1 Corinthians 12:4-7: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”

Introduction

Opening Illustration:

• Attempting to run a car without an engine—futile and powerless
  • Trying to fulfill the Great Commission without the Spirit’s power is equally impossible
  • Luke 24:49: The disciples were told to “stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
  • We have a massive task: God’s mission in a hostile world

The Disciples’ Transformation

• Consider the disciples before the Spirit’s power came upon them:
  • Lacked Heart for the World: Wanted to send away hungry multitudes (Mark 6:36), persistent Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:23), little children (Matthew 19:13)
  • Lacked Power Over Spiritual Problems: Powerless to cast out some demons (Mark 9:18, 28); struggled to remember Jesus’ lessons (Mark 8:21).
  • Lacked Humble Heart of Service: Instead of preferring others, disputed about greatness (Mark 9:34) and jockeyed for kingdom position (Mark 10:37, 41).
  • Lacked Necessary Boldness: Could not withstand persecution—all forsook Jesus and fled when arrested (Mark 14:50).
• After Pentecost – Everything Changed…
• Central Question: If the Spirit empowers us for mission, how do we actively partner with him?

1. Earnestly Desire Spiritual Gifts

Introduction

Paul told the Corinthians: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)

The Spirit Himself is the Primary Gift

• At Conversion: The Spirit of adoption comes to reside within us—a radical and mind-blowing gift from God, of God himself.
  • 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
• Living Presence: Within us to change, shape, mold, guide, and lead us
• Foundational: All other gifts flow from this primary gift of the Spirit’s indwelling

The Nature of Spiritual Gifts

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-7: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good”
  • Three Key Varieties:
    • Varieties of gifts: numerous abilities
    • Varieties of service: differing ministries/emphases
    • Varieties of activities: many expressions of those abilities and ministries
      • Important: Walker Cup ←→ Monster Truck Rally
  • 1 Corinthians 12:11: “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills”

Purpose and Characteristics

• Not badges of maturity (Corinthian church was not lacking in any spiritual gift, yet struggled with maturity—1 Cor. 1:7)
• Not rewards to be earned (gifts)
• Not for you (others oriented)
• Not to promote you (but Christ)
  • John 16:13-14: “When the Spirit of truth comes…He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you”
• Not natural talents (God-given or supernatural in some sense)
• Not unloving (but loving—1 Cor. 13)

Survey of Key Spiritual Gifts

Word-Based Gifts

• Teaching (Romans 12:7)
  • Definition: Taking complex biblical truths and making them simple and understandable for spiritual growth.
  • High Calling: James 3:1—”Those who teach will be judged with greater strictness” due to influence on others.
  • Purpose: Helping believers mature from needing “milk” to handling “solid food” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
  • Jesus’ Example: Matthew 7:29—People noted his authority; he taught differently than the scribes with power and clarity.
• Exhortation/Encouragement (Romans 12:8)
  • Definition: Appeals that often invite, encourage, or comfort the listener.
  • Modern Relevance: In our time where staying faithful requires great determination, this gift should be highly prized.
  • Biblical Purpose: Hebrews 10:24—”Stir up one another to love and good works.”
  • Jesus’ Example: John 14:1—”Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me”—perfect exhortation at the perfect moment
• Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
  • Definition: A specific, wise word from the Spirit given at the exact right time, different from general wisdom
  • Function: Often comes during critical moments to bring divided factions together or silence critics
  • Jesus’ Example: Luke 20:25—Tax question response: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
• Word of Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
  • Definition: Specific piece of information from the Holy Spirit, distinct from knowledge gained through study or experience
  • Purpose: Given to edify the church through supernatural insight into situations or people
  • Jesus’ Example: John 4:17-18—Revealed Samaritan woman’s marital history, leading to her testimony: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test everything; hold fast what is good.”
  • Evaluation Criteria:
    • Christ-Centeredness: Does it glorify Jesus?
    • Submission to Scripture: Consistent with biblical revelation?
    • Order and Clarity: Aligns with biblical call for order?
    • Moral Integrity: Godly character in the person?
    • Edification: Leads to building up or division?

Service-Based Gifts

• Helps (1 Corinthians 12:28)
  • Definition: Providing relief, support, and participation—taking on others’ burdens in Christ-like manner
  • Biblical Examples: Romans 16:3—Priscilla and Aquila as Paul’s “fellow workers”; Romans 16:2—Phoebe as “patron of many”
  • Jesus’ Example: John 13—Washing disciples’ feet; John 21—Making breakfast on the shore after resurrection
• Leads (Romans 12:8)
  • Definition: To stand before, to be over, or to be in a position of authority. It may or may not be as hands-on as administration, but it involves an appointment by God to a position of rule and oversight.
  • It can be exercised in large and small ways, from leading a small group to overseeing a ministry.
  • Jesus demonstrated this gift constantly as he led his disciples, choosing twelve to be his apostles and cultivating a larger ministry team. He was the ultimate leader of leaders who knew how to develop others for the glory of God.
• Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28)
  • Definition: Not natural administrative skill, but Spirit-given ability to govern, steer, or pilot others
  • Characteristics: Hands-on leadership gift involving guiding others from within the work, not distant management.
  • Jesus’ Example: Mark 6:39-40—Organizing feeding of 5,000 by instructing disciples to have crowds sit in orderly groups
• Generosity (Romans 12:8)
  • Definition: Spirit-enabled ability to give, share, or impart with extraordinary joy—more than just money
  • Scope: Ability to give all of oneself to God and others, including 1 Thessalonians 2:8—”not only the gospel but also our own selves.”
  • Universal vs. Gifted: While every Christian called to be generous, some have unique, Spirit-fueled power in this area
  • Jesus’ Example: John 3:16—Ultimate giver of time, energy, privacy, rights, and ultimately his own life.
• Mercy (Romans 12:8)
  • Definition: Spirit-empowered compassion for people, making one like “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).
  • Burden: Those with this gift are particularly burdened for the hurting and broken.
  • Jesus’ Example: Luke 4:18—”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… to heal the brokenhearted.”

Sign-Based Gifts

• Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
  • Definition: Not saving faith, but supernatural ability to believe God for particular situations when circumstances seem impossible
  • Function: Ability to trust God through seemingly insurmountable challenges
  • Jesus’ Example: Mark 14:36—In Gethsemane: “Yet not what I will, but what you will”—trusting Father through the difficult cup.
• Gifts of Healing (1 Corinthians 12:9)
  • Definition: Spirit-powered restoration of physical, emotional, or spiritual health through divine intervention
  • Jesus’ Ministry: Various and creative healings—leprosy, blindness, deafness, even death—demonstrating authority over all illness
  • Church Application: James 5:14-15—Elders encouraged to be open to this gift.
• Miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10)
  • Definition: This gift is a work of divine power that operates outside the natural realm to further the kingdom.
  • These signs can be hindered by a lack of faith, as Matthew notes that in Nazareth, Jesus “did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).
  • Jesus, of course, performed many miracles, including feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and calming a storm with a command.
• Discerning of Spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)
  • Definition: Supernatural gift to see the true spiritual nature of matters, protecting the church from deception.
  • Necessity: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
  • Jesus’ Example: John 2:24-25—”He knew all people… knew what was in man”; John 6:64—Knew from beginning who would betray him.

Gifts of Proclamation and Power

• Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10)
  • Definition: Speaking Spirit-inspired utterances, commonly “forth-telling” (not fortelling) in New Testament context
  • Purpose: 1 Corinthians 14:3—Threefold purpose: “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation”
  • Value: Because understandable, builds up church and considered greater than uninterpreted tongues
  • Encouragement: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 5—A gift that should be highly desired by believers
    • 1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
    • 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:5)
• Gift of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
  • Definition: Spirit-given ability to pray or praise God in language unknown to the speaker
  • Primary Use: 1 Corinthians 14:2—”Speaks not to men but to God; utters mysteries in the Spirit”—primarily devotional and private
  • Personal Benefit: Builds up the individual believer in their relationship with God
    • 1 Corinthians 14:4 (ESV) — 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
  • Public Guidelines: 1 Corinthians 14:27-28—Only with interpretation; otherwise “speak to himself and to God”
    • 1 Corinthians 14:27–28 (ESV) — 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
• Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
  • Definition: Makes public utterance in tongues understandable to others, transforming individual devotion into congregational edification
  • Function: Reveals the prayer allowing others to hear the Spirit’s intercession, not “thus saith the Lord” messages
  • Guidelines: 1 Corinthians 14:27—Limited to “two or at most three” with interpretation for church benefit

2. Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

The Biblical Pattern

• Jesus’ Promise: Would not leave them as orphans but would come to them (John 14:18)—the Holy Spirit was fulfillment of this promise
• John’s Prophecy: Mark 1:8—”I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”
  • Distinction: John immersed people into water; Jesus would immerse people into the Holy Spirit
• Different from Regeneration: While Spirit indwells all believers at conversion (Ephesians 1:13—”sealed with the promised Holy Spirit”), the “coming upon” experience at Pentecost brought transformational empowerment (Acts 1:8)
  • Cup / Pitcher / Water
• Multiple Experiences Throughout Acts:
  • Acts 2:4: Pentecost—”They were all filled with the Holy Spirit” with wind and tongues of fire
  • Acts 4:8: Peter “filled with the Holy Spirit” gave bold answer to high priestly family
  • Acts 4:31: Early church prayed; place shaken, “all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak… with boldness”
  • Acts 8:15-16: Samaria—Peter and John prayed for believers to receive the Spirit who “had not yet fallen on any.”
  • Acts 9:17: Paul—Ananias laid hands that he might “regain sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 10:44: Cornelius’s household—”Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word” while Peter preached.
  • Acts 13:9: Paul “filled with the Holy Spirit” directly rebuked the magician on Paphos.
  • Acts 19:6: Ephesus—Paul “laid hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them.”

The Ongoing Invitation

• No Rigid Template: These experiences are not identical—highlighting a basic need rather than an exact formula.
• Essential Need: Early church needed to be “baptized in, filled with, and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.”
• Biblical Imperative: Ephesians 5:18—”Do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.”
• Jesus’ Clear Invitation: Luke 11:13—”How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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3. Steward Your Gifts

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Study Questions

Head Questions (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding)

1. What are the three key varieties Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 regarding spiritual gifts, and how do they demonstrate the diversity within unity of the Spirit’s work?
2. Compare and contrast the disciples before and after Pentecost in four key areas. What does this transformation teach us about the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for Christian ministry?
3. Explain the difference between the Spirit’s indwelling at conversion versus being “filled with” or “baptized in” the Holy Spirit. How do the various accounts in Acts support the ongoing need for Spirit-filling?

Heart Questions (Feelings, Impressions, Desires)

1. What cultural strongholds, spiritual battles, or personal bondages in your life create a sense of desperation for the Holy Spirit’s power?
2. When you consider Jesus’ promise in Luke 11:13 that the Father will “give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him,” what emotions or hesitations arise? What might be holding you back from earnestly seeking the Spirit’s filling?
3. Which of the spiritual gifts discussed (teaching, exhortation, mercy, healing, etc.) stirs your heart most deeply? Why do you think that particular gift resonates with your desires to serve Christ and His church?

Hands Questions (Actions, Commitments, Decisions)

1. Paul commands us to “earnestly desire spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 14:1). What practical steps will you take this week to discover, develop, or deploy the spiritual gifts God has given you for the common good?
2. How will you apply the five evaluation criteria (Christ-centeredness, submission to Scripture, order and clarity, moral integrity, edification) to your own ministry expressions?
3. What specific action will you take to partner more fully with the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?