Unwrapping Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

“Many of us who affirm and practice spiritual gifts would feel more comfortable among anticharismatics who are at least grounded in Scripture than among such flaky charismatics.” Craig Keener

 

 

1. Spiritual gifts are meant to be unwrapped.

 

2. Spiritual gifts and those who profess to have them should be tested.

 

3. Spiritual gifts come variously packaged.

 

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8, emphasis added).

 

 

4. Spiritual gifts are given for the good of others.

 

“We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

 

5. Spiritual gifts are just that, they’re gifts. they shouldn’t puff us up, but they should humble us.

 

“Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God’s loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:17).– AW Tozer –The Pursuit of God

 

 

6. Spiritual gifts are sovereignly distributed by the Spirit of God and should be gratefully received.