Naturally Supernatural: Spiritual Gifts: As You Go Series

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Let me review for you our desires throughout this series.

NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL.

FACT ONE: Jesus’ Kingdom Ministry is the same today as yesterday.

1 Samuel 15:29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”

Jesus’ ministry is not one that teeters on the edge. Jesus didn’t come giving us ministry options to choose from. He was pretty clear. Listen to some of our past teachings for a NT overview.

FACT TWO: Jesus’ Kingdom Ministry is TRANSFERABLE to all of His followers.

Not just an elite few…not just to the anointed ones…but to average, every-day Christians like you & me.

FACT THREE: Stepping into Jesus’ Kingdom Ministry must be intentional.

Very little in American church prepares you for what we’re talking about.

1.You’ve been told nothing at all about Jesus’ transferable ministry. No expectations.

2.You’ve been told to STAY AWAY from such shenanigans. So you’re scared you might be getting into a cultish thing.

3.You’ve been given outrageous models that you can’t identify with. So you’re frustrated…you’ve tried & failed.

Our goal here is to give you

1.A theology for Jesus’ transferable ministry. It’s in the BOOK.

2.A workable, do-able practical model that will allow you to step into His ministry while remaining yourself.

In our Life Groups, we’re finding many of our folks are stepping outside their comfort zones when they step up to PRAY, hands-on with another person. BUT, we know that can be really hard…can’t it?

Just PRAYING OUT LOUD is a big fear for many of you in this room!

What are other big obstacles to overcome?

1.Being able to ask…MAY I PRAY WITH YOU RIGHT NOW?

2.Being able to touch…PLACING YOUR HAND ON A PERSON.

3.Being able to see & hear God…WHAT SHOULD I DO OR SAY AS I PRAY?

How many of you would say these obstacles are biggies for you? I’m convinced if we can help you get over these obsticles, we’ll be more than half-way home with continuing Jesus’ transferable ministry here!

Let me re-assure some of you…

You never have to DO JESUS’ KINGDOM MINISTRY ALONE.

God’s in-breaking Kingdom brings GIFTS to help you!

In chapter 3…Gary Best talks a lot about GIFTS. Gifts of the Spirit.

Spiritual Gifts

1Co 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

1Co 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

1Co 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

1Co 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

1Co 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

1Co 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1Co 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

1Co 12:10 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.

1Co 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

How many of you have had teachings on this passage?

GRACE-LETS: Spiritual gifts that come…as you go.

Some of you have never had a teaching on this passage.

Others of you have been taught that this list refers to a one-time, permanent endowment for each person.

Yet…if you look at the context, Paul is not talking to individuals here…he’s talking to the WHOLE CHURCH.

Let me quote John Wimber…”The gifts of the Spirit have nothing to do with personal ambition or career orientation. They are not given to build individual reputations, to warrant superior positions in the local church, or to demonstrate spiritual advancement. They are not trophies, but tools...tools for touching and blessing others. Paul is talking about passing touches of the Spirit at different times in different settings. Russell Spittler of Fuller Seminary calls them "gracelets". I like that name. It implies that these are little expressions of God�s grace. They come and they go, like fragrant flowers that open and close. In fact, they can come and go in milliseconds. One time a certain gift goes to one person. At another time it goes to another person. At any given time a person could minister in prophecy, in tongues, in healing, or in some other form of blessing for the good of others. That would be hard to accomplish in a church where most members are expected to be passive observers.