The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part 1
Memory Passage
because those who are led by the
Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a
slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry,
"Abba, Father."
Romans 8:14-15
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12
Please refer to your Bible.
Insights
"The correlation between the ascension of Christ and the descent of the Spirit
signals that the gift and gifts of the Spirit serve as the external manifestation
of the triumph and enthronement of Christ. Paul underlines this by the way in
which he cites Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:7-8: 'When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.' The outpouring of these
gifts of the Spirit marks the downfall of Christ's enemies and the beginning of
the building of the church (Mt. 16:18). As in the case of the building of the
tabernacle (Ex. 31:3), so in the case of the building of the new temple of God,
gifts of the Spirit are given to equip the people of God and to enable them to
set on display the glory of God, the fullness of Christ, in the temple of God
(Eph. 4:12, 16). Christ thus adorns his bride, his body." -Sinclair Ferguson,
The Holy Spirit
Consider this!
Let these words penetrate the deepest parts of your being. Think of it! You
have been given gifts of the Spirit to equip you and enable you "to set on
display the glory of God, the fullness of Christ, in the temple of God." He "gifts"
you and places you in a unique place in the body of Christ. Together, in
cooperation with others, empowered by the Spirit, you are able to minister to
others in the name and power of Christ. This is true spiritual community.
Personal Reflection
- The gifts given to us by the Spirit of God are not given for our own use but to
enable us to glorify God within our church body. What gifts do you see in
action in our church?
- When you observe the gifts in action, used to enable the church to accomplish
the mission "helping people become faithful followers of Jesus Christ," what
kind of results are produced?
- Do you know what gifts you have? Are you able to use them in ministry? Why
or why not?
- What is your greatest opportunity or chief hindrance in using your gifts? Pray
and ask God to reveal to you, by the Holy Spirit, how you might use your gifts in
furthering the ministry. What has He revealed?
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