WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:06.200 Earlier this year, we started preaching to the book of 1 Corinthians. If you're here, you would remember that. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:12.820 And then we took an eight-week break over the summer, and we're picking it up again today in 1 Corinthians. 00:00:14.300 --> 00:00:18.980 But we're not going to pick up where we left off. We are going to jump in in chapter 12. 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:26.420 And the reason for that is because 1 Corinthians 12 to 14, which we're going to do the next five weeks, 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:31.780 is the New Testament's most thorough treatment on the subject of spiritual gifts. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:39.880 And over the last couple of years, or probably for four years or so, we've been talking about the idea of preaching through this. 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:46.500 And there's lots of discussion around this topic. Some people want more discussion and understanding. 00:00:46.500 --> 00:00:52.880 Some people are more cautious. And so for the next five weeks, we're going to be going through these three chapters in the New Testament, 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:57.760 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14, as we look at the topic of spiritual gifts. 00:00:59.080 --> 00:01:07.140 I wonder what your thoughts or feelings or experiences or fears are when it comes to church and spiritual gifts. 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:11.180 Maybe you are new to church. Maybe you're not a Christian. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:15.340 And someone invited you to church this morning, and you thought, 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:21.159 I hope it's not one of those churches where people are falling over and doing all sorts of wild things. 00:01:21.159 --> 00:01:22.979 I don't know what I'm getting myself into. 00:01:24.239 --> 00:01:30.539 Maybe you have been to church, and you stepped into a church which was very charismatic, 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:32.879 and you wondered if you stepped into a cult. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:39.359 Maybe you've seen some stuff online where pastors are claiming supernatural powers and abilities 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:44.179 to do all sorts of miraculous and wonderful and outrageous things. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:50.979 Maybe you grew up in a church that was more charismatic, and that was a wonderful experience for you. 00:01:50.980 --> 00:01:53.439 And you really longed for more of that. 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:58.920 Others may have had experiences and are extremely nervous or cautious of these things. 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:04.280 Some of us maybe grew up in a church that was more charismatic, and you've become more cautious over the years. 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:10.060 Some grew up in a very conservative church and have become more open to things of the spiritual gifts. 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:18.400 All of us probably have a unique story, experience, thoughts, or feelings when it comes to Christians 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:21.699 and charismatic gifts and spiritual experiences. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.219 So what does the New Testament have to say? 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:27.020 What does the Bible have to say about this? 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:30.659 What does 1 Corinthians 12 to 14 say? 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:35.020 Well, in the next five weeks, we're going to dive in and take a look and try and understand 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:39.139 what is the New Testament's teaching as clearly as we can explain it. 00:02:39.180 --> 00:02:41.000 But the big idea for the series is this. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:41.939 I think we've got on the screen. 00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:44.000 This is what I would love us to take away. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.280 I think the Bible would want us to see this. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:03:10.879 Okay, I know that sounds very wordy. 00:03:10.920 --> 00:03:11.620 Let me read it again. 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:36.319 Okay, that's a summary of the next five weeks, which we're going to try and unpack. 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:39.040 Now, where are we going today? 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:43.439 Well, today we're going to read the first 11 verses of Corinthians chapter 12. 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:46.819 And so if you've got your Bible, why don't you open up and EJ is going to come and read 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:48.039 the scripture to us. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:49.259 Let's listen to God's word. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:52.599 Okay, good morning church. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:58.719 And today's scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, 1 to 11. 00:03:59.019 --> 00:04:01.959 You can follow it with the screen or with your Bible. 00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:09.320 Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:16.000 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to mute idols, however you are led. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:22.259 Therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says, 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:24.259 Jesus is accursed. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:30.579 And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit. 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:35.539 Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:40.039 And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:47.360 And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:53.160 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 00:04:54.420 --> 00:05:00.860 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and the other the utterance of knowledge 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:02.860 according to the same Spirit. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:06.500 To another, faith by the same Spirit. 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:10.240 To another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:13.360 To another, the working of miracles. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:15.500 To another, prophecy. 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:20.180 To another, the ability to distinguish between spirits. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:23.600 To another, various kinds of tongues. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:27.000 To another, the interpretation of tongues. 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:31.819 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:36.379 who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:38.300 This is the Word of God. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:40.420 Great. Thank you, EJ. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:41.439 Okay. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:45.399 So, in this passage, we are going to see two things. 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:50.180 We are going to see the proof, or maybe a better word is the validity of spiritual gifts, 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.120 and the character or the nature of spiritual gifts. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:54.199 So, let's dive in. 00:05:54.279 --> 00:05:57.579 Firstly, the proof or validity of spiritual gifts. 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:00.519 Look at verse 1 and 2 with me. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:02.100 Paul writes this. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:02.439 He says, 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:06.719 Now, concerning spiritual gifts or spiritual things, the Greek says, 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:10.459 brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:11.180 Okay. 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:12.500 That's a good start. 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.120 Verse 3, he says, 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:16.560 Rather, I want you to understand. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:22.879 So, the subject of spiritual gifts and their origin and their makeup and their purpose 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:27.860 is something that Christians have fought and argued about for many, many years. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:28.120 Right? 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:30.500 And there have been many vicious battles fought. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:35.540 But the Bible tells us that this is something that God doesn't want us to be ignorant about 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:36.780 or uninformed about. 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:43.340 He wants us to know God's will and to understand His purposes and His plans for it. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:48.319 God doesn't want us to be stuck or pulled in a hundred different directions 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:52.360 or simply following the most articulate person of the day. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:57.220 He wants us to read His Word and to know what is God's will with regarding to the subject. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:03.500 Now, that may be surprising because of how much confusion there is around the subject of spiritual gifts. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:07.400 But the Bible tells us we can have a measure of confidence. 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:09.280 Look at verse 2. 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:10.379 He says, 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:14.780 When you were pagans, or the word there means Gentiles, in other words, before you were Christians, 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:20.460 you were led astray to many mute idols, however you were led. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:24.120 So here, these Corinthians, before they became followers of Jesus, 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:28.479 they would worship in the various gods and the deities and the idols and the temples. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:36.019 And what characterizes these idols or gods or the ancestors that they worshipped? 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:40.139 One thing Paul says that characterizes them is the fact that they were mute. 00:07:40.799 --> 00:07:41.859 They couldn't speak. 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:44.939 They were unable to communicate. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:49.579 They couldn't lead and guide you through the challenges of life, through decisions, 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:52.480 through knowing what is the will of God. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:58.399 And if you think about that, think about in Hong Kong when people burn incense at the shrines 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:01.060 or burn paper up to their ancestors. 00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:06.639 You can burn all the paper you want or the paper cars or handbags or whatever it is. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:08.360 You can burn all that you want. 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:08.980 Think about that. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:12.100 Your ancestors are never going to speak to you. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.100 They're never going to guide you. 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:18.680 They're never going to say, in this decision, this is the will of the Lord. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:24.400 They're never going to speak to your anxieties or your fears or your worries or your hopes or your dreams. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:26.699 They cannot alleviate these things. 00:08:26.780 --> 00:08:28.780 They cannot tell you what is true and what is wrong. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:35.000 Because these so-called gods and shrines and statutes cannot speak to you. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:44.080 Think of how God speaks about, or the book of Isaiah speaks about the idols of the Babylonians 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:47.100 when the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:49.340 Look at what he says in Isaiah 46. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:53.000 He says, their gods, they lift their idols to their shoulders. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:55.860 They carry it from one place to the next. 00:08:56.419 --> 00:09:00.820 Then they set it in its place and there it stands. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.379 It cannot move from its place. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:06.820 If one cries out to it, it does not answer. 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:10.419 It cannot save him in the time of trouble. 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:16.939 And the point is, these idols that the Babylonians and the Corinthians were worshipping are mute. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:17.639 They cannot lead. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:18.480 They cannot speak. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:21.620 And God says the same thing in Psalm 115. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:25.600 These idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:28.259 They have mouths, but they do not speak. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:30.600 They have eyes, but they do not see. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:33.340 They have ears, but they cannot hear. 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:36.680 They do not make a sound in their throats. 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:42.959 But the point here Paul makes is that these gods, these idols, they cannot speak. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:43.919 They cannot help you. 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:44.919 They cannot guide you. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.079 They cannot give you wisdom. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:53.259 But our God, the living God, the God we spoke about last week, who is seated high and lifted up on the throne, 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:56.639 the God of all creation is not like that. 00:09:57.239 --> 00:09:58.279 He does speak. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:03.360 He is living and alive and he communicates with his people. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:07.259 As Psalm 50 says, our God comes. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.459 He does not keep silent. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:14.559 And this is the point that the one we worship and adore and sing to, 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:18.179 the Holy One we heard about last week, is not silent. 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:20.039 He is not mute. 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:22.019 He is not deaf. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:24.519 Well, how does God speak? 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:27.679 Well, the Bible says God speaks in a variety of ways. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:30.679 Psalm 19 says, he speaks through creation. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:34.399 When you see the majesty of creation, you see the human body, 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:37.720 you're surely astounded and say, this is not chance. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:39.799 There must be some creator God. 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:44.019 If God speaks, John 1 tells us with the coming of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:48.019 The Lord Jesus, the most profound statement of God's faithfulness, 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:49.500 that he hasn't abandoned his people. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:51.940 He has come to us. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:55.460 Oh, the Bible says that the gospel speaks to us. 00:10:55.580 --> 00:11:02.220 Jesus' death and resurrection on the cross proclaims that there is hope and life in his name. 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:06.620 Jesus' death and resurrection says, your sins are forgiven. 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:08.340 Your guilt is atoned for. 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:09.519 You are loved. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.379 You are redeemed. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:10.940 You are accepted. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:15.779 When he spoke about the fact that God speaks that she is loved. 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.879 Well, how do you know that? 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:18.559 Well, Jesus went to the cross. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:20.119 He died. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.539 He rose again. 00:11:22.239 --> 00:11:23.679 It speaks of God's love for us. 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.359 And of course, the Bible. 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.959 The Bible is how God speaks to us. 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.659 This is God's written word. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.839 It is living and active. 00:11:29.959 --> 00:11:33.259 That means it accomplishes what God wanted to accomplish. 00:11:33.979 --> 00:11:35.299 It's not just philosophy. 00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.759 This is God's word to us. 00:11:37.739 --> 00:11:40.379 But the Bible also says that God speaks by his spirit. 00:11:41.239 --> 00:11:42.219 Romans 8 says, 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:47.820 The spirit himself bears witnesses with our spirits that we are children of God. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:50.800 So God speaks in a variety of ways. 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:52.879 Now, here's the challenge. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:12:00.779 How do you know when it's God speaking or when it's somebody else claiming to speak on behalf of God? 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.919 So I come to you and say, 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.459 I feel the Lord is speaking. 00:12:04.459 --> 00:12:07.000 This is, I've got a message from God for you, John. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.279 Well, how do you know? 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:15.019 I mean, how do you know I haven't just dreamt it up or imagined it or I just want to be an encouraging guy or I just want to be nice? 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:22.079 I'm sure we've all heard crazy stories of cults and spiritual abuse where people say, 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:25.799 The Lord is saying, and it certainly wasn't the Lord that was saying. 00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:32.419 And of course, one of the dangers with this is it opens up the door to great spiritual abuse, right? 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:37.139 Because if I say to you, the Lord is saying, well, how can you argue with me? 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:40.199 I mean, if you disagree with me, it sounds like you're disagreeing with God, right? 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:45.460 And so I can really abuse people and get my will by saying, this is what God has said. 00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:46.700 The Lord has spoken to me. 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:47.860 He's given me a message. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:51.160 And so how do we really know whether it's of me or God? 00:12:52.040 --> 00:12:52.720 How do we know? 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.300 Well, that's where Paul helps us. 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:57.560 And look at verse three. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:13:04.520 In verse three, Paul gives us a litmus test, a test to check the validity of these things. 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:06.780 It's not perfect, but it helps us a lot. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:08.720 Look at what Paul says in verse three. 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:18.420 He says, therefore, I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God or by the Spirit of God ever says, Jesus is accursed. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:23.840 And no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit. 00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:29.940 So what's the fundamental mark, whether it truly is of God the Holy Spirit speaking? 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:31.379 Here it is. 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:44.899 When someone says, I feel like God is speaking, that message is consistent with the entire message of the Bible, which is the Lordship and the glory of Jesus and the centrality of the gospel. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:53.159 When the centrality of the gospel, the Lordship of Jesus lifted up, okay, that feels like we're on relatively safe ground. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:14:01.459 When Christ is minimized or put to the side or something else is put in the center or something else is lifted up, we're on dangerous ground. 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:08.019 Or when a word seems to elevate you or make much of you rather than Jesus, we're on dangerous ground. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:16.360 And so sometimes you hear stories of people who create a real stir and there's a following and there's a revival and there's some new teaching. 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:22.700 And somebody's claiming some special revelation about the gospel of Jesus and the death on the cross. 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:24.660 And the Bible says, be very wary. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:28.100 That sounds like that's not of God. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:30.220 But here's the litmus test. 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:38.420 Maybe in a church service or a small group and someone says, I feel like God the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and I feel like he wants to share something. 00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:39.960 Here's the question. 00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:44.780 Does that word call you to follow Jesus more wholeheartedly? 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:50.460 Does it bring an increased surrender and repentance to your life in light of his Lordship? 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:56.960 Does it infuse your heart to the fact that Jesus is Lord, I am not, let me bow down and follow him? 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.940 Does it impress upon you that Jesus is Lord of every area of your life? 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:04.600 Or does it just make you feel good about yourself? 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:15.540 About 15 years ago, 16 years ago, 2008, there was a Canadian evangelist, revivalist guy called Todd Bentley. 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:19.200 And he had this revival in Lakeland, Florida. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.379 And it caused a real stir. 00:15:21.520 --> 00:15:24.580 He initially was meant to be a week of revival meetings. 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:27.360 And it went on and on and went on for about four months. 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:35.560 And these very wild scenes and people falling over and stories of miraculous healings. 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:41.900 And there was one story where he said God told him to kick this lady in the face with his biker boots. 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:47.720 And he says, as he kicked the toe of his boots, hit her face, God's spirit came upon her. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.360 And lots of wild things. 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:56.720 And over the course of about four months, about 400,000 people flew to Lakeland to go visit it. 00:15:57.079 --> 00:16:02.579 People sold their homes and traveled down to Florida saying, this is the new thing. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.579 The revival is here. 00:16:03.959 --> 00:16:05.860 God is going to turn the world upside down. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:08.259 Well, I was a little bit cautious. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.000 I'm a bit skeptical. 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.960 Because this seemed a bit strange for me. 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:13.639 But I didn't want to be arrogant and prejudge something before. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:15.600 So I wanted to just listen up. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.519 But I was a bit cautious. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:22.560 But one day, Todd Bentley said something that made me think, this is not of God. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:25.620 He said, I was in my bedroom one night. 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:27.600 And an angel appeared at the end of my bed. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:31.940 And the angel said to me, people have heard enough about Jesus. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.600 Don't tell them about Jesus. 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.740 It's time to start talking about the Holy Spirit. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:39.180 And when I heard that, I thought, this is weird. 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.740 This is not of God. 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:43.960 That is not consistent with what the Bible would say. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:47.379 To put Jesus to the side and to elevate something else. 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:51.399 And so as they went on the revival meetings, actually, who was at the center? 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.220 Actually, it was Todd Bentley. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.019 Actually, it was all about him. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:59.720 And, of course, more and more money flowed and needed more giving and donations. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.740 And it became all about him. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:05.180 But what does Jesus say about the ministry of the Holy Spirit? 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:07.519 Well, John 15, Jesus says this. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:12.339 When the helper, the spirit of truth comes, he will bear witness about me. 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.099 Or again, John 16. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:17.259 When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.000 He will glorify me. 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.660 That's Jesus. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.579 He will take what is mine. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.400 That's my teaching, my gospel. 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:25.519 And he will declare it to you. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:30.640 We'll pick up later how the story ended with Todd Bentley. 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:34.019 But the New Testament says we should test the spirits. 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.400 But what is the test? 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:37.700 The test is, is it making much of Christ? 00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:39.420 Is it elevating Christ in the gospel? 00:17:39.560 --> 00:17:41.160 Is it saying, Jesus is Lord. 00:17:41.280 --> 00:17:41.800 Follow him. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.600 Bow down to him. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.540 Surrender to him. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:47.140 Or is it putting Christ aside and making something else the center? 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:52.820 And the point here is that not only does God speak, but he speaks consistently. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:54.620 He speaks coherently. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.440 He speaks with clarity. 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:59.120 God is not yes and no. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:02.160 He doesn't say to one church, this is the most important thing. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.840 Focus on this. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:05.460 But then to another church, oh, this is the most important thing. 00:18:05.520 --> 00:18:07.500 And then to a third church, don't worry about that stuff. 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.520 Just focus on this. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.280 His message is clear and consistent. 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:14.519 God doesn't say a different thing to different generations. 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:20.019 Sometimes you hear people saying, I just feel the Lord saying, he's doing a new thing. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.359 We've spoken about this. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.440 No, he's generally not. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:25.079 He's doing the same thing he's been doing for 2,000 years. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.779 He's telling us about Jesus. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.480 He's glorifying Christ. 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:30.819 He's saying, bow down and surrender to Jesus. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:31.700 Follow him. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:35.180 Now, of course, each church may have its strengths and weaknesses. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:39.799 So maybe we've got a weakness and God says to us, watermark, you need to focus on this weakness. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:43.039 You're strong in those areas, but you need to think about this. 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:48.200 But by and large, God's message is consistent, coherent, clear. 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:50.839 The glory and the magnificence of Jesus. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.039 Let's follow him. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.059 Christ is Lord. 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.879 Life is found in him. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.299 So how do we know if God is speaking? 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.519 How do we test the spirits? 00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.480 Does it magnify Jesus? 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:04.639 Does what this person say claim to be from the spirit? 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:07.180 Does it call us to obedience and follow Jesus? 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:11.519 Okay, so the test, the validity of spiritual gifts. 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:18.820 But now, the question is, with that foundation, Paul then tells us about the nature of spiritual gifts. 00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.779 What are they like? 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.620 How do they work? 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.320 How do they operate? 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.700 And we're going to look at this over the next couple of weeks. 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:33.080 But what we see throughout the New Testament is that spiritual gifts are not just a personal spiritual exercise to make me feel good. 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:38.380 They're not signs of holiness or maturity to make me look good in front of others. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:48.779 They are diverse abilities which are empowered by God to enable us to serve God's people in diverse ways. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.339 Okay? 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:59.980 Spiritual gifts are diverse abilities empowered by God in order to help us serve God's people, not ourselves, in diverse but also specific ways. 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:06.039 So, if you've got your Bible or the bulletin, look at verse 4 to 11 with me again. 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:08.740 I'm going to read it for us again because it's so rich. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.700 Paul says this. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:15.660 So, having laid a foundation about the validity, he now says, let's talk about their nature. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.240 Verse 4. 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:20.160 Now, there are a variety of gifts, but it's the same Spirit. 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:23.660 There are a variety of services, but it's the same Lord. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:28.700 There are a variety of activities, but it's the same God who empowers them all and everyone. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:32.900 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.900 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:39.259 To another, the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:41.660 To another, faith by the same Spirit. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:44.220 To another, gifts of healings by one Spirit. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:46.160 To another, the working of miracles. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.220 To another, prophecy. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:50.019 To another, the ability to distinguish between spirits. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.140 To another, various kinds of tongues. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:54.420 To another, the interpretation of tongues. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:21:02.700 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.079 What's the big idea here? 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:09.140 The big idea is diversity and unity. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:11.480 Diversity and unity. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:26.299 Paul says the fact that diverse gifts and diverse types of gifts are given to diverse people that look and function in diverse ways should not cause division or competition or rivalry. 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:31.659 Rather, they should lead to humbly serving one another, which brings us together. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:36.079 So, why does Paul need to tell them this? 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:37.379 Why is Paul making this point? 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:46.500 Well, as you read 1 Corinthians, what you find out is the Corinthians had one spiritual gift in mind which they elevated and thought was the most important. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.680 Do you know what it was? 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.639 The gift of tongues, right? 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:59.840 So, if you are not familiar with this, gift of tongues is when somebody speaks in a way that is maybe not logically coherent or not their natural tongue. 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:04.980 It could be another language, known language, or it could be almost like a heavenly language. 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:09.500 And the Corinthians were thinking, this is the sign of spiritual maturity. 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:12.259 If you can do that, you're a holy Christian. 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:14.579 God must really be pleased with you. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:21.319 And Paul's point here is he's saying, actually, there's diverse gifts. 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:23.199 There's a diverse range of gifts. 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.240 There are spiritual gifts. 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.139 There's activities. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.279 There's services. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:35.599 And he wants to help them to see that actually the spiritual gifts like God himself are meant to be an expression of unity even in the midst of our diversity. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:39.039 And he's going to say this in three ways. 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.439 The first is this. 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:43.480 The unity and diversity of the gift giver. 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.240 Unity and diversity of the gift giver. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.740 Look at verse four to six. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:52.980 Now, there are varieties of gifts, but it's the same spirit. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:56.819 There are varieties of services, but it's the same Lord. 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.919 He means the Lord Jesus. 00:22:58.639 --> 00:23:01.799 There are varieties of activities, but it's the same God. 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:05.259 He means God the Father, who empowers them all and everyone. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:14.399 So, here Paul uses the Trinitarian God, Father, Son, and Spirit, who gives and empowers various gifts and services and activities. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:18.059 Is God himself diverse and varied? 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.279 Yes, he is. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:21.139 Trinity, Father, Son, Spirit. 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:26.139 Is the Trinity in competition or rivalry with one another? 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.539 No, they're not. 00:23:28.179 --> 00:23:33.179 Though they are diverse and varied, they work together with unity and oneness of heart and mind. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:37.880 So, none is more important or better or worse than the other. 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:40.320 They are diverse and varied, but they're unified. 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:44.299 So, sometimes you hear people talking about a very spiritual church. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:46.680 Okay, that church is a very spiritual church. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.720 But is that really such a thing? 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:54.640 Is it possible for a church to be full of the Spirit, but also not full of Christ and full of the Father at the same time? 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:59.039 Is not a Spirit-filled church really just a God-saturated church? 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:13.899 Because verse 8 to 10 says that the Spirit gives gifts, but actually it's the Father, the Son, and the Spirit together who are the source of spiritual gifts and operations and activities. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:17.080 So, unity and diversity in the gift-giver. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:20.180 What about unity and diversity in the gift-receiver? 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.340 Look at us. 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.660 Well, who receives these gifts? 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.100 Obviously, it's the super-holy ones, right? 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:29.440 The really, really righteous ones, the ones that are very spiritually mature. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:33.360 They receive spiritual gifts, and the rest of us, well, we just suck. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.780 No, not at all. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.140 Look at what our passage says. 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.780 Verse 6. 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:43.080 There's a variety of gifts, the same Spirit, varieties of services, the same Lord Jesus, variety of activities, 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:48.119 the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:52.519 Now, that doesn't mean that all Christians have all of the spiritual gifts. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:59.659 What it means, as Andrew Wilson says, that everybody has something to offer, and nobody has nothing to offer. 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:10.119 So, all of us, if you're a follower of Jesus, all of us are given some kind of spiritual gift or service or activity to bring and contribute to the family of God. 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:21.099 And the point is, spiritual gifts are not rewards or badges of honor for elite believers, for the special class, those that have got it all together, 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:26.000 to mark them out as the genuinely mature ones and contrast the rest of the church. 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:29.719 No, they are gifts of grace, not meritocracy. 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:33.199 They're given to all Christians in all of our diversity. 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:35.019 So, are you an extrovert? 00:25:35.159 --> 00:25:36.359 Okay, God's given you some gifts. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:38.319 Are you an introvert and shy? 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.439 God's given gifts to you to use. 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:44.599 Diverse personalities, diverse cultures and backgrounds and races. 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:48.459 Are you a leader or are you someone who likes to more follow? 00:25:48.959 --> 00:25:51.859 Are you articulate or are you not very articulate? 00:25:52.479 --> 00:25:55.079 It doesn't matter your personality type. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:59.259 God has given gifts to all believers for the common good. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.399 Look at verse 11. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.339 He says the same thing. 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:11.019 All these are empowered by one and the same spirit who apportions, not to some, but to each one as he wills. 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.500 So, here's the question. 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:17.319 If you are a Christian, the question is not, do I have a spiritual gift? 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:20.359 Or, I'm not sure if I have one. 00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:23.079 But what is the spiritual gift that God has given you? 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.899 And how are you using it? 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.879 How are you using it? 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:29.600 Third thing and final thing is this. 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:32.320 Unity and diversity in the gift giver. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.660 Unity and diversity in the gift recipient. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:37.460 Unity and diversity of the gifts themselves. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:43.260 Now, in this section, Paul lists nine spiritual gifts, right? 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:46.160 Are these all the spiritual gifts that they are? 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.580 No, obviously not. 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:50.840 Because at the end of the chapter, Paul's got another list of nine. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.360 But it's not the same nine. 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.720 There's some overlap. 00:26:53.820 --> 00:26:54.660 There's some difference. 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:58.480 And as you read the rest of the New Testament, there are a whole lot of other gifts. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:01.019 So, in Romans 12, Paul gives other ones. 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:03.680 And in 1 Peter 4, I think it is, there are some other gifts. 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:09.720 In total, the New Testament lists about 20 different gifts that the Bible says are spiritual gifts. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:12.420 But even these are probably not exhaustive. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:16.140 These are just simply examples of the kinds of things that God does. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:21.600 So, for example, the Bible never talks about the spiritual gift of leading worship, right? 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.519 But I think it's fairly obvious. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:29.000 There's a difference between someone who's just a good musician and someone who's gifted in leading the congregation in worship. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:32.240 Well, the Bible doesn't talk about the spiritual gift of comfort. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:40.240 But surely some people have got that gift of coming alongside someone who's grieving or struggling and walking alongside there and being there for them. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.859 That's not just a personality. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.539 That's a gift. 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:49.119 And so, even the 20 or so gifts that are listed are just examples that Paul gives. 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:57.180 Now, we saw in verse 3, along with the rest of the New Testament, what's the purpose of the ministry of the Spirit? 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:59.159 It's to magnify Christ. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.279 To raise Christ. 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.639 That Jesus is Lord. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.819 Well, here in verse 7, we see another purpose. 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:06.720 What does verse 7 tell us? 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:12.279 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.339 For the common good. 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:22.179 Not so that individuals can parade their spirituality or have individual ecstatic experiences, which serves no one but themselves. 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:30.100 The purpose is for the whole church to be built up and encouraged and strengthened and edified as we seek to follow Jesus together. 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:33.600 So, when someone says, it's not fair. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:36.539 I never get to show my spiritual gift. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:40.660 The response is, since when was it about you anyway? 00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:42.700 It's not about you. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.240 It's about the common good. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.860 What is it about? 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:49.740 It's about helping one another to exalt and hold on to Jesus. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:53.160 It's about loving God and loving others more than ourselves. 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:56.900 And so, when do these spiritual gifts come into play? 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.880 When do you use them? 00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:00.900 Well, maybe on a Sunday morning, possibly. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:04.339 Last week, Ed came and shared with us during worship. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:06.819 He felt like God had put something in his heart. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:09.480 And did you notice, what did Ed share last week? 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:11.200 One of the things he said was, 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:16.180 I feel God is calling us away from worldliness to follow Jesus more wholeheartedly. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.120 That sounds like verse 3, right? 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:19.279 Magnifying Christ. 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:21.200 That sounds authentic. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:24.120 So, Sunday morning, possibly. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:27.480 But surely, most of the time we're going to use our spiritual gifts 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:30.279 is outside the hour and a half of a week on a Sunday morning. 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.539 Surely, it's when you're in your community group 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:34.640 and someone's struggling, going through a hard time. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:37.700 Or when you're meeting a friend over lunch or over coffee 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:40.480 and you're able to encourage them and point them back to Christ. 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:44.180 Or as you visit somebody in hospital who's sick and unwell 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:46.779 and you're able to encourage them and remind them of Jesus. 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:50.839 Or as you visit someone who's just lost a loved one and they're grieving. 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:56.180 Or as you are at home with your children, you're trying to point your children towards Christ. 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:59.519 That's where the manifestations of the gifts come about. 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:03.680 God's gifts are given to minister and encourage the body of Christ 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:08.240 to keep holding on to Jesus and to advance the gospel for the common good. 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:13.019 Now, as we come to a close, two questions I want to address. 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.500 First is this. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:17.599 Are all spiritual gifts miraculous gifts? 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:23.940 The list of nine that Paul has here all sound pretty miraculous, right? 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:27.220 It talks about gifts of healings and miracles and prophecies. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:31.660 But the New Testament also tells us there are many gifts, spiritual gifts, 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:35.799 that seem quite ordinary, quite mundane in some ways. 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:38.079 Not necessarily that miraculous. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:43.220 There are gifts of hospitality, gifts of encouragement, gifts of leadership, 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:46.200 all of which seem remarkably ordinary. 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:51.180 And yet, there are gifts of God, given by God to empower us, 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:55.180 to encourage one another to hold on to Jesus and to live out the mission. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:31:00.119 But even in this list, some of the things that sound very miraculous 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:02.899 may not be as miraculous as they first seem. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:06.620 Most commentators talk about the fact that the gift of wisdom, 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:10.380 it could be that in a moment, God just gives you a word of wisdom. 00:31:10.800 --> 00:31:15.920 But it could also be that God gives you the ability to read a situation profoundly wisely 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:18.460 and to know how to handle it and how to go forward. 00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:22.280 And also in Corinthians, wisdom is often contrasted. 00:31:22.320 --> 00:31:26.540 The wisdom of the Corinthians who love Greek wisdom versus the wisdom of the cross. 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:30.540 The spiritual gift of wisdom may be to know how to live according to the gospel 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.960 rather than worldly wisdom. 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:35.339 So some spiritual gifts may be truly miraculous. 00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:37.220 God put something in your mind. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:39.279 You could never have known it yourself. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:43.420 And insight to revelation, it truly comes from God and builds up the church. 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:45.779 One time, Charles Spurgeon was preaching. 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.480 And he saw a man at the back. 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.440 And he said, 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:51.559 You, sir, were keeping open your shop open last Sunday. 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:54.079 And you've made a profit of nine pennies. 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.819 And this is what you did with it. 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.500 And he said, 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.740 He'd never seen the man before. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.259 Didn't know him from Bar of Soap. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:01.159 Spoke exactly into his situation. 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:04.119 And the guy was not a Christian and came in and said, 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.879 God is in this place. 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.000 And he followed him. 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.159 God can do that. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.460 But often, 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:11.819 the spiritual gifts are maybe not that miraculous. 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:14.299 It's coming alongside someone that's struggling. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:16.500 And it's able to just encourage them. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.380 But God gives you a word at that time, 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:21.619 which builds them up and helps them to hold on to Jesus. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:24.779 Others, 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:27.259 sometimes you serve Christ and his people. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:29.859 And as you surrender yourself to God and depend upon him, 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:34.559 you find yourself being used in the most remarkable and wonderful ways, 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.759 like hospitality, 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.200 or encouraging, 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.519 or serving, 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.319 which seem rather ordinary, 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:44.440 but may bear incredible spiritual fruit in the lives of others. 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.980 And so if you think about it, 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.460 Watermark, 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:49.539 I feel like God is really at work in Watermark. 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.900 It's a wonderful, 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:53.420 lively spirit of God is here at church. 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:56.299 But very seldom do we have miraculous gifts of the spirit. 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:58.579 But maybe actually as you host someone, 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.279 as you welcome somebody that's new, 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.559 as after the service, 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.940 you're chatting with someone and you say, 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.140 hey, 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:04.279 can I pray for you right now? 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:08.180 That's God using you in a very ordinary and a mundane way. 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.640 So are all spiritual gifts miraculous? 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.740 Not necessarily. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.099 Some may be, 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.380 but they may not all be. 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.940 What about second question? 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:19.940 What's the relationship between spiritual gifts and natural gifts? 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:20.940 Well, 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.940 this is a tricky one. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.480 Let me try and say this. 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.799 On the one hand, 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.740 they obviously can't be the same thing. 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:31.539 If spiritual gifts are just the same as your natural gifts, 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:33.940 then what's the point in calling the spiritual gifts, 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.240 right? 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:39.000 There must be some kind of empowering by the life of God and the spirit of God. 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.700 But on the other hand, 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:43.359 it seems like they're not completely disconnected. 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.859 There's some continuity. 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.440 So for instance, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:55.940 it doesn't seem likely to me that somebody who cannot teach anybody anything for all the money in the world, 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.019 will suddenly, 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.920 when they become a Christian, 00:33:58.019 --> 00:34:00.160 become a profound teacher of the Bible, 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.660 right? 00:34:00.660 --> 00:34:02.920 It seems like there's some kind of continuity. 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:05.480 Or maybe somebody who is, 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:05.940 um, 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:09.119 has no leadership skill whatsoever. 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.300 And that's, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:13.740 they hate the idea of that and would never ever think of being used like that. 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:16.539 Suddenly they become a Christian and become a dynamic, 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.480 powerful leader. 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:22.960 It seems like God uses our wiring and our personality in some ways as hints towards, 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:25.000 what are the spiritual gifts that he's given us? 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.000 In fact, 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:36.000 we see this because both Paul and Jeremiah in the Bible speak about being called and set apart before they were born for the ministries to which God had called them. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.719 God had somehow used their wiring, 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:44.139 their personalities in a way that would correspond with the spiritual gifts that God is working in them. 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:45.139 So, 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:47.759 spiritual gifts are not just natural gifts. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.619 They're empowered by God. 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.759 They're given by God. 00:34:50.859 --> 00:34:54.119 But we grow in them as we grow in spiritual maturity, 00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:55.460 in holiness, 00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:57.920 independence and reliance upon him, 00:34:58.379 --> 00:35:00.039 seeking to magnify Jesus, 00:35:00.319 --> 00:35:03.599 God will grow our spiritual gifts for the common good. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.900 Okay, 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:06.179 let me close with this. 00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:07.960 Todd Bentley, 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.359 2008, 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:11.000 Lakeland Revival. 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:13.400 Lots of question marks. 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.480 Is this really of God? 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.440 Lots of concerns. 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.639 Well, 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.700 after four months, 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:21.760 the numbers started to dwindle at the revival because a lot of the, 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:23.440 there were lots of stories of healings, 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:26.860 but there were no proven healings that took place in all of those four months. 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:29.940 And though the crowd swelled up to 10,000 at its height, 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.780 after four months, 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:34.079 the numbers were dwindling and had to move to smaller and smaller venues. 00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.180 And eventually, 00:35:35.300 --> 00:35:37.139 Todd Bentley thought he left. 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:39.559 He left the ministry and he went on his own way. 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:41.099 At the same time, 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.440 he said, 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:45.980 God has told me to leave my wife and to marry an intern in the ministry. 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:49.559 An intern with whom he happened to have an emotional relationship. 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:51.360 And so his wife was sick. 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.239 She wasn't very hell, 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:52.759 uh, 00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:53.079 healthy, 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.320 which maybe is not a good thing. 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.559 If you're a healing minister, 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:56.460 you know, 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.920 to have a wife that is not well. 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:59.440 And his three young kids. 00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:01.579 And he left her married his intern. 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:06.860 And he went on the road and thousands of people had sold homes and moved to 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:08.340 Florida to be part of the revival. 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:10.119 People had left their jobs. 00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:14.300 Thousands and thousands of people had given up so much to follow this man that 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:16.960 they thought was going to usher in healing and revival and, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:21.940 and wholeness and wellbeing only to be abandoned and left for good and to be 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.740 left high and dry. 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:24.899 Now friends, 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:26.859 2000 years ago, 00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:31.819 there was another religious leader who also started a revolution and crowds 00:36:31.819 --> 00:36:34.299 followed him and people left things to, 00:36:34.359 --> 00:36:35.359 to flock to him, 00:36:35.439 --> 00:36:36.079 to follow him. 00:36:36.979 --> 00:36:38.819 But Jesus Christ is no Todd Bentley. 00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:41.699 Jesus didn't take the money and run. 00:36:42.359 --> 00:36:42.619 In fact, 00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:45.099 Jesus said some difficult things and thinned out the crowds. 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:47.519 And when the crowds wanted to make him King and elevate him, 00:36:47.919 --> 00:36:50.339 he said some hard things and a lot of the crowd left him. 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.620 And in fact, 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:56.880 Jesus was so steadfast and focused that even when everyone abandoned him, 00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:58.220 he didn't abandon his mission, 00:36:58.840 --> 00:37:03.079 his mission to go to the cross and to die on the cross for sinners like you and 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.400 me, 00:37:03.860 --> 00:37:05.140 that we could be brought into his family. 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:07.760 And on the cross while he's dying there, 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:08.700 he cries, 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.019 I says, 00:37:09.140 --> 00:37:09.360 father, 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:10.700 why have you forsaken me? 00:37:11.140 --> 00:37:12.100 Why have you forsaken me? 00:37:12.600 --> 00:37:13.780 And for the first time ever, 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.680 God is silent. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:16.059 Remember Psalm 50 says, 00:37:16.180 --> 00:37:16.940 our God comes. 00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:19.079 He is not silent on the cross. 00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:19.860 God was silent. 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:21.059 He didn't answer Jesus. 00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:24.519 All he showed him was his back and Jesus died alone, 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:29.340 but he died alone so that you and I would never have to hear God's silence. 00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:31.240 So that when we cry out to God, 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.760 God is not silent to our cries. 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:34.019 We can be brought into his family. 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:35.740 Jesus died alone, 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:37.280 said we will never be alone. 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.680 So he will be with us. 00:37:39.220 --> 00:37:40.519 And after 40 days, 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:40.780 he, 00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:40.940 he, 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.200 he, 00:37:41.200 --> 00:37:41.700 he dies. 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.760 He rises from the dead. 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.800 He meets his disciples. 00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:45.820 And now is the time to start a revolution. 00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:46.079 I mean, 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:47.360 if anyone's going to start a revolution, 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:49.120 that's the guy who died and rose again, 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:49.340 right? 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.960 And Jesus has a chance to, 00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:53.380 to gather the crowds and to launch his ministry, 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.660 but he doesn't. 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:56.220 He leaves them. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:38:00.260 And his disciples must have felt like the followers of Todd Bentley. 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:00.980 What are you doing? 00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:02.099 Why are you abandoning us? 00:38:02.120 --> 00:38:03.860 We've given up everything to follow you. 00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.940 Where are you going? 00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.760 But Jesus says this. 00:38:07.220 --> 00:38:07.639 He says, 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:09.220 it's better that I go. 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:11.340 It's better that I leave you. 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:11.700 Why? 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:12.800 Because if I leave you, 00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:13.880 the Holy Spirit will come. 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:16.240 Why is it better that Jesus left us? 00:38:16.700 --> 00:38:17.960 If Jesus was still here, 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:21.579 we would have to go to Israel or walk the streets of Palestine to meet him. 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.599 But now, 00:38:22.740 --> 00:38:25.679 because Christ has ascended to heaven and the Holy Spirit has come, 00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.900 all of us, 00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:27.940 no matter your background, 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.760 your culture, 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.440 your ethnicity, 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:31.940 whether you're in the remote parts of Mongolia, 00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:33.159 you're in the city of Hong Kong, 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:34.679 or you're in the Serengeti of Africa, 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:39.280 all of us have the opportunity to encounter the living God, 00:38:39.700 --> 00:38:40.720 the God who hears, 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.220 the God who speaks. 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:45.059 Tim Challies writes this. 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:45.500 He says, 00:38:45.880 --> 00:38:46.659 I'll close with this. 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:48.059 Somewhere in our minds, 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:52.679 we may think that we believe that the Holy Spirit is some kind of consolation prize. 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:55.099 We understand Jesus had to die. 00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:58.780 Maybe we even understand why he then had to ascend to the Father's side. 00:38:59.340 --> 00:38:59.840 But still, 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:02.679 we find ourselves thinking that since he couldn't be here anymore, 00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:04.500 he left us a kind of deputy. 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.079 A substitute teacher, 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:06.840 an interim. 00:39:07.300 --> 00:39:08.280 Someone who's good, 00:39:08.619 --> 00:39:10.019 but not quite the one we want. 00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:13.019 But that's never how Jesus talks about the Spirit of God. 00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:19.720 He says that you and I are better off for with the presence of the Holy Spirit than if Jesus himself was still here. 00:39:19.719 --> 00:39:27.239 Jesus provided with the fullness and extravagance that no other religious leader ever has or ever will. 00:39:27.879 --> 00:39:32.259 Jesus promised that he'll come back again and he'll take us with him, to be with him forever. 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:34.199 But until that day comes, 00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:37.399 he's given us his Spirit to know him, 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.519 to speak, 00:39:38.959 --> 00:39:39.599 to hear, 00:39:40.000 --> 00:39:41.219 and to minister to our hearts, 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:43.819 that we can cry out to him and know him better. 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:45.660 Let's do that now as we pray. 00:39:47.140 --> 00:39:47.820 Lord Jesus, 00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:49.780 your Word is rich and full of life. 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.300 God, 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:53.420 your Word challenges us and encourages us, 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.080 but ultimately, 00:39:54.240 --> 00:39:54.380 God, 00:39:54.420 --> 00:39:56.440 we don't just want to know the Word in our heads, 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.900 we want to know you in our hearts. 00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:58.960 And you, 00:39:59.100 --> 00:39:59.200 God, 00:39:59.240 --> 00:39:59.960 have left us, 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.900 the Spirit of Jesus. 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:01.840 You sent us, 00:40:01.920 --> 00:40:02.760 the Spirit of truth, 00:40:03.220 --> 00:40:03.820 the Comforter, 00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:06.019 the Spirit of Jesus, 00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:07.440 to be with us. 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:08.259 God, 00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:09.539 I pray for us as a church. 00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:11.280 Won't you speak to us? 00:40:11.800 --> 00:40:12.179 Speak, 00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:12.639 oh Lord, 00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.420 through your Spirit. 00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:15.340 Come and revive our hearts. 00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:16.940 Come be a consuming fire, 00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:18.019 breath of life, 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:19.139 come and breathe in us. 00:40:19.719 --> 00:40:19.920 Lord, 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:23.139 make us a church which is a God-saturated church, 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:25.259 full of God the Holy Spirit, 00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.300 Christ the Son, 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:27.460 God the Father. 00:40:27.860 --> 00:40:28.400 I pray, 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:29.519 and help us, 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:29.800 Lord, 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:32.739 as we follow you to make much of Jesus, 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:34.920 to glory in Christ on the cross. 00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:36.300 In your name I pray, 00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:37.420 Amen.