Here are my notes for the final segment of the FILLED! sermon series.  Although the messages went well, I was not able to cover all the information in either service.  I think the notes also give the info in a more orderly meaningful way.  You can listen to the message and download the notes as a PDF by clicking here.

Final segment of our FILLED! Series

1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:”

• 1 Corinthians 12:1 AMP NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.
• This is about spiritual gifts, in fact the word “gifts” isn't used in this verse – it just says concerning “spiritual, or supernatural, or divine” - so this is not speaking of natural talents or abilities but supernatural things.
• Chpts 12 – 14 deal with how to use these gifts in the context of a Church meeting
  • Paul's intent was to help bring fruitful order to the Corinthian church
  • We can learn about how these gifts are to operate both in a church meeting and in general – understanding this setting (in church meetings) helps us understand some of the things Paul says better.
  • All of the gifts are also to function in a believers life outside of Church meetings – in fact that is where they are to be most active!

Spiritual Gift lists: (“God is in the list, but the list does not CONTAIN God...” ~ B. Johnson?)

Romans 12:6-8 NKJV Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; (7) or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; (8) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 12:5-11 NKJV (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

• There are actually over 20 different spiritual gifts identified in the NT, but today we will limit our talk to the verses in 1 Corinthians.
• “ministries, activities, manifestations”: all words used to describe the supernatural activities that are the expressions of the “spiritual gifts” we are given.
  • “Gifts” = “charisma” from which we get the term “Charismatic”
  • All of the gifts have the same source – the Holy Spirit, and therefore are intended to be used according to His purposes and His character (fruit)
  • It is not accidental that chpt 12 & 14 which talk about the gifts surrounds chapter 13 – which talks about the greatest Fruit of the Spirit
    • The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are to be intertwined and interdependent
  • Vs 7: “to each one” = every believer has supernatural gifts. No exception.
    • You may be unaware of yours, or uninformed – but if you have the Spirit, you are empowered.
  • Being filled with the Spirit
    • All of the gifts are available – because He is in you
    • Yet, He gives you particular gifts that He has appointed you to function in and based upon your unique calling.
    • Gifts are different than “offices” which refers to someone who functions “full-time” in a particular ministry with a high level of effectiveness & power
    • Gifts =/= character, or sign of God's approval, they are merely abilities that God has distributed with the intention that they be used, “for the profit of all.”
  • 1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV (1) Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. -- We are to actively seek both the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit

What Are Tongues?

• We will discuss tongues in depth
  • Most basic yet misunderstood. If you understand tongues, the other gifts are easier to understand. Like math – if you understand addition, you can understand multiplication and division. But if you don't get addition – you'll never get the rest.
  • The whole of chp 14 is about tongues, and its use in corporate meetings.
• Major points:
  • Tongues are a personal spiritual language
    • Although at times the miracle of speaking an unlearned human language occurs, that is not the meaning of tongues
      • 1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV (2) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
      • Vs. 10 & 11, Paul compares tongues to human languages and uses a different Greek word. Basically he's saying without interpretation speaking in tongues is like someone who speaks a different language.
      • Acts 2, IMHO, is best understood this way:
        • Acts 2:4 NKJV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
          • The apostles were speaking in tongues – a heavenly language
        • Acts 2:6 NKJV And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
          • Each individual heard (gift of interpretation) in their own language simultaneously
          • This makes more sense. That is why there was confusion, not that people were speaking a language, but that everyone heard in their own language at the same time. How could everyone understand without an interpreter – The Holy Spirit gave them all the interpretation.
    • 1 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV (1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
      • Tongues is likely the language of Angels!
    • 1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV (4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
      • Tongues is for personal edification – building up yourself spiritually
      • This is why it is thought of the “least of the gifts” not in that it is least needed, but least useful in edifying others in a public meeting.
    • 1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV (14) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
      • It is direct communication from your spirit to God
      • It bypasses the filtering of your mind and “understanding”
      • “I pray” and “my spirit prays” = Holy Spirit does not “take over” your body!!!
      • I is something you do, not dependent upon outside stimulus...
      • I believe this is CRITICAL for every believer
      • God would not withhold this vital gift from anyone
    • 1 Corinthians 14:5 NKJV (5) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
      • This is not merely Paul's wish – this is inspired Scripture. God wishes “you all spoke with tongues.”
      • Tongues edifies you spiritually and enables you to grow so that you can function in other gifts that minister to the congregation
      • Paul boasted 1 Corinthians 14:18 NKJV (18) “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;”
      • I don't think God would withhold this gift from any believer.
    • The limitations put on tongues is for the sake of public meetings – so that the focus is on the building up of the whole
      • That is what is meant in1 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
        And in 1 Corinthians 12:30 NKJV (30) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
      • In a public setting, not all have tongues, in fact it is only used with interpretation, but the personal prayer language is meant for all.
      • This ALSO gives us an understanding of the purpose of Church meetings
      • They are not for the personal ministry of YOUR gifts, so that you personally can “get something for yourself.” That is contrary to the heart of the Spirit.
      • Church meetings are to be structured so that the whole – the group, the community, the body – is edified, not as a showcase for personal gifts.
    • 1 Corinthians 14:28 NKJV (28) But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
      • We should not have tongues without interpretation in a public setting.
        • It does not forbid the use of personal tongues during a worship service
        • In fact “let him speak to himself and to God.” means exactly that, the person is to keep the tongue quiet and between him/her and God. Not raising the voice for all to hear, or in our day, coming up to the microphone.
  • Paul's conclusion:
    • 1 Corinthians 14:15 NKJV (15) What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
      • Paul says the BEST practice is to do both
      • Pray and sing in the spirit, and with understanding