Receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Romans 12:6-8 1 Peter 4:10-11

Transcription

1 Receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Romans 12:6-8 1 Peter 4:10-11

2 Heidelberg Catechism Q and A 53 Q. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit? A. He has been given to me personally so that by true faith, he makes me share in Christ and all his blessings, comforts me and remains with me forever.

3 When will the Gifts of the Spirit cease? 1 Cor. 13:8-10 As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

4 CRC Synod 2009 (page 590) Counsel to the churches about the third wave movement: Gratefully accept all the ways in which the Holy Spirit manifests his work in this movement for God s glory, notably in demonstrating the present reality of the spiritual gifts (charismata) recorded in Scripture and of being filled with the Holy Spirit in different ways and on multiple occasions.

5 Paul s desire: Informed and Seeking Informed about Spiritual Gifts (= message) 1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. Seeking Spiritual Gifts (= prayer time) 1 Cor 14:1 NIV earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. ISV keep on desiring spiritual gifts. NRSV strive for the spiritual gifts. GNB Set your hearts on spiritual gifts.

6 Variety Variety of Gifts: Knowing, Doing, and Speaking Gifts Variety of Service Variety of Activities or Working

7 Discovery of Gifts Natural Talents = Creation Gifts Our Interests The things we are naturally good at Acquired Skills Our training Our Experiences Spiritual Gifts (Charismata)

8 David as an Example Natural Talent: Musical skills to sooth the troubled king Acquired Skills: Slingshot used to slay an enemy of Israel Spiritual Gift: Faith to defend God s name Leadership to produce a triumphant period in Israel s history

9 Saul as an Example: Positive Natural Talent: 1 Sam 9:2 Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. Acquired Skill in Warfare: 1 Sam 9:15 Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. Spiritual Gift: Administration: 1 Sam 9:17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people. Prophesy: 10:6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 10:10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.

10 Saul as a Negative Example: Fruit and Gifts Saul s lack of trust in God 1 Sam 13:11-12 Saul replied, When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord s favor. So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering. Saul s disobedience of God: 1 Sam 15:22-23 To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Anti-Christ: 1 Sam 16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.

11 Word of Wisdom Knowing Gifts Word of Knowledge Discernment of Spirits

12 Word of Wisdom Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, Give back to Caesar what is Caesar s and to God what is God s. And they were amazed at him. Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Mike H.

13 Word of Knowledge Mark 14:13 Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Mark 14:30 And Jesus said to him, Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. John 4:18 Jesus said to her, You are right in saying, I have no husband ; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. Luke 2:26 Simeon: It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord s Messiah.

14 Discernment of Spirits John 2:24-25 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Acts 13:9-11 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. (Elymas the magician or Bar-Jesus 12 Then the proconsul believed)

15 My Experiences Lack of Discernment of Spirits: Yellowstone Concert Discern the difference between my thoughts, God s voice, and the voice of the Satan The still small voice of the Holy Spirit: Two Levels Living Direction when going out cold calling: Roger s Plaza The Spirit draws my attention to Julie The Lord leads me to a country church by Beauty and the Beast At the minister s promise keeper s meeting God says get ready.

16 My Experiences: Gift of Knowledge Evangelism: Direction when going out cold calling: Roger s Plaza (meet Dave B.) Major Changes in my Life The Spirit draws my attention to Julie The Lord leads me to a country church by Beauty and the Beast At the minister s promise keeper s meeting God says get ready.

17 Doing Gifts: Healing Jesus: Matt 4:24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Church: Acts 5:15-16 People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

18 Doing Gifts: Miracles Jesus: Walking on water; feeding the 5000; resurrection from the dead Church: Acts 19:11-12 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

19 My Experiences Holy Spirit Retreat: Arm out of its socket When the pain came back Jessica Duininck Cancer; doctor give her 18 months to live. Ask to be anointed with oil by the church council. Pray first for direction and then for her. Healed by prayer and surgery but the doctor said she would never have children. January 1995 her grandmother Helen Stroopman had a dream where an angel came and said that Jessie would have a baby girl. Helen died Feb. 7 of cancer but in March Jessica get pregnant and had a baby girl in December.

20 Doing Gifts: Faith Luke 18:42 And Jesus said to him, Recover your sight; your faith has made you well. Matt 13:58 Jesus at Nazareth: And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Romans 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith. Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. Acts 14:9 Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, Stand up on your feet! At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

21 Doing Gifts: Financial Contributions Rom 12:8a the one who contributes, in generosity Phil 4:18 I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 2 Cor. 8:1-2 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. Businesses that tithe History s Handful and Bill Bright Dutton Christian School: not build until they have the money

22 Doing Gifts: Administration and Helps Rom 12:8b the one who leads, with zeal 1 Cor. 12:28 right after gifts of healing: helping, administrating Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. Rom 12:8c the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness Acts 9:36 Dorcas was full of good works and acts of charity. Phil 2:25 Epaphroditus whom you sent to take care of my needs.

23 Doing Gifts: Craftsmanship and Musicians Exod 31:2-4 See, I have chosen Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze. 2 Chron 5:12-14 All the Levites who were musicians Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

24 Speaking Gifts: Prophesy Foretelling and Forthtelling 1 Cor. 14:1 earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. Purpose 14:3 the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Examples: Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

25 Examples of Prophesy in the Church Ignatius, Philadelphians 7 I called out when I was with you, I was speaking with a loud voice, God s voice: Pay attention to the bishop and to the presbytery and deacons. To be sure, there were those who suspected that I said these things because I knew in advance about the division caused by certain people. But he for whose sake I am in chains is my witness, that I did not learn this from any human being. No, the Spirit itself was preaching, saying these words: Do nothing without the bishop. Guard your bodies as the temple of God. Love unity. Flee from divisions. Become imitators of Jesus Christ, just as he is of his Father. The name Christ s Community at prayer meeting in Fuller CRC Frequently in the first person: Rev 21:6 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

26 Speaking Gifts: Tongues Two sides in Paul s Teaching: 1 Cor 14:5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues. 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 14:15 I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 14:19 in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Purpose: 1 Cor 14:4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves. Last and Least of the gifts: End of the list in 1 Cor 12:28, 30.

27 Examples of Speaking in Tongues My testimony: an accompanying blessing to power for witnessing The only person who can live the Christian life is Jesus Christ. You have to give up being a Christian. Acts 1:8a But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Unexpected Story of Tim and Linda Postema (Cory Van Sponsen s daughter in law)

28 Speaking Gifts: Interpretation of Tongues 1 Cor 14:13 one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. = prophesy Power: 1 Cor 14:24-25 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, God is really among you! God places a word or picture in your mind. You are in control: 1 Cor 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. Like Peter you must step out of the boat and walk on water. My experience: in church services, prayer meetings, care group

29 Prayer of Surrender: Laura Story: Open Hands The sweetest sound, the highest praise is the letting go of this life you gave. Our greatest prayer, our act of faith is an open hand, Lord have your way. Take it all, every hope, every dream, every plan. Take it all, every weight, all the shame and brokenness. Jesus, I surrender all. every victory and loss. Take it all, take it all, till all I have is open hands. I m not afraid of what I ll lose. My greatest joy is finding you.