"Power Gifts Pt. 2"

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him
- 1 John 2:27

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- Mark 12:28-31

Sh’ma - Hebrew word meaning to agree and act upon what is being said

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
- John 14:15

FAITH

The gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe in God for unseen supernatural results in every area of life.

HEALING

The divine strength of ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer and by the laying on of hands for the healing of physical and mental illness and pain.

MIRACLES

The gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith and divine direction.

"Connection Issues"

Our spirits crave constant communication with God.

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”
- Genesis‬ ‭3:8‬

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- Psalm 42:1-2

God calls us all to connect with Him through Christ.

17 pray without ceasing…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Spiritual Gifts to Aid our Connection to God

1. Knowledge: The divine strength or ability to understand and to bring clarity to situations and circumstances often accompanied by a word from God.

2. Discernment: The divine strength or ability to spiritually identify falsehood and to distinguish between right and wrong motives and situations.

3. Intercession: The divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace believing for profound results.

We can connect to God with confidence.

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Hebrews 4:16

“Me vs. Me”

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
- Galatians 5:16-17

We might be our own greatest enemies to experiencing God’s power.

19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.
- Judges 16:19-20

We beat the desires of our flesh by becoming more like Jesus.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- Galatians 5:16, 22-24

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
- Matthew 7:3-5

Correcting our character helps us become Christlike.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
- John 3:30

"Word Gifts Pt. 2"

WISDOM

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Wisdom - The special ability that God gives through his spirit, to certain members of the Body of Christ to know how given knowledge, both biblical and practical, may best be applied to specific needs in life, especially in the Body of Christ.

EXHORTATION

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:4-8

Exhortation - The special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement, and counsel to other members of the Body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

MISSIONARY

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.
- Mark 3:13-15

Missionary - The special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister to others, using their unique gifts, in a culture other than their own.

"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.”
- Henry Martin - Missionary to India and Persia

"We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first."
- Oswald J. Smith - Founder of The People’s Church - Canada

"Word Gifts Pt. 1"

LEADERSHIP

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”
- Ephesians 4:7-8

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:11-12

8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

EVANGELIST

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

PASTOR

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
- 1 Peter 5:2-4

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
- Titus 1:5-9

TEACHER

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
- Romans 1:11

"Indispensable"

22 ...The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
- 1 Corinthians 12:22-26

There are some spiritual gifts that we don’t always see, but that we always need.

Administration: The gift of administration is the divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks.

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28

Giving: The gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

Mercy: The gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:8

Music: The gift of music/worship is the divine strength or ability to sing, dance, or play an instrument primarily for the purpose of helping others worship God.

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound;praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
- Psalm 150:2-5

"Love Gifts Pt. 1"

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-12 

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE CHURCH

• SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS THE HOLY SPIRIT CHOOSES

A spiritual gift is a God-given ability to function effectively and significantly in a particular service as a member of Christ's body, the church.
- William McRae 

SERVICE

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Matt 25:35-40

Service - to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done

CRAFTSMANSHIP 

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.
- Exodus 31:1-5

Craftsmanship - the special ability to forward God’s kingdom through creative skills such as carpentry, drama, graphic arts, painting and sculpting.

HOSPITALITY

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
- 1 Peter 4:9-10

Hospitality - the ability to enjoy meeting new people and making them feel welcome by providing food, friendship, or shelter.

HELPS

28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28

Helps - To render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

USE OUR GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
- 1 Peter 4:10

DEVELOP AND INCREASE OUR GIFTS

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
- Romans 12:6-8

"Refiner's Fire"

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
- 2 Peter 5:10

BE DILIGENT IN DEVELOPING GODLY CHARACTER

Love

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Philippians 2:1-4

Humility

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
- Romans 12:3

Purity

16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
- 2 Corinthians 3:16-17

DON’T BE BLIND

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
- Matthew 7:22-23

CONFIRM YOUR CALLING

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
- 1 Peter 1:15

"How to Build a Fire"

EAGERLY DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
- 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,
- 1 Corinthians 14:1

DO NOT BE IGNORANT OF THE GIFTS

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
- 1 Corinthians 12:1

PRIORITIZE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
- 2 Peter 1:3-9

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV

7 Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. 8 Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.
- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 TLB

"A Fire's Place"

We’re filled by God’s presence and empowered for God’s purpose.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
- John 14:16-17

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
- Romans 12:6-8

We embrace the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, which keep us from being “dead.”

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
- 1 Corinthians 14:39

We embrace God’s Word and wisdom, which keep us from becoming weird.

21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40

The “fire’s place” is an intersection where the Holy Spirit and God’s Word are both embraced in perfect harmony.

“The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions. Also, if the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.”
- George Muller