1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Jesus had the fullness of the Spirit and operated in all the gifts of the Spirit. He performed signs and wonders throughout His earthly ministry. He distributed all the gifts to the body of believers. These are gifts of grace, not rewards for merit, but something God expects us to use responsibly to bless others. Each of us will receive different gifts, not based on what we ask, but as the Holy Spirit wills. The Holy Spirit equips each believer for the specific roles He has prepared them for. These gifts will be diverse in their benefits to the people. This diversity ensures that no single individual has all the power; only Jesus did.
God has given the fivefold ministry to the church: Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist, and Teacher. Each gift is distinct. Those who are apostolic, like today’s missionaries, are gifted to break new ground and plant churches. Pastoral people love the sheep and care for the church. Evangelists are willing to travel to the farthest places to preach the gospel. Teachers are faithful in teaching the truth, line upon line, precept upon precept. Prophets can prophesy about what is to come and also bring edification, comfort, and exhortation to the church.
We need every gift within the church to function effectively in equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. Everything we do or say must be done in love, including embracing all the gifts God has given to the church. We should encourage all these gifts to operate within the church.
The nine gifts are categorised into three groups:
Oral gifts: the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, and the interpretation of tongues.
Power gifts: the gift of faith, the gift of healings, and the working of miracles.
Revelational gifts: the word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and the discerning of spirits.
The gifts are given to build up the church, fostering interdependence among us, creating deep unity.
We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit living in us. The Holy Spirit is full of love for others. Therefore, He will prompt you to minister with the gifts He has given or even grant you the grace to serve through a gift that is not your primary gift, in church or at work, because of His love for people. God is compassionate. Therefore, He needs you to be a channel of blessing, just as Jesus showed compassion for people during His time on earth. That is love in action.
Reflection: How can you faithfully steward your gifts and appreciate the different gifts in the body of Christ so that the church grows in unity and love?
Sermon Series: Stewardship is Established in Love
活出来的爱
哥林多前书 12:7–11 圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。这人蒙圣灵赐他智慧的言语，那人也蒙这位圣灵赐他知识的言语， 又有一人蒙这位圣灵赐他信心，还有一人蒙这位圣灵赐他医病的恩赐， 又叫一人能行异能，又叫一人能做先知，又叫一人能辨别诸灵，又叫一人能说方言，又叫一人能翻方言。这一切都是这位圣灵所运行，随己意分给各人的
耶稣拥有圣灵完全的丰满，并在祂的事工中运行一切属灵恩赐，行出许多神迹奇事。祂也将这些恩赐赐给教会中的信徒。这些都是出于恩典的礼物，不是因人的功劳所得，而是神托付我们要忠心使用、去祝福他人的。每个人所领受的恩赐各不相同，不是按我们的选择，而是照圣灵的旨意分配。圣灵按着神为我们预备的角色装备每一位信徒，使这些恩赐在不同的人身上产生多样的果效。这种多样性确保没有任何一个人独揽所有能力——唯有基督完全拥有这一切。
神也赐下五重职事给教会：使徒、先知、牧者、传福音者和教师。每一种职分都有其独特的功用。使徒性的人，如同今天的宣教士，被呼召开拓新领域、建立教会；牧者关怀群羊，牧养教会；传福音者愿意走到远方，传扬福音；教师忠心教导真理，按部就班、循序渐进；先知则宣告神的心意，不仅预告将来的事，也带来造就、安慰与劝勉。
教会要有效地装备圣徒，必须让各样恩赐都一同运作。我们一切所做、所说的，都必须以爱为根基，包括接纳并尊重神所赐给教会的不同恩赐。我们应当鼓励这些恩赐在教会中健康地运行。
这九种恩赐可分为三类：
- 言语恩赐：方言、先知讲道、翻方言
- 能力恩赐：信心、医病、行异能
- 启示恩赐：知识的言语、智慧的言语、辨别诸灵
这些恩赐的赐下，是为了建造教会，使我们彼此依赖、彼此配搭，带来更深的合一。
我们何等有福，因圣灵住在我们里面。圣灵充满对人的爱，因此祂会感动我们使用所领受的恩赐去服事他人，甚至在需要的时候，也会赐下恩典，使我们在教会或职场中运用并非自己主要的恩赐来祝福别人。神满有怜悯，祂渴望你成为流通祂祝福的管道，正如耶稣在世时以怜悯对待众人——这正是活出来的爱的体现。
默想：
你如何忠心管理神所赐的恩赐，并欣赏基督身体中不同的恩赐，好使教会在合一与爱中不断成长？
讲章主题：管家职分建立在爱中