Good morning Joy Fellowship, This morning I felt lead by the Lord to continue the teaching from last week which was the introduction of the Holy Spirit by Jesus to his disciples and to us in the book of John chapter 14. You may recall the points from the message last week to be:
***Point #1 of the Message today: God wants you to fully know and be in relationship with his Holy Spirit.
****Point #2 of the Message today: The Holy Spirit is our comforter, advocate, legal assistance, intercessor.
***Point #3 When you are filled with the Holy Spirit it is the fullness of God living in you.
***Point #4 of the Message today: God protects and defends the Holy Spirit’s reputation even above Jesus.
***Point #5 of the Message: The Holy Spirit is active in the world doing the work of the Father God.
***Point #6 of the Message: The Day of Pentecost was God’s outpouring of his Holy Spirit like rain on all flesh and it continues today.
If you were unable to listen to this message yet that is okay. It is not required reading before the message today, but I encourage you to go to our website where you can find both the notes and the video recording of this message.
***In the message last week, we were learning about the person of the Holy Spirit and getting to know Him in the way that Jesus introduced him to us. He is so much more than we have known, and I encourage you to continue to seek and pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal himself to you in a deeper and more intimate way.
Last week we also discussed the principle of “seeking to know the giver and not just the gifts”. The idea here is that when we are in a close relationship with the Holy Spirit the way that Jesus intended us to be then the gift of the spirit will operate in our lives. There is however another part that is even more important than the operation of the gifts of the spirit is that our life bears the fruit of the spirit. I believe we can actually use this as a kind of “litmus test” for if a person is using a gift of the Holy Spirit or some other kind of spirit.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
I want to start by looking at the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit described by Paul so beautifully in 1 Corinthains Chapter 12
***Now before we jump in here I want you to notice where Chapter 12 falls in the book of 1st Corinthians. It is directly after chapter 11 which we read every Sunday morning and evening for Holy Communion. The reason this is so important is that it is in the very same letter, and portion of that letter that Paul teaches the believers at Corinth about Holy Communion. When Paul wrote this letter it did not have chapters and verse headings. Those were added later for study purposes. Paul flows right from Holy Communion into the gifts of the spirit. Yet many Christian denominations teach that the gift of the spirit died with the last apostle or are not given to believers today while providing no scriptural text to support such a claim. These same denominations participate in Holy Communion.
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Verse #3 gives us a very basic test of spiritual gifts and the person who is using the spiritual gift. We are going to highlight those as the first 2 points of the message today:
***The first point of the message today: The Holy Spirit will always confirm and support Jesus as the Son of God and the name above all names.
***The 2nd point of the message: You cannot make the statement Jesus is Lord with conviction unless the Holy Spirit reveals this truth to you.
John 6:44
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 16:8-11
8 And when he (The Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
**Back to 1 Corinthians 12
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
***Now I want to ask you a question…. What is the manifestation of the Spirit that is given to every man to profit withal? We will come back to this but lets look at the gifts of the spirt as Paul list them here:
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
***Point #3 of the message today: God chooses which gifts of the Holy Spirit you are given.
There are nine gifts of the spirit but some bible teachers group them together in clusters of 3. Here is generally how they are grouped together:
Revelatory Gifts (What we call the “knowing” gifts)
These gifts provide supernatural insight, knowledge, and understanding.
- Word of Wisdom: The supernatural ability to apply spiritual knowledge and make Godly decisions in complex situations.
- Word of Knowledge: An inspired awareness or revelation of facts or circumstances that could not be known by natural means.
- Discerning of Spirits: The ability to distinguish between divine, human, and demonic influences to determine the true spiritual source behind a behavior or teaching.
Power Gifts (What we call the “doing” gifts)
These gifts demonstrate God's active power and authority over the physical and spiritual realm.
- Gift of Faith: A supernatural, unwavering confidence and trust in God, often empowering an individual to accomplish extraordinary tasks or miracles.
- Gifts of Healings: Supernatural interventions used by the Spirit to cure illnesses and restore physical, emotional, or spiritual health without natural medical assistance.
- Working of Miracles: Powerful acts and wonders that defy natural laws, demonstrating God's sovereign authority over creation.
Vocal Gifts (What we call the “speaking gifts”)
These gifts are used to audibly communicate God's heart, edify the congregation, or provide direction.
- Prophecy: Inspired utterance, exhortation, or revelation meant to build up, encourage, and comfort the church body.
- Divers kinds of Tongues: The supernatural ability to speak in a language or language-like expression that the speaker has never learned, often used for personal prayer or as a sign when interpreted.
- Interpretation of Tongues: The gift of understanding and explaining a message given in tongues, converting it into a language the entire congregation can understand.
*** I want you to hold your place here in 1 Corinthians but go with me to Romans 12 quickly and lets underline a few things here that are related and will help us transition to the fruits of the spirit in using the gifts of the spirit:
Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
**Point 4 of the Message today: God gives us gifts of the Spirit with the measure of faith necessary to use it for his glory and honor.
I cannot operate in the gift God and the faith that God has given you. There is so much freedom that come in knowing the giver of the gift is also the giver of the faith.
My father got us kids a mini-bike when I was very young but I did not have faith to receive the gift and use it until he worked with me and taught me how to operate it. It is the same way with the gifts of the spirit. Later in my life I was able to jump on the mini-bike and drive it anytime I could get it started.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
***Point #5 of the Message today: God gives believers gifts of the spirit for the edification of the Body of Christ.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
***The first point of the message today: The Holy Spirit will always confirm and support Jesus as the Son of God and the name above all names.
***The 2nd point of the message: You cannot make the statement Jesus is Lord with conviction unless the Holy Spirit reveals this truth to you.
***Point #3 of the message today: God chooses which gifts of the Holy Spirit you are given.
**Point 4 of the Message today: God gives us gifts of the Spirit with the measure of faith necessary to use it for his glory and honor.
***Point #5 of the Message today: God gives us gifts of the spirit for the edification of the Body of Christ.
***Now lets jump back to 1 Corinthians 12:12 and I want you to hear the parallel scriptures and let the Holy Spirit expand your understanding of spiritual gifts as it relates to your service in the Kingdom of God and your part of the Body of Christ.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
So what is the more excellent way Paul is speaking of? Turn the page to the next chapter:
1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
***Point #6 of the message today: The gifts of the Spirit must be expressed through the fruit of the Spirit.
In Closing turn with me to:
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
***You may ask, Pastor Jon why do I need to express the fruit of the spirt when using the gifts of the spirit? ***Answer: Jesus focused on fruit.
Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
***The first point of the message today: The Holy Spirit will always confirm and support Jesus as the Son of God and the name above all names.
***The 2nd point of the message: You cannot make the statement Jesus is Lord with conviction unless the Holy Spirit reveals this truth to you.
***Point #3 of the message today: God chooses which gifts of the Holy Spirit you are given.
**Point 4 of the Message today: God gives us gifts of the Spirit with the measure of faith necessary to use it for his glory and honor.
***Point #5 of the Message today: God gives us gifts of the spirit for the edification of the Body of Christ.
***Point #6 of the message today: The gifts of the Spirit must be expressed through the fruit of the Spirit.
Earlier in the message I asked you a question from 1 Corinthians chapter 12:7
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
***Now I want to ask you a question…. What is the manifestation of the Spirit that is given to every man to profit withal? Rather than me telling you what I believer to be the answer to this question, I would like for you to go home and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you the answer to this question and for that I want to give you a few scriptures you can study:
1 Corinthians Chapter 14, Jude Chapter 1, Acts chapter 8, Acts chapter 10, Zephaniah 3:9