A place where God is at work in a most profound way… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her Eph. 5:25

A place where God is at work in a most profound way…  Not an Institution Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. Colossians 1:18 (NLT) …holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Colossians 2:19 (NASB95) Ek “out” Kaleo “call” Ekklesia “church”

A place where God is at work in a most profound way…  Not an Organization  Not a Building

A place where God is at work in a most profound way…  Not an Organization  Not a Building

A place where God is at work in a most profound way…  Not an Organization  Not a Building  Not a Corinthian Party! …each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 1 Corinthians 11:21

God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! 1 Cor. 12:4-7 (MSG) This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.“ Ephesians 4:8 (NIV)

 A Gift is a Spiritual Ability to Serve A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) “God's various expressions of power…” 1 Corinthians 12:6 (MSG)

 A Gift is a Spiritual Ability to Serve  Each Christian has at Least One Gift A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. Corinthians 12:11

 A Gift is a Spiritual Ability to Serve  Each Christian has at Least One Gift  Nobody Has All the Gifts! Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 1 Corinthians 12:29 (NLT)

 A Gift is a Spiritual Ability to Serve  Each Christian has at Least One Gift  Nobody Has All the Gifts!  God Gave You the Gift. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. Corinthians 12:11

 A Gift is a Spiritual Ability to Serve  Each Christian has at Least One Gift  Nobody Has All the Gifts!  God Gave You the Gift.  Gifts Come in All Flavors! There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT)

 19 Gifts Named in 1 Cor.12, Rom. 12, Eph.4  More descriptive than exhaustive …

8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, Application of God’s word to complicated situations…

8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, Either: Knowing something about another that you could not have known Or knowledge of the Word of God (i.e. being a theologian or scholar).

8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, Either “faith so as to move mountains” in prayer Or, faithfulness under pressure, like martyrdom..

8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing[s] by the one Spirit, Both gifts and healings are in the plural Could include physical, emotional, or spiritual healing Therefore, counseling, admonition, exhortation, discipleship

10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. “Works of power” Could be a prayer gift

10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Prophetes = pro = forth -phe- = speak “to proclaim openly…” The meaning of these vbs. is clearly to proclaim openly, to state publicly, to proclaim aloud. This suggests that propheteuo should be translated in the same way. This is corroborated by the use, found as early as the 5th century, of prophetes in the sense of declarer, speaker (Pindar, Paean 6, 6; Eur., Bacchae 211). Colin Brown, Dictionary of New Testament Theology

10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Aware of the spiritual world and demonic thinking

10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Speaking in languages unknown to the speaker: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…” 1Cor 13:1 Speaking in languages unknown to the speaker: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…” 1Cor 13:1 Very unusual gift because “One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.” 1 Cor. 14:4

10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Very important when using tongues in a meeting

 Other gifts mentioned in other passages: 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. Apostolos = apo + stello Therefore “sent one” Not just the 12

 Other gifts mentioned in other passages: 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. Practical service

 Other gifts mentioned in other passages: 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. To organize using spiritual priorities

Rom.12:7,8 If [your gift is] service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. What I’m doing now

Rom. 12:7,8 If [your gift is] service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. A gift of being able to encourage

Rom. 12:7,8 If [your gift is] service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. A gift of financial liberality

Rom. 12:7,8 If [your gift is] service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Able to excite others about a task

Rom. 12:7,8 If [your gift is] service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Probably a collection of gifts dealing with relief work

Eph. 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, Uniquely able to bring the gospel to people

Eph. 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, Uniquely able to bring the gospel to people Word Wisdom Knowledge Evangelism Prophecy Apostle Teaching Exhorting Service Admini- stration Helps Service Giving $ Leadership Mercy Prayer Works of Power Faith Healings Discerning of Spirits Tongues Interpreting

1. Pray 2. Commit to a group 3. Develop friendships 4. Get equipped 5. Watch for opportunities to serve