Spiritual Gifts - Discover Spiritual Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Spiritual Gifts are not spoken of overly much in mainstream Christianity. You can discuss why, but suffice to say, the Church that Jesus established, needs spiritual gifts. We need to learn how to discover these gifts, how they operate/work, and what biblical basis we build an understanding of spiritual gifts from.

Any discussion on spiritual gifts is bound to be missing something. Over the next little while, I will focus in on the nine spiritual gifts listed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. There has been much debate over the years over the number of spiritual gifts. Some say there are around 40 spiritual gifts, others just a handful and others say the Bible is too ambiguous to put a number on it. I’m not going to enter that debate here, but suffice to say that while we focus on these nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, we inevitably skip over other important gifts, like leadership, administration, hospitality or serving, for example. That being said, there are many a conference out there or book to read about the gift of leadership or administration! And if you want tips on administration... I’m probably not your guy!

When we delve into spiritual gifts, we also must acknowledge that spiritual gifts must be seen within the whole work of God, that is, that spiritual gifts by themselves without any foundation in the Christian faith, is some shallow attempt to move in the power of God, without actually having been changed by the power of God. In my church (Salvos 3064), every Sunday morning we share the message about Jesus; about his life, death and resurrection. We speak about the foundations of the Christian faith. It is on that foundation that we pursue this teaching on spiritual gifts.

During small groups throughout the week, which we call Connect Groups, we have been speaking about fruits of the spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22 (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). I firmly believe that spiritual gifts, like the ones we will explore, need to be built upon the foundation of holiness, and thus this blog and Salvos 3064 is not just delving into spiritual gifts without focusing on other parts of the Christian life that are pertinent to believers.

Let’s have a look at the Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:1-11):

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

     ¹ Now about spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ 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.
     ⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
     ⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 

Stop and read that. If you are like me, you skim over biblical passages in order to read other portions. Stop and read the 1 Corinthian 12:1-11 passage. The Apostle Paul highlights a mini Spiritual gift survey, at least in this passage, 9 spiritual gifts (namely: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues and the interpretation of tongues). We know Paul mentions spiritual gifts in other parts of his writings (e.g. Romans 12), but here he mentions 9 gifts here. 

We could say much about the context in which Paul is writing this passage. Paul is writing a letter to the church in Corinth (possibly the second letter he's written to the fledgling church in the area, despite the fact that it is known as 1 Corinthians), and he's writing to a church within a community that is known for it overt sexuality and promiscuity. The church itself, to use a clumsy 21st century comparison, would be like a charasmatic church today. Remember the outlines Paul gives to the Corinthian church about the use of spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues and the like? It is in this context, that the Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Corinthians.

In future blogs, I will look at in more depth the 9 spiritual gifts higlighted in 1 Cor 12:8-11. We need spiritual gifts. Even more so, we need followers of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit and living out their relationship with God in a way that transforms their surrounding and bears fruit. 

The Church WILL Grow

When God promises something it will happen right?

When God says he will fulfil a prayer on your heart, God is faithful to answering that prayer.

Jo isn't pregnant, for those thinking they have had some divine revelation from God. :) But let me tell you about what has transpired over the last 24 hours within the life of Palmerston Salvation Army.

Last night (Saturday) Jo came up to me, crying, saying, God is going to do great things tomorrow. She said, the Lord had reminded her of Joshua 3:5 that says, 'Consecrate yourselves [get yourself right before God], because tomorrow the Lord will do great things among you'. She didn't mention any more than that...

We come to church, and look around, and by 10:10am (people never get there on time!), there's around 50 people gathered, with some new families, and a couple of visitors. The worship time was electric in all senses of the word, and people were filled with faith. Well that's all fairly normal for a healthy church right?

Jo gets up to preach, and begins talking about hope. The words of Jeremiah 29:11 were spoken, that God seeks to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future. All pretty normal, engaging kind of preaching, with a message that was uplifting. So what happened next?

Jo begins to say, that she believes with ALL her heart, that our church WILL grow. That 2012, the church will grow and many lives will be touched by the gospel. She then said, last night...

"God called me to cut my hair"

The prophetic revelation was this... "As sure as the certainty that your hair will grow back, so will I grow my Church," said the Lord. She wrestled with God last night, questioning whether she should publicly cut her hair; in church. It sounds like some kooky Old Testament prophetic word, that Jeremiah might have been right in to. She prayed this morning and said, 'God just confirm in my heart if you want me to do this.'

I tell you I was unware of this word that God had given Jo. Apparently, as Jo shared publicly, Shekinah (our three year old) came up to her early this morning and said, "Mummy, cut hair?" What?! Gee, what a confirmation from God, that deeply challenged Jo about going through with this prophetic act.

As she shared this idea publicly that God would grow his Church, just as her hair would grow back, she asked if anyone would come up and cut her hair.

A lady visiting for the morning, got straight up, and gently grabbed the pair of scissors from Jo's hand. She smiled at Jo, and said, 'I'll cut your hair'. She snipped away, cutting off half of Jo's locks (more hair than what I've got), and then she sat back down.

Most people present were a bit teary, as God was moving amongst us. Then the husband of the lady popped up and said, 'I just want to let people know, that God is in this... and also... that my wife is a hairdresser... ' Everyone was taken aback a little.

WOW! Let me recap. God gives Jo a prophetic word to cut her hair, as a sign, that as her hair grows back, that God WILL grow HIS church. Shekinah, unknowingly, led by God, confirms this word. Then a lady who happens to be visiting is a hairdresser, who feels absolutely compelled to come forward and take part in this prophetic act. I love it!

By the way, God had sent another lady as well to visit the church, who ALSO was a hairdresser! God was just making sure!! Also, following the service, the lady finished up cutting Jo's hair nice, so she saved atleast $60 and scored a free haircut!! :)
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One other amazing thing happened this morning, if you'll just keep reading on for a moment. A couple visiting the church this morning spoke to Jo and I after the meeting. They said, 'We heard you speaking about the new Kid's club ministry you are starting up soon, and we want to financially support it... We would like to send through $5,000 to bless this new ministry...' WHAT?!! You're joking me, I said to myself, as I chuckled and teared up at the same time...

We got home from church, completely nackered (that's the original Greek word to describe it), and then we received a text message. 'We have just deposited $3k into the church bank account, and we will deposit another $2,200 in the next couple of days'. Haha, wow! Jo and I laughed and cried, and then we did something we don't normally do... We 'Craughed' (which is a combination of crying and laughing and choking up at the same time). That's a new word for your vocabularly. God is so good.

To wrap up, the Holy Spirit reminded me of sermon from last week. It was from Isaiah 43, that said, 'God is doing a new thing... Can you not perceive it?' And I find myself saying, right now, today.... that...

'God, you ARE doing a NEW thing, and I definitely perceive it, and I'm seeing it happen right before my eyes...'

Thanks Jesus!!!!

Thoughts on Prophecy

Speaking prophetically into people's lives can be a God-given amazing experience. There ARE some things to think about:
* Personal prophecy between a man and woman is a no no...
* When people say, 'Thus saith the Lord' or 'This is what God is saying', maybe they just say this out of habit, though some use this language as some sort of authority giver. They are insecure in their own personal spiritual journey, and this extra authority puffs them up. Why not say, 'I believe the Lord might be saying this'. It's a little less arrogant, and it allows people to test the prophetic word.
* Important prophetic words should be backed up by other prophets, or other leaders who are saying the same thing. Don't let a big decision hinge on one prophetic word from a prophet.
* Prophecies must line up with Scripture. A 'rhema' word from God doesn't allow us to contradict the Bible. For instance, God isn't going to say to someone, 'Divorce that Jimmy guy and marry Johnny'.
* Prophecies should be edifying. They should build up the body of Christ. They should encourage believers. We're not living in Old Testament days. We're living in the times of the Spirit of Jesus moving amongst us. Jesus said, 'love your neighbour'. At times he would say, 'repent', and I challenge us to speak that to some with love and support to back up this life change.

Well there's some thoughts on prophecy. Pray for someone today. Ask God to give you a word of encouragement for someone. God bless you.