The sermon “Unlocking Your Spiritual Gifts: A Beginner’s Guide” discusses how everyone has special spiritual gifts meant to help others and strengthen the community. It highlights the need to understand ourselves and be open to guidance to find these gifts. Using examples from the Bible, it encourages listeners to discover and use their gifts, promising that doing so will lead to a fulfilling life of service and a closer relationship with the divine. The message ends by inviting everyone to explore and embrace their spiritual abilities for a better, more connected world.
Kingdom Way Church – https://KingdomWay.ca is our church in Edmonton, Alberta. Watch us live at https://KWay.live Sundays at 10:00 AM Mountain time. Watch Video on Demand at https://Kway.tv Connect and learn more at https://MyKWC.ca
Notes from Unlocking Your Spiritual Gifts: A Beginner’s Guide
1 Corinthians 12:1–22 NASB95
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
When discussing Spiritual gifts, several important considerations arise.
- They are an integral part of the Church. The reason I discussed this topic extensively today was so you could recognize that Spiritual gifts were and continue to be an essential aspect of our lives. Like Apostle Paul, I don’t want you to remain uninformed. Unfortunately, many Christians today are unaware of the abundance of spiritual gifts available to us. This ignorance may explain why the modern church has been ineffective in reaching those around us.
A new study published in 2022 by Pew Research Center projects a significant decline in Christians’ percentage in America by 2070 if current trends continue. This decline is also evident in Canada. Notably, denominations that neglect or disregard the practical application of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives are facing a crisis. For instance, The United Church of Canada is losing one church every week. Conversely, denominations emphasizing the person and work of the Holy Spirit are experiencing growth in Canada.
Paul was likely aware of this situation when he declared in 1 Corinthians 12:1 NASB95: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.” Therefore, as a church, we will dedicate the next three months to educating ourselves about the Holy Spirit and the gifts He bestows upon us. We’ll also provide ample opportunities for practicing these gifts.
“The church is where we practice our gifts, and the world is where we use them.” Remember this as we prepare for a Holy Spirit Encounter Weekend on May 17-19.
- The Holy Spirit is the source of these gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:11–13 NASB95 This is not a natural or learned skill that can be acquired through monetary means. The Holy Spirit bestows these gifts as He deems fit. Just like salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus, these spiritual gifts are freely given by the Holy Spirit according to His will.
Acts 8 provides an example with Simon the sorcerer who sought to purchase this gift with money but was sternly rebuked by Peter. The gifts are not commodities that can be monetized; they are freely given by the Holy Spirit.
- Diversity of Spiritual Gifts. There’s been much talk about diversity lately in various contexts. While diversity is a wonderful God-given aspect, it’s essential to acknowledge that diversity without unity leads to chaos. Just as a football team needs players with diverse skills working together for success, unity complements diversity.
The chapter elaborates on how different gifts operate together effectively using the analogy of a human body. It emphasizes that each gift is valuable and necessary for the body’s proper functioning.
- Purpose of the Gifts. The purpose of spiritual gifts is for the common good and building up of the body of Christ. These gifts should be utilized in love and service to benefit others rather than for self-promotion or division. When each member uses their gifts faithfully, it enhances church functionality and fosters unity and growth.
- How do I receive my gift(s)? James 4:2b (NASB95) states: “You do not have because you do not ask.” Similar to salvation’s ABCs (Ask, Believe, Confess), receiving your spiritual gift(s) involves asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, believing you have received it, and operating in that gift under His empowerment.
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