The Gifts of the Spirit

9th Sermon in the Series - The Holy Spirit

29 August 2010 - Dr Timothy Keller.

Ephesians 4:7-16

⁷But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." ⁹(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1. Spiritual Gifts - abilities to meet people's needs through teaching, showing mercy, encouraging, etc.
2. Differing gifts of being able to offer wisdom, leadership.
3. Kingly gifts of building up the body of Christ to the level of Jesus.

Christ's likeness is being reproduced in the people.

No passive Christians - Ephesian 2:8-10

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1. Expect Contention
2. Get Rid of jealousy and pride.

Remember the spiritual fruits of behavior from Galatians 5; that is our character and it takes precedence over gifts; the fruit is staying happy when circumstances are bad. Galatians 5:22-23

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.