In this study we shall see that the Holy Spirit is not only the author of life within the believer, but He is also the accomplisher of service through the believer.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
(1) Evangelizing the World: the salvation of SINNERS.
(2) Building up the Church: the sanctification of SAINTS.
Any activity, even so-called Christian activity, that does not have these two objectives is not truly Christian service at all, for it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the divine plan, the Holy Spirit is the Author and the Accomplisher of all true service for God, and every truly born-again person IS ALREADY a servant of God (2 Corinthians 5:20 and notice ‘We ARE…’ and compare Ephesians 2:10).
Now notice five aspects of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to Christian service:
We all have natural gifts, but for the specific service to which the Holy Spirit calls us these are inadequate, for the warfare in which we are engaged is a spiritual conflict (Ephesians 6:12); thus, He gives us spiritual gifts. These are enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12-14 with 12:4-21 noting:
Vv. 4-6 we learn that there are a variety of spiritual gifts
Vv. 8-10; 28 we learn what the gifts are
Vv. 14-21 we learn that all the gifts are necessary for the healthy functioning of the Body.
No believer has all these gifts, and no-one has any of them apart from the Holy Spirit.
God’s true servants are not self-appointed, going just where they think they will! Study carefully the following references and notice that in each case it is the Holy Spirit who calls and thrusts forth His servants: Acts 8:5, 26, 29-30; 13:1-4; 16:6-7; 21:4.
How certain we must be before taking up any service that we have His clear call to that sphere of service!
In light of Acts 1:8, without the anointing power of the Holy Spirit our service can only be accomplished in the energy and wisdom of the flesh: fruitless and useless. The power of the Holy Spirit resting upon the servant is:
Power to speak (Acts 2:4).
Power to speak fearlessly (Acts 4:13).
Power to discern the true from the false (Acts 5:3).
Power to give needed help (Acts 5:16).
Power to obey God regardless of consequences (Acts 5:20-21, 29)
Power to do first things first (Acts 6:4).
Power to perform miracles (Acts 6:8), etc.
The true servant of God is exposed to terrific dangers and to fierce opposition and persecution. He is not fighting in an earthly warfare, but in a deadly spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). What happens when, as a result of faithful service, the believer is persecuted and suffers hardship? God gives a special supply of His Spirit to fortify and strengthen His servant. We see this wonderfully illustrated in the entire Book of Acts, in the life of Paul (Acts 5:41). How is this possible? By the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:54-60; 6:22-25) with the key verse being 1 Peter 4:14.
We often take a very short view of Christian service, and we imagine that when we die, or when the Lord comes, all our service will be over! All our current service is a preparation for continuing service per Revelation 22:3.