Welcome back. This is part five of our series. I hope you have been learning some new things about this topic. Thank God for the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. May He continue to guide us and help us.
Today we are going to give some practical help and things to remember about moving in the Gifts of the Spirit. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV) –10 As each, one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
A. Things to remember:
1. Pursue love and be zealous, to covet, excel, abound, desire, cultivate, study, learn, and grow in Spiritual Gifts-1 Cor 14:1, 1 Cor. 14:12, 1 Cor 14:31
2. The Gifts were to lead to the profit and edification of all. However, an even better path to this is the path of love. When you combine gifts and love then you have a super-highway to the blessing of the body of Christ! Rick McFarland
3. Earnestly Desire’ – NT:Greek:#2206- Zealous, to be passionate; to contend to excel; strongly exert yourself in the pursuit of something you want. This is not selfish but motivated by love.
4. There is grace by which we minister in the Gifts. It is Divine influence. It is with the ability that God gives. The pressure is not on us to be spiritual or perform. We just need to be yielded vessels.
5. What are the best gifts? First, the best gift is the one that complements your office and the position you have in the body of Christ. Secondly, the best gift is the one you need at the moment!
6. Gifts of the Spirit operate together to produce a tangible manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit. We bring heaven to earth.
7. An important foundation for operating in the Gifts of the Spirit is to cultivate a strong spiritual life through worship, waiting on God, meditation, reading the Word of God, and pursuing intimacy with God. Obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
8. Even though the Corinthians Church operated greatly in the gifts, they were still carnal in their attitudes and practices. Apostle Paul had to correct them. However, this is not an excuse to stay carnal or in a backslidden state because you still operate in the gifts. Eventually, this can lead to misuse of the Gifts and it dishonors the Lord. (1 Cor 3:1-3 )
9. The devil doesn’t want the Gift of the Spirit in operation. He hates the revelation of God coming into a Church service. He hates truth and He is a liar and the father of lies. He doesn’t want people to be set free and blessed. (John 8:44 ).
10. The devil will try to hinder through false teaching, and the wrong exercise of Gifts. Abuse, neglect, ignorance, and wrong motives will discourage their operation.
11. Gifts are not earned or manifested through a person with the intent of validating a person’s character or justifying their behavior and lifestyle. Brooks, Steven.
12. We need to make room in the service for the Holy Spirit to manifest, and be sensitive to His leading. For Him to show forth in power and demonstration through leadership and congregants in a service. Leadership needs to teach and lead by example.
13. At times we need to be quiet before the Lord individually and corporately. That means it’s hard to hear the Holy Spirit if there is too much noise and distractions. Having times of quietness with music playing softly or times of silence in a worship service provides a safe space for the Holy Spirit to manifest.
14. We see sometimes that a prophecy is handwritten and given to the pastor to read in a service. This may be a good start in incorporating this into a service. It also can help a Pastor to discern if the prophecy is Biblical. However, you miss the spontaneity of the Spirit. A pastor who is familiar with those seasoned or mature can trust the spontaneity of the person giving a prophecy or a Diverse kind of tongues and interpretation. For those he is not familiar with, he will have to judge the content of the prophecy given (not the person). Is it edifying, exhorting, and comforting? This is done in the right moment and in love. It can be a teaching opportunity.
15. We do not possess or own all nine Gifts of the Spirit at conversion or when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We are however a prime candidate for the Holy Spirit to move through us in the Gifts of the Spirit as needed.
16. Rather than banishing the operation of these gifts entirely as some churches have done in fear of mayhem, ( 1 Thess. 5:19-20, 1 Cor. 14:39 -) We need to teach and demonstrate the Gifts of the Spirit. –1 Cor 2:4-5.
17. The answer to abuse is not non-use but instruction and demonstration. Rev. Gary Bailey
18. The more people are taught, see the demonstration of and the frequency of, will eliminate the fear of congregants operating in these things. They will be more likely to be bold and obey the Holy Spirit.
19. Order was needed in the Corinthian Church when it came to vocal gifts. To eliminate confusion and people competing with each other and overtalking one another. Or the wrong motive of simply just showing off their newfound experience of speaking in tongues.1 Cor 14:40, 1 Cor 14:33.
20. Apostle Paul mentions tongues last because the Corinthians were putting them first. Everyone wanted to be seen and heard using this gift in the church services. They all were like little children playing with a shiny new toy. They were all fighting each other to play with it. The foundations of the Corinthian church were not laid sufficiently for this gift to be a blessing to them. Rick McFarland
21. A pastor(s) can interpret the service and how it is to flow at a particular moment or time. At times a pastor can discern when a Diverse kind of tongue or Prophecy is to be given among the leadership or congregation. He can be drawn to a certain individual or be led by the Holy Spirit to go in a certain direction. The Holy Spirit leads in times of ministering healing, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, extended times of worship, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, or someone to give a specific exhortation, etc. He can encourage people by saying, “Does anyone have a Prophecy or a Message in Tongues, etc.”
22. It is wise to let the congregation and new visitors know ahead of time that in the service there will be opportunities to allow the Holy Spirit to move in their midst, especially with the vocal gifts. Also to identify who will interpret Messages in tongues.
23. It should always be remembered that the purpose of the Gifts is to edify the Church and its distribution within the body. It is completely dependent upon the discretion of the Holy Spirit –(1 Cor 12:11). Operating in the gifts we must stay in humility and give glory to God always ….since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Cor. 14:12).
24. Remember God the Holy Spirit is always willing to impart. Are we ready and willing? Do we give Him space?
25. The scriptures imply that it’s appropriate to seek specific gifts– 1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMP) -1 EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy. Pray about it let the Lord lead you.
26. Operating in the Gifts is not a sign of spiritual maturity- 1 Cor 3:1-3.
27. The supernatural love and compassion of God (not just emotional, or sympathy)
must be our motivation in operating in these gifts.1 Cor 13:1-8, 1 Cor 13:13. Not for personal gain, to be looked upon as someone super spiritual.
28. There is a difference between Spiritual Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit. Gifts are the Spirit’s manifestation through a vessel, but the Fruit is the offspring of one’s spiritual character.The Fruit of the Spirit is just as important as the Gifts of the Spirit. To protect from the pride of spiritual superiority. The Fruit of the Spirit supports the Gifts of the Spirit. Power without character can devastate. Acts 8:19-21, 3 John 1:9-12, Gal. 5:22-24.
29. The Spiritual Gifts come from God as a divine spiritual endowment. Anything that comes from heaven is going to get noticed. You have to prepare yourself to deal with people who want to put you on a pedestal when the gifts manifest through you. If you allow yourself to become exalted in pride, you will surely fall. Brooks, Steven
30. We are stewards of the Gifts not owners but in partnership with the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Cor 12:7, (Paul)- 1Cor 13:1, Rom 12:5-6,1 Cor 14:26
31. Spiritual gifts are to profit all, not just you. 1Cor 12:7
32. Gifts of the Spirit especially vocal gifts subject to our will and under our control. You can never say, “I couldn’t help or stop myself, I just had to give it.” 1 Cor 14:32
33. Gift of prophecy is to be judged- 1 Cor 14:29.
34. Do not forbid Tongues- 1 Cor 14:39
35. Do not quench or grieve the Spirit- Eph 4:30, 1 Thess 5:19. Fear, unbelief, control, and unwillingness to yield all quench the Holy Spirit.
36. Qualified interpreter -Pastor(s), Elder, trained congregant, guest speaker. (Let one interpret )- 1 Cor 14:13, 1 Cor 14:27.
37. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the doorway to the supernatural (Gifts of the Spirit).
38. The operation of Gifts of the Spirit releases an increased presence of God, alters the spiritual atmosphere, and it awakens faith for miracles to take place.
39. Christ did not arbitrarily move in the Gifts of the Spirit apart from the Father- You cant either. John 5:19, John 14:10, John 12:49
40. Gifts of the Spirit operate in Faith and Love-Rom 12:6, Gal 5:6, 1 Cor 14:1
41. Develop a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit by praying in the Holy Spirit- Jude 20, 1 Cor 14:2, 1 Cor 14:14-15
42. Diversity in ministering in the Gifts. Works through your personality, your style. We can’t be so ridged or cloned, and operate the same way someone else does.
43. Hearing the voice of God within and moving in the Gifts, sounds a lot like you.
44. You could potentially operate in all nine gifts of the Holy Spirit at different times as the Spirit leads. Generally speaking, there are certain ones that you frequently operate in to minister to others. It has to do with your specific calling.
In Christ’s Love:
Brent and Linda Bushen