“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I
do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow
or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you
to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be
cursed,’ and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit. There
are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of
working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to
each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one
there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of
knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to
another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to
another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another
speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation
of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he
distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
The First Corinthian Letter teaches about the gifts of the
Spirit and we should be well taught and informed. Because without the Spirit, no
one can say, “Jesus is Lord.” In Christ, we’ve been liberated and redeemed from
the empty way of life, ignorantly and blindly going after one mute idol after
another. We’ve been saved and delivered in his glorious and immeasurable riches
of grace and mercy through the blood of Christ and received the Spirit as
promised. So, we say, “Jesus is Lord,” through the Holy Spirit. He is Lord of
all creations. He made all things that have been made. There is nothing that
has been made without him. He is holding everything together. He is the
firstborn over all creation. He is the owner of all things. “The Son is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all
things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been
created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning
and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the
supremacy.” (Colossians 1:15-18) People ask, “If he reigns, why are there
injustices and wickedness on the earth, even relentlessly rampant and seemingly
prevailing?” Not so. That’s not true. He reigns and rules in love and justice
from the beginning to the end as Lord and King in the heavenly places. He is
faithful and true that God is giving them many opportunities to change their
minds and come back to him. Apostle Paul argues, “Or do you show contempt for
the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s
kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4) Every man shall
appear before the judgment seat of Christ for he is Lord of lords and King of
kings. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each
of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether
good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Our Lord Jesus Christ rules and reigns in
love and justice now and forevermore. He sent the Spirit of God to all
believers according the promise.
How is church supposed to work and function? By the Spirit
of the Lord! When Paul and Barnabas were set apart for the missionary journey,
the church in Antioch fasted and prayed for them. It is recorded in the Book of
Acts Chapter 13, saying “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the
Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I
have called them.’” (Acts 13:2) They were not going for promoting Antioch or
Jerusalem church’s agenda to evangelize the world but set apart and sent for
the Spirit and the work to which he had called them. Yes, the Holy Spirit sets,
leads, guides, protects the servants whom he has called for his work, the work
of the God the Father in heaven. That’s how church shall be working. By the
Spirit of God and of Jesus Christ. Strategies and tactics if you will are all
set by the Spirit. We’re the servants of God, obeying and following what the
Holy Sprit calls, leads, and speaks. “This, then, is how you ought to regard
us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has
revealed.” (1 Corinthians 4:1) We have been called and invited to join and
share his work as our service to the Lord with his grace and mercy. We share his
glory and his sufferings by partaking this holy work of God. The Holy Spirit has
been orchestrating and conducting the impeccable task for delivering the world
from its bondage and slavery into liberty. It is glory and honor to be part of this
holy business of the Lord God.
One example is recorded in the Book of Acts Chapter 8. It is
the ministry of Philip in Samaria. He was one of the seven deacons in the
church in Jerusalem. As the persecution broke out in Jerusalem, he went down to
a city in Samaria and preached the good news of Christ Jesus and a great
ministry occurred, healing the sick and driving out impure spirits, bringing great
joy in that city. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaritans accepted
the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria and prayed for the new
believers to receive the Holy Spirit. While a great ministry was still going on
in Samaria, the Holy Spirit set apart Philip to go down to the south in the
desert to meet an Ethiopian eunuch who came to Jerusalem to worship and on his
way home. “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the
desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on
his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the
treasury of the Kandake (which means ‘queen of the Ethiopians’). This man had
gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot
reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that
chariot and stay near it.’” (Acts 8:26-29) The Holy Spirit closely led Philip
to preach and explain the gospel of Christ Jesus which was prophesied by
Prophet Isaiah and led him to Christ by giving him baptism on the road. That
was it Philip was assigned to do and no more. Like Philip, we have been called
to do his work set by the Spirit.
How does the Holy Spirit lead and guide the servants of
Christ? By giving the gifts of the Spirit. One Spirit and yet different kinds
of gifts, one Lord and yet different kinds of service, and one God and yet different
kinds of working. Life is complicated and complex, so is the work of church. Functioning
as church the way it should be is challenging and difficult just as our lives
are tough going everyday throughout lifetime. There should be different
services and activities to meet the needs of church. The Holy Spirit dispenses
and equips the saints with different kinds of gifts for the common good. No one
is left out in receiving the gifts of the Spirit. Every person is given something
to do that shows who God is and everyone gets in on it, and everyone benefits. The
gift of wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick,
miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, and
interpretation of tongues. They are different gifts handed out one by one by
the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what and when. Yes, the Spirit of
God determines what and when. So, no one can boast of their gifts of the Spirit
because it doesn’t belong to them and isn’t for their benefits but for others. Jesus
says what the servant’s attitude should be in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 17
Verse 10, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do,
should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” We are the
receivers of the gifts of the Spirit and God is the giver of all things
forever. We do return to the Lord what we have been entrusted as our work and
service.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its
many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one
Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we
were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one
part but of many. Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do
not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the
body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to
the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the
whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body
were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the
parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they
were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but
one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head
cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the
body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are
less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are
unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts
need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater
honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the
body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part
suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part
rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part
of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance,
and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in
tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)
First, since it is the gift of the Spirit handed out for the
common good, there should not be any comparisons each other. All gift is
equally important and significant. Our body is a good example, says Paul. There
are many parts, limbs, and cells. It is so complicated and complex that no one
can fathom its intricacies and sophistications. All members of the body are
working and cooperating together in harmony and order under the control of head,
brain. If any member is not functioning as it’s supposed to be, it’s called incapacitated
or disabled. There are so many different kind of diseases discovered for our body.
As Apostle Paul demonstrates, members of the body are all equally significant
that no member can say it’s superior over another. Eyes to see, ears to hear,
noses to smell, mouth to taste and eat, each is assigned to unique function and
work, supporting each other. Even seemingly weaker parts in the body are indispensable.
Without eyes which is highly regarded and embellished, man can live, but
without stomach no one can do. It is truly a mystery, the work of body how it
is and what it is and why it is. No doubt that human body is made for us to
learn and understand how the church is working and functioning. Likewise, each
gift of the Spirit is not the object of comparison with other one. All members
of the body are necessary and essential, so are all members of the church to
whom the gifts of the Spirit are given per his will and purpose. No gift is
superior over another. All gifts of the Spirit are valuable and purposeful for
the church. In God, there is no favoritism. All are brothers and sisters under one
head, Jesus Christ.
Second, one body and many parts. One Spirit and many gifts. If
one part suffers, every part suffers with it. And if one part is honored, every
part rejoices with it. If one feet was wounded, you cannot go free of no pain
with every other part except feet. All feels the same pain and suffering with
feet. Likewise, one member of the church suffers, everyone in the church
suffers with him. The parts of the body are inseparable, so are the members of
the church. They are all united together through the Spirit of God. There is no
division in the body, nor in the church. There is no difference either Jews or
Gentiles, slave or free because there is only one new man in Christ Jesus the
Lord. The new man is created when we’ve been liberated and redeemed by the
blood of Christ and baptized by One Spirit. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians
5:17) A revolutionary change has been made for those who are in Christ, being
demolished our old self and created with the new self. The change is
breathtakingly glorious and unbelievably true that we’ve been made be the new
creation, a whole new life and way of living, the eternal one. With these
understandings and revelations, we may see other members of the church
respectfully and love them as Christ loved us first.
Third, the Spirit reveals that God has placed in the church
first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then
gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Not
all apostles. Not all prophets. Not all teachers. Not all miracle workers. Not all
healers. Not all speaking tongues. Not all interpret. Helping and guidance are the
essential services in the church. These are not hierarchy nor ranks in the
church, though some and even many interpret that way. Rather, it is
chronological. Jesus called the Apostles to lay down the New Testament like
John, Paul, Peter, Matthew, and more. The prophets are those who reveal and
explain the mysteries of God like Luke, Mark, and many others. The teachers are
the Scripture tellers and pastors. One of the dangerous practices in the church
is playing games in competition like who is superior, who knows much, what skills
they have, and the like. That’s exactly how the world does, bloody brutal competition
like deceiving and killing others. That’s not how the church runs at all
because they are the given gifts by the Spirit per need. The gifts of the
Sprits are given to equip the saints for works of service, so that the body of
Christ may be built up until we all reach in unity and become mature to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ, says Apostle Paul. “But to each one of
us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: ‘When he
ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’ (What
does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions
? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in
order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7-13)
Fourth, how do we know what gift received and how do we
experience the power of the gift of the Spirit in the midst? Remember no one is
left out in receiving the gift of the Spirit. Every believer has received the
Spirit as promised. “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in
the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if
anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans
8:9) In addition, the Spirit gives each one different kind of gifts for
everyone’s benefits. Search the heart and mind and reason what gift God has dispensed
for us. We may ask other members of the body about our gifts. The truth is each
one has been apportioned the gifts of the Spirit. So, we shall ask and find
them. Experiencing the harmony and accord in the church on this earth may be
much different than the understandings and revelations of the teachings about
the body of Christ, church. Often, it is hard to get along with other members
of the church. So divisions and cliques are visibly manifested in every church.
What is missing? Even if it seems divisive and contentious each other, it is
not for God. That’s why the Spirit has dispensed the different kinds of gifts
to everyone. Pastor teachers shall continue to explain and reveal the mysteries
of God in patient endurance because they are entrusted the treasures of the
kingdom. Helping, administrating, serving shall be done without being gotten weary
and tired because all labor in the Lord is not in vain, says Paul. “Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) It will take a while, maybe
lifetime. It is a long process, being constructed as mature manhood,
established and rooted in the Lord ever deeper and firmer. But the Lord will do
so, as promised.
January 22, 2018
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2015-2018 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.
