Calvary Bible Baptist Church - Harper, Kansas

Spiritual Gifts
By Dr. Ray Melugin

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethern, I would not have you ignorant." I Corinthians 12:1

Introduction: Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4

Do you know your spiritual gift(s)?

Every Christian has been "saved to serve." "Shaping up the saints in a large part means enabling them to find out what their gifts are and where they can use them."

Most church members are ignorant of their spiritual gift(s). Sometimes church leadership is ignorant of them too. How about some of those ex-Sunday school teachers who might still be in church if they had been helped to discover their gift in a more cautious and prayerful manner? They might be still serving the Lord in our church today, though in some other capacity, if we would take more care in helping them to discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts.

"Practice of the biblical doctrine of gifts untaps reservoirs of godly manpower, thaws out frozen assets, roots out unemployment among saints, reflects the universal priesthood of believers, and edifies the church."

I. Every Christian is A Gifted Child.

Note: though gifts may lie dormant for months or years, they are given at our spiritual birthday.

A. Paul emphasized the universality of gifts.

1. Ephesians 4:7 "...unto everyone of us is given grace..."

2. I Corinthians 12:7 "...is given to every man to profit withal."

B. For every gift He bestows, the Spirit has planned a sphere of service. (Acts 9:15; 22:15; 21; 26:16-18)

Note: Though not e very believer is exercising his gift, nor even knows that it is, nevertheless every child of God has received one or more gifts to be used for the up-building of the church and for which he will one day render account.

C. The Gifts Are Varied

1. How Many?

a. Some say 9

b. Others say 15-22

c. We will study 19.

2. Why do we get differing gifts?

a. The Holy Spirit sovereignly assigns them to us according to His own will. (I Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:7)

b. It is a basis of unity among Christians.

Note: Gifts are given us to build up one another and to enable us to serve and glorify Christ together. (I Corinithians 12:7)

D. The Gifts Must Be Used Or The Work of The Lord Suffers Loss.

1. Be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11)

Note: Paul listed seven gifts, urging faithful exercise thereof, and then added that we should be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."