Paul is answering questions that have been sent to him concerning actions that are happening in the church in Corinth.

  1. We have dealt with problems that are occurring in the church concerning
    1. Immorality
    2. Lawsuits
    3. Marriage
    4. Serving God and attending pagan temples
  2. We have also dealt with the problems in the church services
    1. How people are to dress in the services
    2. How they are taking communion and what it means
  3. Now we are dealing with the use of Spiritual Gifts.

 

1. Jesus is Lord Vs1-3

 

1. I do not want you to be ignorant
1. Some ignore spiritual gifts because they lead to confusion

1. I believe we need to teach so there is no confusion
2. Some say that these gifts that we are talking about are not for today.

1. We will look at those verses as they come up and see that the instructions given are for us.

  1. Paul is unifying the use of spiritual gifts with the character of the people using them.
    1. You have seen pagans swept away worshipping idols Vs 2
    2. The gifts Paul is talking about have been used in pagan worship.
    3. Just because someone is using a gift, does not say anything about their character.
      1. Note the warning in Matthew 7: 21 – 23 of people who have used spiritual gifts and never were in relationship with Jesus.
      2. This would explain why some people are able to be seen using gifts, but their character is far from a relationship with Jesus.
  2. Only those who profess the Lordship of Jesus are those of right character
    1. This is more than just saying “Jesus is Lord”
      1. Someday every knee will bow and confess the Lordship of Jesus (See Philippians 2: 9 – 11)
      2. This is not saying if someone says Jesus is Lord they are spiritual.
    2. This is saying they live their lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
    3. More specific
      1. “Jesus” (The crucified one or as the name means,”he will save them from their sins” (See Matthew 1: 21)
      2. “Is” By His resurrection from the dead
      3. “Lord” Master of the whole universe

 

2. If something is important, then it is mentioned more than once in the Bible Romans 11: 36

1. Everything exists by his power and glory and all is for him.
1. God has given Him a name that is above every other name Philippians 2: 9

2. So allow God to form His character in you. Romans 12: 1 , 2
1. Don’t copy the behavior of this world (You have seen how the pagans worship)

 

2. Let God transform your life (profess Jesus is Lord)

  1. Have an honest evaluation of yourself Romans 12: 3
    1. We are not owners of the gifts that are given to us.
    2. We will use them in accordance to the measure of faith that is poured out into our lives.
  2. We are all part of the same body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 26)
  3. We use the gifts according to the amount of faith we have

1. These are spiritual gifts, not just natural abilities.
1. We don’t need faith to be able to teach if we are a teacher. Vs 6

2. We are to take the using of these gifts seriously Vs 8

  1. Remember to act in love in the use of these spiritual gifts Vs 9, 10 (See 1 Corinthians 13)
  2. So what Paul is sharing in Corinthians, he has shared before. We have more details in Corinthians because he is answering specific questions.

IMPORTANT: In both places, Paul is challenging the people to judge character rather than charisma. Charisma can be manufactured, but character can only be formed by the working of the Holy Spirit.

 

  1. There is a definite difference between the possession and operation of the gifts of the spirit and spirituality.
  2. Spirituality is defined as the Holy Spirit’s ability to control another persons life!
    1. This would be measured by fruit in a person’s life.
    2. Purity
    3. Obedience to God.
  3. We are earthen vessels that contain the spirit of God
    1. When people use spiritual gifts, flesh can get in the way. (See 2 Corinthians 4: 7)
    2. Excesses happen in services because we are flesh
    3. Gordon Anderson “If someone is manifesting and somebody asks me if what they are doing is flesh or spirit I answer them Yes. We are earthen vessels that contain the glory of God so there is always dust”!
  4. The Corinthian church is experiencing excesses and Paul is warning these are not signs of their spirituality. BUT. Don’t toss out all gifts of the spirit because of a fear of excess.

Continue to teach and train others.! We are going to

  1. Look at spiritual gifts
  2. See how they are to be used in the church
  3. Practice how to use them
  4. Learn the guidelines of how to act in love with each other.