The Spirit And His Gifts 2

THE SPIRIT & HIS GIFTS 2

1 Cor. 12:8-11

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

1. A young man went up to an old man and said to his ear, “Hey, could you lend me $5.00?”

2. The old man said, “I’m deaf in that ear. Come around to the other one. Now what did you say?”

3. The young man plucked up his courage and said, “Hey, could you lend me $20.00?”

4. The old man said, “Lend you what?” “$20.00!”

5. The old man looked incredulous and said, “You better go back to the $5.00 ear!”

B. TEXT

“For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Cor. 12:8-11.

C. THESIS

1. We are having a continuing series on the Holy Spirit. We started in Genesis and have worked through the Books of the Bible, down to the Apostle’s Epistles.

2. Tonight we’re on our 2nd installment on the Spiritual Gifts. We’re looking at the “Gifts of Power,” three gifts associated by their powerful effects on the world and spiritual forces.

3. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant” 1 Cor. 12:1. There are many people who don't understand the gifts of the Spirit and/or mistakenly teach that God has done away with the gifts. But they are real & vital for the Body of Christ today!

4. The title of this message is: "The Holy Spirit & His Gifts 2."

PART II. GIFTS OF POWER

A. FAITH

1. What this Gift if NOT:

a. Saving Faith

b. Faith, the FRUIT

c. General Faith

Instead we’re discussing a species of faith which is known to operate physically and visibly on the things around it.

2. A Definition of the Gift

The Gift of Faith is a supernatural endowment by the Spirit whereby that which is spoken or desired by man, or spoken by God, that shall eventually come to pass. This human or divine “miracle-utterance,” or “miracle- ASSURANCE” is different from the Working of Miracles and the Gifts of Healings in that often its operations are not immediately or even generally observable.

a. Defined:

1). The Power by which God works (Gen. 1:3, Heb. 11:3).

2). A divine certainty that triumphs.

3). A faith that dares and expects great things from God.

b. Is Twofold:

1). Assures the maintenance of unswerving BELIEF and trust in God in spite of circumstances.

2). The accomplishment of mighty WORKS of divine power (Heb. 11:33, 34).

3. Scriptural Examples of the Gift

a. Miracles especially associated with this gift (I Cor. 13:2 (move mountains), Mk. 11:20-23 (wither fig tree), Lk. 17:6 (mustard seed of, can uproot mulberry tree), Mt. 17:19-20, cast out demons).

b. Other Examples of this gift:

1). Spiritual blessing (Isaac, Jacob, Heb. 11:20-21)

2). Protection (Daniel, Lion’s den, Hebrews 11:33);

3). Sustenance in famine (Elijah);

4). Receiving great promises (Abraham, Rom. 4:20);

5). Admin. Spiritual Correction

6). Supernatural victory in the fight – Gideon, Hebrews 11:35;

7). Raising the dead, Hebrews 11:35;

8). Casting out demons (Mt. 17:19-20).

9). Faith over Viper’s Bite, Acts 28:5.

B. GIFTS OF HEALINGS

1. What Divine Healing is NOT:

a. Mind over matter,

b. Natural healing functions of the body,

b. Not Doctor or MEDICINE assisted.

2. These gifts are the supernatural healing of diseases and infirmities without natural means of any sort. They are the miraculous manifestation of the Spirit for the banishment of all human ills whether organic, functional, or NERVOUS; acute or chronic.

3. Biblical manners of its operation:

a. A touch (Mt. 8:15), a prayer, John 11:41-42; a declaration, Luke 7:9-10; a Word or Command (Mk. 8:8, 13); Touch or Command (Lk. 5:13); Someone touched Jesus (Mt. 14:34-36); using spittle or mud, Mark 7:33; By a shadow (Acts 5:15); aprons or clothes (Acts 19:12), etc.

4. Scriptural Uses of the Gift

a. To deliver the sick and destroy the works of the devil in the human body (Acts 10:38).

b. To establish Jesus’ astonishing CLAIMS (Mt. 9:2-7).

c. To confirm the gospel (Acts 4:29-30) and the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 3:15-16).

d. To turn people to God (Acts 9:35).

e. To bring glory to God (Mk. 2:12, Lk. 13:17).

f. To inspire faith and courage in God's people.

C. WORKINGS OF MIRACLES

1. Definition of a Miracle. A miracle is a sovereign act of the Spirit of God irrespective of LAWS or systems.