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Serving Together
1 Cor 12:4-11
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Serving Together
“Moses‟ hands grew weary, so they took a
stone and put it under him, and he sat on it,
while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one
on one side, and the other on the other side.
So his hands were steady until the going
down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed
Amalek and his people with the sword” (Ex
17:12-13, ESV).
Serving Together
“From that day on, half of my servants
worked on construction, and half held the
spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.
And the leaders stood behind the whole
house of Judah, who were building on the
wall” (Neh 4:16-17a, ESV).
We Cooperate in the Lord’s Work
In Search of the Lord’s Way.
We Cooperate in the Lord’s Work
In Search of the Lord’s Way.
Potter‟s.
We Cooperate in the Lord’s Work
In Search of the Lord’s Way.
Potter‟s.
Surprise Valley.
DO WE COOPERATE, OR DO
WE EXPECT OTHERS TO
SERVE US?
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that
speaking in tongues was better than every
other gift.
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that
speaking in tongues was better than every
other gift.
• No spirit of cooperation.
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that
speaking in tongues was better than every
other gift.
• No spirit of cooperation.
Paul says that no gift is better than any other.
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that
speaking in tongues was better than every
other gift.
• No spirit of cooperation.
Paul says that no gift is better than any other.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that speaking
in tongues was better than every other gift.
Cooperation: A Problem in Corinth
In 12-14, Paul argues that no gift is better
than any other gift.
The Corinthians seem to have thought that
speaking in tongues was better than every
other gift.
• No spirit of cooperation.
• Paul argues for the unity of gifts.
Serving Together
ONE DEITY.
ONE DRIVE.
ONE DECIDER.
One Deity
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the
same Spirit; and there are varieties of
service, but the same Lord; and there are
varieties of activities, but it is the same God
who empowers them all in everyone” (vv 4-
6, ESV).
Trinity
Paul speaks of ONE Spirit, ONE Lord, &
ONE God.
Trinity
Paul speaks of ONE Spirit, ONE Lord, &
ONE God.
• “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30, ESV).
Trinity
Paul speaks of ONE Spirit, ONE Lord, &
ONE God.
• “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30, ESV).
• “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide
you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
his own authority, but whatever he hears he will
speak . . . . He will glorify me, for he will take
what is mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:13-
14, ESV).
Trinity
Paul speaks of ONE Spirit, ONE Lord, &
ONE God.
• “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30, ESV).
• “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide
you into all the truth, for he will not speak on
his own authority, but whatever he hears he will
speak . . . . He will glorify me, for he will take
what is mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:13-
14, ESV).
• Complete unity in the Godhead.
Trinity
Paul speaks of ONE Spirit, ONE Lord, &
ONE God.
• Jn 10:30.
• Jn 16:13-14.
• Complete unity in the Godhead.
Paul: “Because the God who gives these
gifts is unified, you, in using his gifts, need
to be unified.”
Varieties of Gifts but One Spirit
“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 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” (vv 8-10, ESV).
Varieties of Gifts
We don‟t know exactly what these gifts
were.
• What is the difference in the utterance of
wisdom and the utterance of knowledge?
Varieties of Gifts
We don‟t know exactly what these gifts
were.
• What is the difference in the utterance of
wisdom and the utterance of knowledge?
• How did those gifts differ from prophecy?
Varieties of Gifts
We don‟t know exactly what these gifts
were.
• What is the difference in the utterance of
wisdom and the utterance of knowledge?
• How did those gifts differ from prophecy?
• What is the gift of faith, and how was it used?
Varieties of Gifts
We don‟t know exactly what these gifts
were.
• What is the difference in the utterance of
wisdom and the utterance of knowledge?
• How did those gifts differ from prophecy?
• What is the gift of faith, and how was it used?
That‟s not important.
Varieties of Gifts
We don‟t know exactly what these gifts
were.
• What is the difference in the utterance of
wisdom and the utterance of knowledge?
• How did those gifts differ from prophecy?
• What is the gift of faith, and how was it used?
That‟s not important. IMPORTANT:
These gifts come from the same Spirit.
DO WE NOT HAVE A TENDENCY
TO THINK OUR GIFTS ARE
BETTER THAN OTHERS?
Varieties of Service
Word for “service” is a form of the word for
“deacon.”
Varieties of Service
Word for “service” is a form of the word for
“deacon.”
We might serve in different ways, but we
serve the same Lord.
Varieties of Activities
Same God empowers them all.
Varieties of Activities
Same God empowers them all.
The same God works in all our activities.
A. T. Pierson
“Whatever is done for God, without respect
of its comparative character as related to
other acts, is service, and only that is
service. Service is, comprehensively
speaking, doing the will of God. He is the
object. All is for Him, for His sake, as unto
the Lord, not as unto man. Hence, even the
humblest act of humblest discipline acquires
a certain divine quality by its being done
with reference to Him.
A. T. Pierson
“The supreme test of service is this: „For whom
am I doing this?‟ Much that we call service to
Christ is not such at all . . . . If we are doing this
for Christ, we shall not care for human reward or
even recognition. Our work must again be tested
by three propositions: Is it work from God, as
given us to do from Him; for God, as finding in
Him its secret of power; and with God, as only a
part of His work in which we engage as co-
workers with Him.”
IS THAT A DESCRIPTION OF
OUR SERVICE?
One Drive
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 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” (vv 7-10, ESV).
To Each is Given the Manifestation of the Spirit
The Gr article (“the manifestation”)
indicates a specific manifestation.
To Each is Given the Manifestation of the Spirit
The Gr article (“the manifestation”)
indicates a specific manifestation.
• Even though the Corinthians had different
gifts, they had the same manifestation of the
Spirit.
To Each is Given the Manifestation of the Spirit
The Gr article (“the manifestation”)
indicates a specific manifestation.
• Even though the Corinthians had different
gifts, they had the same manifestation of the
Spirit.
• The gifts had the same source, the same power,
and the same purpose.
To Each is Given the Manifestation of the Spirit
The Gr article (“the manifestation”)
indicates a specific manifestation.
• Even though the Corinthians had different
gifts, they had the same manifestation of the
Spirit.
• The gifts had the same source, the same power,
and the same purpose.
Regardless of what gift we have, God is
working through us.
Manifestation Given to Each
God overlooked no Corinthians in
distributing his gifts.
Manifestation Given to Each
God overlooked no Corinthians in
distributing his gifts.
We each have some sort of spiritual gift.
Spiritual Gifts
“Having gifts that differ according to the
grace given to us, let us use them: if
prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
service, in our serving; the one who teaches,
in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in his
generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the
one who does acts of mercy, with
cheerfulness” (Rm 12:6-8, ESV).
Spiritual Gifts of Romans 12
Prophecy is obviously not available today.
Spiritual Gifts of Romans 12
Prophecy is obviously not available today.
However, the other gifts are available: we
still have servers, teachers, exhorters, etc.
We Each Have a Gift
“A man [was] going on a journey, [and he]
called his servants and entrusted to them his
property. To one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each
according to his ability” (Mt 25:14-15,
ESV).
We Each Have a Gift
“A man [was] going on a journey, [and he]
called his servants and entrusted to them his
property. To one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each
according to his ability” (Mt 25:14-15,
ESV).
“Grace was given to each one of us
according to the measure of Christ‟s gift”
(Eph 4:7, ESV).
We Each Have a Gift (Eph 4:7)
In v 11, Paul mentions four gifts that God
has given.
We Each Have a Gift (Eph 4:7)
In v 11, Paul mentions four gifts that God
has given.
Two are unavailable (apostles and prophets)
and two are still available (evangelists and
teaching-shepherds).
For the Common Good
“On the other hand, the one who prophesies
speaks to people for their upbuilding and
encouragement and consolation” (1 Cor
14:3, ESV).
Our Gifts: For the Common Good
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve
one another, as good stewards of God‟s
varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10, ESV).
Our Gifts: For the Common Good
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve
one another, as good stewards of God‟s
varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10, ESV).
• Not like Simon and seek gifts for my profit.
Our Gifts: For the Common Good
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve
one another, as good stewards of God‟s
varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10, ESV).
• Not like Simon and seek gifts for my profit.
• Not like Ananias and Sapphira and use gifts for
my own glory.
Our Gifts: For the Common Good
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve
one another, as good stewards of God‟s
varied grace” (1 Pt 4:10, ESV).
• Not like Simon and seek gifts for my profit.
• Not like Ananias and Sapphira and use gifts for
my own glory.
• Not like the Corinthians and use gifts to look
better than others.
ARE YOU USING YOUR GIFTS
FOR YOUR GLORY OR THE
COMMON GOOD?
One Decider
“All these are empowered by one and the
same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills” (v 11, ESV).
One Decider
“All these are empowered by one and the
same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills” (v 11, ESV).
The Spirit alone decides what gifts I get.
One Decider
“All these are empowered by one and the
same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills” (v 11, ESV).
The Spirit alone decides what gifts I get.
• Pentecostalism: “You must speak in tongues to
be a Christian.”
One Decider
“All these are empowered by one and the
same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills” (v 11, ESV).
The Spirit alone decides what gifts I get.
• Pentecostalism: “You must speak in tongues to
be a Christian.”
• Even if miraculous gifts were still available, the
Spirit gives gifts according to his will.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
God knows far more than I do.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
God knows far more than I do.
They are gifts for his honor and glory.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
God knows far more than I do.
They are gifts for his honor and glory.
These are gifts for the common good.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
God knows far more than I do.
They are gifts for his honor and glory.
These are gifts for the common good.
• Rest of the chapter: Human body.
Reasonable
None could claim superiority.
God knows far more than I do.
They are gifts for his honor and glory.
These are gifts for the common good.
• Rest of the chapter: Human body.
• If we all wanted and received the same gift, we
would be sorely disadvantaged.
The Spirit’s Gift
“The Spirit and the Bride say, „Come.‟ And
let the one who hears say, „Come.‟ And let
the one who is thirsty come; let the one who
desires take the water of life without price”
(Rv 22:17, ESV).
The Spirit’s Gift
“The Spirit and the Bride say, „Come.‟ And
let the one who hears say, „Come.‟ And let
the one who is thirsty come; let the one who
desires take the water of life without price”
(Rv 22:17, ESV).
Will you receive that living and free water
this day?