EPISODE 0028 | The Holy Spirit Works Through Us
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0028
The Holy Spirit empowers us through spiritual gifts, but what do those gifts look like, and how do they enable us to minister to others? Pastor Stephen answers these questions today, and also discusses the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer for works of service.
The Bible is a prescription for our lives not just a description of history or facts.
Three Callings of a Christian:
1. You’re called to follow Jesus.
Matthew 16:13-15: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
2. You’re called to a local church.
● The Church is a FAMILY. Born into family. We operate primarily on the basis of relationships, not rules.
1 Timothy 5:1-2: Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
● The Church is a BODY. Grow and discover your place. We are a body, not a business. Therefore, we function on the basis of spiritual gifts and character.
I Corinthians 12:27: 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
3. You’re called to make a difference in your vocation.
● God created you to fix problems and do good things.
Ephesians 2:10: 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
● You do whatever you do as if you were working for Jesus.
Colossians 3:23-24: 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses.
INTRINSIC GIFTS: GIFTS OF THE FATHER
Romans 12:6-8: (NASB) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophetic Gift
Service Gift
Teaching Gift
Exhortation Gift
Giving Gift
Leadership Gift
Mercy Gift
CHURCH LEADERSHIP GIFTS: GIFTS OF THE SON
Ephesians 4:11-12: (NASB) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ…
Apostles – Kingdom Entrepreneurs
Prophets – Bold Truth Tellers – Redemptive New Testament Gift
Evangelists – Gathering gift, above and beyond ability to reach people
Pastors – Shepherd, mercy gift to patiently walk with people
Teachers – Ability to make God’s Word so simple and clear
MANIFESTATION GIFTS: GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NASB): 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
Word of Wisdom: A word of wisdom can be defined as a supernatural provision of divine wisdom or a right application of knowledge.
Word of Knowledge: “supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future which were not learned through the efforts of the natural mind”
Faith: The spiritual gift of faith is “a sudden surge of faith, usually in a crisis, to confidently believe without a doubt, that as we act or speak in Jesus’ Name it shall come to pass”
Gifts of Healing: Healing obviously refers to removing diseases from the spirit, soul, or body. Most of us can quickly think of diseases of the body, but diseases of the spirit, such as bitterness, greed, and guilt, can be healed as well, by the power of God. Some of the diseases of the soul are discouragement, worry, jealousy, and other destructive attitudes.
Effecting of Miracles: Based on the definitions of the Greek words, this is a supernatural ability to serve others as a channel of God’s miracle-working power. Natural or supernatural events with precise timing that brings glory to God are another way that working of miracles is observed in our midst.
Prophecy: The gift of prophecy is the only gift that is included in all 3 categories. “Prophesying, however, is directly proclaiming the mind of God, by the inspiration and prompting of the Holy Spirit, and not from one’s own thoughts. It is supernatural speech in a known language . . .”
Discerning of Spirits: by this gift, the believer is enabled to know immediately what is motivating a person or situation
How do we approach spiritual gifts?
Scripture gives us clear guidelines for how we’re supposed to use our gifts. Otherwise, it can easily turn into chaos.
1. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not a sign of spiritual maturity.
2. Don’t be ignorant about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. We’re commanded to pursue love and then eagerly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
RESOURCES:
Honest To God • 365-Days Of Personal Devotion™ By Stephen Martin
Honest To God is a 365-Day Personal Devotional designed to help you grow closer to God each day through intentional personal devotion that prioritizes worship, Bible study, prayer, and community By following this simple but powerful template, you will grow closer to God and His plan for your life.