‘Understanding Our Spiritual Gifts’ – 7.24.2022

July 24, 2022
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Spiritual Gifts

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. 1 Corinthians 12:1 NLT

A spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively for the building up of the Body of Christ and of another’s faith. 

11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-12 NLT

  • Paul is going there to use his spiritual gift to strengthen them as the Holy Spirit leads.
  • It’s not about what we get, but what we can do to strengthen others. 
  • Gifts are given to be given away.
  • As a follower of Jesus, we are to seek to die to self daily.
  • We are to love God and love others!

“The church should be the humblest and happiest fellowship on the face of the earth!” John Piper

Two Camps on Spiritual Gifts:

  • A cessationist is someone who believes that certain spiritual gifts, typically those of a more overtly supernatural nature, ceased to be given by God to the church sometime late in the first century AD.
  • A continuationist believes that the spiritual gifts have “continued” unabated since the Day of Pentecost and that today’s church has access to all the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible.

There has been abuse on both sides of the debate and the pendulum can swing way too far in both directions.

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT

  • We believe in the sufficiency of scripture.
  • Scripture is enough.
  • Scripture is our blueprint for everything.
  • The Son of God is revealed through the Word of God. 

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:3-10 NLT

  • Paul warns them to keep pride beat back.

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 

  • God has given us gifts by his grace and for his glory.  

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well

  • We don’t get to choose our gift.
  • We should never value one gift over another gift.
  • We should ask God to reveal to us our gift that we might strengthen the Body of Christ, His Church.

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 NLT

Next Steps for me today…

  • Spend time in God’s Word this week.
  • Ask God to take away any fear of Spiritual Gifts.
  • Be willing to use your gifts to strengthen Believers around you.
Next Steps

Handbook & Welcome Packet

•    The parent must complete the necessary registration forms and pay a non-refundable Annual materials fee. This covers registration fees, book, and materials for class.

•    The parent must provide the center with a pre-school/child immunization certificate, or Blue Slip. This is to be kept updated, if it is not, the center will send out a notice stating that the required immunizations are out dated. The form can be obtained through the health department or your pediatrician.

•    The parent will receive a copy of the policies and procedures and will go over them thoroughly. The parent will sign the Parental Agreement form which indicates policies and procedures and agreed upon fees.

•    All enrollment forms, including a Schedule Information Form, must be completed by the parent and returned to the center by the first day of attendance.

•    Parents of children with special needs or handicaps must inform the director of the child’s condition(s) prior to enrollment so it can be determined if the center can adequately meet the needs of the child. This is necessary for the well being of the child.

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