The LORD Reigneth

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-29-2026

Psalm 93

 

Introduction:  Three Thrones.

 

1.  There is a Heavenly Throne. 

 

Daniel 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

 

2.  There is an Earthly Throne. Psalm 93, a Millennial Kingdom Psalm, speaks of the Lord who will come to reign gloriously over the earth.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

3.  There is a Heartly Throne. 

 

Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

4.  The Lord will reign upon two thrones, heavenly and earthly, and should reign on the third, the throne of the heart.

 

A.  It has been called “The Enthronement Psalm” because the Psalmist placed the Lord in his rightful place in both heart and life.  The same thing happens when the repentant believer believes on the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Acts 16:30-31  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  (31)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

B.  Many want the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour but never bow to His Lordship.  LORD – JAH (YAHWEH – tetragrammaton YHWH) To exist – self-existent – eternal – Is and always will be – I AM THAT I AM.

 

C.  I said all that to say this: we neither enthrone Him nor can we dethrone Him!  We can only believe that He is by putting Him in a rightful place in our hearts and lives! 

 

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

D.  Lucifer (Satan) was a created being of almost limitless power and beauty.  The “Light Bearer,” son of the morning, tried to dethrone God.  How did that work out for him?

 

1. “I will ascend into heaven”  How did that work out for him?

 

2.  “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God”  How did that work out for him?

 

3. “I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation”  How did that work out for him?

 

4. “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds”  How did that work out for him?

 

5. “I will be like the most High”  That didn’t work out for him either!

 

E.  Psalm 93 shows us three important things:

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  The Glory Of God’s Reign.  Psalms 93:1-2  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.  (2)  Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

 

a.  God’s Throne Is An Eternal Throne. “ The LORD Reigneth.”  A declaration of fact!  Notice once again the “eth” ending!  He has always reigned, still reigns, and will forever reign! The psalmist lifts our eyes above earthly instability to the unchanging throne of the Lord.  The world often appears chaotic as governments change and cultures shift. Yet the central truth of this psalm is simple and powerful:

 

2 Samuel 7:16  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

 

b.  God's Throne Is An Enduring Throne.  It is a Rock that cannot be moved!

 

Psalms 145:13  Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

 

“Whatever opposition may arise, his throne is unmoved; he has reigned, does reign, and will reign for ever and ever. Whatever turmoil and rebellion there may be beneath the clouds, the eternal King sits above all in supreme serenity; and everywhere he is really Master, let his foes rage as they may. All things are ordered according to his eternal purposes, and his will is done.”  ~ “Treasury of David.”

 

c.  God’s Throne Is A Glorious Throne.  Beyond the realm of our imagination!  Beyond the scope of our experience!

 

Isaiah 6:1-3  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

 

 

Revelation 22:1-5  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  (2)  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (3)  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  (4)  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  (5)  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

 

d.  God’s Throne Is An Everlasting Throne - 2 Samuel 7:16  And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

 

2.  Verse 3.  The Sovereignty of God’s Reign.  Psalms 93:3  The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

 

a.  God is absolutely sovereign, eternally reigning as the supreme authority over all creation, events, and creatures. His sovereignty is the exercise of His divine will, whereby He orders, governs, and sustains all things according to His own purpose and pleasure, for His glory.

 

Colossians 1:16-17  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

b.  God’s sovereignty transcends time as He alone knows the end from the beginning.  God’s sovereign will is always accomplished, for His counsel shall stand, and He will do all His pleasure.

 

Isaiah 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

c.  Therefore, nothing occurs outside His knowledge, permission, or decree, and all things ultimately work according to His divine purpose. He “doeth according to his will… and none can stay his hand.”

 

Ephesians 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 

Daniel 4:35  And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

 

d.  God does as He wills.

 

1)  God Requires No Counsel - Romans 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

 

2)  God Seeks No Advice - 1 Corinthians 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

3)  God Lacks No Wisdom - James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

4)  God Asks No Permission – Job 33:13  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

 

5)  God Answers To No Man - Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

 

3.  Verse 4.  The Omnipotence Of God’s Reign.  Psalms 93:4  The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

 

a.  God’s power is limitless and therefore unlimited.  God can do anything, everywhere, any time, and every time!  Revelation 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

 

b.  God owns power.  God can do any and all things. Psalms 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

 

c.  What do you need?  Matthew 28:18-19a  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore …

 

4.  Verse 5.  The Holiness of God’s Reign.  Psalms 93:5  Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

 

a.  Holy in His Truths.  Truth changes not in its doctrines, which are very sure, nor holiness in its precepts, which are incorruptible.

 

2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

 

b.  Holy in all His ways.  You can trust God to do right.

 

2 Samuel 23:2-3  The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.  (3)  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

 

c.  The teaching and the character of God are both unaltered.

7 Sayings of the Cross – Part 6 - It Is Finished

Temple Baptist Church - 3-29-2026

John 19:28-37

 

Introduction:

 

John 19:30  “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”  Ghost – pneuma – breath.  (As every human who dies, the spirit leaves the body at the instant of death, thus did the Son of Man.)

 

Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

Jesus, the man, died; God, the Son, did not die. 

 

A.  Thus far, we have seen:

 

1.  Calvary’s Pardon as Jesus Christ cried out for the forgiveness of Herod, the king of Galilee, Pilate was the Roman governor in Judea, the Roman soldiers who drove the nails into His hands and feet carried out the brutal torture, to the Jews who planned it, and for all the human race who are responsible for His crucifixion.  “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!”

 

2.  Calvary’s Promise as Jesus Christ responded to the penitent cry of a dying thief.  To the thief, He promised, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” thus giving hope to all who put their faith in Him.

 

3.  Calvary’s Provision as Jesus Christ placed His loving mother into the hands of John the beloved.  “Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy mother.”  Dying, our Lord entrusted His earthly family to His earthly church.

 

4.  Calvary’s Price as our Lord became sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him!  “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”  Because Jesus Christ literally became sin for us that we might one day live forever with Him.

 

5.  Calvary’s Pain, as Jesus Christ’s voice was heard once more.  “I thirst.”  He suffered as no man has ever suffered, and His suffering was for our sins.

 

6.  This morning, we came to Calvary’s Purpose.  “It is finished!” 

 

In 1921, Jennie Evelyn Hussey wrote the hymn “Lead Me To Calvary. It starts out:

“King of my life I crown Thee now— Thine shall Thy glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.

“Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.”

 

B.  Here we find words of finality!  Years ago, I heard Dr. James Crumpton preach on this subject and remember well his emphasis on the Greek word used here: “teleo.”  The last stroke of the artist’s paintbrush!

 

C.  Jesus Christ, Jehovah God incarnate, came to die for the sins of the world.  He came to finish the work that the Father gave Him to do.  In the phrase “it is finished,” we find accomplishment.  His life: His work finished and summed up in one short phrase.

 

1.  Calvary, where redemption’s price was paid.

 

2.  Calvary, where the Just became the Justifier.

 

3.  Calvary, where the Innocent took the place of the guilty.

 

4.  Calvary, where the blood shed covers my sin, my guilt, and my shame.

 

5.  Calvary, where God’s mercy is great, and His grace is free.

 

6.  Calvary, where the burdened soul finds true liberty!

 

D.  This morning, we find not a distressed voice, not a cry of defeat, BUT a clarion cry of victory! “IT IS FINISHED!”

 

E.  As I thought on this sixth saying from the cross, I pondered on just what Jesus Christ had finished.  I hope and pray that these will be a blessing to you as they were to me.

 

1.  In “It Is Finished,” we find the Word of God Verified. – Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

John 19:28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.  (There were hundreds of prophecies written concerning Jesus Christ and He fulfilled every prophecy, every promise, every “jot and tittle” perfectly and completely!  God’s Word can be depended upon not only in the performance of this life but also the expectation of the life to come.  Jesus Christ left nothing undone!)

 

2.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Work of Propitiation Finished – John 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 

 

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  (At Calvary, we find the finishing of 4,000 years of sacrifices!  Millions and millions of lambs had died while awaiting the death of THE Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  Mankind had long awaited Messiah’s coming and we look back to His coming in wonder and amazement.  When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was saying that the substitutionary work on the cross for us had been accomplished.)

 

Peter said, in I Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”  (Jesus Christ became the “scapegoat” for you and me.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking my place and dying for my sins!)

 

3.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Way of Salvation Established – John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

1 Corinthians 1:17-18  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  (18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (Man can teach and preach anything that he chooses but it does not change the fact that salvation is through Jesus Christ and Him alone!  Not a church, not a denomination, not a movement, not a baptism, not a sacrament, not a dogma, and not an individual theology—but the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Man can go his own way but he will not go to heaven until he comes God’s way!)

 

4.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Wages of Sin Paid In Full – Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20a  The soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Jesus Christ became the “Sinner’s Substitute.”  Our sin separated us from a holy God and Jesus Christ, our Propitiation, reconciled us back to Him through the finished work of Calvary.)

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Hebrews 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  (The cross upon which Jesus died was an “altar” and He was the “sacrifice.”)

 

5.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Lost of the World Condemned – John 3:16-18  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

1 John 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  (As Christ suffered for us as no man ever suffered, so the sinner who rejects Christ will one day suffer for all of eternity!)

 

6.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Works of The Devil Destroyed – 1 John 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

 

Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.  (God will destroy Satan’s position, his purpose, his power, his people, and ultimately his person.  Because of Calvary, one day there will be no more Satan!)

 

7.  In “It Is Finished,” We Find the Wealth of Eternity Secured – Revelation 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  (Because of the finished work of Christ on Calvary, one day we that are saved will be “finally home!)

 

Conclusion:  I said all that to say this: “It is finished” for me this morning.  My sin is gone and my eternity secured.  Earth is my “hell,” and I am thoroughly enjoying it!  Heaven is my eternal home, and I am looking forward to it!  Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Understanding Spiritual Gifts - Part 4 - Diversities of Gifts

Temple Baptist Church - 3-25-2026

I Corinthians 12:4-11

 

Introduction:

A. As we begin tonight, we will discuss two types of gifts given to the church by the Holy Spirit: Sign Gifts, which were passing, and Service Gifts, which are permanent. 

 

B.  We have discussed some of the problems associated with the gifts of the Spirit over the past few weeks and will continue to do so as the study of 1 Corinthians 12-14 continues. 

 

1.  God’s people are truly destroyed for lack of knowledge, and this should not happen. God’s Word clearly states the truth about spiritual gifts, and only the unregenerated, unlearned, or willfully ignorant have trouble understanding them. 

 

2.  If ignorance is bliss, as the old saying goes, then the church as a whole is certainly “blissful!”  I do not want the believers at Temple Baptist to be ignorant of this important and divisive subject.

 

C.  Spiritual gifts have a two-fold purpose within the church: 

 

1.  To glorify God, the Giver of the gifts - 1 Peter 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

 

The proper use of spiritual gifts never draws attention to self, but—as the Holy Ghost Who gave them does—they point us to Christ! 

 

2.  To enable believers to edify one other in the church - Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

 

D.  Before getting into the gifts individually, we need to see why God gave these gifts to the individuals of the church.  To divide the Word of Truth rightly, we need to understand certain things.

 

1.  First, the time frame of 1 Corinthians.  This book was written during the period covered by the Book of Acts. 

 

a)  The Acts of the Apostles ran from about 33 A.D. to 63 A.D.  A period of about 30 years beginning with the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and ending just prior to the death of the Apostle Paul in app. 66 A.D. in Rome. 

 

b)  The Gospels and the Book of Acts are what we call a transitional period.  It was a time of great change from the Old to the New Testament.  In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses was the guide and rule for the Jewish people.  Unfortunately, through the rise of Phariseeism, the true use of the Law was perverted, and salvation for these religious zealots became a system of good works, replacing the grace of God. 

 

c)  Salvation has always been by grace and will remain so until all things are complete and eternity begins. During the time of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, God performed some remarkable deeds to bring about this transition.

 

d)   This was not a transition of Law to Grace but, rather, a transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant through the coming, death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 

e)  These signs, miracles, wonders, healing, and tongues were Apostolic. 

 

2 Corinthians 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

 

2.  Secondly, many of these gifts of the Spirit were passing gifts, and by the time of the writing of 1 Corinthians, these particular gifts were already passing off the scene.  Men, like the Apostle Paul, with the gifts of miracles, healings, prophecy (foretelling), and tongues with interpretation, were already losing the ability to perform these particular gifts towards the end of the Apostolic Age. 

 

2 Timothy 4:20  Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.  (Paul could not heal him.)

 

Philippians 2:25-27  Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.  (26)  For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  (27)  For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.  (No one but the Lord could heal him.)

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-9  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (Paul could not help himself.)

 

2 Corinthians 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.  (Paul was sickly and had his personal physician with him.)

 

2 Timothy 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 

 

Luke 4:23  And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

 

Colossians 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

 

3.  In the list of gifts that we will go through, we will find that there are both permanent and passing gifts, both in administration and operational gifts.

 

4.  The passing gifts were to be replaced by “that which is perfect” in chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. 

 

a)  This is in reference to the completed canon of Scripture.  Many erroneously interpret the verse in 1 Corinthians 13:10 as the Second Coming of Christ, but the context and wording of the passage make it perfectly clear that it refers to the completed Word of God, not the Second Advent. 

 

b)  The word perfect carries the meaning of being brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, or being brought to full age.  The Word of God had always been perfect in the sense of absolute perfection because every word of God is pure but had not been brought to completion. 

 

c)  We have in our hands today the perfectly complete Word of God and, therefore, “that which is in part” has now been done away with.  Therefore, we have no need for extrabiblical revelations.

 

E.  Now, let us take a look at these gifts, both passing and permanent.  There are several portions that define the diversity of spiritual gifts.  We will start with our text. 

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  (5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  (6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  (7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  (8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  (9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  (10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  (11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

 

F.  We will notice from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 that there are:

 

1.  Verses 4-6.  Diversity of gifts.  Nine gifts are mentioned here. “Diversities” - varieties, distinctions, different kinds.  God never designed the church to function in uniformity, but in Spirit-directed diversity.  Different gifts, Different ministries, Different operations, but ONE source — God.  Unity is not sameness; it is harmony under the same Lord.

 

2.  Verses 7-11.  Distribution of gifts. “Manifestation” - visible evidence of the Spirit’s work given to every man, as every believer has a function to perform, “To profit withal” or for the benefit of all.  No believer is giftless; no gift is self-centered.

 

3.  Verses 8-10.  Description of gifts.

 

a)  Word of Wisdom.  This isn't what we would call normal wisdom, since we all should have that. This is supernatural wisdom, the ability to apply divine Scriptures to specific situations.  In Acts 15, the first Jerusalem Council, Peter answered a question that others could not, using the Scriptures.  Today, spiritual wisdom comes from the Word of God. 

 

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

b)  Word of Knowledge.  Supernatural insight into Scriptural truth that is missed by many.  A depth of biblical knowledge with the ability to explain and share with others.  Today, knowledge comes from the Word of God.

 

Proverbs 1:1-4  The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;  (2)  To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;  (3)  To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;  (4)  To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

 

Ephesians 1:15-18  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  (16)  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  (17)  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  (18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

c)  Faith.  God gives some a great measure of faith to do the unusual or extremely difficult things in the most difficult circumstances at the most difficult times.  An extraordinary faith!  Today, faith comes through the Word of God. God gives to every man the measure of faith.  Saving faith.  Living faith, etc. 

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

d)  Gifts of Healing.  Notice that the word gifts are plural.  Not a gift to heal a certain physical condition, but the divine ability to heal all sorts of physical sicknesses or physical deformities apart from natural means. No man today has the power of hands-on healing.  If they did, St. Jude and the Shriners’ Hospital would be empty!  Today, healing comes through the Word of God.

 

James 5:14-15  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  (15)  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 

e)  Working of Miracles. Supernatural acts that defy natural law. These men could raise the dead or alter the course of nature, as with Elijah. An act that can only be done by the power of God.  Today, no man can circumvent nature through miraculous intervention.

 

f)  Prophecy.  There are two types of prophecy or prophesying found in the Bible.  Foretelling, which is what I do by preaching what God has already said in the scripture.  This prophecy foretells the ability to discern or forecast future events.  Today, no man or woman knows what tomorrow may bring.  Neither Jeannie Dixon nor a fortune cookie can predict future events.  Today, the Word of God alone reveals certain aspects of the future.

 

James 4:13-14  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  (14)  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

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g)  Discernment of Spirits.  To have the ability to distinguish between divine, human, and demonic influences.  Today, we try the spirits with the Word of God.

 

1 John 4:1-6  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  (2)  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  (3)  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  (4)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  (5)  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.  (6)  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

h).  Divers kinds of tongues.  The ability to speak in languages not normally learned. Matthew 28:18-20, along with Mark 16:15, commanded God’s people to preach the gospel to every creature in every part of the world, in languages they did not know or had not previously learned. Today’s missionaries go to language school to learn languages, but these men spoke in divers tongues that they did not speak naturally to spread the gospel.  We will spend one night on the gift of tongues because of the confusion in our day.

 

1 Corinthians 13:8-10  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 

1 Corinthians 14:19  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

 

i)  Interpretation of tongues.  Divine ability to understand and communicate the meaning of diverse tongues.  Tongues were never spoken unless there was interpretation made; otherwise, the hearer was not edified.  No tongues, no need to interpret tongues.

 

Conclusion:

 

Matthew 12:38-39  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.  (39)  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

 

2 Corinthians 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)