This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series entitled “God’s Grace for an Imperfect Church: 1 Corinthians.” In this message from 1 Corinthians 12, I explored the first part of Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts. There is a lot about this topic to explore but with this message I am attempting to set up where Paul goes in the rest of this chapter through chapters 13 and 14.
You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual? (12:1-3)
“Gifts of the Spirit” – things that come from the Spirit
The Corinthian confusion about what it means to be ‘spiritual’
Paul’s Jesus-centered spirituality
God, Spirit-Gifts, and Unity in Diversity (12:4-6)
The Corinthian push for spiritual hierarchy in the church and Paul’s push for equality in gifting in the church
Unity: “The same Spirit…the same Lord…the same God at work”
Diversity: “Different kinds of gifts [χαρισμάτων]…different kinds of service [διακονιῶν]…different kinds of working [ἐνεργημάτων]”
God’s gifting as source and God’s distribution as shape
God’s Spirit-Gifts and the Church (12:7-11)
The source and meaning of Spirit-gifts: God and God’s grace
The purpose of Spirit-gifts: common God
Examples of Spirit-gifts
All from God, given wisely by God, for God’s purposes
Final Words on Spirit-gifts
Spirit-gifts are Given by God and for God’s purposes
Spirit-gifts are gifts, not badges of status in the church
Spirit-gifts are given for the upbuilding of the church
Spirit-gifts are given to direct attention to Jesus, the crucified Messiah
Dig Deeper
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
- Memorize 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
- Take some time to read through and reflect on biblical teaching about spiritual gifts. As you study these passages, ask God to speak to you about His work in your life and how He might want you to grow: John 20:19-23; Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:1-16
- Explore these additional resources:
- Gordon D. Fee, Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God
- Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
- The Bible Project video, “Holy Spirit”
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Matthew Erickson 