The UmBlog

Let's read the end of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will ...

Sarah Flashing writes a great post affirming women's spiritual gifts. I need to quote two paragraphs from her post. Some women, I am learning, are uncomfortable discussing their spiritual gifts if they are not identical to how they function in their roles, because for them these gifts might overshadow what they perceive to be the true functions of a woman, wife, or mom. Yet Paul had no problem with any member of the church desiring spiritual gifts; therefore, giftedness and function/role ought never to be pitted against each other, especially in this way. How a woman is a wife and a mom and how she serves within the body of Christ will both be impacted by her personality, her interests, her talents, and her gifts. Enabling a false distinction between the two creates a dualism God never intended. The post is partly inspired by a book review at her personal blog.

1- live up to your calling 2- LOVE (1 Cor 13) 3- Unite (1 Cor 12) 4- One Spirit 5- One Lord 6- One God and Father same Trinity formula as in 1 Cor 12:4-6 7- Different portions of grace (Romans 12:6) 8- Gifts were prophecied 9- Proof that the prophecy refers to Jesus 10- “ “ “ “ 11- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers 12- to build up in preparation for service 13- until perfection ( 1 Cor 13) when we are fully united in faith and knowledge of Jesus and we mature and become completely filled with Jesus 14- no longer be like children (1 Cor 13) 15- mature into Jesus 16- each part of the body of Christ has a job to do (1 Cor 12)

notes from my class last week. i actually forgot them, so i didn't actually teach this stuff, but i muddled through the chapter. 1-“therefore” – since God has chosen to save us despite our unworthiness, worship bodily, in deed, not just in music or prayer, but in action, by doing the “one another” stuff 2-“don’t conform, be transformed, be renewed” which results in the ability to “test and approve God’s will.” 3- be humble 4-5- we form Christ’s body (is there some play on offering our bodies and being described as members of His body?) 6-7- we have different gifts if… prophecy-use it service-serve teaching-teach encouragement-encourage contributing-give generously leading-govern diligently mercying-mercy with a smile 9-21 – LOVE just like the letter to the Corinthians, the gifts are placed in the context of love and worship. We have a vertical relationship with God, and using our gifts for each other’s benefit is an act of adoration of Him and his body. We have many horizontal rela...

Scot McKnight has started a series on spiritual gifts at Jesus Creed. He starts with Romans 12, what i taught from last night.

notes for my spiritual gifts class...[updated and color-coded] stuff from 12 from 13 from 14 Message of wisdom Message of knowledge Faith Move mountains Gifts of healing Possessors of gifts of healing Miraculous powers Miracle workers Prophecy Prophets Fathom mysteries and knowledge Speaks strength, encouragement, and comfort Builds the church For believers Can be controlled Be eager for Expose secrets of the heart Prophecies need to be weighed Instructs and encourages Distinguish between spirits Speak in different tongues Speakers in tongues Tongues of men and angels Speaks to God not men Utters mysteries Builds himself Needs to ask for interpretation Prays in spirit but not in mind May be giving thanks A sign for unbelievers Should be kept private if no interpretation available Don’t forbid it Interpretation of tongues Apostles Can bring revelation, knowledge, prophecy, word of instruction Teachers ...