KSBC Builders ABF
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Spiritual Gifts
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The Big Idea: God has gifted all believers.
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Why should we study this? Paul didn't want to Corinthians to be ignorant (1 Corinthians 12:1)
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Overview of gifts
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What are they
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There are various lists throughout scripture. Combined this could be a complete list. But it may not be, since the emphasis seems to not be on any particular set of gifts or being comprehensive in any particular passage.
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Romans 12:6-8
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1 Corinthians 12:28
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1 Corinthians 12:8-10
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Ephesians 4:11
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1 Corinthians 7:7
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1 Peter 4:11
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There are gifts of speech and action
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There are "normal" gifts and more miraculous gifts
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What do the gifts tell us about the Giver?
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The gifts reflect the attributes of God. Use our own gifts and the evidences of others' gifts to remind us and teach us about God.
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Do let a study of spiritual gifts focus completely on us and our gifts.
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That all Christians have been gifted. The gifts come from the Holy Spirit.
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Our gifts may be different, but we all need each other and we're in this together.
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Having gifts isn't easy and you don't get to pick them
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Don't be the bratty kid at Christmas
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Our gifts may not be just what initially appears to us to come easiest or we enjoy the most
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You have to work at your gift.
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You have at least one gift, but you may have more. But all your gifts may not be the same strength. Some things you may have to work at. This may be hard, painful, and frustrating.
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God not only provides the gifts and abilities, but also provides the opportunities to use them.
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Seek out other believers to affirm your gifts, practice and work on your gift
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How are spiritual gifts different from our "natural" gifts and abilities?
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All people have been given natural abilities. Everyone made in the image of God.
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Only believers have been given spiritual gifts.
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A believer should use their natural abilities in the service of their spiritual gift
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What gifts aren't
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They don't contradict Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:3)
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They don't tear down - the build up (edify) - 1 Corinthians 14
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Love empowers the gifts
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1 Corinthians 13
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Love will remain. Why? Because love always was. The trinity has perfect love - in eternity past, now, and in eternity future. We have the gifts now because the Father loves us. In eternity future with Him, we won't need these gifts.
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The gifts of God are dispensed through the Spirit of God so that the church of God can minister like the Son of God. (from http://theresurgence.com/series/spiritual_gifts)
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Questions about specific gifts, most(somewhat prepared for questions on these)
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Miraculous gifts like speaking in tongues (heavenly language and earthly languages), prophecy, healing
- 4 views
- Open but cautious
- Third Wave
- Pentecostal/Charismatic view
- Except extreme view points of God can't/won't perform miracles on one end and all believers must speaking in tongues as an evidence of having the power of the Holy Spirit
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Application
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Don't waste this time of your life. If you're a believer, God has gifted you and you need to use that gift. In 10, 20, 30+ years, you shouldn't be using your gifts in the same way you are now. You should be growing. But now is not a time of your life when God lets you be inactive.
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God may change your gifting as you grow and learn. He may challenge you to use gifts you thought you were weak in.
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Give example of my exploring if I have a gift of teaching.
http://theresurgence.com/series/spiritual_gifts
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/1st-corinthians
http://www.amazon.com/Miraculous-Gifts-Today-Wayne-Grudem/dp/0310201551
http://ksbc.net/BlogEntry.aspx?site_id=10236&entry_id=149840
From the KSBC constitution:
M. Spiritual Gifts - We believe that God gives spiritual gifts, allowing us to serve others and worship Him. We also believe that God gave special gifts of tongues, healing, miracle working and others during the initial stages of establishing the Church of Jesus Christ. These special gifts were given as evidence of the Church’s supernatural character until the Word of God was given in its complete form. After the Word was complete, the special signs were no longer needed. We do, however, believe that God still performs miracles and that healing is still very much a part of His program. I Corinthians 12, 13:3-10, James 5:13-16