Lesson 11 — Proper Regulations for Spiritual Gifts

I Corinthians 12:1-11; 14:1-40

Introduction

As we start our discussion of spiritual gifts, let’s first consider some broader questions to set the stage. What does it mean to participate in the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4)? What does it mean to be like God? How is it that God transforms us into his likeness ( 2 Cor 3:18)? How does God live in us: Eph 2:22 " And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit"? What does it mean to be led by the Spirit: Rom 8:5 "those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires"? 

Outline

I. Spiritual Gifts (12:1-11)
A. As pagans, they were influenced by mute idols 
(vv. 1-2)
B. The Holy Spirit directs their words (v. 3)
C. There are different kinds of gifts, service, and working, but the same Spirit, Lord, and God (vv. 4-6)
D. Gifts of the Spirit, for the common good, as He determines
1.message of wisdom
2.message of knowledge
3.faith
4.gifts of healing
5.miraculous powers
6.prophecy
7.distinguishing between spirits
8.speaking in different kinds of tongues
9.interpretation of tongues

II. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues (14:1-25)
A. Contrast between benefits of prophecy and speaking in tongues (vv. 1-5)
B. Limitations of benefits from speaking in tongues (vv. 6-12)
C. One who speaks in tongues should pray for power to interpret (vv. 13-17)
D. Paul’s admonish to temper their desire for the power to speak in tongues (vv. 18-21)
E. Benefit of prophecy over speaking in tongues for the unbeliever (vv. 22-25)

III. Orderly Worship (14:26-40)
A. All uses of spiritual gifts should be for strengthening the church (vv. 26-32a)
B. Advise to women in worship (vv. 32b-35)
C. Listen to the Lord and do everything in a fitting and orderly way (vv. 36-40)

Textual Review 

In I Cor. 12:1-11 and I Cor. 14:1-40, we get a unique picture into an aspect of God, our God as a servant. It is through the Spirit that God gives gifts that are useful in service to others. In Acts 10:38 we find that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good. So it should come as no surprise that the gifts of the Spirit are given for the "common good" (12:7). It is only through the work of the Spirit that we can proclaim that "Jesus is Lord" (12:3) and become a servant like him. After washing feet Jesus told his disciples "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." (John 13:16).

The body is built up through the work of the Spirit. It is the Spirit that gives rise to the "concern for each other" (12:25) which comes from pursuing the "unity of the Spirit" (Eph 4:3). Because of this, the Spirit gives us gifts that are useful in strengthening each other.

We are to be profitable to each other. The Corinthians had trouble understanding that they were put together for a reason. This problem was manifested by quarrels and divisions (1:11; 3:3), arrogance (4:18), accepting sin (5:1, 11), lawsuits and cheating brothers (6:1-5), exercise of freedom to the detriment of the weak (8:9), and abuse of the Lord's Supper (11:20-21). Paul told the Corinthians "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved" (10:33). In 1 Cor. 14:2, 6-12, 17, Paul describes the uses of the gifts that do not benefit others. He asks the question, if you do not understand "what good will I be to you"? The Corinthians were wanting the gifts that were of benefit to themselves, not others. But Paul tells them to desire the gifts that are useful to the body, so that God will be glorified. It is the proper use of the gifts given by the Spirit that cause others to acknowledge that "God is really among you" (14:25).

Paul lists the following benefits of the gifts for the body:

1. Edify (14:3, 5, 12, 17, 26) - The act of building up or promoting spiritual growth:
II Thes. 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 

2. Encourage (14:3,31) - Help, admonition, and exhortation to stimulate the discharge of the duties of life:
II Thes. 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

3. Comfort (14:3) - Address made for the purpose of consoling with a great deal of tenderness.
II Cor. 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort . . .” 

4. Instruct (14:19, 31) - To teach orally, to inform.
I Thes. 4:9 “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”
II Tim. 2:25 “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth . . .” 

5. Convince of Sin (14:24) - Convict, reprove of sinful state.
John 16:8-11 “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

Conclusion

We are to be eager to have the spiritual gifts and to excel in gifts that build up the church (14:12). Jesus described himself as one who came to serve, "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). If we are to proclaim "Jesus is Lord” then we must be like him, for we have been called and prepared for service. Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17) and so do: gifts (12:4), service (12:5), and working (12:6). 

Questions 

1. Why is the Spirit important to us?
2. What help does the Spirit provide (compare Rom 8:26)?
3. Why are the gifts of the Spirit for the common good?
4. What does it mean to participate in the divine nature (compare II Pet 1:4)?
5. How does the proper use of the Spirit's gifts fit into the way of love?
6. How does the proper use of the Spirit's gifts provide evidence that Jesus is Lord?
7. How does the proper use of the Spirit's gifts point to Jesus (compare John 16:13-15)?
8. Why must our worship be helpful to others (compare I Cor. 14:6)?

-Ricky Bittle




(Ricky Bittle serves as a Deacon at Pleasant Valley. He and his wife, Karen have two sons, Matthew and Joshua).