Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

 

·         If I were to give you each a gift what would you do with it?

·         Would any of you just leave the wrapping paper on it and not open it?

·         What if inside was something picked out just for you and was something you could use and appreciate?

·         Would you take special care of it, trying to keep it in good shape but enjoying its usefulness?

·         Would you compare it to what was given to others seeing if they received something better?

·         Would you take that gift and see if it could be used for the benefit of others?

·         There is something unique about the Christian life that we often overlook.

·         A picture of it can be observed in the OT when God instructed the nation of Israel fresh out of Egypt to construct a house of worship for Him

·         With his instruction he gave people in the community special abilities in order to fulfill his commands.

·         This also happens today in the form of Gifts of the Spirit given to everyone that has placed their trust in Christ.

·         The nature of the church is meant to be a community of believers who have been given special abilities for the work of God.

·         Today we want to look at what Paul has to say in regards to Spiritual Gifts in 1Cor.

12.

 

 

\\ We Receive Spiritual Gifts from One Source (1-6)

12:1 With regard to spiritual gifts,1 brothers and sisters,2 I do not want you to be uninformed.3

12:2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led.

12:3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

12:4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

12:5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord.

12:6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

·         Paul is concerned that the believers understood their spiritual lives.

·         In particular the issue of spiritual empowerment of gifts.

·         As unbelievers they were influenced and possibly controlled by things of the world and evil spirits.

·         They were walking in shadow-blind in the dark without means to see clearly.

·         Without the H.S. none of us are capable of seeing who Jesus really is.

·         We cannot discover Christianity on our own and as unbeliever we cannot acknowledge God.

·         So what led you and I astray?

·         Paul clarifies that when someone declares that Jesus is not God, that person cannot have a claim on Christianity.

·         He contrasts this for emphasis by saying those who admit Jesus is God only do so by the work of the H.S.

·         The H.S. is not some mute idol that we fashion for our own purposes.

·         He is alive and active in peoples lives.

·         Verses 1-3 reiterate that the H.S. allows us to know Jesus.

·         This leads Paul to discuss the singular source not only of our spiritual redemption but of our spiritual gifts.

·         In verses 4-6 he begins by saying that there are different gifts (charismata: gifts of grace)

·         The source of these gifts is clear; it is because of God’s favor that we receive gifts.

·         There is diversity in gifts-not everyone receives the same gift.

·         Not one person receives all of the gifts but the Spirit is in all of them.

·         There are different ministries that provide the purpose or function of gifts.

·         Gifts given by God are designed to produce action that comes from Jesus Christ.

·         By virtue of a relationship with Christ you have been given gifts or a gift.

·         Paul does not suggest the use of gifts but assumes that your gift will be used for ministry.

·         The word for ministry is from the Greek meaning service.

·         The function of gifts is done in service for the Lord.

·         V.

6 in some Bibles say activity or work but this is misleading.

·         Rather it should be “results” or “results from activity or work”

·         And again he emphasizes that the source is God.

·         Paul takes a Trinitarian perspective to say that different gifts are from the H.S. and should produce active service through Christ and will have results from God.

·         The reliance from start to finish is on God’s activity.

Ramon Piaguaje, a Secoya Indian born and raised in the rain forest of Ecuador, won the Winsor & Newton Millennium Art Competition, the largest painting competition in the world.

His painting "Eternal Amazon" was selected from over 22,000 entries by professionals and amateur artists from 51 countries and was on display at the United Nations this past summer.

Ramon, who started drawing as a teenager over 30 years ago, was not introduced to oil painting until 1993 in Quito.

The young man who has captured the attention of the art world was first encouraged in his efforts by Orville and Mary Johnson, Wycliffe Bible Translators working in his village.

The Johnsons recognized a God-given ability and had encouraged him to keep drawing.

When they left his village in the early seventies, having completed their translation of the New Testament, the belongings they took with them included 30 drawings by Ramon.

Since then, Ramon has met the Prince of Wales and the secretary general of the United Nations, and "Eternal Amazon" has been viewed by ambassadors, artists, dignitaries, and members of the press and public from around the world.

Ramon is quick to give the Lord credit for the acclaim he has received.

"I can't take pride of the gift that I have as an artist, for it is God that has given me this talent, and I want to use it for his glory."

When the elderly missionary couple heard about the exhibit at the United Nations, they decided to surprise the South American artist.

They entered the exhibition hall and found Ramon surrounded by many people.

As he looked beyond his admiring fans, he saw the Johnsons and began to cry.

They hugged and wept for several moments.

In Secoya, Ramon repeated over and over to Orville and Mary, "You are the ones that should be honored, not me.for

you came to give us the gospel, and I believe that is why I now can be here."

God has gracious given gifts to each of us, not only to enjoy, but also to use to build up others.

\\ We Receive Spiritual Gifts for One Purpose (7-11)

 

12:7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.

12:8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 12:10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

12:11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

·         Paul begins in v.7 by summarizing the next four verses.

·         Individually we have gifts (manifestation) from the Spirit to help the church.

·         So there is one purpose: Gifting is for the common good of the body.

·         Spiritual gifts were and are not intended for ourselves.

·         If you can sing or perform music the intention is not for personal accolades but to encourage others or lead in worship.

·         If you are able to be an administrator it should not be done to elevate yourself with stellar organizational skills but to benefit the body.

·         Gifts can easily be manipulated in our hearts to puff ourselves up.

·         The trick is to use them to elevate God and others.

·         The manifestation of v. 7 described here implies the same as in v. 11.

·         The Spirit distributes as he decides to each of us.

·         This means that the gift you received was not a random out of the hat decision but a careful decision of God for you.

·         It means that all gifts have benefit and importance.

·         It means the outcome of that which is given is also derived from God’s favor.

·         What this also indicates is that gifts may be given for periods of time or can be removed if they are being misused or neglected.

·         Inside the frame of v.7 and v.11 Paul provides a selection of gifts to make his point.

·         He describes 9 gifts not as the only gifts for the edification of others but as examples.

·         He brings out a unity by emphasizing that they all come from the same source.

·         This takes on added significance in verses 12-26.

·         Wisdom or Word of Wisdom: is the ability to speak divine wisdom received through the H.S. that will help the church.

·         Knowledge: has to do with knowing, understanding and explaining God’s message in the Bible that will help us to live according to his will.

·         Faith: it is heightened faith that is above salvific or trust that is unshakable and complete trust that God will act.

It is the faith that accompanies healing and miracles.

·         Healing: Note it says gifts of healing not gift of healing.

Some have noted that a person may not be able to heal all ailments.

·         Healing may the ability to cure only physical ailments, mental ones, gifting may give immediate results or occur over a period of time.

·         Miracles: the ability to perform acts contrary to the laws of nature.

·         Prophesy: Prophesy as fore-telling implies that one can declare revelation added to Scripture-this cannot happen today.

·         Prophesy as forth-telling has the idea of explaining and teaching the will of God as it pertains to our lives.

The ability to use Scripture to warn of possible events and changes in the stability of society.

·         Discernment: ability to scrutinize information, actions and teachings to protect the church.

·         Tongues:  Two kinds-languages and spiritual tongues that help and edify the body.