EACH BELIEVER IS GIVEN A SPIRITUAL GIFT

PROCLAMATION

“Now to each one the manifestation of The Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through The Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.”  1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter Paul wrote to them concerning Spiritual Gifts so that they would not be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)  His point here was that there are different gifts, but they all come from the same Holy Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 12:4)  He then proceeds to list the gifts of The Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.  He states that The Holy Spirit distributes these Spiritual gifts to believers as He chooses.

 

APPLICATION

The Holy Spirit of God gives one or more Spiritual gifts to each believer as He determines is appropriate.  Every believer has been blessed to get at least one gift, some get more than one of them, but no believer gets all of them.  The gifts allow the believer the capacity to perform a service for the glory of God to benefit the body of Christ.  These Spiritual gifts are different from natural physical gifts like singing or playing an instrument.  Natural gifts can be used for the glory of God, but they can also be used for self-glorification.  Spiritual gifts are to be used for the advantage, benefit, and salvation of others.  We all have Spiritual gifts, physical talents, and natural abilities which we could use for the glory of God.  All of us could do more with what we have than we are currently doing.  In fact, in all that we do, we should do it to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE

PROCLAMATION

“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  … When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.’  Immediately her bleeding stopped … At once Jesus … asked … ‘Who touched Me?’ … Then the woman came and fell at His feet … He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’ ”  Mark 5:25-34 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  After He had calmed the storm on the lake, (Mark 4:39) Jesus and His disciples went across the lake, the Sea of Galilee, to the region of Gerasenes.  When they got out of the boat, a strong man who was possessed by an impure spirit came from the tombs and fell on his knees in front of Jesus and He healed him. (Mark 5:1-20)  Then Jesus again crossed over the lake by boat and again a large crowd gathered around Him.  One person from the crowd Jairus, one of the synagogue leaders, came and fell at His feet and asked Him to come and heal his sick daughter who was dying.  Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed Him. (Mark 5:21-24)  As He was going to Jairus’ house, the woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of His garment and was healed.

APPLICATION

Miracles, including healing, still happen today for those who believe and have faith.  If we had mustard seed size faith, we could move mountains. (Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6)  However, it is unfortunate that today many individuals who claim to have the spiritual gift of healing are just deceiving the people.  Modern medicine provides benefits to a large number of people.  But doctors do not actually heal their patients, they treat them.  Healing is a divine process which we try to facilitate.  All healing, physical, psychological, and spiritual, comes from above.

THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE

PROCLAMATION

EXPLANATION

APPLICATION

USE WHAT THE LORD GOD HAS GIVEN YOU

Proclamation:

“When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.’  So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as The Lord commanded.  Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake.”  Exodus 7:8-10 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Moses told Aaron, his brother, everything that The Lord God had spoken to him.  Then they called the elders of the Israelites together and explained everything to them.  Moses, now eighty years old, performed the signs before them which The Lord God had told him to perform and they believed him. (Exodus 4:27-31)  Afterwards, Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh and told him that The Lord God of Israel said, “Let My people go.”  But The Lord God had hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not let the people go.  In fact, he made thing harder for them by commanding that they make their quota of bricks without straw being provided for them. (Exodus 5:1-13)  Moses spoke to The Lord God and said that he had made things worse for the people (Exodus 5:22-23) and God gave him a message for the people (Exodus 6:1-8) but the people would not listen to Moses. (Exodus 6:9)  So Moses and Aaron went back to Pharaoh and Moses performed the signs as God had told him to do, yet Pharaoh would not listen to them. (Exodus 7:1-25)

Application:

The staff of Moses became a snake and consumed the staffs of Pharaoh’s officials. (Exodus 7:10-12)  Later Moses used his staff to turn the Nile River into blood. (Exodus 7:20-21)  Moses believed and he used his staff to perform miracles.  Sometimes we feel that because we don’t have much that we can’t do very much.  However, The Lord God has given each of us a gift (1 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Timothy 1:6, and Peter 4:10)  The Holy Spirit of God has given every man a gift (1 Corinthians 12:7-12) so that we can work within the body of Christ.  We just need to use what we have been given to do what The Lord God has for us to do.  If, by chance, you are unaware of your gift, pray and ask God to reveal it to you, and to give you the courage to use it to His glory.

THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Proclamation:

“… When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”  1 Corinthians 14:26-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter Paul addresses how they should conduct themselves during the worship services regarding speaking in tongues and prophecy. (Corinthians 14:1-3)  Both of these gifts should be done so that the church may be edified. (1 Corinthians 14:4-5)  Paul states that speaking in tongues is not helpful if no one understands it and there is no one present to interpret it. (1 Corinthians 14:6-18)  He says that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers while prophecy is for believers. (1 Corinthians 14:20-22)  Speaking in tongues should be done by one person at a time and someone must be present to interpret it.  He ends by saying that everything must be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Application:

These words are presented as Paul presented his discussion regarding Spiritual Gifts, that you would not be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)  Speaking in tongues has been taken out of context in many worship services.  Some churches even require speaking in tongues as a condition of membership.  Speaking in tongues first occurred on the day of Pentecost, so that everyone in the crowd heard the disciples speaking in their own language. (Acts 2:1-11)  Speaking in tongues is a gift from The Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) which is to be used to help non-believers hear The Word of God in their own language.  The speaker has not studied or learned this foreign language but speaks it by the power of God.  Let us not claim to have this gift in order to impress men.

EACH AND EVERY BELIEVER IS GIVEN A SPIRITUAL GIFT

Proclamation:

“Now to each one the manifestation of The Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through The Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.”  1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter Paul wrote to them concerning Spiritual Gifts so that they would not be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)  His point here was that there are different gifts but they all come from the same Holy Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 12:4)  He then proceeds to list the gifts of The Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.  He states that The Holy Spirit distributes these Spiritual gifts to believers as He chooses.

Application:

The Holy Spirit of God gives Spiritual gifts to each believer as He determines is appropriate.  Every believer has been blessed to get at least one, some get more than one of them, but no believer gets all of them.  The gifts allow the believer the capacity to perform a service for the glory of God to benefit the body of Christ.  These Spiritual gifts are different from natural physical gifts like singing or playing an instrument.  Natural gifts can be used for the glory of God but they can also be used for self glorification.  Spiritual gifts are to be used for the advantage, benefit, and salvation of others.  We all have Spiritual gifts, physical talents, and natural abilities which we could use for the glory of God, and all of us could do more than we are doing.  In fact, in all that we do, we should do it to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

OUR GIFTS CAN OPEN DOORS FOR US

Proclamation:

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”  Proverbs 18:16 (NASB)

Explanation:

This proverb was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here he states that a person’s God given gift will make room for him.  It will make a way for him, it will enlarge his presence and gain respect for him among men.  It will also open doors to the presence of great men and allow him to keep company with influential people.  It will get him the opportunity to speak to, and gain the favor of, them that are esteemed and thought well of.  The same is also true for our tangible gifts, or monetary gifts, which can open doors and influence people.

Application:

The Lord God has blessed each one of us with at least one gift, which if we are wise we will use to His glory.  The gifts of The Holy Spirit of God are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits (discernment), speaking in tongues (in languages that one has neither learned or understood), and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)  These are not gifts which we give away but which we use for the benefit of others.  We are also each blessed with different individual talents and abilities which we should use for the glory of God.  These gifts, along with our tangible and monetary gifts, can also be used for the benefit of others as well.  Jesus, The Christ, said that as we do things to the poor and needy, we are doing it to Him. (Matthew 25:40)  We should use our gifts and our influence in order to benefit others.

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO SERVE GOD

Proclamation:

"I keep asking that The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you ..." Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this prayer were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Ephesus.  Paul prayed that God would bless them to know Him better, and that they would embrace that which The Lord had set forth for them to do for His glory.

Application:
God has a special purpose for each one of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)  We are not all called to preach the gospel or to teach it.  However we are all called by The Lord God to serve Him in some capacity.  We are not all given the same gifts or abilities, but we all have been blessed with at least one gift that we can use in His service. (1 Corinthians 12:7)  We should all pray for ourselves and for each other that we would recognize our gifts that we have been blessed with, and with the wisdom and understanding to know how we can use our gifts for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

USING OUR GOD GIVEN GIFTS

Proclamation:

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are The Holy Spirit inspired words written by the apostle Peter to the believers in order to expose, counter, and thwart the false teachers of his time.  His point was that every man has received a gift from God, and he should use that gift to the benefit of others and to the glory of God.  Some have been given a combination of various gifts blended uniquely for each individual for the benefit of others within the body of Christ.

Application:

As we study The Word of God we learn that we each were uniquely and wonderfully made by God. (Psalms 139:14)  We each have a unique and different set of God given abilities, talents, and gifts.  We are blessed with them according to our ability to handle them. (Matthew 25:15)  We were not blessed for us to brag or boast or for the exaltation of ourselves.  We each should use what we have as best we can to be a blessing to others, for by blessing others we will be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  As we help and bless the less fortunate, Jesus said that we have done it to Him. (Matthew 25:40)  In all that we say and do, we should use our abilities, gifts, and talents as if we are using them for The Lord God, to please Him and to give Him glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)  We should be good stewards over the abilities, gifts, and talents which God has given us.  Let us also remember that to whom much is given, much will be required. (Luke 12:48)  We need to use our blessings wisely for one day we will have to give an account of our stewardship. (Romans 14:12)

Each Of Us Has A Gift

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul told the people that we all have been given gifts, thanks to the grace of God and we all have not been given the same gifts.

God has blessed each one of us with a gift. However, it is up to us to determine how we will use our gift. We should use our gift to the best of our abilities, and do so in a way that gives God glory.

Living For God

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

According to Henrietta C. Mears, Christian educator, author, and renown Sunday School teacher, the Christians to whom Peter was writing were suffering "fiery trials" from people who did not believe in Jesus. The Christians would not join their pagan idolatry and drinking and lust, so they were hated leading to active persecution. Here he offered them advice on Christian living and living for God.

We should love each other enough to overlook the sins that are committed against us and forgive those that committed them. We are to be gracious to one another. Whatever spiritual gifts that The Holy Spirit has given us should be used for the benefit of others. (The gifts of The Spirit are "... wisdom ... knowledge ... faith ... healing ... miraculous powers ... prophecy ... distinguishing between spirits ... speaking in tongues ... interpretation of tongues ... and He gives them to each one, just as He determines." 1 Corinthians 12:7-11) We are to be instruments of God's grace. All that we say and do, should be said and done such that someone is helped and that God is glorified, otherwise we are just wasting the precious little time we have left.

Encourage Each Other Don't Envy Others

"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:3-13 (NIV)

Paul is encouraging the Christians in Rome to be humble and not to be jealous of one another. According to Thomas Nelson, "the righteousness of God will cause a believer to conduct himself in humility in the local church." God did not bless them all with the same gifts. He gave them different gifts according to His grace. Each believer was to exercise his own gift and not worry about the gifts of others. They were to recognize and respect their differences, as each was a part of God's sovereign plan. They were also to sincerely love one another.

We should assess ourselves realistically. God has blessed each of us with differing measures of faith and with different gifts. We should concentrate on, and use our energies to, exercise the gifts that God has given us. We are not to be conceited because of our gift, and we are not to envy the gifts of others. We are to use our gifts to the glory of God. "Put your life into service for God whether or not you receive personal gain and applause." F. J. Dake

Knowledge And Wisdom

Some people say "I know, I know", and some people say it a lot. But how much do they really know? A lot has been said about knowledge. "If you only have a little bit of knowledge, then you are dangerous." And "Only a fool doesn't know that he doesn't know."

Having a series of facts at ones disposal does not make one knowledgeable. Knowledge implies an understanding of something. Wisdom, often used as a synonym for knowledge, implies an ability to discern relationships between things or facts and the application of that information.

Knowledge and wisdom suggest the ability to understand and appropriately apply the facts at ones disposal.

"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

Knowledge and wisdom are God given abilities. Knowledge is the correct understanding of the world and ones self. Wisdom is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge correctly. We all need to pray to God for wisdom and knowledge.

We Are Enriched

"... In every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge ..." 1 Corinthians 1:5

Everything that we have and everything that we need comes from God. All of our abilities, all that we know, and all that we are, our very existence is a blessing from God. Those of us who use our talents, gifts, and abilities to spread the good news about Jesus Christ are blessed even more.

God provides all praying believers with the knowledge and words necessary to speak effectively to the lost for Him.

All of us have been blessed with talents, gifts, and abilities. The question is not do we have them. The question is how, and to what end do we use them.

Spiritual Gifts

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10

It is the responsibility of each Christian to help one another, to use our gifts, talents, and abilities for the benefit of others. God has given each of us a gift to be used within the body of Christ. We are intended to be channels through whom blessings can flow to others.

We are to use wisely the many blessing and undeserved favor of God. We are uniquely created and gifted to fulfill a purpose within the church.

The spiritual gifts are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Each Christian has within them The Holy Spirit and has been given at least one spiritual gift. (1 Corinthians 12 thru 14)

The issue is not do you have a gift, because you do. The issue is how you are using your gift.