The Spirit Is the Power
The sermon emphasizes the importance of consistency in attitude and approach, and the focus on Who is being manifest, not what is being done, in the manifestation of the Spirit.
G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the Spirit's power in the application of spiritual gifts, urging believers to recognize that the manner in which these gifts are expressed is more crucial than the gifts themselves. He highlights that the same Spirit that empowers our actions must also govern our attitudes, ensuring consistency in our worship and interactions with others. North warns against the misconception that effective operation of gifts guarantees divine approval, stressing that the true measure lies in the manifestation of Christ through our actions. Ultimately, he calls for a unified approach to living out our faith, where the Spirit's influence is evident in every aspect of our lives.
Text
Commencing thus, the apostle yet delays from listing the gifts, choosing rather in verses 4-6 to draw our attention to the diversities of ways God works in and through them. Again he is emphasising that we have to learn and recognise that differences of application are of far greater importance than the great variety of the gifts themselves. It is as if he is saying 'now, before you seek any of these powers, know that in Christ and unto Christ your Head, the way a thing is spoken or done is of far greater importance than the thing which is being said or done. I am about to categorise the gifts or enablings of the Spirit, but I want you to understand that all these are really only means of application and communication: my brethren, tones, attitudes, approaches, manner(s) convey more than any of these words or works. Understand that the way these gifts or powers are administered and operated will count more in the long run than the immediate ends you hope to achieve by their use
Quite simply Paul is continuing his theme of the Lordship and Headship of Jesus, carrying over the truth of relationship to which he has earlier referred and applying it in a still more particular way. It is absolutely 'not done', or to use his own words, 'we have no such custom among us' to display a certain attitude in worship and adopt a different one in works. A man's attitude must be the same upon every occasion, for there can be no difference in the Spirit which engages in them. God does not allow that it is possible to be one person to Him and another person to men; and the assumption that because a person's gift seems to operate smoothly, what is said must be right in the sight of God is a pitfall to be avoided at all times.
The same Spirit that gives utterance to our one Head must also give us utterance to all men, whether they are fellow-members of the body or not. The Spirit that governs attitude must also govern administration and operation. These verses clearly set forth that the 'same Spirit' is also the same Lord, and the same God, and the very next verse says that it is the manifestation of that same Spirit which is of the greatest importance of all. The most important thing is not what is being administered, operated, or manifested, but Who is being manifest, and how and in what manner all is being done.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. The importance of understanding the Spirit's power
- B. The apostle's emphasis on the diversity of ways God works
- II. The Lordship and Headship of Jesus
- A. The theme of relationship and its application
- B. The importance of consistency in attitude and approach
- III. The Same Spirit, Same Lord, Same God
- A. The manifestation of the Spirit is of greatest importance
- B. The focus on Who is being manifest, not what is being done
Key Quotes
“It is absolutely 'not done', or to use his own words, 'we have no such custom among us' to display a certain attitude in worship and adopt a different one in works.” — G.W. North
“The most important thing is not what is being administered, operated, or manifested, but Who is being manifest, and how and in what manner all is being done.” — G.W. North
“God does not allow that it is possible to be one person to Him and another person to men;” — G.W. North
Application Points
- Consistency in attitude and approach is essential in reflecting the Lordship and Headship of Jesus.
- The focus should be on Who is being manifest, not what is being done, in the manifestation of the Spirit.
- Avoid the pitfall of assuming that because a person's gift seems to operate smoothly, what is said must be right in the sight of God.