Remnant by Grace Audio Podcast

Pastor Jeff frames the discussion by acknowledging that Christians today still debate whether certain gifts like tongues and prophecy are active (the continuationist view) or ceased after the apostolic age (the cessationist view).

Paul’s original concern, however, was to correct misunderstandings in the Corinthian church about the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts, contrasting them with pagan spiritual experiences.

1 Corinthians 12:20–31

This sermon on 1 Corinthians 12 explains how the Holy Spirit gives every believer unique spiritual gifts, not for personal pride, but for the common good of the church. Each gift, whether wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, or interpretation, comes from the same Spirit, showing unity in diversity. God's sovereignly distributes these gifts “as He wills,” and believers don’t choose or earn them. Prophecy is explained as speaking forth God’s Word for encouragement and guidance, not necessarily predicting the future. The “discernment of spirits” is the ability to recognize whether teachings or influences come from God or deceptive spiritual sources, highlighting the need for spiritual awareness in the church. Paul’s metaphor of the body shows that every believer’s gift, no matter how visible or humble, is vital. The Spirit’s baptism unites all Christians, Jew or Greek, slave or free, into one body under Christ the Head. The sermon concludes by urging believers to use their gifts actively, remain filled with the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and obedience, and find joy in serving God and others because every part of the body matters, and together the church reveals Christ to the world.

This sermon from 1 Corinthians 12 focuses on the variety and purpose of spiritual gifts in the church. Pastor Jeff explains that while there are many kinds of gifts, services, and activities, they all come from one God; the Holy Spirit, the Son, and the Father working together in unity. Each believer receives at least one spiritual gift, not for personal gain, but for the common good of the body of Christ. These gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and miracles are meant to reflect God’s character and serve others. The message emphasizes that genuine spiritual gifts always glorify God, build up the church, and reveal something true about His nature.

Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts their origin, purpose, and how to discern what truly comes from God. Pastor Jeff explains that the Corinthian church, influenced by its pagan background, struggled to tell the difference between genuine works of the Holy Spirit and counterfeit spiritual experiences that resembled their former idol worship. Paul begins by reminding them that all spiritual gifts come from Yahweh, the one true God, not from many competing spirits, and that every believer receives gifts through the Holy Spirit for service in the church. The message also highlights Paul’s test for discernment: no one led by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and only through the Holy Spirit can one truly confess that “Jesus is Lord.”