THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
CHARLES E. WHISNANT, APRIL 21, 2010
ICORINTHIANS 12
INTRODUCTION
1A THE BODY PRINICPLE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1B THE MANIFESTATION OF THE BODY
Jesus Christ in His incarnation, revealed Himself in a human body. Through that body, all the attributes of deity were made manifest and God became visible in human history. Christ is Body 1 and the corporate assembly of believers is Body 2.
Christ wants to leave Himself in the world. He wants us to be Christ's in the world. Christ wants to reproduce in us His very essence, His very life, his very personality, His very character.
2B THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY
Each person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ is a vital member of this Body.
Ephesians 2:21-22, Ephesians 4:7,8, 11.
1C MATURING
Ephesians 4:12: Gifted men are for the maturing of the Saints for the work of the ministry.
2C MASTERING
Ephesians 4:12-13
2A THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1B THEY ARE ESSENTIAL
1 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 4:12
2B THEY ARE COUNTERFEITED
1C FLESHLY COUNTERFEITS
2C SATANIC COUNTERFEITS
3B THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SOURCE
All spiritual gifts are supernaturally empowered, energized, and given by the Holy Spirit. They are beyond the natural. It is not like singing, playing an instrument, or clever with a certain art. They are supernatural enablements. They are "spiritual". They are controlled by the Holy Spirit.
4B THEY WILL ALWAYS UNITE
They will always unite the body, never divide it.
5B THEY ARE NOT A SIGN OF SPIRITUALITY
Some are carnal, but they did have spiritual gifts I Corinthians 3:1
6B THEY ARE NOT FOR THE POSSESSOR, BUT FOR THE GOOD OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BODY
1 Corinthians 12:5 gifts are called "services." Something I do for you.
12:7 they are called "manifestations" Something that is made public, and given to every man to profit for the good of those gathered together.
7B THEY HAVE THE PROMISE OF DIVINE ENERGY
I Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6. I Peter 4:10-11
8B THEY COME IN VARIETIES
1C A UNIQUE POSITION
y No two Christians are alike. Each has a unique place and position in the Body
2C A UNIQUE COMPOSITION
1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:7. Yes. One gift, but that gift is a composite of all the various kinds of enablements.
1D THE ILLUSTRATIONS
I Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6
2D THE INCREASES
When God puts you in the Body, He gives you what you need to minister based on your personality.
3B THE IRRESPONSIBILITY
We really are to minister in all areas. Some have greater responsibilities than others.
9B YOUCAN HAVE A GIFT AND NOT BE USING IT
1 Timothy 1:6
10B THERE ARE SEVERAL TERMS TO DESCRIBE THESE DIVINE ENABLEMENTS
They are called energizing, services, manifestations, grace gifts and spiritual gifts.
11B THE LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE
We say there are 7 or 8 major gifts but there are many other kinds of gifts.
12B ALL GIFTS ARE TO BUILD THE BODY
Ephesians 4:12 and 1 Corinthians 12:7
13B SOME GIFTS ARE ALSO SIGN GIFTS
14B THE GIFTS ARE DISTINCT FROM THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
