Exploring Spiritual Gifts Engaging Spiritual Gifts A Summit

Exploring Spiritual Gifts Engaging Spiritual Gifts A Summit Church DNA Class Presented by Brian Onken

Session One: The basics of the Spirit’s role in the life of every believer

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 1. Introduction to the topic a. Regardless of one’s view of the Spirit, He has a part to play in every Christian’s life. b. Although there may be debate in the church about the Spirit’s role, there are some truths to anchor our thinking. c. We can find common Biblical ground.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 1. Introduction to the topic It is important to understand the Spirit’s basic role in the life of every follower of Jesus so that, in talking about the Spirit’s gifts, we don’t begin to act as if giftedness results in a “two-tier” approach to the Christian life. There is something substantive for all of us in understanding the Spirit’s role in our lives.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 2. What things are true about every believer? a. The Spirit is the agent of the new birth. b. No one can confess Jesus as Lord apart from the Spirit. c. The Spirit enables us to cry out to God as “Father. ” d. The Spirit permanently indwells every believer. e. The Spirit confirms to us our identity as God’s children. f. The Spirit leads every believer.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 3. What things may not be automatically true about every believer? a. Not every believer is automatically filled with the Spirit. b. Not every believer is experiencing the fullness of the Spirit’s fruit. c. Not every believer is automatically living into his or her giftedness.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 4. Why do we need to give time and attention to the topic of the gifts of the Spirit? a. As important as the fruit of the Spirit is in the life of the church, the gifts are equally valuable. b. Even in a church like Corinth—where the gifts were active and evident—Paul called these believer to not be ignorant of giftedness.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 4. Why do we need to give time and attention to the topic of the gifts of the Spirit? c. Because of lack of training and complicated by confusion about giftedness, many Christians distance themselves from the whole topic—to their own detriment and the detriment of the local church.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role 4. Why do we need to give time and attention to the topic of the gifts of the Spirit? c. . many Christians distance themselves from the whole topic. . . i. Sometimes we are fearful. ii. Sometimes we have misunderstandings. iii. Sometimes we are troubled by possible controversy.

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role Gordon Fee God’s Empowering Presence “For Paul, the Christian life not only begins by means of the Spirit; the whole of the Christian life is a matter of the Spirit. . . the Spirit is as central to Paul’s view of all of the ongoing Christian life as it is to conversion itself. ”

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role A. W. Tozer The Counselor “Remember that the work of the church is done by the Spirit, working through these gifts and through these gifted members. Where these gifts are not present, or not recognized, or denied, the church is thrust back upon other ways of getting a work done. ”

Session One: The Basics of the Spirit’s Role Questions? Comments? Observations?

Session Two: The essential nature of the gifts of the Spirit for the life of the church

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit Max Turner The Holy Spirit and His Spiritual Gifts “We may appropriately use the English phrase ‘spiritual gift’ for all the manifestations and abilities Paul relates in one way or another to the Spirit. It is then clear that the whole body of believers is expected, in this broader sense, to be ‘charismatic. ’ ”

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts a. The gifts are a “manifestation of the Spirit. ” i. The need to distinguish between natural talents and spiritual gifts. ii. Although natural talents are to be used for the sake of the kingdom, the kingdom advances through gifted ministry.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts a. The gifts are a “manifestation of the Spirit. ” iii. If our “good works” are only the expression of what we could do naturally, it is hard to see how they would glorify God or put His kingdom on display.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts b. The gifts are expressed through your life. i. The need to distinguish between gracious displays of God’s power and presence and spiritual gifts. ii. We should value and appreciate every work of the Spirit, but if such a work does not come through one’s life it is likely not a spiritual gift.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts c. The gifts are exercised by the believing in a regular or habitual way. i. The need to distinguish between occasional works of the Spirit and spiritual gifts. ii. It the gifts are to be stewarded there must be some regularity in the exercise of such gifts.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts d. The gifts are for the benefit of others— either encouraging and awakening faith in the unbelieving or building up and deepening the faith of the believing. i. The need to distinguish between personal growth and participation in the kingdom for the benefit of others.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 1. A basic, working definition of gifts d. The gifts are for the benefit of others. . . i. The need to distinguish between personal growth and participation in the kingdom for the benefit of others. ii. Nevertheless, it is true that when one is exercising his or her spiritual gift it will be “selfedifying. ”

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit A Basic Working Definition: A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit that comes through the life of a believer in a regular or habitual way for the benefit of others or the advance of the kingdom, all to the glory of God.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit John Piper Signs and Wonders: Then and Now “I wonder how many of us have said for years that we are open to God’s moving in spiritual gifts, but have been disobedient to the command to earnestly seek them. Are we so sure of our hermeneutical procedure for diminishing the gifts that we would risk walking in disobedience to a plain command of Scripture? ”

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 2. The critical importance of gifted ministry a. If ministry is not built on Spiritgiftedness, it will be hard for others to grow in dependence upon God. . . b. If ministry is not built on Spiritgiftedness, it will become easier to slip into thinking that simply working hard is what Jesus intends for us.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit 2. The critical importance of gifted ministry c. If ministry is not built on Spiritgiftedness, we will likely not be able to rightly address and meet the needs of others. . . d. Jesus intended His disciples not only to talk about the breaking in of His kingdom, but also intended for them to participate with Him in His ongoing kingdom work.

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit J. I. Packer Keep in Step with the Spirit “As Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so is His Spirit; and in every age since Pentecost. . . the Spirit has continued to do on a larger or smaller scale things that Jesus promised He would do when sent in this new capacity. . Had He ceased to do these things, the church would long ago have perished. . The Christian’s life in all aspects is supernatural; only the Spirit can initiate and sustain it. ”

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit Although God can and does extend His blessings and His kingdom in a variety of ways, strategic and purposeful ministry should happen through gifted service. If we are not hungry for the Spirit’s manifest presence in and through us, what will we ultimately rest on for our “work of the ministry”?

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit Questions? Comments? Observations?

Session Two: The Essential Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit For reflection and discussion What will be the outcome for our life groups and our church body if we fail to take to heart the call to Spirit-gifted ministry?