Gifts of the Holy Spirit  

This lesson was my privilege to share on Sunday in the Bible Study Class as our teacher was called out of town.  It is long, and of course the discussions and examples our class had to offer cannot be included because of length. 

Many refer to Ephesians 4:11 as the 5 Fold Ministry gifts)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (WHY) - - For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts - -
(Which gift is the best?  - - The one needed at the time)

We will consider today the Spiritual Sign Gifts

I Corinthians 12:4 - - "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all."

12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

If you are feeling left out – take heart because Romans 12 considers other gifts which are indeed necessary and useful:  Service Gifts (Ministry) Romans 12:3-8

 

Prophecy, Ministry (helps - volunteer), Teaching

Exhorting, Giving, Ruling (governing) Mercy

(All done in Love…) 

The question arises how do I do this? The best place to start is by being filled with the Holy Spirit and the do as the Bible commands. Covet the best gifts; the GIFT that enhances your calling; The gift or gifts that help you and will bless others. 

Then do what every Spirit filled Christian can do and that is to use the prayer language that comes with the infilling of the Spirit realizing that;  

1 Corinthians 14:2 "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God."

 A necessary thought: Do not despair if your calling seems small, for in GOD"S sight it isn't the size of the ministry but the faithfulness in it. 

Let us continually remind ourselves that all Christians are called to serve in some capacity. If you are saved then you have a mission to fulfill. This must be your mind set. The manifold ways to serve are as different as the people are different.

 

We are not all called to be super heroes. In fact most are what can be called ordinary but there is one thing we all have in common. We have been placed in the body of Christ where GOD wants us to be!

1 Peter 4:10-11 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.

Let us think about these 3 words; Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom.  These can be used in the natural as we study God’s word.

However the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Supernatural and they are:  
found in I Corinthians 12: 7-11

1. Word of Knowledge:  (Knowing something you would have no way of knowing in the natural.) It is supernatural knowledge and insight being given directly to you by the Holy Spirit Himself, not by your own mind or your own intelligence.
Example:  God may give you knowledge of an impending danger, or knowledge of something going on in a friends life, without you being told of it, or as down to earth as to where your lost keys are.

2. Word of Wisdom:  (Sharing wise words given to you Supernaturally by the Holy Spirit.) This may be supernatural words of wisdom God will give you to share with an individual.  Example: Supernaturally God will show you how to solve a problem.   This can also be Godly wisdom imparted while teaching. 

3. The Gift of Prophecy: (Speaking out for God)  This gift is when you get a direct Word from the Lord to give to someone else. Often the message from the Lord given to you will be literally word for word. When you get one of these, you need to try and either write or type all of it out if you are in a place to be able to do so.  It is important not to add your opinion, but only speak what has been given to you.  This gift of prophecy is to speak edification, exhortation, and comfort to other people.  Usually it is NOT a doom and gloom message.  You may also prophecy as you pray, knowing it is God’s will; that all be saved.

4.  The Gift of Faith: (Supernatural faith above our normal faith) This is supernatural faith to solve a difficult problem.  We all have a measure of natural faith.  The gift of Faith is to be used out of your comfort zone.
Example.  A miracle of healing is needed, (such as blind eyes) and God rises up special faith in you and you act upon it and a miracle happens.

 

5. The Gifts of Healings: (Praying for the sick and God supernaturally healing them)  Be bold and  have the courage to speak out what He wants you to say to that person, and then lay hands on that person for the healing power to be transmitted into their body to the affected body part that will need the healing.  Notice this is Gifts plural.  Some ministers seem to have a special anointing for certain diseases and illnesses.
   
   
6. Gift of Working of Miracles: (Transcends natural laws.) A divine act by which God reveals Himself to people.   Example.  Feeding a large group with a small amount of food, stopping a storm, walking on water.  Supernatural protection from harm.

7. Discerning of Spirits:  (Ability to view into the 3 types of spirits and deal with spiritual problems.) The first thing to notice about this gift is that the “s” in the word “spirits” is with a small “s.” This means that it is not referring to the Holy Spirit.  Consider that there are three kinds of spirits:

1.     Demonic spirits  (Demons and evil spirits)

2.     God’s angels   (Understand that angels are protecting you)

3.     Human spirits  (Can be joyful and a spirit of gratitude or a person can have a bad spirit such as anger or pride.)

The Holy Spirit will give you supernatural discernment, insight, and knowledge involving these three kinds of spirits. Many times, this gift will be used to fully expose what is really going on and operating behind the scenes with someone.

8. The Gift of Tongues: (Using our Prayer language, or giving a message to the body) The gift of tongues is simply the Holy Spirit giving you the supernatural ability to speak in an unknown tongue that you have no knowledge or ability to speak out on your own.

There are two types of tongues He can give you. One is a tongue understood by others but not known by you.  The other type of tongue that He can give you is a tongue direct from heaven, a heavenly language that is not of this earth.

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that there are “tongues of angels.”  And whatever tongue the Holy Spirit will give you, you will be able to use it 24/7, whenever you want.  It will be your own personal, private, prayer language between you and the Lord.  Many times you will have knowledge of whom or what you are praying about, just not how you are asking God to intervene.  But understand you are praying the divine will of God.

9. The Gift of Interpretation: (Giving the interpretation or meaning of a message in tongues.)  This gift is where the Holy Spirit will give you the interpretation of the tongues that you have either spoken for yourself or the interpretation of a message given by someone else in a church setting.

Here are the two main verses telling you where the gift of interpretation will come into play with the gift of tongues:

1.     “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.” (1 Corinthians 14: 27-28)

2.     “Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-14)

The first verse has to do with others interpreting a tongue when it is done in a church service. The second verse is showing you that the Holy Spirit can give you the interpretation of your own tongue.

Understand that many of these gifts work together and may be used in tandem to bring about what God desires to do.

Any Christian can get them-selves in a proper position to receive these 9 gifts, as the apostle Paul himself tells us not to be afraid to stir up these 9 specific gifts from the Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Paul also says, he speaks in tongues more than you all – and do NOT forbid to speak in tongues, but desire to prophesy. 

Reminder - - All the Supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit work by LOVE.