Outline by Charles E. Whisnant from April 21, 2010

1. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS<br />CHARLES E. WHISNANT, APRIL 21, 2010<br />ICORINTHIANS 12<br />INTRODUCTION<br />1ATHE BODY PRINICPLE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS<br /> 1BTHE MANIFESTATION OF THE BODY<br />Jesus Christ in His incarnation, revealed Himself in a human body. Through that body, all the attributes of deity were made manifest and God became visible in human history. Christ is Body 1 and the corporate assembly of believers is Body 2. <br />Christ wants to leave Himself in the world. He wants us to be Christ’s in the world. Christ wants to reproduce in us His very essence, His very life, his very personality, His very character.<br /> 2BTHE MEMBERS OF THE BODY<br />Each person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ is a vital member of this Body.<br />Ephesians 2:21-22, Ephesians 4:7,8, 11.<br />1CMATURING<br />Ephesians 4:12: Gifted men are for the maturing of the Saints for the work of the ministry.<br />2CMASTERING<br />Ephesians 4:12-13<br />2ATHE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS<br />1BTHEY ARE ESSENTIAL<br />1 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 4:12<br />2BTHEY ARE COUNTERFEITED<br />1CFLESHLY COUNTERFEITS<br />2CSATANIC COUNTERFEITS<br />3BTHE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SOURCE<br />All spiritual gifts are supernaturally empowered, energized, and given by the Holy Spirit. They are beyond the natural. It is not like singing, playing an instrument, or clever with a certain art. They are supernatural enablements. They are “spiritual”. They are controlled by the Holy Spirit.<br />4BTHEY WILL ALWAYS UNITE<br />They will always unite the body, never divide it. <br />5BTHEY ARE NOT A SIGN OF SPIRITUALITY<br />Some are carnal, but they did have spiritual gifts I Corinthians 3:1<br />6BTHEY ARE NOT FOR THE POSSESSOR, BUT FOR THE GOOD OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BODY<br />1 Corinthians 12:5 gifts are called “services.” Something I do for you. <br />12:7 they are called “manifestations” Something that is made public, and given to every man to profit for the good of those gathered together. <br />7BTHEY HAVE THE PROMISE OF DIVINE ENERGY<br />I Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6. I Peter 4:10-11<br />8BTHEY COME IN VARIETIES<br />1CA UNIQUE POSITION<br />yNo two Christians are alike. Each has a unique place and position in the Body<br />2CA UNIQUE COMPOSITION<br />1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:7. Yes. One gift, but that gift is a composite of all the various kinds of enablements. <br />1DTHE ILLUSTRATIONS<br />I Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6<br />2DTHE INCREASES<br />When God puts you in the Body, He gives you what you need to minister based on your personality. <br />3BTHE IRRESPONSIBILITY<br />We really are to minister in all areas. Some have greater responsibilities than others.<br />9BYOUCAN HAVE A GIFT AND NOT BE USING IT<br />1 Timothy 1:6<br />10BTHERE ARE SEVERAL TERMS TO DESCRIBE THESE DIVINE ENABLEMENTS<br />They are called energizing, services, manifestations, grace gifts and spiritual gifts.<br />11BTHE LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE<br />We say there are 7 or 8 major gifts but there are many other kinds of gifts.<br />12BALL GIFTS ARE TO BUILD THE BODY<br />Ephesians 4:12 and 1 Corinthians 12:7<br />13BSOME GIFTS ARE ALSO SIGN GIFTS<br />14BTHE GIFTS ARE DISTINCT FROM THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT<br />