The Gift of The Holy Spirit/Part II of lesson 1

What are the gifts?

Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:9-11

Prophecy, Word of Wisdom, Hospitality, Ministering (helps), Word of Knowledge, Faith, Exhorting, Healing, Giving, Miracles, Showing mercy, Discernment, Service, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues.

Purpose of the gifts

God intends that theses gifts continue in operation until Christ returns. His purposes for the spiritual gifts are as follows:

1. To manifest the______________, ___________ and _______________ of the Spirit among his people in public gatherings, homes, families, and individual lives [vv. 4-7; 14:25; Ro 15:18-19; Eph 4:8]

2. To make the sharing of the gospel __________________ by giving supernatural confirmation to the message [Mk 16:15-20; Act 14:8-18; 16:16-18; 19:11-20; 28:1-10]

3. To __________ _______ _______________ and to strengthen and build up spiritually both the church [vv 7,14-30; 14:3, 12, 26] and individual believers [14:4], i.e., to perfect believers in “love, which comes from a pure heart and a clear conscience and a sincere faith” [1 Ti 1:5; 1 Co 13].

4. To ______________ _______________ _____________ war against Satan and the forces of evil [Isa 61:1; Ac 8:5-7; 26:7; ph 6:11-12].

5. To __________ ______________. Paul begins the discussion of spiritual gifts with the truth that the gifts and manifestation of the Holy Spirit will exalt Jesus as Lord of the church. The ultimate criterion of the Spirit’s activity is an ever-growing expression of the person, presence, power, love and righteous of the Lord Jesus Christ [see vv. 12-27; Mt 25-40].

Who receive the gifts? [Each One]

1 Cor 12:11 "…distributing to each one individually just as He wills."

1 Cor 12:7 "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Review of the Gifts of the Spirit

1. It brings diversity not division - Any time divisions are a result of exercising spiritual gifts, it is an indication that these gifts are not being used as God intended.

2. Compares to the human body (One body many parts) - Then Paul compares the variety of gifts to the human body and its various and necessary parts, "For even as the body is one and yet has many members" (1 Cor. 12:12; 15; 17.

3. Source of the gift- The Spirit Is the Giver of the Spiritual Gifts. The word charismatic simply means gifts of grace. (Chars is the Greek word "grace.") Since every believer is endowed with one or more gifts, every believer is charismatic (1 Cor. 12:7).

4. All believers may not have the same gift, but the same spirit (1 Cor. 12:4).

5. Freely and graciously given - Spiritual gifts of grace. They cannot be earned, for you cannot do anything to get them in your own power. "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly" (Rom. 12:6).

6. No personal pride or self satisfaction - A gift is not earned or merited so a believer should not feel personal pride or self satisfaction due to his gift. "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Ephesians 4:7).

7. Serving - Spiritual gifts are a means of serving in the Body of Christ. They are to enable us to serve other believers. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10).

8. You have to be active to recognize the gift - Spiritual gifts necessitate the activity of the possessor. You will discover your gift as you function.