Life On Purpose - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Spiritual Gifts


In John 14 Jesus promised His disciples that He would not leave them as orphans.  In other words, Jesus promised them that upon His departure He would be sure to send His Spirit upon their lives to empower them for the ministry He had called them to.  He actually told them it was to their advantage that He depart, promising them a great and effective life once the Spirit of God came upon their lives.

It's interesting, but in John 14 Jesus told the disciples the Holy Spirit was with them, but would one day be in them.  In John 20 Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."  Then, in Acts 1, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and make them His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth.  So, reading the statements of Jesus, He promised three distinct relationships with the Holy Spirit.  Prior to conversion He is with us.  After conversion He is within us.  And in ministry He comes upon or overflows us.  In other words, He ministers to us before conversion, strengthens us to live the Christian life, and empowers us to minister to the world around us.

One way the Holy Spirit empowers us is through spiritual gifts.  This morning we took a look at a few of the gifts found at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 12, but that isn't an exhaustive list.  In the coming weeks we will encounter a few more of the gifts, at least giving a cursory review of those gifts not mentioned in 1 Corinthians, but found in other New Testament passages.

Diversity/Difference


As we consider spiritual gifts we recognize that they are often connected to different ministries and activities.  Paul is so good to remind the Corinthian church, and us, that the Holy Spirit works in different ways in different people.  There are different gifts, diverse ministries, and different activities.  You see, we aren't cookie cutter Christians.  God has made us in many different shapes and sizes so that we can reach people of many different shapes and sizes.  Christians can receive many different sets of gifts, operate within many different types of ministry, and conduct their ministries and gifts in many different activities.  The key?  Be who God has made you to be!

Receive


The Holy Spirit grants the spiritual gifts individually as He wills (12:11).  It's His call.  His decision.  Our role is to embrace the gifts He has given to us and operate within them.  As humans we can easily become jealous and envious of the gifts, ministries, and activities found within those around us.  Some of us might say, "Why can't I be like that guy or do what they are doing?  Why don't I have that ability?"  Although common, this is never productive.  Instead we ought to embrace the gifts and callings God has given to us.  We ought to be ourselves.

I closed out our time together by briefly answering a couple questions people might have when it comes to the Holy Spirit and His gifts.  While my answers are in no way comprehensive, here they are:

Q. How can I receive spiritual gifts?
A1. Desire them.  Paul told the Corinthians to desire spiritual gifts for the purpose of church-wide edification (1 Cor 14).  To receive spiritual gifts, you have to first want them.  You have to first have a desire to see your life count towards eternity.
A2. Ask for them.  Jesus made it clear that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask (Luke 11), so we ought to ask God for the gifts He longs to give us.  Once we ask, we need to believe He has heard our request, believing in faith that He will do as He has promised.
A3. Ask for them with spiritual leaders.  The New Testament is filled with examples of spiritual leaders - apostles, pastors, elders - praying for people to receive the gifts God has for them.  Although clearly not a mandate from Scripture, there still seems to be a benefit in praying with a pastor or leader for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Q. How can I discover spiritual gifts?
A1. Think about what you desire to do.
A2. Think about what brings you joy.
A3. Think about what you are effective in.

Remember, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.  He loves you and I.  He has a will and desire for our lives.  Let's allow Him to lead us, guide us, and use us to make disciples of all nations!

This And That


- This morning 7 people made first time public professions of faith in Jesus Christ.  Please pray for these new believers as they begin their walk of faith.  Pray for them to be devoted to the word of God, to be filled with God's Spirit, and to mature at a healthy pace in Christ.

- Next weekend around 30 kids from our Reverence High School Ministry will head down south for their yearly winter camp.  Reality Church in Carpinteria will be hosting and leading this 4 day camp and I know our students will be blessed and strengthened.  Pray for them as they travel and grow!  Matt told me that many of the students are first-time-campers, so I am going to pray for their relationship with Matt and the rest of the students to gel.

- Renew, the brand spankin' new monthly women's ministry meeting, is set to kick off Thursday night January 22 at Calvary.  In the short time I have gotten to know Denise Buck I have been very impressed.   I am amped to see how God will use these monthly Thursday night meetings to help renew the minds of the women at Calvary.  Be there!

- Happy Anniversary to me!  Christina and I have been married for a wonderful 7 years as of tomorrow, January 12.  I am so lucky to have her.  Happy Anniversary, Christina!