Church in the City – Chapter 12, Part 2
The Giver of Gifts
November 3, 2024
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 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, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 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.”
The Gift of Faith
The special ability to be full of faith in any situation.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
“sure” and “certain” – a firm persuasion or conviction
Our faith rests on the settled issues. “I am sure” and “I am certain”.
There are four phrases used in the NT – “no faith”, “little faith”, “great faith”, and “full of faith”
Matthew 8:8,10 NIV
“The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
The measure of our faith isn't determined by the number of prayers we get answered but by the amount of our lives we're willing to surrender.
Faith in the NT is always used to talk about faith IN God, not just faith FOR an outcome. If we’re fixated only on results, we will quickly lose faith.
Over 30 times in the New Testament, when faith is used, it is followed by a preposition, it’s “faith in God/Christ.
The Gift of Miracles
What is a miracle?
A Divine intervention into our human affairs.
Do miracles still happen today?
John 14:11-14 NIV
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
