The Gifts of the Spirit
July 30, 2015 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement | Tags: in Christ, body, gifts of the Spirit, manifestation, spiritual gifts, unity, diversity, trinity
Life in the Spirit, Part 8
We have taken time to unpack what Sinclair Ferguson means when he says: “The heart and soul of the Spirit’s ministry is to sustain us ‘in Christ’” (The Holy Spirit, p. 100). The ministry of the Spirit does not add anything to what we have in Christ, nor does the Spirit compete with or replace Christ. The Spirit unites us to Christ and sustains us in that all-satisfying, all-sufficient relationship, through his various works.
The gifts of the Spirit are another part of the Spirit’s ministry in sustaining us in Christ. Paul calls them a “manifestation of the Spirit” in 1 Corinthians 12:7. Unfortunately, confusion over “spiritual gifts” often distracts us from enjoying this blessed work of the Spirit. Let me highlight two foundational truths about spiritual gifts that will help hone our attention.
1. The Spirit empowers each gift in a believer’s life for the good of the church. When Paul speaks about the purpose of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7 (“for the common good”), he is thinking of the church body. No gift is given for selfish gain. Building up the body of Christ is the purpose of spiritual gifts. Paul makes clear in Ephesians 4 that the goal still is Christ, “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (verse 15, compare with the context of verses 11-16).
How does this work? We have already noted that the Spirit sustains believers in Christ through his illuminating, sanctifying, and unifying ministries. The Spirit also empowers gifts in believers to sustain other believers in Christ. You have been gifted by the Spirit to build up others in the church into Christ. The fellow believers you attend church with have been gifted to build you up in Christ. Talk about a multi-faceted approach to your spiritual well-being!
2. Gifts in the church provide a living reflection of the unity and diversity that exists in the trinity. Notice how Paul speaks about gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, “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, by it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” For the Corinthian church, which struggled with deep conflict and disunity, Paul wanted to affirm the diversity of the gifts among the people (we all don’t get the same gift[s]) while affirming the unity of the use and purpose of the gifts (serving the same Lord). In a subtle manner, he draws our attention to the trinity: “Spirit…Lord…God.”
While we believe God is one (Deut. 6:4), we believe that there are three distinct persons in the Godhead. Each person has a unique role and responsibility (for a simplistic summary regarding our salvation: the Father plans it, the Son purchases it, and the Spirit applies it). Each person of the trinity is equal but does a different work. They are united and diverse. The same is to be reflected in the church. Paul labors in 1 Corinthians 12 to drive this principle home using the “body” metaphor. Since there are varieties of gifts, we will all serve the church in unique ways. Through each of us using our gift for ministry in the church, God is building the body “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).
You’re unique. Praise God! God has gifted you to serve the church. Thank you for being used by God to help sustain your brothers and sisters in Christ!
- Pastor Dale Thiele
