Presentation Transcript
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The Body of Christ – Gifting for Service: The Body of Christ – Gifting for Service Readings: Rom 12:3 – 8 (p. 1047)
1 Cor 12:27 – 13:3 (p. 1061)
14:1 – 5 (p. 1061)
The Body of Christ & Gifting : The Body of Christ andamp; Gifting What is a Gift?
Helping us move house – a gift to us.
Not a payment, not earned.
A Christian is …
Someone who is part of the Body of Christ (Rom 12:5)
Gifts – do you want them?
Which one? Why?
To confirm personal faith?
To have a ‘cool’ experience?
To serve God’s purposes in edifying others?
1. Gifts & Fruit of the Spirit: 1. Gifts andamp; Fruit of the Spirit Gifts (Rom 12: 6-8; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11)
Prophesy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading, mercy, healing, helping, tongues, … etc … (there are many more)
Fruit (Gal 5: 22-23)
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Gifts are actions/activities
– Fruits are dispositions/character traits
1. Gifts & Fruit of the Spirit …: 1. Gifts andamp; Fruit of the Spirit … Gifts also include general enabling and help
E.g. Prayer (Rom 8: 26-27)
'groans' (stenagmos) ≠'tongues' (glossa, dialektos)
Gifts are given for 'the common good' (1 Cor 12:7)
To strengthen, encourage, comfort, edify andamp; equip the Church (1 Cor 14:3-4; Eph 4:12)
Gifts are for the Present age and will pass away (1 Cor 13: 8-13)
Fruits reflect the character of God in us - forever
2. Gifting includes ‘natural’ abilities: 2. Gifting includes ‘natural’ abilities Gifting may be a special ‘spiritual’ ability
Prophesy, tongues, knowledge, etc
Gifting also includes our ‘natural’ abilities (Deut 8: 17-18)
Serving, helping, teaching, etc
Should I try to discover/discern my gifting?
Good to know, but don’t be distracted from obedience.
Don’t confuse gifting and form – e.g. teaching.
3. ‘Manifestations’ and the Spirit: 3. ‘Manifestations’ and the Spirit Not all ecstatic experiences come from God
They may be 'nothing' (1 cor. 13: 1-3)
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Book: 'Spiritual Affections': evidences of the Spirit –
Deep perception of God andamp; relationship with Him
Pure Love for God andamp; beauty of holiness
Arising of ‘gracious affections’ a result of new understanding
New lifestyle based on appreciating the truth of the Gospel
Sense of personal sinfulness and a ‘horror’ of sin
Deep spiritual longings and desire for Christlikeness
NB: Consistent personal holiness in practice
Conclusion - : Conclusion - Avoiding hurtful and exploitative extremes:
Overemphasizing experiences and 'gifts'
Underemphasizing the work andamp; manifestations of the Spirit.
All the work of the Spirit is GOOD!
We need the Spirit to work amongst us –
Some of this will be spectacular, unusual, amazing …
Some of this will be quiet, unseen, ordinary graciousness
Come Holy Spirit! (Exod. 33:15-16)
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