Recap: Being filled with the Holy Spirit – like chocolate syrup in a glass of milk, needs to be stirred so that all of us looks like chocolate. Ephesians 5:18.
The Holy Spirit manifests gifts in us; some of those gifts are overtly supernatural. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the evidence of God-in-you. These come in several forms:
Invisible Visible
Common Fruits of the Spirit Praise
Specific Motivational or Ministry Gifts Manifestations (Charismatic)
Charismatic Gifts – “charis” from the Greek word χαρις or χαρισμα, meaning graciousness or gift. See 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
Miracles and answered prayer vs charismatic gifts
Gifts are under conscious control, but not necessarily conscious direction (1 Cor 14:32)
Cessasionists, Continuists, and Cautious-ists.
Key Concept: We should strive to receive, discover, and develop our specific spiritual gifts.
Conclusion of Charismatic Gifts
Understanding the Charismatic gifts, what do we do about them?
1 Corinthians 12:27-31. How does one eagerly desire the greater gifts? What are the greater gifts? What is the greatest gift? (Love)
What is the point of the charismatic gifts? - 1 Cor 14:12, 26
For more reflection, read all of 1 Corinthians 14:1-39
1 Corinthians 14:5 – I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. Can we ask the Spirit for gifts? Of course! But motivation matters.
Specific “Invisible” Gifts
Read 1 Cor 12:27-28.
Any that surprise you? Which of these gifts would you call Charismatic, or visible? Which are invisible? Read Ephesians 4:7-12. What is the purpose of these gifts? What metaphor is used here that was used in 1 Corinthians?
Can we ask for these gifts? Of course! But motivation matters.
Read Romans 12:3-8. Any surprising gifts? How do we distinguish a gift from a talent?
Spiritual Gift Discovery
Which Christians get gifts of the Spirit? 1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:7
What are my spiritual gifts? How do I discover or develop them?
Spiritual gift assessments
SHAPE – from Saddleback church
Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience
http://www.sbpcshape.org
Problems with spiritual gift assessments:
1. No process of discovery
2. Do you know and give the right answers to the questions?
3. False limitations and false sense of permanence. What would Paul say? “Eagerly desire the
greater gifts.”
Purpose question - What is the purpose of my gifts, whatever they might be? For the building up of the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts are usually discovered in the context of serving the body.
Begin not with, “What am I good at” but rather, “What does the body need?”
The more you are engaged in Christ’s work, the more you will rely on the Spirit of Christ.
The more you are engaged in Christ’s body, the more you will need the Spirit of Christ.
Control – you or Him? Best when He is in control. Have you ever let Him reign?
Homework/Discussion Topics
1. Prayerfully consider your spiritual gifts. Take the assessment above, but also talk with fellow believers and reflect on your own. Where have you been “in the flow” of the Spirit, and what were you doing? What has the body needed from you?
2. Prayerfully consider what spiritual gifts you would like to have, and why you want those gifts. If you believe your motivation is solid, as the Holy Spirit to gift you! Again, consider how that new gift would benefit the body of Christ.