The Gifts of Christ
The gifts of Christ are given according to the measure of Christ's gift and are for the perfecting of the church.
Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the significance of the gifts of Christ as described by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4. He illustrates that upon believing, individuals become part of Christ's body, receiving grace and gifts that enable them to fulfill their divine calling. Wigglesworth encourages believers to seek the sealing of the Holy Spirit, which reveals Christ's glory and empowers them to serve in unity and strength within the church. He urges the congregation to press into their spiritual rights and live fully in God's will, becoming fruit-bearers for His glory. The sermon calls for humility and a deep connection with God through the Holy Spirit.
Text
To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
--Ephesians 4:7
Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
The apostle Paul spoke about the grace and the gifts of Christ--not the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but the gifts of Christ. You are joined to Christ's body the moment you believe. For instance, some of you may have children, and they have different names, but the moment they appeared in the world, they were in your family. The moment they were born, they became a part of your family.
The moment you are born of God, you are in the family, and you are in the body, as He is in the body, and you are in the body collectively and particularly. After you come into the body, then the body has to receive the sealing of the promise, or the fulfillment of the promise, that Christ will be in you, reigning in you mightily. The Holy Spirit will come to unveil the King in all His glory so that He might reign as King there, the Holy Spirit serving in every way to make Him King.
You are in the body. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the body. Living in this holy order, you may find that revelation comes to you and makes you a prophet. Some of you may have a clear understanding that you have been called into apostleship. Some of you may have perfect knowledge that you are to be pastors. When you come to be sealed with the Spirit of promise, then you find out that Jesus is pleased and gives gifts in order that the church might come into a perfect position of being so blended together that there could be no division. Jesus wants His church to be a perfect body--perfect in stature, perfect in oneness in Him.
I have been speaking to this end: that you may see the calling that Paul was speaking about--humility of mind, meekness of spirit, knowing that God is in you and through you, knowing that the power of the Spirit is mightily bringing you to the place where not only the gifts of the Spirit but also the gifts of Christ have been given to you, making you eligible for the great work you have to do.
My purpose is not to tell what God has for you in the future. Press in now, and claim your rights. Let the Lord Jesus be so glorified that He will make you fruit-bearers--strong in power, giving glory to God, having "no confidence in the flesh" (Phil. 3:3) but being separated from natural things, now in the Spirit, living fully in the will of God.
Thought for today: Let your whole soul reach out unto God; dare to breathe in heaven; dare to be awakened to all God's mind; listen to the language of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Gifts of Christ
- A. The gifts of Christ are given according to the measure of Christ's gift
- B. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the body of Christ
- C. The gifts of Christ are for the perfecting of the church
- II. Being Joined to Christ's Body
- A. The moment we believe, we are joined to Christ's body
- B. We are part of the family of God
- C. The Holy Spirit seals the promise of Christ in us
- III. The Sealing of the Promise
- A. The Holy Spirit unveils the King in all His glory
- B. The Holy Spirit makes Christ King in us
- C. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the body of Christ
- IV. The Purpose of the Gifts
- A. The gifts are for the great work we have to do
- B. The gifts make us eligible for the work of God
- C. The gifts bring us to a place of humility and meekness
Key Quotes
“The moment you are born of God, you are in the family, and you are in the body, as He is in the body, and you are in the body collectively and particularly.” — Smith Wigglesworth
“The Holy Spirit will come to unveil the King in all His glory so that He might reign as King there, the Holy Spirit serving in every way to make Him King.” — Smith Wigglesworth
“Let your whole soul reach out unto God; dare to breathe in heaven; dare to be awakened to all God's mind; listen to the language of the Holy Spirit.” — Smith Wigglesworth
Application Points
- We must press in to know our rights and live fully in the will of God.
- We must be humble and meek in our spirits, knowing that God is in us and through us.
- We must listen to the language of the Holy Spirit and be awakened to all God's mind.