Spiritual gifts part 11: What in the world is 'the world'?

Pastor-Teacher
John Farley
Wednesday,
August 11, 2010

Spiritual gifts part 11:  What in the world is 'the world'?

Schedule
Wed 7 PM
Thu 7 PM
Sun 10 AM

prayer meeting Wed after service

The Doctrine of Spiritual Gifts

Point 1: Setting the scene for Paul’s teaching on the Spiritual Gifts.

The most extensive treatment of the subject of spiritual gifts is found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapters 12 through 14.

The real conflict is the Angelic Conflict, and how it plays out between the forces of satan and the forces of Christ.

The Imperial Cult meant that the ruler of the empire was given something like godlike status.

There is this sickness in the heart of man where we have this urge to take what rightly belongs to the Lord - our worship - and give it away instead to anything or anybody else.

It was the overwhelming pressure to CONFORM to pagan practices that was imposed by the civic loyalty as well as the group dynamics of neighborhoods, clubs, business associations, and the like.

Paul in 1 Corinthians points forward to the Rapture to remind us that all the trappings of the world are fading away.

Paul in 1 Corinthians points back to the cross where Christ gave us the supreme example of living - and dying - for others.

The cross is such a challenge to our flesh - to our self-life. It is a challenge to the part of us that wishes to assert ourselves and to hold on to what we have.

A lot of Christians want to know, what does it mean to take up my cross and follow Him?

What does it mean to die to self?

Losing your taste for all that is not Christ.

What particular things do I lay aside?

The New Testament is very concrete about what these things might be.

The “follow Me” statements of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospels tell us in very concrete terms what particular things we may be called to lay aside.

Their jobs! Their business and their occupation.

And their parents - family obligations and family status.

Creature comforts ...a home.

His family obligations and his reputation in the family and the community.

He gave up his standing, his position of power, as well as his business, to follow our Lord.

What did Jesus ask this young man to leave aside?

His wealth.

Occupation - I will make you fishers of men
Family ties - let the dead bury the dead, forgo saying goodbye to those at home
Wealth - sell all you own and give to the poor

Position or rank - off the tax booth
Comfort - the son of man has nowhere to lay His head
Status in the community - pick up your cross

Occupation - I will make you fishers of men
Family ties - let the dead bury the dead, forgo saying goodbye to those at home
Wealth - sell all you own and give to the poor

Position or rank - off the tax booth
Comfort - the son of man has nowhere to lay His head
Status in the community - pick up your cross

Living in view of the cross of Jesus Christ means renouncing all those things that the up-and-comers in Corinth - and in America today! - held onto for dear life!!!

Occupation - I will make you fishers of men
Family ties - let the dead bury the dead, forgo saying goodbye to those at home
Wealth - sell all you own and give to the poor

Position or rank - off the tax booth
Comfort - the son of man has nowhere to lay His head
Status in the community - pick up your cross

Living in view of the cross of Jesus Christ means renouncing all those things that the up-and-comers in Corinth - and in America today! - held onto for dear life!!!

Our Lord in His love and discernment pinpointed the one thing that was causing the most trouble for each person - the biggest obstacle to following Him.

The grace of God
is at work
in the ORs and ANDs
of Mar 10:29-30.


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