1Co 14:1 “DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS”
Every thing Jesus did from a supernatural standpoint was an operation and manifestation of at least one, or a combination of the gifts of the spirit in his life.
Why teach on the gifts of the spirit?
(1) If there is to be any manifestation of the Power of God in our midst it will be through the gifts of the spirit, To deny the need for and desire for the gifts of the spirit is to deny the need and the desire for the manifestation of the power of God in our midst.
(2) By the gifts of the Spirit God we receive
(a)the mind of God (b) the voice of God (c) The works of God or the power of God.
The Gifts of the spirit are divided into three categories
(1) The thinking gifts
(a) Word of Knowledge
(b) Word of Wisdom
(c) Discerning of spirits
(2) The Speaking gifts
(a) Tongues
(b) Interpretation of tongues
(c) Prophecy
(3) The acting gifts- (The Power gifts)
(a) The gift of faith
(b) The working of miracles
(c) The gifts of healing
Paul compares the gifts of the spirit and their operation to a body and the necessity for all the parts of the body to be present and functioning,
The church in general is functioning to a large measure as a body with parts missing
*Without the 3 thinking gifts = the mind of Christ the church cannot receive the mind of Christ as God would have us to.
*Without the 3 speaking gifts the church cannot hear the voice of God as we should
or speak for God as God would have us to.
*Without the 3 acting gifts = gift of faith, gifts of healing, and working of miracles the church does not have the power of God at work in her.
We have to ask ourselves: Do we just want a place to call our home church where we go and sing songs, and testify and hear some preaching and go home, Or do we want a place where God manifests himself by the supernatural power of the Holy Ghost?
If we are satisfied with Church from a natural perspective = the natural
Elements, songs, testimonies, prayer requests, preaching, etc. Then God will pass us over and he will find someone who wants his supernatural character and power and will not be satisfied with anything less.
Some have argued that the gifts of the spirit have been replaced by love, and that love does away with the necessity for the gifts of the spirit:
But the more excellent way simply means (the way more completely or perfectly).
Love was never meant to do away with the gifts of the spirit, but was in fact intended to put their use into proper perspective.
It is to be understood that the gifts of the spirit must operate by Love, They must have their roots firmly planted in #1 A Love for God and #2 A Love for the church.
This is The meaning of our text
1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
All the gifts are of the spirit and by the spirit
They do not belong to us, we do not operate them, we only manifest them as the spirit wills and operates in us.
The spirit (1) giveth (2) divideth severally as he will (3) worketh
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
God intends that every Born again Believer should be filled with his spirit and manifest spiritual gifts.
The new Testament Church is a church that lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Without the gifts of the spirit we are not an accurate representation of the new testament church.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts:
1Co 14:1 Desire spiritual gifts
Where do we start?
(#1) 2Ti 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
You have to stir up what you already have – (Fan the flames), (Kindle up) (inflame)
(wake up) (to recall the dead to life)
(#2) Lu 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
You have to be faithful to use what you’ve already got, God will never give more to someone who doesn’t use what they already have.
