The Upside-Down Kingdom PT 5

1 Corinthians 12 ESV

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 

1 Corinthians 12 ESV

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

1 Corinthians 12 ESV

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

1 Corinthians 14 ESV

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 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.

We exist to develop effective followers of Christ who demonstrate the heart of heaven on earth. 

A BELIEVER WILL NEVER FULLY GROW TO THEIR POTENTIAL UNTIL THEY ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

1. The Holy Spirit is a “Gift from God.” 

A. The baptism is a gift given by God our Father to empower us on the earth.  

B. The Holy Spirit is a good gift!

Luke 11 

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 11

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:

22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

2. The Holy Spirit gives supernatural gifts to people just like you. 

1 Corinthians 12 KJV

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

1 Corinthians 12 KJV

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

1 Corinthians 12 ESV

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, 

who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

3. There are some basic principles that we need to understand about the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12 ESV

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

A. These are not gifts in the sense that the believer owns them.

B. They are gifts of the Spirit manifested through us as the Spirit of God wills. 

C. Given in order to profit the whole body of Christ.  

D. The gifts of The Spirit are supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God.

4. Let’s take a look at the function and operation of the individual gifts. 

3 Gifts of revelation:

Word of wisdom - Part of the divine will and purposes of God. 

Word of knowledge - Certain facts and details of the past or present. 

Discerning of spirits - Knowing what spirit is behind a manifestation. 

3 Gifts of power:

Faith - The ability to believe for a miracle. 

Working of Miracles - The ability to work a miracle. 

Gifts of Healings - Supernatural manifestation for healing sickness and disease. 

1 Corinthians 14 ESV

14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 

3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 

4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 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.

3 Gifts of inspiration:

Prophecy - A word of edification, encouragement, or comfort.

Tongues - Speaking in a language never learned or understood. 

Interpretation of tongues - To interpret a message from a language never learned. 

5. Why don’t we see the gifts in operation more than we do? 

1 Corinthians 14 ESV

14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,

      People aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit.

      People don’t understand the gifts of the Spirit.

      People don’t feel qualified.

      People don’t earnestly desire the gifts.