SUPERNATURAL BREAKTHROUGH #2:
UNLEASHING THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
OPENING TEXT: “Then Jesus taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?” (Mark 11:17).
REVIEW: Last week = “Redigging the Wells of Prayer.” We learned that: If we want to see the same power – signs, wonders, healings and miracles – as the church in the book of Acts, then we must have the same priority of prayer as they did.
· This week = “Unleashing the gifts of the Spirit.”
THE BIG IDEA: If we want to see people’s lives changed, then we need to remove our spectator mentality from Christianity, and realize that every member is a minister! It’s time to unleash the gifts of the Spirit in our midst.
BIBLE STORY:
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.” (Acts 6:1-7).
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
· QUOTE: “There has been a high degree of unemployment in the church.” Nicky says the church is like a football game: “There are 22,000 people in the stands in desperate need of exercise, watching 22 people in desperate need of a rest.” (Nicky Gumbel, the Alpha Course).
TEXT: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1).
· Who does God want to anoint with His Spirit to change lives? “ME” = “YOU!”
· The Bible says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” (Acts 10:38).
· Jesus said, “He who believes in me, the works that I do will He do also, and greater works than these.” (John 14:12). “Doing the stuff!”
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
(about 30 listed here)
· Gifts from God the Father (Romans 12:6-8)
- prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership & mercy.
- (CD message: “You are God’s Masterpiece” for more teaching on these)
· Gifts from Jesus the Son (Ephesians 4:11)
- apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, evangelist (full-time ministry)
· Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8-10)
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” (1 Cor. 12:7)
GIFTS OF REVELATION:
· WORD OF WISDOM – A spiritual utterance disclosing the mind and way of God as applied to a specific situation
· WORD OF KNOWLEDGE – A supernatural revelation of information pertaining to a person or event, usually dealing with an immediate need
· DISCERNING OF SPIRITS – The ability to discern the spirit world – whether something is: divine (God/angels), human (natural) or demonic (Satan/demons)
GIFTS OF SPEAKING: (We want a release of these – Sundays & home groups)
· PROPHECY – A divine revealing of the spirit to encourage, exhort or comfort
· DIFFERENT KINDS OF TONGUES – The gift of speaking supernaturally in a language not known to the individual
· INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES – Bringing to light what is otherwise hidden
GIFTS OF POWER:
· FAITH – A unique form of faith (not saving faith) that supernaturally trusts and does not doubt with reference to specific matters – to believe the impossible
· GIFTS OF HEALINGS – Those healings that God performs supernaturally - accelerated mending – something would have taken time to heal God does instantly – i.e. a broken arm.
· WORKING OF MIRACLES – Manifestation of power beyond the ordinary course of natural law – something that could never have been done naturally – i.e. a limb growing back.
OTHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS:
· Administration enables people to guide a department within an organization or ministry to more efficient levels. (1 Cor. 12:28; Daniel 2:49)
· Helps / Service the ability to recognize needs of otehrs and willingly serve them by helping in whatever capacity is needed. (1 Cor. 12:28)
· Craftsmanship enables people to work with their hands to create, build, craft, operate or repair things to help facilitate ministry. (Exodus 31:1-5)
· Hospitality the ability to provide for the physical well being of others by offering lodging, food, comfort or rest. (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; Acts 16:15)
· Intercession the ability to stay in close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, thus being directed by Him into frequent and prolonged periods of prayer. (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 6:18-20)
· Creativity an assortment of gifts enabling people to communicate God’s truth through creative acts such as worship leading, playing musical instruments, singing, dance, drama, graphic arts. (Col. 3:16-17; Ps. 150:6)
· Preaching the unique ability to be a herald, announcing the full proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. (Mark 16:15; 2 Tim. 1:11)
· Counselling the ability to understand the whole counsel of the Bible well enough to be an advisor to those who seek Biblical choices. (Prov. 11:14; 24:6)
· Deliverance the divine enablement to correctly discern the presence of demons and expel them. (Mark 16:17; Luke 8:27-30; Matt. 10:1)
· Missionary the ability to be a minister, dispersed to serve in other cultures, in response to the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 11:19)
CLOSING BIBLE STORY:
“After this, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee. And a huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miracles as he healed the sick. Then Jesus went up into the hills and sat down with his disciples around him. Jesus soon saw a great crowd of people climbing the hill, looking for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, "It would take a small fortune to feed them!" Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. "There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus ordered. So all of them the men alone numbered five thousand sat down on the grassy slopes. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full. "Now gather the leftovers," Jesus told his disciples, "so that nothing is wasted." There were only five barley loaves to start with, but twelve baskets were filled with the pieces of bread the people did not eat!” (John 6:1-13).
· You may feel like your gift is small and insignificant. But if you will offer it to Jesus, He will use you to do great things!
CLOSING CHALLENGE – UNLEASHING THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT:
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” (1 Peter 4:10)
· How many people has God given gifts to? Everyone. What does He want us to do? Discover and develop them. Why? So His generosity can flow through us. We are blessing to be a blessing!
Chris Jordan is the lead pastor of Beausejour Community Church in Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada.
For more sermon outlines, and online audio sermons, go to www.beausejourchurch.ca.
