Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Purpose, Love, and Sovereignty

 

Summary

In our exploration of spiritual gifts, we must first distinguish them from natural talents. Spiritual gifts are unique endowments given directly by the Holy Spirit, distinct from our inherent abilities. They are not merely enhancements of our natural skills but are entirely new and special gifts meant to serve the Church of Christ. These gifts, known as charismata, are bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit in a sovereign manner, emphasizing His authority in deciding who receives which gift and when. This sovereignty underscores the importance of recognizing that each Christian is endowed with a specific gift, as illustrated by the analogy of the human body, where every part, regardless of its perceived importance, plays a vital role.

Furthermore, the gifts differ in value, and their use must always be governed by love. Love is the essential criterion for the proper use of any gift, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13. It is crucial to understand that a person's spirituality cannot be solely judged by the gifts they possess, as these gifts do not always correlate with one's spiritual maturity. The gifts are meant to edify the Church, and their ultimate purpose is to glorify God.

We also addressed the controversial question of whether all these gifts are meant for the Church at all times. While some gifts, like apostleship and prophecy, were foundational and temporary, others, such as teaching and administration, continue to be relevant today. The temporary gifts served to establish the early Church and attest to the authority of the apostles. However, the cessation of these gifts does not imply the absence of miracles or divine intervention in our time. God remains sovereign and can perform miracles whenever He chooses.

In conclusion, while some gifts were specific to the apostolic era, others persist, serving the Church's ongoing needs. Our focus should be on using our gifts in love, seeking to glorify Christ, and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Gifts vs. Natural Talents: Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural talents, given directly by the Holy Spirit to serve the Church. They are not enhancements of our natural abilities but entirely new gifts that operate through divine grace. This distinction emphasizes the unique role of the Holy Spirit in equipping believers for service. [00:13]

2. Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows gifts, deciding who receives which gift and when. This sovereignty highlights the importance of humility and trust in God's wisdom, as He knows best how to equip His Church for its mission. [02:30]

3. Every Christian Has a Gift: Each believer is endowed with a specific spiritual gift, contributing to the Church's overall function. This truth encourages us to value every member's contribution, recognizing that all gifts, whether seen as significant or not, are essential for the body of Christ. [05:03]

4. Gifts Must Be Used in Love: The use of spiritual gifts must always be governed by love, as love is the greatest measure of our spirituality. Without love, even the most remarkable gifts are meaningless. This principle calls us to prioritize love in all our actions and interactions. [09:01]

5. Temporary and Permanent Gifts: Some gifts, like apostleship and prophecy, were temporary and foundational, while others, such as teaching and administration, continue today. This understanding helps us appreciate the historical context of the early Church while recognizing the ongoing relevance of certain gifts. [26:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Distinguishing Spiritual Gifts
- [00:31] - Spiritual Gifts vs. Natural Talents
- [01:21] - Definition of Spiritual Gifts
- [02:12] - Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit
- [03:10] - The Timing of Gifts
- [04:45] - Every Christian Has a Gift
- [06:43] - Differing Values of Gifts
- [09:01] - Gifts Must Be Used in Love
- [11:25] - No Universal Gift Requirement
- [12:59] - Are Gifts for All Times?
- [14:28] - Foundation of Apostles and Prophets
- [19:15] - Temporary Nature of Some Gifts
- [24:02] - Miracles and Divine Intervention
- [26:14] - Temporary and Permanent Gifts
- [37:08] - List of Permanent Gifts
- [38:53] - Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
- [41:52] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
2. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
3. Ephesians 2:20

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the distinction between spiritual gifts and natural talents as described in the sermon? ([00:13])
2. How does the sermon explain the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in the distribution of spiritual gifts? ([02:30])
3. According to the sermon, what is the role of love in the use of spiritual gifts? ([09:01])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the temporary nature of some spiritual gifts? ([26:14])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the analogy of the human body help us understand the distribution and importance of spiritual gifts within the Church? ([05:38])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual gifts should be used to glorify God and edify the Church? ([09:01])
3. How does the sermon address the question of whether all spiritual gifts are meant for the Church at all times? ([12:59])
4. What implications does the sermon draw from Ephesians 2:20 regarding the foundational gifts of apostleship and prophecy? ([14:28])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you use them to serve your church community more effectively? ([05:03])
2. Consider a time when you may have used your gifts without love. How can you ensure that love governs your actions in the future? ([09:01])
3. How can you cultivate humility and trust in God's wisdom regarding the gifts He has given you? ([02:30])
4. Are there any natural talents you possess that you feel could be transformed into spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit? How might you pursue this transformation? ([00:31])
5. How can you encourage others in your church to recognize and use their spiritual gifts, regardless of how significant or insignificant they may seem? ([05:51])
6. In what ways can you remain open to the possibility of miracles and divine intervention in your life, even if certain gifts are no longer present? ([24:19])
7. How can you focus on manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life, and what specific steps can you take to grow in this area? ([43:00])

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Gifts as Divine Endowments
Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural talents, given directly by the Holy Spirit to serve the Church. Unlike natural abilities, which we may develop over time, spiritual gifts are unique endowments that operate through divine grace. These gifts are not enhancements of our natural skills but entirely new and special gifts meant to serve the Church of Christ. The Holy Spirit, in His sovereignty, decides who receives which gift and when, emphasizing His authority and wisdom in equipping believers for service. This distinction underscores the unique role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, calling us to recognize and embrace the gifts we have been given. [00:13]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: Consider the spiritual gifts you believe you have received. How can you use them uniquely to serve your church community this week?


Day 2: Trusting the Holy Spirit's Sovereignty
The Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows gifts, deciding who receives which gift and when. This sovereignty highlights the importance of humility and trust in God's wisdom, as He knows best how to equip His Church for its mission. Each gift is given with a purpose, and it is not for us to question why one person receives a particular gift while another does not. Instead, we are called to trust in the Holy Spirit's perfect plan and timing, knowing that He equips each believer according to the needs of the Church and the glory of God. This understanding encourages us to embrace our gifts with gratitude and humility, recognizing that they are part of a larger divine plan. [02:30]

Romans 12:6-8 (ESV): "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand why you or someone else received a particular gift. How can you practice trusting in the Holy Spirit's wisdom and timing today?


Day 3: Valuing Every Member's Contribution
Each believer is endowed with a specific spiritual gift, contributing to the Church's overall function. This truth encourages us to value every member's contribution, recognizing that all gifts, whether seen as significant or not, are essential for the body of Christ. Just as every part of the human body has a unique and vital role, so too does every member of the Church. We are called to appreciate and support one another, understanding that the diversity of gifts strengthens the Church and enables it to fulfill its mission. By valuing each person's contribution, we foster a spirit of unity and collaboration within the body of Christ. [05:03]

1 Corinthians 12:21-22 (ESV): "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church whose gifts may often go unnoticed. How can you encourage and affirm their contribution to the body of Christ this week?


Day 4: Love as the Guiding Principle
The use of spiritual gifts must always be governed by love, as love is the greatest measure of our spirituality. Without love, even the most remarkable gifts are meaningless. This principle calls us to prioritize love in all our actions and interactions, ensuring that our gifts are used to edify others and glorify God. Love is the essential criterion for the proper use of any gift, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13. By allowing love to guide us, we ensure that our gifts are used in a way that reflects the character of Christ and builds up the Church. [09:01]

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV): "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on how you use your spiritual gifts. Are there areas where you need to let love guide your actions more fully? How can you demonstrate love in your use of gifts today?


Day 5: Understanding Temporary and Permanent Gifts
Some gifts, like apostleship and prophecy, were temporary and foundational, while others, such as teaching and administration, continue today. This understanding helps us appreciate the historical context of the early Church while recognizing the ongoing relevance of certain gifts. The temporary gifts served to establish the early Church and attest to the authority of the apostles. However, the cessation of these gifts does not imply the absence of miracles or divine intervention in our time. God remains sovereign and can perform miracles whenever He chooses. Our focus should be on using our gifts in love, seeking to glorify Christ, and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. [26:14]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: Consider the gifts you see in your church today. How can you support and encourage the use of these gifts to build up the body of Christ and further its mission?

Quotes

"Now the gifts I say must be differentiated from natural gifts. The spiritual gift is something that is given to a man. We've all got certain natural gifts, but the spiritual gift which any one of us may possess is something entirely different from that. It is a gift that is given directly to us by the Holy Spirit." [00:00:13]

"These gifts are bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit in a sovereign manner. The sovereignty of the Spirit in the giving of these gifts is emphasized very clearly in this chapter. Listen to verse 11, for instance: 'But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.'" [00:02:30]

"Each Christian is given and has therefore some gift. That's verse 7: 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.' So that here there is very definite and clear teaching that this gift, that a gift, is given to us each and every one." [00:05:03]

"The gifts that are given differ in value. Now there again, let me quote you some verses, verses 14 and 15: 'For the body is not one member,' he says, 'but many.' And then you've got it still more explicitly in verse 28: 'And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.'" [00:06:43]

"All gifts or any gifts must always be used in love. Now that's the great message of the 13th chapter, isn't it? 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have no charity, I am become a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.' And so on. This is a thing he is most concerned to emphasize." [00:09:01]

"There is no gift which or concerning which you have a right to say or to postulate that a Christian must possess it if he has the Holy Spirit. Now that's rather an involved way of putting it. Let me put it in another way: there are those who would say that unless we have possessed or manifested a particular gift, that we have never been baptized by the Spirit or have never known any fullness of the Spirit." [00:11:25]

"Are these gifts and are all these gifts meant for the Christian Church always and at all times? What have we got here? Have we got a description here of what was true only of the early church, or is it to be equally true of the church today? What of these gifts? Were they temporary, or are they permanent?" [00:12:59]

"The Apostle at the end of the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians, the 20th verse actually, Ephesians 2:20, talks about the Christian Church being built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Cornerstone. You notice the term is the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets." [00:14:28]

"While some gifts were specific to the apostolic era, others persist, serving the Church's ongoing needs. Our focus should be on using our gifts in love, seeking to glorify Christ, and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives." [00:26:14]

"God being God, God can work a miracle whenever he likes and wherever he likes, and he can answer prayer in an unusual manner whenever he chooses to do so. So let us be clear about that in our minds. To say that the gifts were only for that period is not to deny the possibility of miracles now." [00:24:02]

"Some gifts, like apostleship and prophecy, were temporary and foundational, while others, such as teaching and administration, continue today. This understanding helps us appreciate the historical context of the early Church while recognizing the ongoing relevance of certain gifts." [00:26:14]

"Each believer is endowed with a specific spiritual gift, contributing to the Church's overall function. This truth encourages us to value every member's contribution, recognizing that all gifts, whether seen as significant or not, are essential for the body of Christ." [00:05:03]

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Transcript
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