How have you seen someone use their gifts to build up God’s church?

Owning Your Spiritual Gifts The practice of God’s Kingdom

Misconception #1: Perception The standard is Scripture (1 Peter 1:24-25) Experience can build inaccurate perceptions (relativism) A common tendency is to look to the negative It can be common to associate independent skills with the larger picture The standard is Scripture (1 Peter 1:24-25) Experience can build inaccurate perceptions (relativism) A common tendency is to look to the negative It can be common to associate independent skills with the larger picture

Misconception #2: Language “It’s MY spiritual gift” Positive: Gives us a sense of belonging and ownership of God’s redemptive plan. Negative: Can lead us away from bigger picture. James 3:6 “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” “It’s MY spiritual gift” Positive: Gives us a sense of belonging and ownership of God’s redemptive plan. Negative: Can lead us away from bigger picture. James 3:6 “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

Misconception #3: Idol Worship An improper view of spiritual gifts can lead us to desire “popularity” It will be through miraculous signs that some will be led astray (2 Thessalonians 2:9) This mentality places emphasis on the person or “power”, not God or the purpose An improper view of spiritual gifts can lead us to desire “popularity” It will be through miraculous signs that some will be led astray (2 Thessalonians 2:9) This mentality places emphasis on the person or “power”, not God or the purpose

Scripture and Gifts What purpose does Paul have in discussing spiritual gifts? 1. To strengthen/empower the body of Christ 2. To build unity amongst God’s followers 3. To correct false assumptions What purpose does Paul have in discussing spiritual gifts? 1. To strengthen/empower the body of Christ 2. To build unity amongst God’s followers 3. To correct false assumptions

The Corinthian lesson Remember who you are 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 “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.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 “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.”

The Corinthian lesson Remember who you are There is a distinct difference between those in the kingdom of God to those who are not. (v. 2) Spirit-filled (v. 3) Galatians 5:17 “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” There is a distinct difference between those in the kingdom of God to those who are not. (v. 2) Spirit-filled (v. 3) Galatians 5:17 “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

The Corinthian Lesson Setting Priorities Right 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “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.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “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.”

The Corinthian Lesson Setting Priorities Right It’s not about what we can achieve, but what God is doing in the body. Unity in Christ Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God who have been called according to his purpose.” It’s not about what we can achieve, but what God is doing in the body. Unity in Christ Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God who have been called according to his purpose.”

The Corinthian Lesson Love Remains Supreme 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

The Corinthian Lesson Love Remains Supreme God is love, therefore we need to. 1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” God is love, therefore we need to. 1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Owning your spiritual gifts Pray (through scripture) Search your motives Establish accountability Pray (through scripture) Search your motives Establish accountability