The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit

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Lesson 8 February 18-24/25 The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit

Memory Text: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NKJV).

Going away on a long business trip, a man left his son in charge of the household, with a specific task to do. But the son soon realized that his father had not provided him with the necessary means and tools to accomplish that task. Frustrated, the son had to leave it undone.

Likewise, when Jesus left His disciples and went to be with His Father in heaven, He gave them a specific task: preach the good news of the gospel to the world. But Jesus did not leave His disciples unequipped. What He commanded them to do He enabled them to do, but in His name and through the power and help of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 1:4-7, Paul gives thanks "for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him . . . so that you are not lacking in any gift" (NASB). Spiritual gifts are given through the Holy Spirit in Christ to build His church.

This week we will study the Holy Spirit as the Sovereign Giver of God's remarkable gifts and look at the difference between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.

Sunday February 19 The Fruit of Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit have the same Author. Yet, they are not the same. No one is required to manifest a gift of the Spirit, but everyone should manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily testify to spirituality, but the fruit of the Spirit does. While there is only one fruit, there are many gifts, and some are greater than others.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spiritdistributes them.5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyoneit is the same Godat work.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 4. Gifts. Gr. charismata, literally, “gifts of grace.” Here the word refers to the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in individuals. The diversities of gifts are enumerated in vs. 8–11. Same Spirit. The different modes of operation of the gifts are all produced and controlled by the Holy Spirit... No man, because of the reception of a certain gift of the Spirit, is to look with contempt upon any other believer because he is not so favored. The disposition of the gifts by God is to be accepted gratefully, and due recognition given to the One who dispenses these powers, and not to the recipient as being in any way superior to his fellows. 5. Administrations. Gr. diakoniai, “ministrations,” “services” (see Rom. 15:31). The word is often translated “ministry” (see Acts 1:17, 25; 6:4; 20:24; Rom. 12:7; 1:12). There are different kinds of services in the church, but all are controlled by one Lord. Lord. In the NT this term standing by itself generally refers to Christ. 6. Operations. Gr. enerḡemata, “workings,” from energeō, “to be at work,” “to be in action,” “to operate.” Our word “energy” comes from this root. In the NT, energēmata, occurs only here and in v. 10. The word probably refers to the divine energizings operating in the church and perhaps in all nature. Same God. Having introduced the Spirit and the Son in vs. 4, 5, Paul here completes his mention of the three persons of the Godhead by referring to the Father as the originator and sustainer of all the manifold endowments and workings of the spiritual powers that He has provided for the effectual accomplishment of the work of His church. There are various “gifts,” “administrations,” and “operations,” but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit, that is, from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 7. Manifestation of the Spirit. This may be understood either as a manifestation that the Spirit gives or as a manifestation that reveals the Holy Spirit in His true nature and operations. The meaning is not too different. The reference is to spiritual gifts, which were manifestations produced by the Spirit, and at the same time manifestations that revealed the character and work of the Spirit. To every man. That is, every Christian. To profit withal. That is, for the common good or advantage of the church as a whole, though personal benefit is not excluded (see ch. 14:4, 12). The gifts are imparted according to the needs of the church in special situations.

1 Corinthians 12:11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

What is the essence of what Paul is teaching here? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: Paul is saying that there different services, ministries and extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in different individuals within the body and for its betterment...all at the prerogative of the Holy Spirit.

While all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are designed by God to be visible in the lives of His followers, not every believer has the same gift or gifts. There is no command that all should have one particular gift, such as speaking in tongues. Instead, God sovereignly equips His believers with different gifts as He sees fit. The gifts of the Spirit are given so that we can serve others and build up the body of Christ, His church. These gifts are not given for our own pleasure and glory. They are bestowed to further the cause of God.

Therefore, spiritual gifts are worthless without the fruit of the Spirit. It is interesting that within the context of the spiritual gifts, love is often alluded to. Immediately after 1 Corinthians 12 comes the supreme description of love, in chapter 13. Ephesians 4:11-13 is followed in verses 15 and 16 with reference to love. The next verses after Romans 12:3-8, where the gifts of the Spirit are mentioned, speak about love (see Rom. 12:9, 10).

The gifts are, after all, gifts of grace; that is, they are gifts of love. They are given out of love and serve the love of God in reaching other people. By loving others, we are revealing the love of God to them. A loving and omniscient God provides the means to accomplish what He has commissioned His people to do. Perhaps that is why love is the greatest gift of all (1 Cor. 13:13).

Why is love so central to all that we do as Christians? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: Because... 1) It is the most enduring and transforming of all the gifts. 2) It most nearly represents the character of God. 3) It is the most universally approved of all sentiments. 4) It is the most effective antidote for most of the ills of the human race. 5) It is the highest and purest motivation that we know.

How does love, in a sense, "empower" our witness? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: It motivates us to action. It is the most unilaterally accepted overture and gives credence to that which we profess. It provides the ‘skeleton’ to the structure of actions and ‘fuel’ for each motivation or endeavor. Love empowers witness because it is the one principal that can meet man’s deepest, widest and most pressing needs.

Monday February 20 God, the Sovereign Giver of the Spiritual Gifts

It is not we who decide what gifts to have. The Greek word for the gifts of the Spirit is charismata-they are gifts of grace, distributed and given by God Himself. We do not earn them by our status, our position, our honor, our education, or our spiritual performance. They are gifts, freely given out of love so that we can fulfill the task God has assigned us to do.

Read Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of usgracehas been givenas Christ apportioned it. Unto every one. There is manifest order and design in the allotment of work and talent to each person (cf. Rom. 12:6). Every gift contributes its value to the unity of the church. No room is left for pride on the part of those who have large gifts, because more will be expected of them; neither is there place for jealousy on the part of those who have received lesser talents, because they are responsible for developing only what they have (see COL 327; MYP 309; 2T 245; 9T 37).[1]

We often think that the Holy Spirit is the One who bestows spiritual gifts. The apostle Paul also connects Jesus Christ with the giving of the gifts. How is Jesus involved in the giving of the gifts? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: Jesus is involved in that it is because of His efficacious sacrifice and superintendence that the Holy Spirit is authorized to distribute the gifts.

Paul says that the grace of Christ secured the right to give us gifts. But it is the Holy Spirit who distributes them to the members of the church. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and believe in Him will be equipped by the Holy Spirit with spiritual gifts "as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:11, NASB). The bestowal of the gifts is God's sovereign decision.

Innate ability as such is not a spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents that a person might have developed through intense education. Many non-Christians are blessed with such providential talents. While every good thing and perfect gift is ultimately from God (James 1:17), God has decided to equip His believers with special gifts in order to bless the lives of other Christians and to build up His church. God can also use a natural talent for that purpose when the person acknowledges that even such a talent ultimately comes from God and then prayerfully and submissively dedicates that talent to the Lord's work.

What does Paul tell his readers in 1 Corinthians 12:14-31 about the distribution of the gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:14-31 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18But in fact God has placedthe parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19If they were all one part, where would the body be?20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ,and each one of you is a part of it.28And God has placed in the churchfirst of all apostles,second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,of helping, of guidance,and of different kinds of tongues.29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues?Do all interpret?31Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. Love Is Indispensable And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

A POSSIBLE ANSWER: God has placedthe parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. Each has its unique function but all are to be honored and respected.

Why is this perspective so important for understanding how spiritual gifts function in the church? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: It is important because that perspective facilitates greater unity, a healthier respect for its functions and enables the smooth, efficient, and successful running of the entire body, the church.

The Holy Spirit is the one who distributes the gifts according to His wisdom and will. Since He loves us and knows best how we can serve Him most efficiently, we do not need to be envious of others and their gifts. To envy other gifts is a sign of ingratitude toward God and of doubting His wisdom in distributing His gifts.

What gifts has God granted to members of your church? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: Helps, missions, administration, Service and pastoring, etc. .

What message can you take away from the fact that different people have different gifts? A POSSIBLE ANSWER: That we need to accept and appreciated the fact that we can have different gifts and the need to work together in unity in order to achieve the overall mission.

Tuesday February 21 The Purpose of the Spiritual Gifts

Read Romans 12:3-8 Humble Service in the Body of Christ 3For by the grace given meI say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,5so in Christ we, though many, form one body,and each member belongs to all the others.6We have different gifts,according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;if it is giving, then give generously;if it is to lead,do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. .... Prophecy. In the Scriptures this term applies to any inspired utterance and is not to be limited to the foretelling of future events. A prophet may speak of the past, the present, or the future (see Ex. 7:1; Luke 1:76, 77; Acts 15:32; 1 Cor. 14:3, 24, 25).