TEXT: I Corinthians 12:1-31

SUBJECT: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit #7: The Holy Spirit in the Church

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to the Church. And He came, not empty-handed, but with a great number and variety of gifts. At His outpouring, He gave the church miraculous gifts: revelatory visions and dreams, utterance in languages not learned, an infallible understanding and application of Scripture, as well as the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. These gifts certified the ministry of Christ and marked-out the church as the new people of God.

But these gifts have are no longer with us. "Where there are prophecies, the will fail; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is (supernatural) knowledge, it will vanish away". It would seem, therefore, that the Spirit has been withdrawn from the Church--or at least His influence reduced. But this cannot be so. Jesus promised "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world". But how is He with us, but by His Spirit? The Holy Spirit, therefore, has "not left us comfortless". Nor has He been quenched. If He had, the Church would have long ago fallen into disrepair and ruin. "The gates of hell" would have "prevailed"--as Jesus promised they would not.

No. These astonishing gifts served their purpose, became obsolete, and disappeared. To reclaim them is as foolish as reviving the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant.

The Church doesn't need visions, dreams, tongues or miracles. But it does need spiritual gifts. And happily, the Holy Spirit continues to supply them. "He gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly". About these spiritual gifts, we ought to note the following:

First, what they are. What are "spiritual gifts"? Some confine them to them to the miraculous. But I can't see why. In the list before us, Paul includes some gifts, at least, that are anything but: "faith", "helps" and "administrations". A similar list in Romans 12, adds: "serving", "leading", "giving" and "showing mercy". And there are some in both places that can be interpreted quite ordinarily: "wisdom", "knowledge", "exhortation", "teaching"--and maybe even "prophecy".

Thus, spiritual gifts cannot be limited to the supernatural. Other things are included, things we see in others, things we see in ourselves, no less. But still, I have not defined the term. Here is an informal--but I think fairly accurate one: A spiritual gift is "A Spirit-given ability to serve God's people". And I can prove this by merely pointing out the words Paul uses interchangably with "gifts": "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." And so, what is a "spiritual gift"? It is an activity which ministers to other people. And that's about what I said in the first place, isn't it?

But now, secondly: Where do they come from? V.4 tells us: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit". Then vv.7,8,9,11 give examples of the Spirit's work in the early church. Thus, whatever "gifts" we have come from God; are ours by the purchase of Christ; and come to us by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Thirdly: Who has these gifts? Here too, our text could not be plainer: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all" says v.7. All of the Lord's people have "spiritual gifts". Now this confused some of the Corinthians. They could see that great men like Paul or that exciting men, like the tongue-speakers, had gifts. But what about them? Did the "ordinary" Christian have anything to contribute to the welfare of the church? Paul answers with an emphatic "yes"! In vv.12ff. he likens the church to a human body. And just as each organ has an important role to play in the body, so does every member in the church. V.22: "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary". And then, he scolds the proud members for thinking otherwise: "The eye cannot say of the hand, `I have no need of you'; nor again, the head to the feet, `I have no need of you'". Not every organ does the same thing in the body. But none can be spared! Sparkling blue eyes may be more attractive than a wrinkled-up kidney. But that ugly old thing is essential to the health of the body. Thus, every Christian has gifts.

In the fourth place: What are the gifts for? Here, too, v.7 speaks right to the point: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all". Gifts, therefore, are not given for your enjoyment, but for the welfare of the church.

Then, fifthly: how are the gifts to be used? The last line of this chapter hints at it: "And yet I show you a more excellent way". And what is this "excellent way" Paul is about to "show" them? Chapter 13 tells us: love. Every gift is to be exercised in love.

Thus, the Holy Spirit is alive and well--and in His Church. His presence should be felt every time a gift is used. Every time I see a man put a check in the offering-box, I ought to remember the "gift of giving". Every time I see a woman put her arm around a sorrowing friend, I ought to see the "gift of mercy". Every time I see a parent correcting a wayward child, I ought to see the "gift of ruling". Every time my friend fills up my water glass, I ought to recall the "gift of helps". Every sermon (I hope) brings to your mind the "gifts of knowledge and exhortation". Every well-chosen song "the gift of wisdom".

If only we recognized His gifts in the Church, we would be a "Spirit-filled people". Reverence would overhang the meetings; afterall, "it is the habitation of God through the Spirit". Unbelievers would be amazed: "Of a truth, God is among you". But best of all, we would be loving to one another, more tolerant, and more helpful. Why? Because we would see the Spirit in each other! And surely we would value "a treasure in an earthen vessel".

And so, "How should we then live"?

We should highly esteem the Church of Christ. Yes, it has it imperfections, its glaring faults, no less. But still, the Spirit is with us. And we--for His sake--ought to be thought well of.

We should give ourselves to the Church of Christ. Not just by placing our name of the roll or coming every week, but by giving ourselves--body and soul--to its wellbeing. By spending much time in prayer for the church. By holding its officers in high regard. By helping one another. By "lowering" yourself to be helped. By contributing to its ministry. By inviting others to its meetings.

We should beware of disrupting its peace and prosperity. For whatever its defects, the Church is still "the Temple of God". And when men "fooled" with the Temple, they paid with their lives.

We should beware of doing nothing in the Church. Your gifts were given to you to be used. If they are "buried in a handkerchief", you'll have to answer for your "wicked and slothful" service.

But most of all, by seeking--and not being satisifed without--the felt presence of God's Spirit in its every gathering.

And so, have the blessings of Pentecost ceased? No. Not at all.

"Unto Him be glory, in the church by Christ Jesus;

throughout all ages. World without end. Amen."