On Using Your Spiritual Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Tongues, prophecy, teaching, evangelism, mercy. In recent years a wide spectrum of views has developed among Christians about spiritual gifts. In Fire in the Fireplace Charles Hummel describes a common misconception: “Christians are often urged to inquire: ‘What is my gift? How can I discover and use it?’ Our culture pressures us to ask: ‘Who am I? How can I be fulfilled and realize my potential?’ ” But is this the emphasis of the New Testament’s teaching on spiritual gifts?
Personal Reflection: How does your view of yourself affect the way you interact with other Christians? Pray that God will help you to understand your spiritual gifts.
Few people today are immune to the effects of our fragmented, impersonal and fiercely competitive society. Many of us, both inside and outside the church, have been bruised by broken families and relationships. These wounds have not only damaged our self-images but have also hindered us from responding fully to God’s love and purposes for our lives.
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
1. Why do you think so many people struggle with a poor self-image?
2. Bring your own self-image struggles and questions to God in prayer.
Power. Glory. Success. Throughout human history these have captured the hearts of men and women. In the midst of a society which measures worth by position and wealth, it is no wonder that Christians have struggled to stand for the values of the kingdom of God: humility, self-denial, gentleness, love. In the eyes of the world these are often signs of weakness rather than strength.
Personal Reflection:
1. What images come to your mind when you hear the word servant? Is it positive or negative?
2. In what ways do you struggle with seeing yourself as a servant?
Sometimes it seems that to trust or obey God would lead to disaster. In certain instances speaking the truth, maintaining financial integrity, remaining sexually pure or faithful run counter to our basic instincts or human reasoning. Personal Reflection: 1. Make a list of people that you consider trustworthy. For each person you list think of an example of how you have actually put your trust in him or her. 2. When is it hard for you to trust God?
“All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Tertullian, an early church theologian, boasted in one of his works that this statement of Jesus had become a fact. Even their enemies, writes Tertullian, marveled: “look how they love one another.”
Think of a Christian you consider compassionate. What stands out to you about that person?
Personal Reflection. Who has shown you compassion? Praise God for that person’s grace in your life.
Unfortunately the church has not always been marked by compassion and self-sacrifice. Far too often we speak of love but fail to back our words with deeds of kindness and mercy. We need to drink deeply from the simple but profound message of the story of the good Samaritan. Its familiarity has so weakened its impact that it is seen as an exception rather than the norm for the citizens of the kingdom of God. As you read this passage, imagine that you are hearing it from Jesus himself for the first time. Read Luke 10:25–37.
For many people the word holiness conjures up images of a self-righteous person who is totally removed from the problems of the world, talks only about “spiritual things” and is serious and even sullen in appearance. Yet the New Testament word holy is used to describe God’s people in general and not a select few. Personal Reflection: People often view pastors, priests, missionaries and fulltime Christian workers as more holy than other Christians. Why do you think this is so? How do you feel about studying holiness?
Perhaps nothing so persistently plagues Christians like temptation. Abraham was tempted to lie and fear. David fell prey to sexual immorality. Paul wrestled with pride. Even Jesus faced innumerable temptations.
Personal Reflection. How would you define the word “temptation”? Spend some time reflecting. What areas of temptation do you struggle with the most? Ask God to use this study to help you with that temptation.
In Genesis 39 we observe one man’s struggle and victory over temptation. Joseph was the favored eleventh son of Jacob. His jealous brothers sold the seventeen-year-old Joseph into slavery. In Egypt he was again sold, this time to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials. This passage recounts the first test for Joseph as God prepared him for the crucial role he would play in Israel’s history.
