Gifts of the Holy Spirit

by Pastor Wilson Teo


Holy Spirit can give spiritual gifts to members of the body


Big idea:
God give spiritual utterances to edify, encourage and comfort us.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.


Prophecy
Speak in tongues

Tongues are supernatural abilities to speak in human or angelice languages enabled by the Holy Spirit for praying, praising, and thanksgiving unto God.

Principle #1
God gives spiritual gifts to empower believers for ministry

9 spiritual gifts listed here but there are more... it is not exhaustive but these are commonly used in corinthian housechurch


1 Peter 4:10-11
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


Above verse says that everyone would have at least one spiritual gift.

1 Corinthians 13:1
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.


Paul gives instruction to believers to ernestly have strong desire for gifts of the Holy Spirit


Principle #2
Every believer should desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit


The challenge is whether we desire the spiritual gifts and to operate in them to benefit the community

Gifts means charismata or charis = give graciously and generously

Example of human tongues given by Holy Spirit in human language

Acts 2:1-8
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?


Example of angelic tongues

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.


Paul classify 2 groups. That of men and angels

1 Corinthians 14:2
For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.


Paul explains that tongues were meant solely for God. They are mysteries uttered unto God. Tongues can be either human or angelic language

What's the purpose of tongues? Why do we need?

1 Corinthians 14:4
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.


Tongues are supernatural enablement or empower of Holy Spirit given to us to build up our spirit man

1st reason:
for building up of oneself in the spirit

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.


We can also pray and intercede with heavenly language when we have no words to pray


1 Corinthians 14:13-17
For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[a] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.


Tongue is for prayer, sing praise unto God and thanksgiving


Tongues are directed to God, not human

2nd reason:
Enable believers to pray and praise and give thanks to God through the Holy Spirit


Interpretation of tongues:
1 Corinthians 14:6
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?


1 Corinthians 14:9-13
So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.


1 Corinthians 14:16-17
Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[a] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.


1 Corinthians 14:18-19
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.


The purpose of the interpretation of tongues is to interpret the message spoken in unknown tongues for the Body to be edified, encouraged, and comforted.


So the interpreted message must also carries the same message of prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

Must be God focus.

Tongues + Interpretation not equal to Prophecy
Tongues + Interpretation EQUAL to Prayer, Praise or Thanksgiving


Prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:3-5
But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[a] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[b] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.


Prophecy can be defined as the speaking forth of an intelligible message that the Holy Spirit has spontaneously revealed to a believer intended for the faith community's edification, encouragement, and comfort (EEC)


EEC prophecy Edify, Encourage, Comfort

Unless you are a proven prophet and affirmed by church, do not give prophecy beyond EEC as these words can bring harm and confusion