The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to accomplish a number of significant purposes. He came to identify Jesus Christ as the risen, living Lord and Messiah. He was given to unite the followers of Christ into a living body in which Christ could dwell and continue his work of redemption in the world.
Scripture
1 Peter 4:1-11 NIV [1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. [7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Introduction
We all like to receive gifts. But God is the greatest giver of gifts.
James 1:16-18 NIV Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
God has given us his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior, Teacher, Friend, Lord, and Helper. God has also given us, as we talked about last week, a living gift, the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. That living gift enables us to do His work.
Text:
1 Peter 4:10 NIV [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
The Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost to accomplish a number of significant purposes. He came to identify Jesus Christ as the risen, living Lord and Messiah. He was given to unite the followers of Christ into a living body in which Christ could dwell and continue his work of redemption in the world.
Acts 1:4-8 NIV [4] On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” [6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit was given to identify the church to the Jewish people as the new Israel through whom God would carry forward his eternal redemptive purpose. He was given to enable and to empower the church to succeed in preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth.
He was given to impart and to plant the confession “Jesus Christ is Lord” at the very center of every person’s being.
Acts 2:37-38 NIV [37] When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I. The gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was given to produce within each believer the nature and character and personality of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures also teach us that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to every member of the church so that each person might fulfill the function God has for him or her.
We have talked about spiritual gifts before but we all, including me, need reminders from time to time.
2 Peter 1:12 NIV [12] So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
References to the variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit for ministering in the church and through the church to the world are listed in several different books of the New Testament.
A. Paul listed some of the gifts of the Spirit in his letter to the church in Rome.
Romans 12:6-8 NIV [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
B. One of the major sections on the gifts of the Spirit in chapter 12 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
C. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul listed more gifts of the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV [11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
A. The gifts of the Spirit are all “grace gifts.”
They are given to all believers. They are given by the Holy Spirit. They are not earned for outstanding service. They are gifts from the Holy Spirit.
B. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are his sovereign gifts.
He makes the decision of who gets what gift or gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
C. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are functional gifts.
The gifts of the Spirit are not like decorative ornaments to be worn or boxes of candy to be enjoyed. Rather, they enable believers to minister as the body of Christ and are intended to produce harmony and effectiveness in service.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NIV [1] Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. [5] I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
D. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the good of the church.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given by God to encourage the church. This is not to imply that the individual is not edified or built up by receiving a gift from the Holy Spirit, but the main reason for the gift is to build up edify, and enable the church to accomplish it's mission which is to succeed in preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth. They are reflections of God's grace expressed through individuals by the power of the Holy Spirit. Every gift is given, not for individual good, but for the common good of the whole church.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
E. Every single believer is given at least one gift from the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures teach that each believer has received at least one gift from the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:6 NIV [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
III. Discovering and using your spiritual gift.
Because each one of us has received a spiritual gift and it is to be used for the common good it is incumbent on each of us to identify and use our gift. So how do we do that?
A. We should study the scriptural lists of the gifts of the Spirit and then examine ourselves sincerely and honestly to see if we have some talent, gift, or inclination that would indicate that God has placed upon us the blessing and the burden of a particular gift.
B. We should experiment with acts of faith as we feel led, trusting the Spirit for guidance. We can do this by identifying needs that we believe we can meet and then do what we can to meet those needs. We may discover that we have the gift after we have met a particular need.
C. If we get a particular joy out of doing a certain type of Christian service, it could be that we are working in the area in which the Holy Spirit has given us a gift.
D. We should evaluate our effectiveness in service. Certainly, it would follow that if we cannot carry a tune, we do not have the gift of singing solos or being a part of a singing group. The gifts of the Spirit are for the building up of the church. If what we attempt to do does not build up the church, then it probably follows that it is not an area in which we have a gift.
E. We should recognize the affirmations of other believers. Many times, others who are more mature in the faith will recognize your gifts before you do. When others commend you for a service that is rendered, they may be giving you a clue concerning what your gift is.
Conclusion
God gave the gift of his Son to the world.
John 3:16-17 NKJV [16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved
If you have received his Son, Jesus Christ, as your Savior, you have also received the gift of his Holy Spirit. When we become the children of God, God sends the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.
Galatians 4:6 NIV [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
If you have received God’s Son and Spirit, then there is a gift or gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to you in order that you might be a living, vital, functioning part of the body of Christ. God wilk bless you and use you greatly as you recognize and respond to the gift or gifts the Holy Spirit has given you for ministering in the world.
As Christians, we must resist the temptation to think of ourselves as “better than.” Instead, we should remember that we are all part of one body, and no part is more important than another.
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, you can’t receive this gift. But God loves you and His love never wears out. God’s love is patient, persistent, and persevering.
God never gives up on you. No matter what you have done, his love never gives up. It’s wide enough to include everybody, and it’s long enough to last forever.
God’s love will last forever—but you do have to choose to accept it by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
Are you ready to accept God’s love and offer of salvation today?
Do what it says in
Romans 10:9-10 NIV [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Here’s a way to do that you can pray something like this prayer.
“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
"I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. I believe that your love for me and your faithfulness will continue forever. Please guide my life, and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, let us know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
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