Pastor Matthias continues our sermon series in our Five Doctrinal Distinctives. This week, Pastor Matthias speaks on Spirit Empowered Ministry.

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for life and ministry.

The Spirit permanently indwells, graciously sanctifies, lovingly leads, and empowers all who are brought to faith in Christ so that they might live in obedience to the inerrant Scriptures.

Jesus Christ modeled a Holy Spirit dependent and empowered life. The Holy Spirit who indwelt and empowered Christ in like manner indwells and empowers believers through spiritual gifts he has bestowed for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ. Although there are different understandings of the nature and function of these gifts, we all recognize that they are divine provisions central to spiritual growth and effective ministry and are to be eagerly desired, faithfully developed, and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines.

(Matthew 3:11; 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14; 5:17; 10:21; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15, 34; 14:12; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; 10:38; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-13; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18)

CG Questions - Doctrinal Distinctive’s

Week 4: Spirit Empowered Ministry

Questions:

How has God blessed you, loved you, cared for you through the spiritual gifts of others?

Do you have any concerns about the use of spiritual gifts? How would you describe spiritual gifts to someone that is not a part of the church?

Why do you think many people are uncomfortable with the Holy Spirit and how he works?

Where do you see the presence, or the absence, of love in the exercising of the gifts of the Spirit in your community? How can you lovingly exhort one another towards operation in love?

What does it practically mean to be dependent on the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACE AND PLEASURE

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

PRIDE - INFERIORITY - JEALOUSY - COMPARISON

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13

A MORE EXCELLENT WAY

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

TONGUES & PROPHECY

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Notes, Quotes, and Slides:

We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for life and ministry.

DEFINITIONS:

Cessationism: Supernatural gifts (tongues, miracles, prophecy, etc.) functioned only in the early church and are not to be practiced today. God speaks today but only in Scripture.

Continuationism: Supernatural gifts are given to every generation and should be practiced today, but always be tested accordingly to the guidelines of Scripture.

Extreme Views:

Certain Cessationists don’t believe in spiritual gifts at all and actually ascribe these gifts to Satan or demonic activity.

Certain Continuationists believe salvation is based on the presence of spiritual gifts.

Jesus Christ modeled a Holy Spirit dependent and empowered life. The Holy Spirit who indwelt and empowered Christ in like-manner indwells and empowers believers through spiritual gifts he has bestowed for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ. Although there are different understandings of the nature and function of these gifts, we all recognize that they are divine provisions central to spiritual growth and effective ministry and are to be eagerly desired, faithfully developed, and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines.