Beki's Notes: Gifts Preview

The GIFTS of the Holy Spirit - 101

 

GIFTS are given by God, at His sole discretion, according to His will.

• “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Cor. 12:11) 
• “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6a)
•  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10)

GIFTS belong to the only one true God, and they require submission to God to function. (This means they will also come in proper time and order.)

• “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Cor. 12:4-6)
• “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Cor. 12:11)
• “Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:1-3)
• “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” (1 Cor. 14:31-33)

 
GIFTS are intended to glorify God. God glorifies Himself through us, thus we are also glorified (think ultimate functioning capacity) in the process.

• “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:14)
• “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoⁱ have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30)

 
GIFTS are given for the common good—out of love, for God is love.

• “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:7)
• “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) 
• READ Romans 12:9-18 
• READ 1 Corinthians 13

What are the Gifts?

1. Wisdom
2. Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miracles/Miraculous Powers
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing between spirits/Discernment
8. Different Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues

Romans 8:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if 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.”

BexNotes: Romans 12:1-5

Romans 12:1 – Sacrifice:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy [set apart] and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

1. The first sacrifice took place in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned. (Genesis 3:21) 
2.  The first living sacrifice was/is Jesus. (Hebrews 10:5-10)
3. The first conjunction of sacrifice with worship was when Abraham sacrificed Isaac. In fact, it was the first time the term worship was used in the Bible. (Genesis 22:5)

What do you sacrifice? Your body. The conclusions your five senses create.

Romans 12:2 – Renew Your Mind:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

1.  The pattern of this world is simple: Depravity. (Romans 1:28-31)
2. Why the mind? Because it is the control center. (Proverbs 23:6-8; Phil. 4:6-9; 2 Cor. 10:5)
3. What is God’s will? Salvation, sanctification, and fellowship in waiting. AKA, the opposite of depravity. (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Thess. 4:3, and 5:16-18

Before you can do God’s will (AKA, wield the gifts), you must have God’s mind and will running through you. Out with the old. In with the new. (Gal. 2:20)

Romans 12:3 – Humility and Faith:

“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.”

1. Remain humble. (1 Pet. 5:6, Micah 6:8, Prov. 16:18)
2. Keep the faith. (Eph. 2:8-9, Heb. 11:6)

Remember, both of these things urge us to keep God in His proper place: Above us and any gifts we do/do not have.

Romans 12:4-5 – Stay With the Body:

“For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

1. Many members, including the apostles. (1 Cor. 12:27, Eph. 2:19-20, Heb. 12:1)
2. Body function. (1 Cor. 12:12-31, Eph. 5:21)

God’s design gives us protection, diversity, and a greater sphere of influence.