City Life Starter

I. The Word: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

We do not often talk or think much about the gifts of the Spirit in the church at large. We do not do so often because of both controversy and fear. It appears the Apostle Paul did not want the church in Corinth to be uninformed and thought it good to approach this subject. There definitely is a sense of mystery when dealing with the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, but rather than run from this we can also choose to embrace it. After all, there are many things we do not fully understand and yet still seek after. In some ways that should bring even more intrigue or curiosity to desire to know more.

I think, however, that some people don’t pursue spiritual gifts because we do not pursue people. We are not striving to be soul-winners. If that was your pursuit you would definitely want to be futher equipped to do so. You see, if I’m passionate about helping people and ministering to people I would want to know and plead for spiritual gifts. It’s one thing to pursue and understand grand revelation and doctrine, it’s another for people to see the outworkings of the Spirit of God personally in their life.

In my life, I remember hearing about ministers and their “call” into ministry. The messages were inspiring and thought provoking. However, when I was spoken directly to by a very prophetic minister named Greg Berson at 17 years old, it completely changed my life. Having this man say things about me that only God would know and confirm a call of God on my life did something that a general teaching never fully did for me. The word spoke directly to me. I’ve heard a lot of great teachings since then, but that moment will forever be a marker in my life that opened my eyes to an extremely personal God.

Now, to be clear, words (of wisdom or knowledge) should never go against God’s written word and should be weighed in light of it. However, just because some have abused the gifts of the Spirit by not doing that at times it does not mean we should not discuss or pursue them. Remember, our goal in this pursuit is to have everything God would desire for us to have in order to be able to minister most effectively.

So the question is: What is your spiritual gift? Do you desire to know? Are you passionate about being on mission with God? You know, the mission Jesus first directed his disciples to while on earth in Matthew 4:19. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

John 4:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Take a Spiritual Gifts Test – Tests are not perfect, by any means, but sometimes they can get you started or at least asking some questions to help make some conclusions.

Audio: Message on Spiritual Gifts by my friend Pastor Jeff Little in Keller,TX

Video: Message on Spiritual Gifts by my friend Pastor Jeff Little in Keller,TX