(Continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 4)
Gifts are broken down in 3 categories:
A. Power to Know: (to reveal, or information)
Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits
B. Power to Act: (to do, action)
Faith, Healings, Miracles
C. Power to Speak: (to utter or vocal)
Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Prophecy
1. The Gift of Faith
1 Cor. 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit;
1. Definition: It is a supernatural faith that is imparted by the Holy Spirit that enables the Christian to believe God for the extraordinary and miraculous in a specific time, or circumstance.
Notice, this is different from saving faith.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
This is also different from the faith that God gives to every man.
Ro 12:3 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.
So every man has some faith, but not necessarily the Gift of Faith.
This Gift of Faith It is often associated with other demonstrative gifts such as healings, and miracles.
2. Primary objectives of the gift of Faith:
a. gives a calm assurance and trust that God will bring it to pass in the most adverse circumstances.
b. imparts supernatural faith at a given time to believe and to accomplish mighty works of God’s power.
Reminded of O.T. heroes who through faith, subdued kingdoms, …stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire-Hb. 11:33-40)
In 2Kings 6, Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the King of Syria and his armies….
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
3. 6 reasons for the Gift of Faith:
a. for personal protection in perilous circumstances-
Daniel 6:4-23 Daniel in the lions den
Acts 27:13-44, 28:1-10 Paul shipwrecked and bitten by a viper.
b. supernatural provision during famine, fasting.
I Kg. 19:4-8 Elijah fed by ravens, and water provided.
c. for receiving astounding promises from God-
Rm. 4:19-21 Abraham & Sarah received the promise of God, a son…”He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”
d. supernatural victory in the fight-
Ex. 17:11 Moses gained victory as long his arms were up.
e. to assist in domestic and industrial problems-
Example of the cure of Naaman the leper
f. faith is employed in “casting out evil spirits-
Jesus cast demons out by His Word.
(thus…these 6 reasons for the Gift of Faith)
Now, I know that this gift has been highly abused, and both you and I have heard story after story of men and women who have turned out to be fakes.
I told you when we studied the Gift of Discernment of Spirits that we were living in a day of co-existence of good and evil...and that is still true with all the gifts.
It is the devil’s duty to immitate and copy what God does to try to thwart the plan of God. But just because this gift has been abused does not mean that God is not still desiring to use this gift in a godly way for His glory.
Illust: A preacher friend of mine told the story of when his wife was dying with cancer. The doctors had done all they could, and she was sent home to die. He went to prayer and fasting like he had never done before. In fact he felt led to take the step of faith by proclaiming that he would not eat or drink until either God healed his wife or took her in death. On the 4th day of no intake of any beverage or food, not even water, he was feeling faint and lightheaded. But while in prayer at the side of her bed, he noticed a stirring in his soul. He also noticed his wife begin to move and before long, she jumped out of her bed and commenced to shout in the Holy Ghost for quite some time! God had completely healed her of cancer!
That brother and sister, is the Gift of Faith in action! Let us fervently covet this gift! There are many people that need a miracle in their lives and God wants to use someone just like you and I to fulfill HIS divine will for their lives!
(The Gifts of Healings will be studied in Gifts of the Spirit Part 6)
