James 1: 17...Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

If you read last weeks study on Christmas, you by now are well aware of my feelings on that subject. As we come into this Holiday season, I want us to re-focus our attention away from Christmas gifts and focus on another kind of gift, “Spiritual Gifts”.

Sadly enough, a lot of Christian don’t know what “Spiritual Gifts” are, what they mean, nor do they understand that God has placed one or more of these gifts inside of them. Each persons gift or gifts, goes unrecognized and lays dormant in the life of many believers. I think there is plenty of blame to go around as to the reason why many Christians either don’t understand God’s roll for them and their gift or don’t understand that there are “Spiritual Gifts” in them that God is just waiting to unleash in their lives. I think a lot of the blame lays at the doorstep of the Church itself. The Church should be actively helping their members discover, cultivate and perfect the gift or gifts that God has placed within them. Some Churches don’t even believe that all of the “Spiritual Gifts” even exists in this day and time. So it is goes without saying, they can’t help cultivate those gifts. The blame can also be placed at the feet of each individual Christian for not taking the time to read God’s Word and understand what “Spiritual Gifts” are. So let’s step away from the blame game for a moment and focus on solutions to the problem and learn a little more about these “Gifts“.

First of all I think we all need to know what these “Spiritual Gifts” are that I am talking about. I first thought of typing them out and giving an explanation of each gift, but my little fingers rebelled at the thought. So, I have found a web site put up by Lakeview Baptist Church that gives a pretty good explanation of each gift. I do not necessarily subscribe to every word written here so keep that in mind as you read them. I still think they have done a pretty good job and it is a good place to start, so, please take a moment and familiarize yourself with each gift by clicking the link below.

Buildingchurch.net

The bulk of this study will focus around the scripture of 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 & 14. Again, I will not post here the entire chapters, only the scriptures to highlight my points but I do encourage each of you to study these three chapters in their entirety on your own.

1 Corinthians 12: 1 - 11...Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 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. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Paul tells us here that there are different gifts, different kinds of services and different kinds of working but that all of these come by the Spirit of God who works all of them in men. Paul also tells us that the manifestation (or the demonstration) of these gifts and workings are “for the common good”. To the common good of what? To the common good of the Church or body of believers. Can God manifest his gifts in you if you are not in a “Church”? I sit here today teaching you about “Spiritual Gifts” and yet I do not attend a Church regularly…So, the answer is yes. Can I pass on a word of Prophecy sitting here at my home? Yes, I can to each of you. My dogs have yet to respond to my words of prophecy, they just wag their tails, but I hope each of you will. I think Paul’s (God’s) intention though, was to utilize these gifts as the body of Christ came together to meet, praise, worship and seek God’s guidance. We also find out in Vs 11, that God gives these gifts at his discretion to whom ever he wants to. We are not limited to one gift, but we can be assured that God has placed in us at least one, we just need to recognize that gift and start using it for his glory. Let’s use me for an example: I believe that God has blessed me with at least five gifts. It started out with “giving” and “discerning of spirits”. I also believe that God has blessed me with the “communication” gifts that was listed in the article you read. Those communication gifts consist of Prophecy, Exhortation and Teaching. I have just recently discovered the teaching gift as God directed me to start this study. My first reaction was, Who me, me teach? And God said “yes you, get off your duff and start teaching what you know, the things that I have taught you over the years“! So here I am, if I had never chosen to accept this challenge, that gift would have stayed dormant or given to another who was willing. I also found it interesting that God seems to give you gifts that encompass the strengths you’ve had in your natural life all along, sometimes “natural gifts” that you possessed to some degree even before you were saved. Ok, enough about me and my gifts! Why does God put these gifts within us? What is the purpose behind this master plan? Why different gifts for different folks? Let’s take a look…

1 Corinthians 12: 12 - 27...The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are un presentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Paul, to make his illustration as to the proper functioning of these gifts, chose the human body to illustrate. He is comparing the “Body of Christ”, or “believers“, to the functioning of the human body. In a nut shell here, God is trying to point out that just like every part of the human body has a purpose, so do every believer and gift have a different purpose in the Church. We can’t all be the eye or the foot or the head. Every gift and every believer has a special and specific purpose in the body of Christ. The part that I believe that has been lost in the Church today is that everybody wants to be the head… Nobody wants to step forward and be the parts that are less desirable. Read again Vs 23 - 26...

Vs 23 - 26...and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are un presentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Paul tells us that those parts that are less honorable and desirable are to be treated with special honor. Why? So that there would be an equality within the body and no division. And Paul says that if one part suffers, all parts suffer, if one part is honored, every part is honored. In my opinion, it just doesn’t work that way today. Everyone is seeking their own glory. Everyone is seeking their own honor. If God has given you a gift that seems less attractive and honorable, embrace that gift and use it for God’s glory. If you have been given gifts that have elevated your status in the body of Christ, I suggest humbling yourself before God and the body of Christ so that your true gift can be maximized. If you are that attractive “head gift”, I suggest giving more honor to "the feet" before you find yourself with no way of getting around. I suggest lifting up "the hand" before you find that there is no way to feed yourself. I suggest praising "the eye" and all that he does before you find that your Godly vision has been darkened. We are to use these special gifts not to bring honor to ourselves, but to bring honor to Jesus Christ.

Now, in my opinion, the most controversial gift is ‘Speaking in Tongues”. In case you don’t know or understand what the “Gift of Tongues” is, let me give you the definition that the article gave above.

Tongues: "The special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ (a) to speak to God in a language that they have never learned and/or (b) to receive and communicate a message of God to his people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language they never learned." This gift is a sign gift. At Lakeview Baptist Church, God has chosen not to use the gift of tongues on a corporate level, therefore the instances where the (b) portion of this gift are in use is very limited. However, there are several small groups within the church among whom God has chosen to use this gift. Tongues is often associated with intercession and/or faith, but must be recognized as not necessarily being the sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or even as evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Tongues, like any other spiritual gift, is given by God to whomever He chooses to be used to His glory and the edification of the Church. 1 Corinthians 13:1 suggests that there are two forms of the gift of tongues: tongues of men and tongues of angels. This would mean that the speaker could be speaking in an earthly language, or in a language beyond normal human understanding.

Some people believe that the “Gift of Tongues” was for times past and do not believe that God utilizes this gift in today’s time. If I understand their thinking correctly they use 1 Corinthians 13: 8 to justify this belief.

1 Corinthians 13: 8...Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

You see, they take that one part that says…whether there be tongues, they shall cease. So they are basically saying that tongues existed back in Bible days (new testament), but does not now because it says they will cease. Well, can anyone tell me if knowledge has vanished away today too? Because in the very next statement it says that knowledge will vanish away. All three gifts that are pointed out, prophecies, tongues and knowledge are all gifts of the Holy Spirit. Based on this one verse you have to either believe that all three exist today or that none of them do, you can’t have it both ways. Let me give you another quick example of how people pick and choose what they want to believe. I have a friend who is a believer. He was introduced to a doctrine that believes that no one is really going to Hell. Those who are not saved, their sins will be burned up in the lake of fire, they will suffer some, but in the end, we will all be sitting around Heaven roasting marsh mellows and singing Amazing Grace (my terms) with Jesus. I pointed out to him what the Bible says about eternal life and eternal salvation and what it says about eternal Hell & eternal destruction. I said, do you believe that eternal life means time in Heaven without end? He said yes.. Then I said, but you can take the same word “eternal” and make it say something totally different when it refers to Hell. He had no answer and neither do those who believe that the gift of tongues has ceased. Now you might be surprised to learn that God has not seen fit to bless me in this way (tongues). Just because I have not received the gift, does not mean I don’t believe in it. I have not been given the gift of healing either but I believe God still heals today. Don’t you? In the scripture above, Paul is simply reminding us that because of our earthly limitations, we can only know and understand in part, God’s purposes. Only when Christ returns will our eyes be opened and we can fully understand in total. In Heaven, in our glorified bodies, we will not need prophesies and tongues to understand, we will have Jesus to explain it all to us.

Now to dispel another myth that is floating around and one just as dangerous in my opinion as those who don’t believe that tongues exist today. That of course is the belief that when you are saved, that the evidence of that salvation is followed up with “Speaking in Tongues”. I have tried over the years to understand this philosophy as well but find it also not to be Biblical. They say that if you don’t speak in tongues that you haven’t truly received the Holy Spirit. I think that most of us agree that when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that the Holy Spirit then comes to dwell in each believer. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 12: 3, Paul tells us that without the Holy Spirit, you can’t say that Jesus is Lord except you first have the Holy Spirit…

1 Corinthians 12: 3... Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s go on to see what Paul says later in chapter 12...

1 Corinthians 12: 27 - 31...Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Now when Paul starts asking those questions…Are all Teachers? Are all Apostles? Do all work miracles? Paul knew the answer to those questions and was asking them rhetorically. Paul knew that not everyone had every gift. Paul had them all and knew that one could possess them all, but it was not a given. So if everyone does not necessarily receive them all, then we know that all are not apostles, all do not have the gift of healing, all are not teachers and all do not speak in tongues. Paul tells us to eagerly desire the greater gifts, but that there is a more excellent way…and that way is in chapter 13 and that way is…Love…If you don’t have love, you can have all of the gifts available and those gifts don’t mean squat!

Let’s continue on with the subject of tongues and the misuses of this gift that I believe happens all too often in Churches who believe in and exercise this gift. Let’s go to chapter 14 as Paul tells us the importance of Prophecy and Tongues and the manner in which they should be used.

1 Corinthians 14: 1 - 5... Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Paul tells us here to desire spiritual gifts but especially Prophecy. Paul says that those who speak in tongues does not speak to men but to God. He also says that he that speaks in tongues edifies himself but he who prophecies edifies the Church. He says he would rather that you prophecy unless the tongues is followed with an interpretation. Why then is such an importance placed on tongues in the Church? Well, in my opinion, in this Me, Me, Me society we live in, people are selfishly looking to edify themselves rather than see the whole Church edified and lifted up. I guess somehow people feel more Holy and important with the tongues gift? Let’s move on…

1 Corinthians 14: 6 - 17...Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

Paul again reiterates that if you are speaking in tongues with no interpretation, no one is understanding what you are saying, not even you! So a clear and precise message in the known tongue is much more beneficial to the Church on a whole. Again Paul says, try to excel in the gifts that build up the Church. He says that unless you are speaking intelligible words easy to be understood that you are just speaking into the air. But yet, tongues is the gift that so many want to emphasize. It makes no sense to me…Let’s continue…

1 Corinthians 14: 18 - 25...I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

Paul pauses for a moment to boast that he spoke in tongues more than everyone did but then goes on to say that in the Church, he would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. But yet the Church today would rather speak the ten thousand words so that attention and glory is shifted from God to them. Paul then goes on to say that “Tongues” are for a sign to unbelievers, not believers and that prophecy is for a sign to believers and not unbelievers. He says that if you’re having Church service and all of you are speaking in tongues will they not say that you are out of your mind! Again, please do not think that I am belittling the gift of tongues. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit but in my opinion, it is being misused by the Church. How then are tongues to be properly used? I’m glad you asked…Let’s read on…

1 Corinthians 14: 26 - 33...What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

Paul says that all of the gifts are to be used to strengthen the Church. Here are the rules for...

Tongues…
1.) Only 2 or 3 at the most should speak at one time…
2.) Someone must interpret those messages…
3.) If there is not an interpretation, the speaker should be silent…

Here are the rules for Prophecies…
1.) 2 or 3 prophets should speak…
2.) The others weigh carefully what is said…
3.) If a revelation comes to another, the first should stop…
4.) All can prophecy in turn so that everyone can be instructed and encouraged…

Paul finishes up by saying that God is not a God of disorder but of peace. Paul brings all these things up because that was the exact problem that the Church at Corinth was going through. Everyone was doing his own thing in a disorderly fashion and nobody was being instructed and encouraged. The Church at Corinth was in a state of disorder, and that was not God’s way. I have even had people tell me that the reason I hadn’t received the gift of tongues was because my faith wasn’t strong enough or that I had sin in my life that I needed to deal with, which is HOGWASH in the first degree. If you have been blessed with the gift of tongues please do not take offense, I didn’t say these things, God did. If you have this gift, cherish it and cultivate it into an instrument that brings glory to God and instruction to the hearers. When Paul listed the importance of each gift in Chapter 12: 28..he listed tongues as being the least important.

1 Corinthians 12: 28...And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

A friend and I were talking not to long ago about the gift of tongues. I told him that sure I want it if God sees fit to give it to me. But right now, I do not attend a Church so what good would that gift do me sitting here at home before my computer? Who’s going to interpret, my Chihauhau? Instead, God has given me a gift to teach his word in a simplistic manner where all can understand it. I cherish that gift more now because hopefully lives are being changed by this gift of teaching he has just recently given me. I believe the gift was there all along, God just needed to get me to the point that I realized it was there and step out in faith. There are so many more gifts that God gives to us other than the ones highlighted here today. I encourage each of you to go back to the article on gifts and ask God to reveal which gift or gifts he has placed inside of you. Once you recognize those gifts, embrace them, cultivate them and use them the right way, for the Glory of God. I did not come here today to pick on the “gift of tongues”, I came only to speak and teach what God has laid on my heart and to encourage each of you to discover your gift. Finally, here is what Paul wrote to Timothy concerning his gifts…

1 Timothy 4: 14...Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

2 Timothy 1: 5 - 7...I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

So I encourage you today to “ Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you”! Let’s go to the lord in prayer group…

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray today that you reveal your Spirits gifts in each and everyone of us. Show us the best gifts and give us a desire to seek those gifts. Teach us to use those gifts in a way that is pleasing to you and brings honor to your name. Help us not to be high minded with the gifts we receive but to be humble before you and the world. We pray this in the Holy name of Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen

If you came to this study today and don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior please read the following scripture and they will show you the simplicity of God’s plan of Salvation.

Romans 3: 23...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 3: 16 - 18...16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Romans 10: 9 & 10...9. That if you confess 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 confess and are saved.

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, pray with me wherever you are. Pray with a sincere heart and God will reach down from heaven, forgive your sins and give you new life….Lets pray…

Father God, I come to you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place on the cross. I know I am not worthy, but I ask you today to forgive me of my sins (confess your sins to him now) and give me a new heart. I make Jesus the Lord of my life from this day and forward. Teach me how to love your way, so I can love others. Teach me your Word and show me the purpose you have for my life. Thank you for forgiving me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray…Amen

If you prayed that simple prayer with a sincere heart, your eternal destiny has been decided. God tells us that he takes that sin and casts it as far as the east is to the west. So forget the past and press on in your new walk with Christ. Remember that this is only the first step to Eternal Salvation. You now need to study God’s word, live your life for him and let your good works in Christ testify to the world of the new creature you have become. Now go shout your new found faith to the world as confession of Jesus Christ is part of your salvation. If you need help, or need a Bible, please contact me through the group.Tim

Please go to our group page and leave your comments and thoughts. Click the discussion tab, find this lesson or any topic for that matter, then post your thoughts. I’d like to encourage each of you to get more involved in the group discussions…
Thank You
Tim Barrett