The Holy Ghost and His Gifts

Title of Message: The Holy Ghost and His Gifts

(Series: “Ghost Stories”)

This morning we will be continuing in the series called Ghost Stories as we look to the supernatural and the third person of the trinity. We will see that God doesn’t just dwell in you…but the third person of the trinity has gifts for you.

Verses used: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, John 7:37-39, James 1:17, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:4-13, Revelation 22:18-19.

Key verse: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Sermon Notes:
1. A spiritual gift is a supernatural capacity given to every believer by the Holy Ghost, after salvation for Christian service.

2. A spiritual gift is something a Christian did not possess before becoming a Christian.

3. This is what distinguishes a spiritual gift from a natural talent.

4. All spiritual gifts given to the church by the Holy Spirit are equal in value! All are important!

Some questions for your group this week:

1. What was something you learned or what stood out to you from the sermon on Sunday?

2. Do you have a clear sense of the spiritual gifts God has given you? If you’re not sure, review the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. Which do you believe you have you received?

3. How have you used your gift(s) for the common good? For the Lord’s work?

4. How do the scriptures, in describing the various spiritual gifts, help you understand your place in the body of Christ, as well as our need for others?

5. Using Pastor Frank’s illustration of the over-flowing water, how do you interpret the Spirit’s work in the same way? How about in your own life?

6. How can we be “stirring in” these verses into our lives this week?