1 Corinthians 2: 10-12
⦁ One commentary says some do not have the will or the power to accept the truths revealed by the Spirit. They just cannot bring themselves to admit they are wrong – pride, prejudice, and more will keep people from accepting the truths of God. Richard Dawkins (an atheist) is one of those people. But when they do admit they are wrong, God reveals the deepest of truths – especially for those who like deep philosophical Christian thought.
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Cor 12:1 (NIV)
⦁ A problem arises when we try to merge our world views with God's worldview. It affects how we approach life and can detract from the spiritual gifts God gives us. It causes tension in our ability to act as the Spirit empowers us. We rely on the Holy Spirit as a means of keeping in control. The Spirit's influence in our life helps us adjust to the call God places in our life to act as the church.
⦁ To fully function as the called of God, we must act in the design of God's church not in the design we want. Churches falter and decline when the people are not acting in their appropriate gifting. This is why Paul says, he does not want us to be ignorant of our gifts. He knew the fallibility of man and how ceasing to depend on the Spirit of God would disrupt the work of the church.
⦁ Look at some of the gifts. One body with many parts:
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 the message of wisdom, to another the 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 gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Cor 12:7-11 (NIV)⦁ He knows you. The Spirit of God knows if you are an extrovert or an introvert; a type C personality or a type D....He determines what you can handle and gifts you with the ability most appropriate for the church. His wisdom eclipses ours but never to the detriment of our abilities or the function of the church. All these gifts are meant to unify us under the Spirit so we can operate as the body of Christ.
III. Will we accept the love bestowed?
1 Corinthians 2: 13-16
⦁ The issue that Paul was dealing with extended from the church's ability to identify the difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. The most excellent way emerges our of the fruit – love being the driving force – not a gift!
31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. 1 Cor 12:31 (NIV) = LOVE
⦁ The Spirit calls us, enters into our lives (makes His living within us), equips us with the fruit to act, and then empowers us with the gift to unite.
⦁ Spiritual truths are taught with spiritual words so we who believe will take time to learn from and be sensitive to the instruction of the Holy Spirit. We have teachers in the church to teach – but only to teach the word of truth. The Holy Spirit opens up our understanding of the truth so we can function properly in life and within the church.
⦁ Love modifies our behavior. It is a choice to act. Without love, we cannot see the things of God. In fact we will misuse the gifts of the Spirit and cause more harm than good. This is why spiritual truths seem like foolishness to those who do not have a relationship with God. The Spirit of God revels truth and if He is absent from the mind of a man, then the truths cannot be fully appreciated or understood. This is the power of salvation – revealing the unthinkable and unveiling the inconceivable. Spiritual truth must come from the relationship one has with God through Jesus Christ or man with pervert it as man does while living in the darkness of sin.
⦁ The call of God to operate in unity through the works of the Holy Spirit reveals the nature of God's love within the church. Love must be the most excellent way for it is the one thing that will survive mankind. The pure love of God moves us from childish behaviors into a mature faith that functions under the tutelage of the Spirit.
⦁ We can choose not to love God and remain immature in our thinking and never fully become aware of true life, or we can choose to love God and have the clarity of life - a new life in Christ – revealed by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Since the Spirit of God calls us to a better way of life, how will we receive this message?
⦁ Will we accept the wisdom offered?
⦁ Will we accept the spiritual gifts given?
⦁ Will we accept the love bestowed?
Paul says we should simply “have the mind of Christ”. Having the mind of Christ teaches us how to go with the stream of the Spirit's influence. What about the rapids? Well, without the water, we would have a hard time negotiating them. Don't fight the flow of God's call. Follow the leading of the Spirit.
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