Spirit-Filled Spirituality: part 6

Discovering Your Spiritual Gift(s) Here’s a few thoughts on how to proceed (I would also recommend a book on Spiritual Gifts called: S.H.A.P.E. by Erik Rees)

Asking – ask the Lord to give, reveal to you Gifts of the Spirit

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Awareness study Romans 12; 1 Cor 12-14; Eph 4

Awareness – make note and be aware how God is using you, how you are wired and what you desire to do

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1

Activity – serve and see how God is leading and blessing you in your ministry

Affirmation – see how others respond to you use of gifts in ministry

Dangers of Abuse; clearly this are of Spiritual Giftedness is one of the hottest debated areas within the church… we must look at God’s Word, and put our preconceived ideas to the side as we search the Scriptures.  Remember…

·        Spiritual Gifts are not merely for personal use

·        Spiritual Gifts are not gained by merit or begging

·        Spiritual Gifts can be abused by being exercised in the flesh

·        Spiritual Gifts Discovery is not an Option

·        Spiritual Gifts should not be a cause of discouragement

·        Spiritual Gifts should not be a cause for Pride

·        Spiritual Gifts should not be sought as an end in themselves

·        Avoid Extreme Positions on the Gifts, that go beyond or ignore Scripture

·        Spiritual Gifts can be counterfeited by the flesh or demonic forces

·        Spiritual Gifts should not be sought as an end in themselves

Remember the Gift Never Leaves the Hand of the Giver!!! (translation… it’s all in Jesus)

Spirit-Filled Spirituality: part 5

So far we’ve discussed the…

1. Diversity and Unity in the Body of Christ

2. The Nature and Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Now…

3. The Benefits of God’s Gifts (all God’s Gifts Are Good, they can’t be otherwise when given from Him)

The Gifts are Desirable for 3 Reasons

·        You will be Satisfied

·        Others will be Edified

·        God will be Glorified

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Now most Christians know that there is an in-house Debate Over the Gifts, which ones are in and which ones are out.  Typically it is defined as: Cessationists (meaning certain gifts have ceased) VS Non-Cessationists (meaning that all gifts are operational for today).  While there are clearly excesses and misuses of spiritual gifts, there does not seem to be ANY indication from Scripture to discount any Spiritual gift, that God gives to whomever He wills.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If 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? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

I’m not going to say much here, except that many over the years have gone to great length to discount certain gifts, despite the very Word of God that they affirm.  Most of the time these books/papers/sermons come from a “lack of experience” so therefore they must not exist today.  Some churches tend to be more “Word Centered Churches” and others tend to be “Spirit Centered Churches.”   It has been my desire and that of leadership of the church I pastor to be a “Christ Centered Church.”  Our lives are centered on Christ – He is our life, both individually and collectively.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Lastly (at least for this time) let me say that the “Gift Does Not Leave the Hand of the Giver.”  Which means that God’s Grace, Gifts and Life are all in Christ.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13

Spirit-Filled Spirituality: part 4

Spirit-Filled Spirituality: The Gifts of the Spirit

1. Diversity and Unity in the Body of Christ

We are God’s Family

Romans 8:14-17 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,

We are God’s Holy temple

Ephesians 2:20-22 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4-5 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are the Body of Christ

Romans 12:4-5 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Ephesians 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Colossians 2:19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

 2. The Nature and Purpose of Spiritual Gifts (Grk: charismata from charis/ grace)

Every Christian has one or more gifts

1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Many believers have received more than one gift

Spiritual Gifts may be given at conversion, but lie dormant

Spiritual Gifts can be abused and or neglected

Spiritual Gifts are not the same as the gift of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

FRUIT IS ETERNAL, GIFTS ARE TEMPORAL

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Spiritual Gifts are not the same as natural talents

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

All Christians are called to a ministry, though not all to an office

Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

Some Spiritual Gifts are more useful in local churches than others because they result in edification of the body 

1 Corinthians 12:31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Charismata = grace gifts, and are sovreignly given

1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Spiritual Gifts are God’s equipment for effective service and edification of the body

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

High mobilization of Spiritual Gifts was the key to the rapid multiplication of the church in the New Testament

Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--
Ephesians 4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up