23-1217p Transcript

Preacher: Mike Mathis

(0:27) Good evening, folks. (0:29) Those that are here, those that are on the phone, we welcome you. (0:36) And I appreciate the reading that Kevin read.

(0:44) We will cover that particular passage later in the lesson, (0:51) but we continue tonight from the study lesson we started this morning, (1:00) talking about gifts from God. (1:07) This is the time of year that people concentrate on exchanging gifts for Christmas presents. (1:24) It seems like they also go head over heels in debt buying gifts, (1:33) you know, paying or charging for these, (1:41) and then they have a look-see at the bill that comes later.

(1:49) But gifts are exchanged, and gifts are given, (1:56) and we saw that God gives us gifts, (2:03) but these gifts are not occasional gifts. (2:08) We have special occasions that will present gifts to someone. (2:15) It may be their birthday.

(2:16) It may be that they have some other reason to give gifts to someone. (2:29) But God gives us gifts all the time, (2:35) and He gives these gifts to us. (2:39) We looked this morning at gifts that were to be used and enjoyed, (2:51) had temporal gifts which do not last very long, (2:57) such as food and clothing, rain.

(3:04) We have rain, and then we don’t have rain. (3:08) We have rain and fruitful seasons, (3:11) and the seasons, one passes into another season. (3:18) And then this morning we talked about, right near the end, about wisdom, (3:29) and we can have wisdom from God.

(3:36) We can acknowledge that the wisdom that we have comes from God, (3:42) for James 1, 5 says that he that lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, (3:53) and God will give it without reproach. (4:00) In other words, we may have asked for wisdom before, (4:03) but God isn’t going to say, (4:05) now you’ve already asked me about that. (4:08) You’ve already…​ (4:09) No, He gives it to us.

(4:12) We continue praying and asking Him for wisdom, and He will give it. (4:20) But wisdom can be a gift from God. (4:26) But you know, 1 Corinthians 1, 18-21, (4:33) makes it a distinction between worldly wisdom (4:39) and wisdom that comes, true wisdom that comes from God.

(4:48) And in 1 Corinthians 1, 18-21, (5:00) it is that He is getting on to the Corinthians (5:08) because of the division that has come forth. (5:14) But then He says that the preaching of the gospel (5:24) was not with wisdom of words, (5:27) lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (5:31) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, (5:36) but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

(5:42) For it is written, (5:45) I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. (5:49) I will bring to nothing the understanding of the truth. (5:57) Where is the wise? (5:59) Where is the scribe? (6:01) Where is the disputer of this world? (6:04) Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (6:10) So the worldly wisdom is foolish (6:14) because it is worldly and it could deny that God exists (6:26) and there is a difference.

(6:31) But now, in continuing our study, (6:36) now we want to look at the third thing, (6:41) that third category, and that is spiritual gifts. (6:49) To begin with, we look at John 3, 16. (6:56) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, (7:02) that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, (7:07) but have everlasting life.

(7:10) You know, gifts do cost the giver some amount of money. (7:18) It costs them to pay for the gift. (7:23) But then the gift is freely given.

(7:27) It costs God His only begotten Son (7:32) because God sacrificed His only begotten Son (7:36) because He so loved the world. (7:40) Jesus, because He loved us, (7:47) He paid a price. (7:51) For us to escape condemnation.

(7:56) But He gives the gift freely. (8:03) In Romans 6, 23, it says, (8:06) For the wages of sin is death, (8:11) but the free gift is eternal life. (8:17) Free gift of God is eternal life.

(8:21) And so we see that these can be part of the spiritual gifts that we get. (8:35) Now in Ephesians 1, (8:39) we have what the Apostle Paul wrote in the Ephesians (8:49) and said were blessings, (8:53) and we can call these blessings gifts. (8:58) He says, (9:00) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (9:05) who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings (9:09) in heavenly places in Christ.

(9:13) So these spiritual blessings that we have are in Christ. (9:19) We are in Christ when we obey the gospel, (9:24) when we hear it, (9:26) and we believe it, (9:29) and we obey it in baptism. (9:32) We become God’s children.

(9:36) We are baptized into Christ. (9:40) And as many of us as were baptized into Christ, (9:44) we were buried with them in baptism. (9:48) And they were baptized into his death, (9:52) that like as Christ was raised, (9:59) even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(10:03) So we become his children. (10:07) And becoming God’s children, (10:14) we have these blessings or these gifts, (10:17) spiritual gifts that are given and are in Christ. (10:27) Anyone who is outside of Christ do not have these spiritual blessings.

(10:35) Some of them are mentioned here. (10:38) The fact that we, in verse 4, (10:41) are chosen before the foundation of the world. (10:46) Being predestinated unto the adoption of children (10:51) by Jesus Christ to himself (10:54) according to the good pleasure of his will.

(10:58) This doesn’t mean that we have been predestinated (11:02) to either life eternal or to life in condemnation. (11:12) That God has predestined certain ones for eternal life (11:19) and certain ones for the fires of hell. (11:22) Which some people want to say (11:26) that this was chosen, (11:31) the fact that we are his children, (11:34) this was chosen before the foundation of the world.

(11:42) And so we have this (11:46) and there is redemption through his blood, (11:52) the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, (11:58) wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. (12:04) So these are some of these spiritual blessings that are named (12:09) that we have in every one of them for those who are in Christ. (12:22) In Romans 12, we have, beginning in verse 6, (12:33) it says, (12:37) having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us (12:45) by the prophecy, (12:47) let us prophesy according to the portion of faith or ministry.

(12:54) Let us wait on our ministry, (12:57) or he that teaches on teaching, (13:00) or he that exhorteth on exhortation. (13:06) He the giver, let him do it with simplicity. (13:10) He the ruler with diligence.

(13:14) He that showeth mercy with cheerfulness. (13:17) So here we have differing gifts, (13:23) but we have many members in one body (13:29) and we do not have the same office, (13:34) and therefore these gifts are given to us. (13:40) And in 1 Corinthians 12, (13:44) Paul is further talking about spiritual gifts.

(13:50) This entire chapter 12 is speaking on spiritual gifts (13:56) before he starts out. (13:58) Now concerning spiritual gifts, (14:04) brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (14:07) You know that you were Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols (14:14) even as you were led.

(14:18) Wherefore I give you understanding (14:21) that no man speaking by the Spirit of God (14:26) calleth Jesus accursed, (14:30) and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord (14:36) but by the Holy Ghost. (14:40) Now there are diversities of gifts, (14:43) but the same Spirit. (14:46) And there are differences of administrations, (14:49) but the same Lord.

(14:51) And there are diversities of operations, (14:56) but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (15:02) But the manifestation of the Spirit (15:05) is given to every man to profit with God. (15:11) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, (15:16) to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, (15:21) to another faith by the same Spirit, (15:25) to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, (15:31) to another the working of miracles, (15:35) to another prophecy, (15:38) to another discerning of spirits, (15:41) to another divers kinds of tongues, (15:45) to another the interpretation of tongues.

(15:50) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit (15:57) dividing to every man severally as he will. (16:04) Now these Corinthians seem to have a problem (16:08) with these spiritual gifts. (16:13) It seems like one who has a gift, (16:19) say of the gift of tongues, (16:24) when looked down upon another (16:26) who may not have the gift of tongues, (16:29) perhaps may not be a miraculous gift, (16:34) but it may be that this person has the gift of teaching (16:40) or whatever, and just look down upon them, (16:45) others, because they don’t have the same gift (16:51) of speaking in tongues.

(16:54) These are miraculous gifts that he’s talking about (16:59) when it comes to speaking in tongues, (17:02) but there are gifts that are within the list (17:08) that are not necessarily miraculous. (17:12) As far as it goes today, (17:15) we can have the gift of teaching (17:19) and being a teacher doesn’t come from (17:26) being able to perform miracles, (17:32) but a good teacher, someone that is a good teacher, (17:39) if he has that gift, he should teach. (17:46) And he says, (17:48) for as the body is one and has many members, (17:53) and all the members of that one body being many (17:57) are one body, so also is Christ.

(18:04) For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, (18:10) whether we be Jews or Gentiles, (18:14) whether we be bond or free, (18:17) and have all been made to drink into one spirit. (18:23) For the body is not one member, but many. (18:29) Then, taking the physical body, for example, (18:35) he says, now if the foot shall say, (18:38) because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, (18:43) is it therefore not of the body? (18:46) And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, (18:51) I am not of the body, (18:55) is it therefore not of the body? (18:58) If the whole body were an eye, then where were the hearing? (19:08) If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (19:13) But now God has set the members, every one of them, (19:17) in the body as it has pleased him.

(19:21) And if they were all one member, where were the bodies? (19:28) But now are they many members, yet one body. (19:34) The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, (19:39) nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (19:44) Nay, much more those members of the body (19:47) which seem to be more feeble are necessary.

(19:56) And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, (20:01) upon these we bestow more abundant honor, (20:06) and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (20:12) For our comely parts have no need, (20:16) but God has tempered the body together. (20:20) Having given more abundant honor to that part which lacks.

(20:25) And that there should be no schism in the body, (20:31) but that the members should have the same care one for another. (20:37) And whether one member suffer, all members suffer with it. (20:43) Or one member be honored, all members rejoice.

(20:50) So if I was to put my finger on a hot burner, (20:59) I would feel it get burned. (21:04) I would know not to do that again. (21:11) Because, you know, the finger is part of the hand, (21:14) well, you know, it’s part of the body.

(21:19) And it has feelings, you hurt. (21:22) I have, as a youngster, (21:26) tried walking barefoot along the road up to the store. (21:34) And I would stub my toes and skin them.

(21:41) And my toes would be so sore. (21:46) I could not wear the shoes for a while until the sore would heal. (21:54) And, therefore, seeing that the toes and skin, they hurt.

(22:05) The toes are part of the body. (22:08) They may not, some of the toes may not seem to be all that important. (22:15) But they do when the body lets you know when they ache.

(22:26) So it should be that way in the church. (22:30) If one member suffers, all members suffer. (22:34) It should be that way.

(22:36) But they have to be told that those members in the church (22:44) that seem to be to some unimportant, (22:50) they have a role to play just as well as the main ones, (22:57) the ones that take leadership. (23:00) And just because they may not have a spiritual gift such as they have (23:09) doesn’t make them unimportant. (23:14) And God has set a sign in the church.

(23:17) First, apostles. (23:19) Second, early prophets. (23:21) Thirdly, teachers.

(23:24) After that, miracles. (23:26) Then gifts of healings. (23:28) Helps.

(23:29) Governments. (23:30) Diversities of tongues. (23:33) Are all apostles? (23:36) Are all prophets? (23:39) Are all teachers? (23:42) Are all workers of miracles? (23:46) Have all the gifts of healing? (23:49) Do all speak with tongues? (23:52) Do all interpret? (23:56) Naturally, it’s got one answer to all these questions.

(24:01) No. (24:03) No. (24:06) As we say, there’s no, as far as today’s concerned, (24:12) there are no apostles as there had been then.

(24:16) Apostles of Christ. (24:18) Not everyone is qualified to be an apostle of Christ. (24:25) But now, in one sense, if apostle means sent.

(24:33) Now, a church could send somebody, but that’s the church sending. (24:40) And it’s not Christ. (24:43) And you have some that think that they are apostles, (24:49) but they are not eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ.

(24:52) But now, are all teachers? (24:56) There are some that it’s best that they not be teachers. (25:01) Because they take on a responsibility and maybe they’re not ready for it. (25:08) But those who do teach, they have a big responsibility.

(25:16) Now, as far as spiritual gifts are concerned, (25:20) we’re in our reading a mixture of those things that these gifts (25:31) that have a miraculous power to them, (25:36) maybe some of these things do not have a miraculous…​ (25:45) We can be teachers without performing miracles today. (25:50) We don’t have that power of healing and speaking in tongues as they did then. (25:57) And we don’t work miracles as they did.

(26:04) But we still have gifts that God gives us. (26:10) And whatever is said in Romans, (26:16) there are things there that, like ministering, (26:22) you know, minister to minister. (26:26) And Romans 12, 6 through 8. (26:32) And that list, some of these things could have miraculous powers behind them, (26:45) but others, not necessarily in themselves, like ministry, (26:54) may not necessarily have miraculous power in ministry.

(27:01) But, glory to that servant. (27:04) For he that teacheth on teaching, he that exhorteth on exhortation, (27:09) he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. (27:13) He that ruleth with diligence, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness.

(27:19) See, these things, if we have these gifts, (27:23) these kind of gifts, then we should, as we looked this morning, (27:31) we should make use of these things. (27:35) Now, the reading that Calvin read from James 1 and verse 17, (27:49) every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. (27:55) And cometh down from the Father of lights, (27:59) with whom is no furbleness, neither shall a turning.

(28:05) So every gift that we have is from God. (28:10) And every good gift that we receive is from God and is from above. (28:21) Every good gift that we have today, we should make use of, as I said.

(28:30) And we should not look down upon someone else (28:33) if he can’t do the job that maybe I could do as far as teaching (28:41) or serving or praying, leading in prayer. (28:52) But if there’s some other way that he can serve, that would be good. (29:03) But you know, each one has his own ability.

(29:07) Someone gets up in front of an audience, they may get real nervous (29:14) and not be able to speak. (29:19) But then there are those that have the ability to teach. (29:25) Some have the ability to be hospitable.

(29:30) I know of the preacher we had in West Virginia preaching for us. (29:38) He had the ability to go and sit with people that was in the hospital (29:46) or perhaps in the nursing home. (29:51) He was good at visiting funeral homes for those that have lost loved ones (30:00) that were there for the wait services.

(30:07) He was always good at being there in their presence. (30:12) Well, someone else may not have that ability. (30:15) They may not even like to do it, but he had that willingness to do it (30:23) and he could do it and he would do it.

(30:28) So we product that gift from God. (30:33) And as I said this morning, if we try to commemorate the gifts that God gives us, (30:42) there would be no end to this lesson. (30:47) But we have God-given gifts, and these gifts are good and they’re perfect (30:57) and we should remember them.

(31:00) And we should remember God because he gives them to us. (31:06) We should be thankful that he gives these gifts to us, (31:12) those that could be material and those that are spiritual. (31:20) We should be thankful to God for these (31:24) because he is good and his gifts are good.

(31:33) And if there is anyone that has anything on their mind (31:38) that they would like to bring to the attention of the church, (31:44) we would invite you to make it known now. (31:47) If you want to, if you haven’t done so, (31:51) if you want to put Christ on in baptism, we can also do that. (32:00) If you have need to be restored, you can let that be known (32:09) and the church will pray for you and pray that God will restore you (32:15) and forgive you of those sins.

(32:20) If there is anything that you would like to make known to the church right now, (32:26) why not do so while we stand and while we sing? (32:29)