Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
This is the gift of communicating the knowledge of God’s Word to the strengthening of faith of God’s people. The Holy Spirit gives such skill to understand and convey the truth of God’s Word as revealed in the 66 book of the Bible.
It is the Holy Spirit that gives the word of wisdom to His people. This wisdom was well articulated by the Apostle Paul earlier in 1 Corinthians 2:7-11 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
The Holy Spirit gives every believer the ability to help or serve others. This enabling may vary from believer to believer as the Holy Spirit is sovereign is bestowing spiritual ability as He deems fit. But every believer will be gifted of the Holy Spirit. This ability for service is not meant for any prideful or selfish ends but to be a blessing to others.
Our God is One the director of operations in the church. The Holy Spirit gives gifts for service in the church. And there are different ministries in the church that serves His body. And there are varied activities by which different spiritual gifts are exercised for the strengthening of the body.
Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives a variety of gifts to believers. The emphasis is on the diversity of gifts. The word “diversity” is the first word in the Greek, giving to us focus of the Apostle’s exhortation. And although there are a variety of gifts, all believers has that same blessed Holy Spirit indwelling them when they become the children of God.
The Apostle Paul speaks now of spiritual gifts. And he brings before the Corinthian Christians the litmus test for the true spiritual gift that is from God. The Spirit of God will always enable the Christian to magnify the Name of Jesus Christ and be subjected to His authority as Lord.
The Corinthian Christians are commanded to “tarry” or “wait” one for another. He lovingly teaches them to take care to partake the Lord’s Supper in a godly manner as he has said. He urges them to observe the solemnity and sacred of the Lord’s Supper through proper self-examination and confession of sins, that they refrain from wanton feasting before the time of the Lord’s Supper is observed. If they would like to have a fellowship meal together, it may be done at home and not in church. As Barnes said well, “Do not be guilty of disorder, intemperance, and gluttony.”
William MacDonald observed well, “God is dealing with us as with His own children. He loves us too dearly to allow us to go on in sin. Thus we soon feel the shepherd’s crook on our necks pulling us back to Himself. “
We shall be spared of God’s chastening if we will examine our lives and repent of our sins. The institution of the Lord’s Supper enables believers to take the time to examine their lives before God on a regular basis. This is a means of grace whereby the people of God may judge themselves and find forgiveness with God. The Lord is gracious and merciful to those who are willing to surrender their lives to God.
The Lord gives a sobering picture of judgment for abusing the Lord’s Supper when God’s people fail to examine their lives and repent of their sins. May this be a wake-up call for self-examination and confession and restoration and renewal for God’s people. Amen.