do ministry.

Fortunately He has provided us instruction through the sufficiency of the Bible and we would be wise, as we submit to Him as Lord, to do as He says. Apart from following His directives, we cannot rightly call ourselves a church. And apart from following His directives, we cannot expect to receive His spiritual blessings.

Last week we concluded this series with a rather lengthy look at the eleventh mark of a healthy church, which is church membership. We learned that God-honoring church members are those committed to: faithful attendance, financial support of the ministry, disciplined prayer, and a concerted effort to meet the needs of one another. We also said that all those who claim the name of Christ must be engaged in serving.

You ask "why?" "Why is serving in the church so important?"

Here are a few reasons:

1. Our Lord commanded us to serve in the Bible.
2. Others are dependent on our gifts. When one body part refuses to function, the whole body suffers.
3. Service brings with it many blessings for this life and spiritual rewards in the life to come.
4. God gives spiritual gifts and refusal to use a gift is unloving to the Giver.
5. Serving is our high privilege to be used by God as co-workers in building His eternal kingdom.

Based on these five reasons, I am persuaded that correctly understanding spiritual gifts and faithfully using them for the common good is imperative to the spiritual health both of individuals and the church body as a whole.

Therefore, before we begin our next major book study, I have chosen to spend a few weeks teaching on this subject and providing an opportunity for each of you to be involved. These lessons will be grounded in a familiar book. If you have not done so, I invite you to open your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

When we talk about spiritual gifts, the response I often receive from people is one of confusion. Some may be outright rebellious and unwilling to serve, but I believe most people have difficulty (one) identifying their gifts and (two) knowing how to get "plugged into" a ministry. They are not alone. Two thousand years ago the Corinthian church was also greatly confused about this topic as well, and it was evident in the way they were acting.

Perhaps some background will be helpful. As we have been learning in Sunday school, it is essential that we understand the context before we dive right into the heart of Paul's argument in chapter 12.

Let's remember that the Corinthian church had their share of problems. In the modern vernacular, they were a pastor's nightmare. Read through the letter and the whole epistle is one of correction.

• In chapter 1 they were rebuked for their divisions and boasting.
• In chapters 3 and 4 Paul pointed out their pride.
• In chapter 5 they tolerated immorality in the church and refused to practice church discipline while at the same time they judged those outside in the world.
• In chapter 6 we read about them suing one another and engaging in sexual prostitution.
• In chapter 7 they needed to be taught to avoid divorce while at the same time not abstain from the sexual relationship within a marriage.
• In chapters 8-10 they misused their spiritual liberty and caused other believers in the church to stumble.
• In chapter 11 we read about them coming to the Lord's Supper (as the text says) hungry and drunk, selfishly overlooking others and consequently eating and drinking judgment upon themselves.
• Also in chapter 11 Paul needed to instruct them about the distinctive roles of masculinity and femininity.
• In chapter 15 we read about their doctrinal abuse on a subject as serious as the resurrection.
• And in chapter 16 they needed to be told when Timothy comes to be sure they didn't despise him or scare him off.

Definitely not the model church!

Paul's comments in chapters 12-14 regarding spiritual gifts are no different. Read these chapters through and examine the general context. You will see their misunderstanding and abuse of the gifts. They were using gifts incorrectly for selfish reasons and it was creating great disorder and disunity in the church. Their worship services were becoming a circus of self-exaltation and sheer chaos. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why chapters 12 and 14 sandwich chapter 13 - Paul's extended discourse on love. They were selfish, spiritual babies and needed a massive explanation on the nature of love, which (according to 1 Cor. 13:5) "does not seek its own."

It is hard to find any complements directed to the Corinthians in this large epistle. Paul's words reveal just the opposite. 1 Corinthians 11:17, "But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse." Paul's assessment of them is best described in chapter 3. "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly" (1 Cor. 3:1-3a).

That is the general context of this section on spiritual gifts. Now let's look at the specific context. The three chapters on spiritual gifts are introduced in verses 1-3 of chapter 12.

Verse 1, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware."

As he has done throughout the latter chapters of this letter, Paul is answering spiritual questions that were addressed to him in a letter (cf. 7:1, 25; 8:1; 16:1). As verse 1 says, the issue he now addresses is spiritual gifts.

What is a spiritual gift? We will flesh out that question in greater detail in the weeks ahead, but for now suffice it to say that God gives spiritual gifts to all believers after salvation. They are not natural talents, but rather divinely appointed abilities to be used in the church for the exaltation of Jesus Christ. They are never given for self-benefit, but rather the common good in the building up of the body of Christ. As God works through our spiritual gifts, He manifests His presence to the church and continues the ministry of Christ.

Back in verse 1, Paul says he is concerned that they be not unaware. The Greek word translated "unaware" is the verb agnoeo. It is where we get our English word "agnostic." An agnostic is one who says there is not enough information to prove the existence of God. Paul is saying that the information on spiritual gifts is available and the church need not be in the dark and confused on this important issue.

You see, Satan aims his fiercest darts at the things that are most important to the health of the church. And his attacks regarding spiritual gifts are usually waged relentlessly on two fronts. Some have bought his lies that serving in the church is of little importance. Others like the Corinthians desire to exercise their gifts, but prostitute them in a way that is destructive to the church. Since the damage is clear when we head down either of these roads, Paul is pleading with the church, "Don't be deceived! Don't be gullible! Don't be unaware of God's intentions regarding spiritual gifts!"

The second verse helps to clarify: Verse 2, "You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led."

Paul reminds them of their past. He reminds them that before they came to Christ they were captive to every false religious system, namely the worship of idols that are lifeless with an inability to respond. Understandable as a pagan, but now as a child of God there is no excuse. They must make a clean break from their past of paganism. Based on verse 3 it appears they were dragging their former religious activities into the church at Corinth, specifically the ecstatic experience and pagan euphoria that lacked all biblical discernment.

Let's look at this example in verse 3: "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."

As hard as it is to believe, this verse taken at face value seems to suggest they were actually blaspheming the name of our Lord and attributing the experience to the Spirit of God. I believe Paul is telling them to be aware that not all done in the name of Christ is legitimate. Satan will seek to counterfeit these gifts and Christians must "test the spirits" (1 Jn. 4:1) to see if such actions conform with Scripture.

What does the Holy Spirit produce? Not blasphemy against Christ says Paul in verse 3, but a genuine confession of Christ and a willingness to submit to His lordship. That is true spirituality. But cursing Christ and the myriad of unbiblical activities occurring in the church today (holy laughter, convulsions, trances, holy vomit, slaying in the Spirit, drunkenness in the Spirit, etc) are not of God and like the Corinthians, a return to our pagan roots.

My friends, these first three verses in chapter 12 are Paul's introduction to spiritual gifts. This church in Corinth is not a model church. They were worldly and immature, using their gifts in a way that was self-centered, showy and pagan. In the context of spiritual gifts Paul said to them in chapter 14, "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature" (1 Cor. 14:20). So as we examine this material may we remember that Paul needed to rebuke these spiritual babies. May we learn from their negative example and avoid being led down the same path of error that is becoming so prevalent and so accepted in the church today.

2. A VARIETY OF GIFTS

So as Paul begins discussing the gifts in verse 4, we begin the second point of our outline. Please follow along in your Bibles: Verse 4, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit."

As I said before spiritual gifts are given to each believer when he or she comes to Christ. I believe it is best to think of our individual giftedness akin to a fingerprint or snowflake. We are all different in the fact that we each share a blend of the gifts. In other words, none of us have all the gifts and none of us are lacking a gift. But each one of us in Christ has been entrusted with a unique blend or multiplicity of spiritual gifts whereby we might be of special benefit to the church.

Verse 4 says there are a "variety of gifts." Some of the specific gifts are listed in verses 8-10. "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues."

Later in this chapter more gifts are mentioned in verses 28-30. "And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?"

If you wish to follow along keep your finger in 1 Corinthians and turn back a book as more spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12, verses 6-8. "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

Ephesians 4:11, another section, teaches that God "gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers."

And lastly in 1 Peter 4:11 the Apostle says, "Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies."

Regarding these gifts there are two questions that I commonly receive.

First question: Though we each have a blend of these gifts, are the gifts listed in Scripture exhaustive? Put another way, are all the different spiritual gifts included in these lists or are there more gifts that were not mentioned?

I will allow Mark Dever to answer that question: "Paul never intended to give an exhaustive list of the (gifts) in the seventeen (spiritual) gifts (he) listed. Whenever the church is working by the power of the Spirit for the upbuilding of the body, there the Spirit's gifts are present" (Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, p. 222).

Next question: Are the "sign gifts," specifically the gift of tongues still operational in the church today as they were in the days of the Apostles?

In a nutshell our church's position is "no" and after a lengthy study of Scripture, I affirm that position. To explain why would require at least four sermons so I will allow Dan Hayden to answer that question.

We have received permission to reproduce his phenomenal six-part series on the gift of tongues that is grounded solidly in the Word of God. So even though we do not want to take a month of Sundays to cover this material, we do believe you as a church should be educated and equipped on this subject. Therefore we will make one new sermon from Dr. Hayden available in the rear of the church each week at no charge.

But regarding the variety of spiritual gifts in a general sense it was A.T. Pierson who crafted these summarizing statements:

1. Every believer has some gift; therefore all should be encouraged.
2. No one has all the gifts; therefore all should be humble.
3. All gifts are for the body; therefore all should be harmonious.
4. All gifts are from the Lord; therefore all should be content.
5. All gifts are needful and mutually helpful; therefore all should be faithful.
6. All gifts depend on the Holy Spirit's fullness and power; therefore none should be out of fellowship with Him.

3. A VARIETY OF MINISTRIES

Let's move on to the next point. In verse 5 we read, "And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord." Just as there are a variety of gifts, there are also a variety of ministries.

For example, just as many may be gifted to teach, not all may teach in the same venue. One may enjoy children while another may prefer and excel working with adults. Believe it or not, God even calls some to find great passion working with teens! What I am trying to say is just as there are a variety of gifts, there are a limitless variety of ministries as well.

We at the Grace Tabernacle seek to offer a variety of ministries, not because "bigger is better," but rather because we wish to take advantage of meeting as many needs as possible within the body and offering a diverse selection of opportunities to serve. We hope each one of you might find a ministry to which God is specifically calling you.

With this in mind, I would like to introduce all of you to our first ever, "Grace Tabernacle Ministry Fair." As you can see by the insert in your bulletin, we are planning to have eighteen ministries represented after each service on March 11th and March 18th. This will be your opportunity as we conclude this series to ask questions to the specific ministry leaders and get involved in using your gifts if you are not already doing so.

4. A VARIETY OF EFFECTS

A variety of gifts, a variety of ministries and next we read in verse 6, "There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."

Just as God oversees the distribution of the gifts and the ministries in the church, He is also moves through these avenues and is sovereign over what is accomplished or we could say, the effects or results of our service. This shows why it is so important that we use our variety of gifts and offer a variety of ministries because God uses this grace-driven service to achieve a variety of effects for His glory and our good. Be encouraged! Your service is not a waste of time, but a valued instrument in the hands of the Creator for Him to accomplish a variety of effects infinitely beyond your wildest imagination!

5. CONCLUDING COMMENTS

As we move to our final point, we wrap things up where we began. The context of this instruction is corrective. The Corinthian church understood very little about love and as a result misused and abused their spiritual gifts. They desired the showy gifts over the more menial ones. They created a caste system within the church between the "haves" and the "have-nots." They sought to use gifts for self-exaltation (their own ego-trip) and thus missed the true purpose of the gifts, which was the common good and the building up of others. They stressed uniformity and therefore struggled so much with unity.

We must learn from their mistakes. There is given by God a variety of gifts, a variety of ministries which all produce a variety of effects. It is in the midst of this diversity we enjoy true biblical unity. All in the church are equally important and equally needed. All is to be done not for self-fulfillment or attention seeking, but rather the edification of the body.

Isn't this the teaching in verse 7? "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." Isn't this the teaching in verse 11? "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." And isn't this the teaching in the second half of verses 4-6? That while there are a variety of gifts, ministries and effects, there is the same Spirit (verse 4), the same Lord (verse 5) and the same God (verse 6).

It is the Trinity that distributes these gifts, so we should use them gratefully, and it is the unity within the Trinity that we should seek to emulate, so we should use them correctly. 1 Peter 4:10, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."