The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Church
The God Within Us • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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I. THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
A. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul discusses the proper balance of the use of the gifts of the Spirit within the Church.
1. In verse 1 the word "gifts" was added by the translators. Paul used the word "pneumatikos" which means "spirituals." Paul had been dealing with carnal problems earlier in his epistle, and now he was moving into the subject of spiritual things - "Now concerning spirituals, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."
2. In verse 7 Paul tells the Corinthians that "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." God does not give the gifts of the Spirit to us so that we can retreat from others to enjoy the blessings of God. Instead, the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit are to benefit the whole Church. God does not give the gifts to exalt individuals, He gives them to exalt Jesus Christ.
a. The one exception to this rule about gifts is the gift of tongues. The gift of tongues is given to build up the believer. Paul spoke of the abundant use of tongues in his own prayer life but he said, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself."
II. THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
A. Just as there are diversities of gifts and diversities of operations (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) so there are different parts and functions in the Body. Paul often makes the analogy that the body of Christ is like the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Ephesians 4:15-16 Romans 12:4-5).
3. When we see the Church as a body, we should see Christ as the head He should be in charge, directing the body. The Holy Spirit is the nervous system of the body, taking the messages from Jesus to the various parts of the body and then coordinating them for smooth movement.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/smith_chuck/studyguides_spirit/spirit.cfm 10/21
2/22/2019 Study Guide for Holy Spirit by Chuck Smith
2. Every part of the body has a vital function to perform. We have to function in that place in the body where God has put us without striving or feeling jealous of those put in other places. If our lives don't seem to be flowing, we should check to see that we are involved in Spirit-directed endeavors rather than in activities that we have chosen for ourselves.
3. The Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31), the Holy Spirit decides what my gift in the body shall be.
4. The body needs all of its parts to function properly. We need to gather together for worship, fellowship, and ministry.
5. We should be sensitive to each other, suffering with another member when he suffers, and rejoicing sincerely with another member when he is exalted (1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 6:13).
III. THE MINISTRY GIFTS WITHIN THE BODY
A. In Ephesians 4 Paul discusses the ministry gifts within the body.
1. In verse 12 Paul says the purpose of the ministry gifts is to perfect the saints and to edify ("build up") the body of Christ.
2. In verse 13 we read that the Holy Spirit is working in the body to bring us to "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
3. In verses 14-16 Paul again makes the point that the Holy Spirit uses the gifts to build up the body of Christ.
IV. HOW TO RECEIVE THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
A. In Romans 12 Paul explains how we receive the gifts of the Spirit, how we can be used of God, and how we can find our place in the body.
4. In verses 1 and 2 Paul says that we can know God's perfect will for our lives by presenting our bodies to him "holy and acceptable" and as "a living sacrifice."
a. We cannot allow ourselves to be conformed to worldly patterns, we must be transformed to godliness by "renewing our minds,' that is, by seeking God and waiting on Him for direction.
5. In verse 3 Paul prefaces his remarks about spiritual gifts with a warning that we not think too highly of ourselves. One of the greatest dangers in the use of the spiritual gifts is pride. We need to constantly be aware that God is demonstrating His grace when He uses us, because we are worthless sinners without Him.
