1st Corinthians chapter 12 1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to dumb idols. 3 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.4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues [languages], and to still another the interpretation of tongues [languages]. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts1st Corinthians chapter 12 verses 1-11

Three aspects in serving God

1. What should I do to serve in a fruitful way?Discover your Spiritual Gifts.

2. Where should I serve to fulfil God’s call?Discover your Ministry Passions.

3.How should I best serve?Discover your Personal Style.

“Those whom God calls, God also equips.”

1. Spiritual gifts are expressions of the presence and power of God's Spirit working in and through a Christian for God’s purposes.

“Spiritual Gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer according to God’s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ.”

2. The four main lists of gifts in New Test areRomans 12 v 3 to 81st Corinthians 12 v 4 to 11 & 27 to 31Ephesians 4 v 7 to 121st Peter 4 v 10,11

List of Spiritual GiftsAdministration, Apostleship, Craftsmanship, Creative communication, Discernment, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Healing, Helping/Service, Hospitality, Intercession, Interpretation, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Miracles, Pastoring, Prophecy, Teaching, Tongues (public prophecy or private prayer), Wisdom

And possibly: counselling, celibacy, creative skills (Exod 31), exorcism, martyrdom, missionary, music, tongues (private prayer) & voluntary poverty

3. Three Possible Categories of Giftsfrom the different Greek words used in 1st Cor 12 v 4

to 6:

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts (charismata), but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving (diakonion: service, office, ministry) but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities (energematon: work, produce, effects, outcomes) to perform service, but the same God gives ability to everyone for their particular service.“

Motivational Gifts (charismata)

Ministry Gifts (diakonion)

Manifestation Gifts (energematon)

4. How to discover your spiritual gifts• Pray about: ask God to reveal your gift(s)• Learn about: the gifts from Bible, books, people, courses• Seek feedback about your gifts from other Christians• Seek opportunities to serve & experiment• Consider your effectiveness & feelings of fulfilment• Be aware of possible blockages to recognising your gifts

5. Right attitudes to spiritual gifts• All gifts are from God; they are not our own • For the benefit of others; and use in God's mission• To be sought after (see 1st Corinthians 11 v 31 & 14 v 1)• They develop with use, so take opportunities to use them• Learn about the possible abuses of your gifts• The Gifts should work in tandem with the Fruit of the Spirit

6. Three main cautions or temptations with Sp Gifts

•Projection•Pride•Put-downs

The Communion ServiceThe Lord’s Supper

The Eucharist

We remember Jesus’ words at the Last Supper in the Gospels

also in 1st Corinthians 12

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.28 for this is my blood, which confirms/seals the [new] covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.