I Corinthians 12:1-3 Status Update: We Need a Better Understanding of the Holy Spirit

Proposition: Because the Holy Spirit is far more than a mere influence to make us feel good, it is important to know Him and His role as the 3rd person of the Godhead.

*The Bible Defines what IS & IS NOT “Spiritual”

“1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you ignorant. 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as you were led. 3 Why I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

-He wanted his brothers (family) to be have full & correct understanding of spiritual gifts.

- Being spiritual is NOT a disconnect from reality but Godly empowerment for the present (Ch 7). The goal of spirituality is to bring about redemption.

- The HOLY SPIRIT is the subject of Ch 12...Not gifts or people but the 3rd person of the Godhead. The better we understand Him, the more open we will be to experiencing His amazing fullness.

*God's Spirit is Given for God's Purposes

- We were spiritually immersed or baptized into the one body by the one Spirit of God.  Not by works, merit or bringing special ability to the table.

- We notice the gifts credited to the Spirit in Ch 12 are credited to God, the Father. Whatever the Father does is through Jesus & the Holy Spirit.

- He is manifest/displayed to make God known & NOT to bring glory or attention to self.

- The Holy Spirit is a spirit who displays Himself through people & their various giftings.

- He is therefore given to us to enable a relationship with God. A huge part of that relationship is communication with God...prayer.

CHALLENGE

Would you walk down the street & never talk to your the friend walking beside you?  We need to be a lot more conversational with God's Spirit to stay in tune with His purposes.

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