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Identification Of Spiritual Gifts

1 Cor. 12

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I. Paul Wanted Them Properly Informed –

vs. 1-2• “Now concerning spiritual gifts,

brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.”

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I. Paul Wanted Them Properly Informed – vs. 1-2

• They were ignorant concerning spiritual gifts• They formerly served idols• Gifts bestowed only through

laying on of the hands of the Apostles (Acts 8:14-17)

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II. What The Holy Spirit Says About Christ –v. 3

• “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

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II. What The Holy Spirit Says About Christ –v. 3

• The Spirit of God was active and not silent like an idol• The Spirit’s being in man would

only result in Jesus being honored and praised• (Today we have the Spirit’s

Word)

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III. The Different Spiritual Gifts vs. 4-11

• “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

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III. The Different Spiritual Gifts vs. 4-11

• But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

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III. The Different Spiritual Gifts vs. 4-11

• To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy;

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III. The Different Spiritual Gifts vs. 4-11

• to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

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III. The Different Spiritual Gifts vs. 4-11

• Different gifts given• Different services performed• Different things accomplished• One Spirit gave the gifts –

leading to unity• Spirit chose gift to be given

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IV. Many Members But One Body vs. 12-14

• “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,

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IV. Many Members But One Body vs. 12-14

• whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.”

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IV. Many Members But One Body vs. 12-14

• Physical body = many members• Spiritual Body of Christ, the church =

has many members• If we follow the Spirit’s revealed

word we will be baptized into Christ

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V. All Members Are Important vs. 15-21

• “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

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V. All Members Are Important vs. 15-21

• If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

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V. All Members Are Important vs. 15-21

• If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

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V. All Members Are Important vs. 15-21

• And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”

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V. All Members Are Important vs. 15-21

• God arranged the members of the physical body

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Ps. 139:14

• I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

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VI. The Care Given To The Members Of The Body

vs. 22-26• “Nay, much more those members of

the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

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VI. The Care Given To The Members Of The Body

vs. 22-26• For our comely parts have no need:

but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

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VI. The Care Given To The Members Of The Body

vs. 22-26• And whether one member suffer,

all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”

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VI. The Care Given To The Members Of The Body

vs. 22-26• God joined the body to make it

work as a whole• The same is true of the church,

the body of Christ

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VII. Offices God Set In The Church vs. 27-31

• Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

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VII. Offices God Set In The Church vs. 27-31

• Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

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VII. Offices God Set In The Church vs. 27-31

• But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”

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VII. Offices God Set In The Church vs. 27-31

• Some of the offices mentioned were temporary – during the miraculous age of the church• Covet = be zealous for

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Lessons

• 1. God wants us to know His will• 1 Tim. 2:4• 2. We have God given talents

today• Mt. 25:15

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Lessons

• 3. Every member of the church is important• Rom. 2:11• 4. We must do things decently

and in order• 1 Cor. 14:40

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Lessons

• 5. We must cooperate together in carrying out the Lord’s Will• Worship – Work – etc.