THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
NBCOG 2/28/10 AM
TEXT
LUKE 3:16
INTRODUCTION
*THE GOSPEL OF JOHN RECORDS SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT JESUS HAD WITH THE DISCIPLES CONCERNING HIS LEAVING THE EARTH AND RETURNING TO HEAVEN.
*THEY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT
AND DIDN’T LIKE IT.
*BUT, JESUS LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ALONE.
*IN FACT, IT WAS TO THEIR BENEFIT
AND OURS THAT HE LEAVE.
*BECAUSE AS LONG AS HE WAS IN AN EARTHLY BODY,
REDEMPTION’S PLAN COULD NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED AND APPLIED.
*AND WHILE JESUS WAS IN A BODY,
HE WAS LIMITED TO WHERE HE COULD BE.
*BUT THE COMFORTER,
THE HOLY GHOST,
WHOM THE FATHER WOULD SEND WOULD NOT ONLY BE WITH THEM,
BUT ALSO BE IN THEM.
*JESUS, AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, LEAVES THEM THESE INSTRUCTIONS: ACTS 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.
TEXT
LUKE 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
I. WHO IS THE HOLY GHOST?
1. WELL, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD HIM CALLED THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OR THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
OR THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND TRUTH.
OR THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.
AND HE HAS MANY MORE NAMES THAN THAT.
2. BUT, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS INDEED VERY MUCH GOD.
3. JUST AS YOU ARE A TRI-PART BEING; BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT;
GOD IS A TRI-PART BEING;
BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT.
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT LESS THAN THE FATHER
OR THE SON.
5. IN FACT THEY ARE ALL CO-EQUAL;
CO-EXISTENT;
AND CO-ETERNAL.
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE POWER OF GOD AT WORK IN OUR LIVES
AND ALL OVER THE WORLD.
7. HE IS TO TEACH US;
TO EMPOWER US;
TO INDWELL US;
TO LEAD US;
TO SANCTIFY US;
TO CONVICT US.
8. HE IS OUR DOWN PAYMENT GUARANTEEING US HEAVEN.
9. HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL PRESENT US FAULTLESS BEFORE THE FATHER.
10. HE IS THE ONE WHO LIFTS UP JESUS
AND MAKES HIM KNOWN.
11. LET’S CLEAR UP ONE MISCONCEPTION: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT THE SERVANT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
12. HE IS THE LEADER.
13. HE IS THE DIRECTOR.
14. HE IS THE TEACHER AND PAUL MAKES IT QUITE CLEAR, HE IS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF WHAT GOES ON IN THE BODY.
II. YET, HE IS OFTEN THE MOST IGNORED AND MISUNDERSTOOD PERSON OF THE TRINITY.
1. UNDERSTAND, HE IS NOT AN “IT”, OR A “THING”.
2. HE IS NOT A “POWER” OR “FORCE“.
3. HE IS GOD EMPOWERING AND DWELLING IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS.
4. AND IF WE TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK,
WE WOULD SEE WHERE THE HOLY GHOST IS WORKING EVERYDAY IN OUR LIVES.
5. THOSE THINGS THAT WE CALL COINCIDENCES THAT WORK OUT FOR OUR GOOD,
ARE ACTUALLY THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING ON OUR BEHALF.
6. THE UNSETTLING FEELING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IS THE HOLY GHOST CALLING US TO PRAYER.
7. THAT PERSON WHO YOU CAN’T GET OFF OF YOUR MIND IS THE HOLY GHOST TELLING YOU TO PRAY FOR THEM,
CALL THEM,
STOP BY AND SEE THEM,
SEND THEM A CARD
AND ENCOURAGE THEM.
8. THAT FEELING OF CONVICTION WE GET WHEN WE SIN OR ARE ABOUT TO SIN,
IS THE HOLY GHOST CONVICTING US TO KEEP US SPOTLESS AND BLAMELESS.
9. HE IS PRECIOUS
AND HE IS VITAL TO OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.
10. AND INSTEAD OF IGNORING HIM,
INVITE HIM TO REVEAL JESUS TO YOU MORE AND MORE.
11. INVITE HIM INTO THE CAR WITH YOU.
12. INVITE HIM ON THE JOB TO BE WITH YOU.
13. HERE’S AN IDEA:
INVITE HIM INTO YOUR MARRIAGE.
14. HERE’S ANOTHER IDEA:
INVITE HIM INTO THE CHURCH SERVICE.
15. IT’S NOT THAT HE ISN’T ALREADY THERE.
16. BUT, THE HOLY GHOST IS A GENTLEMAN.
17. HE’S NOT JUST GOING TO BUST INTO EVERY SITUATION IN YOUR LIFE WITH A SHOUT AND A DANCE.
18. YOU NEED TO WELCOME HIM INTO YOUR LIFE.
19. YOU CAN ASK HIM TO HELP YOU
AND SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO.
20. YOU CAN PRAY TO HIM BECAUSE HE IS GOD.
21. YOU CAN PRAISE HIM
AND WORSHIP HIM BECAUSE HE IS GOD.
22. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.
PRAISE HIM ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW.
PRAISE HIM ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS.
PRAISE FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN!
III. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST,
THE HOLY GHOST WHO WAS ACTIVE IN OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS LIVES,
AND EVERYTHING ON THE EARTH,
WAS NOW INHABITING THE DISCIPLES AND THOSE GATHERED IN THE UPPER ROOM.
1. IT WAS ALMOST----,
IN FACT IT REALLY WAS,
THAT THE HOLY GHOST WAS POSSESSING THEM.
2. AND THEY ALL SPOKE IN TONGUES.
3. NOT A ONE OF THEM SOUNDED ALIKE.
4. THEY WERE DIVERS,
VARIOUS TONGUES THAT SAT ON EACH OF THEM.
5. AND THEY MUST HAVE ACTED DRUNK, BECAUSE PETER PREACHED AND SAID, “THESE MEN ARE NOT DRUNK AS YE SUPPOSE, SEEING THAT IT IS BUT THE THIRD HOUR.
BUT THEY ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.”
6. WELL, DID IT STOP THERE WITH THE DISCIPLES?
7. NO. PETER GOES ONTO SAY, Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
8. WELL, DID JESUS CALL YOU?
9. WERE YOU SPIRITUALLY DEAD IN SIN?
10. DID YOU HEAR THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR?
11. DID THE HOLY GHOST CONVICT YOU?
12. DID YOU CALLED ON JESUS
AND REPENT OF YOUR SINS
AND BE BORN AGAIN?
13. THEN THIS PROMISE IS FOR YOU.
14. IT DIDN’T DIE OUT WITH THE DISCIPLES.
15. IT DIDN’T GO AWAY WITH THE PRINTING OF THE KJV OF THE BIBLE.
16. IN FACT TONGUES WON’T CEASE UNTIL THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME.
17. THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS NOT DOWN HERE ON PLANET EARTH.
18. WHEN YOU STUDY THAT SENTENCE IN THE GREEK,
THAT WHICH IS PERFECT,
IS THE THEN AND THERE WHEN WE SEE JESUS FACE TO FACE FOR OURSELVES AND NOT ANOTHER.
19. SO, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST IS FOR YOU TODAY AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN TILL EVERYBODY GETS TO HEAVEN.
IV. THERE ARE OBJECTIONS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM.
1. THE BAPTIST AND OTHER NON-PENTECOSTAL-PROTESTANT GROUPS SAY THAT WHEN YOU ARE SAVED, BORN AGAIN, YOU HAVE THE HOLY GHOST IN YOU.
2. GUESS WHAT? THEY’RE RIGHT!
3. HE DOES COME IN THE MOMENT YOU BELIEVE.
4. BUT, THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN THAT.
5. MY MOM MARRIED MY DAD.
6. HE WAS 3RD GENERATION CHURCH OF GOD.
7. MY DAD’S PARENTS PRAYED FOR MY MOM TO GET SAVED
AND GET OUT OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
8. THE METHODIST CAME ON A WEEKEND TO THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOR WHAT WAS CALLED A LAY WITNESS WEEKEND.
9. THEY PREACHED OLD TIME SALVATION.
10. MY MOM DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SALVATION,
BUT WHAT THEY HAD PREACHED.
11. AND SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO HAVE IT.
12. SO, SHE AND SOME OTHERS WENT TO THE ALTAR AND WERE BORN AGAIN.
13. AND A GODLY SAINT IN THE CHURCH GAVE MY MOM SOME BOOKS.
14. ONE WAS, THEY SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES AND THE OTHER WAS NINE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
15. SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES OR PENTECOSTALS.
16. BUT, SHE ASKED GRANNY ONE DAY, “HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE SPEAKING IN TONGUES?”.
SHE SAID THAT GRANNY LOOKED SHOCKED AND SAID, “YES, WE DO.”.
17. AND AT THAT TIME MY GRAND PARENTS WERE ATTENDING NEW HOPE CHURCH OF GOD WITH THE ISAACS.
18. MY MOM AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO TRULY GOT SAVED IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
STARTED HUNGERING FOR MORE OF GOD.
19. THEY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING DEEPER.
20. SO THEY STARTED GOING ON SUNDAY NIGHTS AND WEDNESDAY NIGHTS TO A CHURCH IN BELMONT WHERE BROTHER TED AND GAIL HAPPENED TO GO.
21. AND ALL OF THOSE WHO LEFT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WERE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST AND SPOKE IN TONGUES AND LEFT THE DEAD DRY CHURCH THAT NEVER PREACHED BEING BORN AGAIN
OR THE RAPTURE.
21. WHEN MY MOM RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST THEY ASKED HER TO PLAY THE PIANO.
22. ONE NIGHT COMING HOME FROM CHURCH ON UPPER ARMSTRONG FORD ROAD,
MY MOM AND SISTER WERE IN THE FRONT SEAT SINGING.
23. MY MOM WAS TAKING THE CURVES REAL WIDE.
24. A COP BEHIND HER PULLED HER OVER AND ASKED, “IS EVERYTHING ALRIGHT?”
25. AND BEFORE MOM COULD SAY ANYTHING, MY SISTER SAID,
“WE JUST COME FROM THAT PENSACOLA CHURCH IN BELMONT AND WE’RE JUST PRAISING JESUS.”
26. THE COP MUST HAVE BEEN PENTECOSTAL TOO, CAUSE HE JUST GRINNED AND SAID, “HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.”
27. THERE’S MORE THAN STUFFY RELIGION.
28. THERE’S MORE THAN SALVATION.
29. THERE IS AN ENDUEMENT OF POWER FROM ON HIGH.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
30. IF YOU BELIEVE, THEN SPEAKING IN NEW TONGUES SHOULD BE A SIGN THAT FOLLOWS YOU.
31. SOME OBJECT BY SAYING,
“I’M AFRAID IF I SPEAK IN TONGUES IT WILL BE ME.”
32. IT WILL BE YOU.
33. IT WILL BE YOUR VOICE,
YOUR VOCAL CHORDS,
YOUR TONGUE.
34. BUT, IT WILL BE THE HOLY GHOST GIVING THE UTTERANCE
AND IT WILL BE A HEAVENLY LANGUAGE.
35. ON THE CONTRARY, WHEN SOMEONE IS POSSESSED WITH A DEMON,
THEY MAY NORMALLY HAVE A MALE VOICE
AND SPEAK IN A FEMALE VOICE WHEN THE DEMON MANIFESTS
AND SPEAKS THROUGH THEM
AND VICE VERSA.
36. I’M NOT SURE THAT I CAN DESCRIBE IT SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT,
BUT TONGUES COMES FROM HERE UP.
37. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND LET IT OUT.
37a. THAT’S WHAT JESUS WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE SAID,
“OUT OF YOUR BELLY SHALL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.”
38. SOME OBJECT BY SAYING, “WELL YOU HAVE TO TARRY AND SEEK GOD FOR A LONG TIME.
39. I DON’T HAVE TIME LIKE THAT TO SPEND IN THE ALTAR.”
40. THE WORD PENTE COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD MEANING 50.
41. FIFTY DAYS AFTER PASSOVER, PENTECOST COMES.
42. JESUS COMMANDED THE DISCIPLES TO TARRY IN JERUSALEM UNTIL THEY BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.
43. THEY DIDN’T TARRY 10 DAYS AS WE’VE BEEN TAUGHT.
44. THEY TARRIED 7 DAYS.
45. ON THE DAY OF PASSOVER JESUS DIED.
46. HIS BODY WAS IN THE TOMB 3 DAYS.
47. HE WAS RESURRECTED ON THE THIRD DAY.
48. FOR FORTY DAYS HE SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE BODILY, WITH MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS.
49. THEN HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN.
50. SO, THAT IS FORTY-THREE DAYS FROM PASSOVER.
51. THEY TARRIED 7 DAYS.
52. BUT, NOW THE HOLY GHOST HAS COME.
53. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TARRY ANYMORE.
54. YES, IT TAKES SOME PEOPLE A LONG TIME TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.
55. BUT, IT ISN’T TO GET GOD READY,
BUT, TO GET US READY TILL WE YIELD TO THE HOLY GHOST.
56. SOME SAY SATAN COUNTERFEITS TONGUES.
57a. DOES SATAN COUNTERFEIT TONGUES?
57. OH, YES.
58. BUT, HERE’S SOMETHING THE HOLY GHOST REVEALED TO ME SEVERAL MONTHS AGO:
YOU CAN’T COUNTERFEIT SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T EXIST AND ISN’T REAL.
V. SO, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST?
A. WHEN YOU HAVE A BURDEN AND A REQUEST THAT IS SO GREAT THAT YOU CAN’T ARTICULATE IN WORDS WHAT TO ASK FOR, THE HOLY GHOST WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED,
WILL INTERCEDE FOR YOU.
1. AND AS HE PRAYS THROUGH YOU,
YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT IT IS THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD FOR THAT SITUATION.
2. FOR THE HOLY GHOST SEARCHES YOUR HEART AND MIND
AND THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD;
EVEN THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD.
ILLUSTRATIONS MY SISTER AND MICHAEL
3. ROMANS 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
B. YOU CAN TELL GOD THE SECRETS OF YOUR HEART AND NO DEMON NOR THE DEVIL HIMSELF KNOWS WHAT YOUR PRAYING.
1. IT’S LIKE MORSE CODE.
2. OR FLYING UNDER THE ENEMIES RADAR.
3. WHEN YOU PRAY IN THE HOLY GHOST IT IS BETWEEN THE HOLY GHOST IN YOU
AND GOD THE FATHER.
4. SATAN DOES NOT, NOR WILL HE EVER HAVE AN ANTENNA AND RECEIVER TO PICK UP ON THE PRAYERS THAT THE HOLY GHOST PRAYS THROUGH YOU.
I CORINTHIANS 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
5. WHEN YOU PRAY IN ENGLISH,
DEMONS AND THE DEVIL KNOW WHAT YOU’RE ASKING GOD FOR.
6. BUT, WHEN YOU PRAY IN THE HOLY GHOST ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU’RE INTERCEDING FOR.
C. YOU BUILD UP, EDIFY YOURSELF.
1. YOUR SPIRIT MAN IS BUILT UP AND ENCOURAGED WHEN YOU PRAY IN THE HOLY GHOST.
I CORINTHIANS 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
2. YOU RECEIVE A SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WHEN YOU PRAY IN THE SPIRIT.
3. BUT, WHEN YOU PROPHECY OR GIVE AN INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES IT IS TO EDIFY THE WHOLE BODY OF BELIEVERS GATHERED HERE.
JUDE 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
D. YOU CAN PRAISE GOD IN A WAY
AND WITH WORDS THAT TRANSCEND THE BARRIER OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
I CORINTHIANS 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
E. BESIDES JUST SPEAKING IN TONGUES, YOU RECEIVE A POWER FROM ON HIGH TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS.
1. YOU MIGHT BE SHY AND SCARED BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH,
BUT WHEN YOU STEP OUT IN FAITH,
A BOLDNESS FROM ON HIGH COMES ON YOU AND YOU CAN’T HELP BUT DECLARE THE GLORIES OF GOD.
ACTS 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses witnesses witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
F. TONGUES ARE A SIGN FOR UNBELIEVERS.
I CORINTHIANS 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:
VI. WHO’S RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST NOW?
1. ALL FLESH:
WHITE FLESH,
BLACK FLESH,
YELLOW FLESH,
RED FLESH.
2. ALL OVER THE WORLD ON ALL NATIONALITIES AND PEOPLES, THE SPIRIT IS MOVING.
MY NEPHEW JUST FLEW IN FRIDAY NIGHT FRO URUGUAY WHERE GOD IS POURING OUT HIS SPIRIT.
3. JUST LIKE JOEL PROPHESIED: But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
4. CATHOLICS ARE GETTING SAVED, FORSAKING MARY AND STATUES,
GETTING RID OF CONFESSIONAL BOOTHS
AND ARE RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST.
5. IN FACT IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THERE ARE MORE BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT ANNUALLY,
THAN IN SOME PENTECOSTAL DENOMINATIONS.
6. IT’S HAPPENING IN THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
7. IT’S HAPPENING IN THE METHODIST CHURCHES.
8. IT’S HAPPENING IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
9. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER.
HE WAS WALKING AND PRAYING IN THE SANCTUARY ONE AFTERNOON AND HE SAID, “HOLY SPIRIT, YOU’RE WELCOME HERE. YOUR GIFTS ARE WELCOME HERE.”
10. AND OUT OF HIS BELLY, A HEAVENLY LANGUAGE BEGAN TO FLOW.
11. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING AN OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.
12. IN FACT THE BOOK, NINE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING, IS ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING AROUND THE WORLD IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN FILLING THEIR PRIEST AND PARISHIONERS WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE.
VII. SO, HOW DO YOU RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST?
Acts 2:38,39 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Eph. 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
G. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT OPERATE IN THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY GHOST.
I CORINTHIANS 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
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.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
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:
But all these worketh that One and the Selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.
1. THERE ARE NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.
2. AND IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GIVES THEM AND USES PEOPLE FOR SEASONS
AND MOMENTS IN TIME.
3. THEY’RE NOT GIVEN TO PUFF UP THE ONE BEING USED.
4. RATHER, THEY ARE GIVEN TO PROPHET THE BODY OF CHRIST
AND TO SHOW AN UNBELIEVING WORLD
THE GLORY OF GOD.
5. NOW, WE’VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY, I’M GOING TO SO AND SO’S MEETING NEXT WEEK. HE HAS THE GIFT OF HEALING.
6. OR, I’M GOING TO SO AND SO’S MEETING. HE HAS THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.
HE WILL TELL ME HOW TO MAKE MY MILLIONS.
7. AND YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD THIS ONE: I’M TO GOING TO BROTHER SO AND SO.
HE HAS THE GIFT OF DELIVERANCE.
WELL, THERE’S NOT EVEN A GIFT OF DELIVERANCE.
8. AND I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND,
YOU MAY BE USED OF GOD
AND OPERATE IN ONE OF THESE GIFTS.
9. BUT, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT IS YOUR GIFT.
10. YOU DON’T OWN AND IT
AND YOU CAN’T TURN IT ON AND OFF AT YOUR WILL.
11. THEY ARE THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AND HE USES SPIRIT FILLED MEN AND WOMEN AS HE WILLS.
12. NO ONE HAS AN EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO ANY OF THE GIFTS.
13. IN FACT YOU MAY LAY HANDS ON SOMEONE AND THE GIFT OF HEALING BE MANIFESTED THOUGH YOU ONCE AND NOT EVER BE USED IN THAT WAY AGAIN.
14. THEY ARE GIVEN,
AND MEN AND WOMEN ARE USED OF GOD AS THE SPIRIT WILLS IT.
15. There are differences of administrations and they deal with the offices that one holds in the church.
A. Eph. 4:11 “And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”
B. There are five Administrations,
yet only One Lord.
C. There are a lot of different gifts
but, God works All in All.
