Using Your Spiritual Gifts
Week Three (p. 33-46)

Introduction

“All are important to God’s work.”

I.                    A church in need of instruction

“He has empowered each of us to be a blessing and a benefit to others.”

“Effectiveness requires the energizing work of the Spirit.”

(1 Corinthians 1:4-7) – Spiritual gifts are given by the grace of God. The church at Corinth was not lacking in any gift. The same is true for most churches. Most churches do not lack in any gift, the problem is with the lack of using those gifts.

(1 Corinthians 1:10-11) – The church has divisions and contentions when spiritual gifts are not used properly.

(1 Corinthians 12:1-12) – There are different gifts given by the same Spirit.

“Paul wants the Corinthians to appreciate the many different gifts there are, but more importantly, he wants to teach them the proper ways to use the gifts.”

II.                  The origin of our opportunities

“Think of how incomplete the body would be if everyone had the same gift.”

(1 Corinthians 12:4 ; 12:11) – The source of our gifts is God and the reason for our gifts is so that every member is edified.

“If you want to find where you fit, don’t jump ahead of God and run around trying to create opportunities for yourself. That is the world’s way. True ministry is received, not achieved.”

“Our giftedness is as the Spirit wills, not as we will. Likewise, our ministry is received from the Lord according to His plan, not achieved by us according to ours.”

(Psalm 78:71) – David was a shepherd; then became a king. There are a lot similarities in being a shepherd and a king. David already proven himself as a faithful shepherd, so God gave him a bigger responsibility. “Opportunities to serve may be lost because of unfaithfulness.”

III.                Differing results

“D.L. Moody preached the Gospel to some two hundred million people in his lifetime-all without the aid of television. Yet who had the greater impact, D.L. Moody or the man who came to his shoe store one day and explained to him the plan of salvation?”

(1 Corinthians 12:6) – Everyone’s gift is used differently.

The results are not the most important thing. “What really matters is that God’s purpose is accomplished.”

(1 Corinthians 3:10-15) – The size of our service does not matter. The foundation must be Jesus. Our works will be tried and proven.

“When the day arrives for our works to be judged, the important thing will not be the quantity of works, but their quality.”

(read p. 39 second paragraph)

IV.                For the common good

(1 Corinthians 12:8-10) – *Read p. 41

There are different categories of gifts and different gifts within those categories.

These gifts are given for the common good of the church.

“Think of what an incredible church your church would be if everyone acted in order to benefit others.”

1. V.                  For me to follow God

“Who Jesus was as an individual—teaching, encouraging, confronting, and manifesting the power of God—the church now is as an entity.”

“There is great diversity in how He has gifted each person in the body. He manifests some of God through each of us so that through all of us God can be seen and glorified. The net result of all of the parts put together is one picture—God. If ever our gifts become about us instead of Him, they cease to fulfill their purpose.”

Small group discussion

1. Do you have a sense of having received a particular ministry from the Lord Jesus?
2. Do you see God-given results to your service?
3. Are you able to trust God with the size and scope of those results?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Can you identify the various categories of gifts?
5. Are there any areas of service where you need to be more faithful?