1 Corinthians 12:27-13:1
The Types of Spiritual Gifts
Sunday, November 28, 2022
Scripture: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 12:27–31).
Main Point: Each of us is a vital part of the Body of Christ and God has gifted you for ministry.
I. You are a valuable member of Christ’s body.
II. God has gifted you for ministry.
III. Different members have different ministries.
Five Bible passages discuss the spiritual gifts:
a. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 emphasizes the setting: the Church.
b. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 emphasizes the source: God’s Holy Spirit.
“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 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. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:8–11).
c. Ephesians 4:11-13 emphasizes the offices.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:11–13).
d. Romans 12:6-9 emphasizes the effort.
“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. Let love be genuine” (Romans 12:6–9).
e. 1 Peter 4:10-11 emphasizes the purpose: to glorify God.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10–11).
IV. Love is the key.
Challenge: Are we supporting, encouraging, and loving one another and bringing glory to God?
Invitation: Let’s make a covenant together to love each other as unique individuals, and celebrate our different strengths and weaknesses so that we can glorify Jesus Christ.