Continued from: Part 1

Spiritual Gifts Serve the Lordship of Jesus

You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you 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. (1 Cor. 12:2-3 NIV) The entire point of ministry and spiritual gifts is to reveal the lordship of Jesus Christ as God over all people and things. Therefore, if someone says they are a Christian or want to do ministry but they do not affirm the lordship of Jesus Christ, they do not have the Holy Spirit. The primary evidence of a person having the Holy Spirit is their love and submission to Jesus.

Spiritual Gifts Are Given by the Trinity

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (1 Cor. 12:4-6 NIV) Here we see that the entire Trinity is involved in gifting the church for ministry.

Spiritual Gifts Each Exist to Benefit the Whole Church

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7 NIV) Whatever someone's gift, the purpose of the gift is to build up and benefit the entire church, not just edify the individual using the gift.

Spiritual Gifts Are Appointed by God

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:11 NIV) Spiritual gifts are given by God's choice; we cannot choose our gift. So anyone who is unhappy about how God has designed them is, in effect, complaining about God not giving them the gift they wanted. This is like a spoiled kid unwrapping a present only to complain about it.