Using God's Gifts Effectively PDF

8/14/2019 Using God's Gifts Effectively PDF

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A study on the Gifts of The Holy Spirit

by Pastor Tony Sands

Using

Gods

Gifts

Effectively!


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The Gifts of The Holy SpiritBy Pastor Tony Sands

All of us love gifts. Come birthdays, Easter or Christmas, we look forward to the

gifts that we would receive from others. The gift that you receive must be one you

can use, for it to be enjoyed. God has given gifts to the Church. The gifts are from

God for the believer to enhance your Christian life and cause you to live more victo-

riously , led by His Spirit.

The same way you would not want a gift given by you to be shoved away, never to

be used, so it is with Gods gifts. He does not expect you to never use it!

Being ignorant about Gods gifts renders them useless to us. For many Churches who do

not teach about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or allow the believers to exercise their faith for

them, will hold the church back from certain growth both naturally and spiritually.

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." The word

"ignorant" means "not to perceive or know; not to understand or comprehend" (Bullingers).

No one will flow in the gifts if there is no desire to. God responds to desire (Psalm 37:4;

Psalm 145:16-19; Psalm 21:2). "The desire of the righteous shall be granted" (Proverbs

10:24).

Paul desired to impart Spiritual Gifts into the saints: "For I long("to desire earnestly") tosee you, that I may impart("to give a share of") unto you some spiritual("belonging to

the Spirit, determined by, influenced by or proceeding from it" - Bullingers) gift, to the

end you may be established("set fast, fixed firmly") (Romans 1:11, KJV).

The Apostle also exhorted us to:

" . . . covet("be zealous for") earnestly ("serious in mind or intention; demanding serious

attention" - Collins) the best gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31, KJV).

"Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts . . . " (1 Corinthians 14:1).

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."

The word "ignorant" means "not to perceive or know; not to understand or com-

prehend" (Bullingers).


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HAVE THE RIGHT MOTIVATION:

Make sure that your motivation is always to build up God and His people. The Gifts of the

Holy Spirit are always to edify, exhort and comfort people (1 Corinthians 14:1-3). To minis-

ter effectively in the gifts one needs to love people, have good relationships with people,

have an acceptance by the people otherwise so much of what we have to share with them

will be rejected.

The Word of Knowledge1 Corinthians 12:8

Let us, first of all, break it down to its original Greek meanings:

"Word" Greek: "logos" is "the spoken word; the word spoken, not writ-

ten" (Bullingers).

"Knowledge": Greek: "gnosis" is "knowing, or recognition, the knowl-

edge or understanding of a thing, the insight which manifests itself in the

thorough understanding of the subjects with which it meets and in the

conduct determined thereby" (Bullingers).

A word of knowledge is a definite conviction, impression, or knowing that comes to you in

a similitude (a mental picture), a dream, through a vision, or by a Scripture that is quick-

ened to you. It is supernatural insight or understanding of circumstances, situations, prob-

lems, or a body of facts by revelation; that is, without assistance by any human resource but

solely by divine aid.

"This is the supernatural revelation of fact about a person or situation, which is not learned

through the efforts of the natural mind, but is a fragment of knowledge freely given by God,disclosing the truth which the Spirit wishes to be made known concerning a particular per-son or situation"(John Wimber, "Vineyard Fellowships,"U.S.A.).

Some Examples

JESUS:The woman at the well. (John 4:4-42)

The impact of this word was a transformed life on her part and many of the Samaritans be-

came believers. Revival came to their village!

ANANIAS:The conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-31, especially Verse10-18).

The Word Of Knowledge, therefore, is knowledge received from the Holy Spirit to

enable us to more effectively minister to the needs of people, to know and understand

situations, circumstances, strategies of the enemy (kingdoms of darkness), etc. It ena-

bles us to know how to speak in the above situations with a knowledge that can surprise,

baffle, dis-arm, open-up, bring answers, healing and understanding.


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CORNELIUS:To find Simon Peter (Acts 10:1-8).

PETER:To help him break his bigotry against the Gentiles

(Acts10:917 & Acts11:2-19).

PETER: When the three men from Cornelius came looking for him (Acts 10:17-21).

PETER:When he exposed the sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). (Peter was

functioning in the authority of an apostle here).

PAUL: Knew a man called Ananias (not the same Ananias of Acts 5) would come and

put his hand on him and pray for him to receive his sight (Acts 9:4-18; Acts 22:7-16).

PAUL: Was warned of God to get out of Jerusalem quickly (Acts 22:17-21).

THE PROPHETS:At Antioch had a Word of Knowledge that Barnabas and Paul were

to be separated for the work of God (Acts 13:1-4).

PAUL: And the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9-10).

PHILIP: Was told to jump on the Ethiopians chariot (Acts 8:26-40)

Old Testament

It is possible that the Word of Knowledge operated through Spirit-filled men in the Old

Testament:

ELIJAH:In showing himself to King Ahab (1 Kings 8:1-2).

ELIJAH:In the choosing of Elisha to succeed him (1Kings19:15-16).

ELISHA: Over the deeds of Gehazi his servant (2 Kings 5:20-27).

JOSHUA: - Joshua knowing about Achan's sin. (Joshua 7:10-11)

ELISHA: - Elisha knowing that Gehazi lied to Naaman. (II Kings 5:20-27)


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The Word of Wisdom

Definition:A supernatural ability the Holy Spirit gives believers at certain times to

speak divinely inspired words about a given issue or circumstance forthe purpose of providing insight, interpretation, counsel and guidance.

Reveals the mind of God concerning a specific life situation and right-

ly applies appropriate knowledge to it. Can be found in inspired preach-

ing, teaching and words of personal revelation. It is seeing life from

Gods perspective.

This type of wisdom is a gift which cannot be gained through study or experience and

should by no means try to replace them. The gift of the word of wisdom is seeing life from

God's perspective. As a Christian exercises this gift, he begins to develop a fear of the

Lord. This is the "beginning of wisdom"according to Proverbs 9:10.

It is a supernatural perspective to ascertain the divine means for accomplishing God's willin a given situation, and is a divinely given power to appropriate spiritual intuition in prob-

lem solving.

Furthermore, this gift involves having a sense of divine direction, being led by the Holy

Spirit to act appropriately in a given set of circumstances, and rightly applying knowledge.

The gift of wisdom is the wisdom of God. It is the supernatural impartation of facts; it is

not natural. You can't earn it. It is received from God through prayer.

The word "wisdom" comes from the Greek word "sophia"or"sofia"and means:

"cleverness, skill; a right application of knowledge" (Bullinger's);

"the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, under-

standing, common sense, and insight" (Collins).

There are three types of wisdom:

The wisdom of God (I Corinthians 2:6-7)

The wisdom of the world (I Corinthians 2:6)The wisdom of man (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the

knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17)


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Wisdom is applying knowledge with skill.

In the Biblical account of the wise and foolish man who built

their houses - one on a rock, the other on the sand - the wise

man rightly applied the word of Jesus. The foolish man

heard exactly the same words from the mouth of the same

Jesus, but did not apply them

correctly. As a result he came to

ruin (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke

6:46-49).

The word of wisdom comes from the mouth of Jesus. Let's make

sure we are listening and acting accordingly!

Some Examples

The Apostle Paul before the council (Acts 23:6).

Noticing the two different religious groups, Paul applied wisdom from God to deal with

their accusations against him.

Jesus answer to the question regarding taxes (Matthew 22:15-22).

When they tried to trick Jesus, He replied with the wisdom that comes from His Father.

The Apostle Paul in dealing with the spirit of divination in a young lady (Acts

16:16-18).

Paul did not "rush in" straightaway and deliver the girl. He waited "many days" before con-

fronting it. That was wisdom. This example does not mean that a similar case would neces-

sarily be handled the same way. We may need to act today, or tomorrow, next week, next

month, next year. Let wisdom prevail! Wisdom gets the timing right!

The Apostle Peter in dealing with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-16).

Peter used the word of wisdom to make sure that both Ananias and Sapphira exposed their

own evil doings and so suffered the consequences of their own actions. He did not accuse

Sapphira on the confession of her husband alone, but wisely heard from her as well.


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The Apostle Paul in the healing of the cripple (Acts 14:7-10).

Here is a good example of spiritual knowledge skilfully and rightly applied. The cripple's

faith rose as Paul preached. Paul perceived in the spirit what was happening and, through

the word of wisdom, knew the right moment to release the man's faith to be healed. He

was healed.

Solomon passing judgment on a child (1 Kings 3:16-28).

A good Old Testament example is that of Solomon passing judgment on the women who

were arguing over their two children - one dead and one alive. Both women were claiming

that the remaining live child was their's and the dead child was the other's. Solomon called

for a sword to divide the remaining live child in two, so the women could have half each!

When Solomon made that decision known, the true mother of the living child cried out to

give her child to the other woman (in order to save its life). Solomon then knew who the

real mother was. This judgment from Solomon caused all Israel to "see that the wisdom ofGod was in him, to do judgment" (1 Kings 3:28).

Walter A. Elwell in his "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology" writes on the word of wis-

dom:

"An important part of the Spirit's

endowment, so far as the Christian com-

munity was concerned, was wisdom. This gift

would communicate ability to receive and explain 'thedeep things of God'(1 Corinthians 2:9-16). In God's dealings

with men much is mysterious, and the ordinary Christian is often in

need of a word that will throw light upon his situation; and the per-

son filled by the Spirit to fulfil this ministry is through the Spirit

given the word of wisdom.


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Discerning of Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God;

because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1John 4:1)

Another passage where prophecy is followed by judging is this

one: Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine every-thing carefully; hold fast to that which is good

(1Thessalonians 5:20, 21).

Definition

Recognizing what is of God verses the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Examples

Paul recognizing that the girl in Philippi had a spirit of divination.

Discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to perceive the

source of a spiritual manifestation and determine whether it is of God (Acts 10:30-35), ofthe devil (Acts 16:16-18), of man (Acts 8:18-23), or of the world. It is not mind reading,

psychic phenomena, or the ability to criticize and find fault.

Discerning of spirits must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit; He bears witness with

our spirit when something is or is not of God. The gift of discerning of spirits is the super-

natural power to detect the realm of the spirits and their activities. It implies the power of

spiritual insight - the supernatural revelation of plans and purposes of the enemy and his

forces. It is a gift which protects and guards your Christian life.

How to Test a Spirit

You can discern or test whether or not a spirit is of God by the following three ways:

1 Observing what a person does. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus explains that false prophets

are known by their fruit - by their conduct and actions

2 Observing whether or not a person exalts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as Lord

and Saviour (I Corinthians 12:3).

3 By listening to what a person says (I John 4:1-3). Does their confession line up with

the truth of God's Word?


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The Gift of Discerning of Spirits, which generally comes from the Baptism in the Holy

Spirit (Acts 1:8) is a valuable aid from the Holy Spirit to allow us to tell whether some-

thing is of the flesh (that is, human motivation), of the Holy Spirit, or of demonic influ-

ence. This Gift of the Holy Spirit allows us to protect ourselves and our loved ones from

deception from the enemy - which may come in the form of false doctrine, human manipu-

lation, cults, bad influence, etc.!

The father of the demon-afflicted child understood in the natural that there was a dumb

spirit. Jesus was able to discern more, in verse Mark 9:25. This was a dumb and deaf spirit.

Remember that while Jesus is God, when He walked on this earth He depended on the Ho-

ly Spirit just as much as we need to, for he could do nothing of his own accord.


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The Gifts of Healings

The Gifts of Healings is the first of the Power Gifts that we will deal

with. The gifts are to be imparted for the benefit of others.

Listen to Pauls words as he writes to those in Rome;

His desire was to depart the gifts of God flowing in his life so that they can be encouraged

in their faith.

Whatever Gift we are flowing in, it must be so that God is glorified. It must NOT bring

attention to us!

What It Is Not!

A. NOT SIMPLY MEDICAL SCIENCE

Let me first say that I believe in medical science, and I encourage sick people to visit a

medical doctor. However, this gift cannot simply be medical science because any sinner

can learn medical science without the leading or the anointing of the Holy Spirit. There is

sometimes a supernatural element at the root of some diseases which cannot be dealt with

by medical science. Such disease cannot be cured by any natural knowledge, natural treat-

ment, or other method of natural man.

B. NOT SPIRITISM

The gift of healing is not spiritism which sometimes seems to cure the sick. Spiritism often

brings a patient to an early death. Spiritism is of the devil and according to John 10:10 thedevil's motives are to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil may give one the feeling or the

idea of being healed, but it is only temporary and it opens the door to something worse.

Matt.12:26 tells us that Satan does not come to cast out himself.

Romans 1:11 -For I long to see you, that I may impart to yousome spiritual gift, so that you may be established 12 that is,

that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutualfaith both of you and me.

Romans 12:6 -Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry,

let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, inexhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who

shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Peter 4:10 -As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as goodstewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the ora-cles 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 theglory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.


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C. NOT EXTREME UNCTION

The Roman Catholic Church practices a sacrament known as Extreme Unction in which a

priest visits the sick just before death and anoints the dying with oil. This sacrament is

never given to bring healing but to prepare the sick for death. The pretense for this

"unction" of dying men is supposedly taken from James 5:14-15. The passage reads, "Is

any sick among you? ...let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over

him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the

sick, and the Lord shall RAISE HIM UP." Now, it is evident that this prayer and anointing

were intended for the RECOVERY of the sick and not merely as a preparation for death.

The "Extreme Unction" of RCC is not intended for healing or recovery but for preparation

of death when all hope of recovery is supposedly gone, and death is seen as imminent.

There is no expectation of healing when the Roman sacrament of Extreme Unction is ad-

ministered. This is not in the least bit associated with God's gifts of healing.

DEFINITION

PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this gift is to prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. To prove His power to forgive sins.

And

His name,

through faith in

His name, has made

this man strong, whom

you see and know. Yes,

the faith which comes

through Him has givenhim this perfect sound-

ness in the presence

of you all.

Acts 3:16

Jesus Christ is the same

yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 11:8

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has poweron earth to forgive sinsHe said to the

paralytic,

Mark 2:10

The Spiritual gift of healing is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God

that miraculously brings healing and deliverance from disease and infirmities

whether functional, organic, or nervous. It is the power of God that destroys the

work of the devil in the human body.


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3. to build faith and save souls

4. to confirm the Word of God

5. to bring glory to God.

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

2 Kings 5 records the prophet Elisha telling Naaman to go and wash 7 times in the Jordan

River.

Isaiah 38:1-6 tells how Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and besought God alone for

healing. The Lord sent Isaiah the prophet with a healing balm which God used to heal

Hezekiah and add 15 more years to his life.

NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

Acts 28:1-7 gives the account of Paul on the island of Melitus laying his hands on Publius

who was very sick with a fever and a bloody flux, and he was healed.

Acts 3:1-10 gives the account of Peter taking a lame man by the hand and leading him to

be healed in the name of Jesus. It was Luke the physician who stated the man's condition

both before and after the healing.

Acts 9:32-35 reveals Peter speaking to a man who had been bedfast for 8 years.

Acts 8:6-7 reveals the ministry of a deacon in the early church named Philip. He was not

an apostle or a prophet, he was just a deacon, a servant of God. The lame and those who

were sick with palsy were healed under his ministry.

Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His

signs which He performed on those who were diseased.

John 6:2

Mark 16:17-20

Immediately he arose, took up the bed,

and went out in the presence of them all,

so that all were amazed and glorified

God, saying, We never saw anything

like this!

Mark 2:12

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will castout demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if

they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on

the sick, and they will recover.

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, andsat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere,

the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying

signs. Amen.


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Faith

The Bible tells us that "God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." [Romans 12:3]

However, the "gift" of faith is a special gift or ability (which God imparts to some people)

to do exploits ... or to reach out in faith to do great works for God: for example, to evange-

lise every nation, tribe, tongue, and dialect of the earth for Christ.

All of the gifts of the Spirit operate through the channel of faith. The INPUT to build your

faith (so you have a channel, or conductor, through which the gifts may operate) is the

Word of God.

The OUTPUT to release the gifts (from the channel of faith) is love. [Galatians 5:6].

So the Word of God builds your faith and gives you a channel through which the gifts can

flow; then, love motivates you to allow the gifts to operate: whether you "feel" like it or

not!

What It Is Not!

1. NOT SIMPLY CONFIDENCE

It is not natural courage or confidence. It is not ambition or natural business ability. These

are very important and they keep people going, but they should not be confused with the

gift of faith. Even those who deny the Spirit of God may possess courage and confidence.

There are many things that a person can do in the natural to build one's confidence, but the

gift of faith is not built up by natural means. It is a manifestation of the Spirit of God(1Cor.12:7).

"So then

faith comes by hearing, and

hearing by the Word of God"Romans 10:17

"Faith ...

works bylove"

Galatians 5:6


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2. NOT SAVING FAITH

It is not saving faith, which every Christian must have in order to truly be a Christian. The

gift of faith is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit to help someone who is al-

ready a Christian.

3. NOT SIMPLY HOPING SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN

The gift of faith is not simply trying to have faith. It doesn't come from gesturing, scream-

ing, yelling, jumping, or supposing. It is not guess-work, predicting, or positive confession.

Simply hoping something will happen may keep a person working towards a goal, but it is

not a manifestation of the Spirit of God. A person doesn't necessarily need the Holy Spirit

to hope something good will happen.

4. NOT ONE'S THEOLOGY

It is not a doctrine, a theory, a dogma, a theological principle, a disciplined prayer life, a

conviction, a creed, or any man-made policy. It is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy

Spirit.

5. NOT A PLEA FOR MONEY

It is not someone standing up before an audience at a church, or speaking over the radio

begging for money, and claiming they have a "faithwork." It is not someone who claimsthe call of God to go but demands a certain amount of money before he goes. That is not

the Holy Spirit manifesting a gift of faith, that is a man manifesting a demand for cash.

DEFINITION


It was the gift of faith that caused Abraham to claim that God had given him a son even

before he saw any natural evidence. He understood that God "...calleth those things which

be not as though they were."

Through the gift of faith, the children of Israel marched around the city of Jericho claimingthat God had given them the city (past tense) before the walls ever fell.

The Spiritual gift of faith is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of

God that miraculously drops the assurance of the answer to one's prayers

into his heart, even BEFORE he sees it come to pass with his natural eyes.

It is believing you have it WHEN you pray (Mark 11:24). It is knowing the

roots are cursed before you see the tree die.


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Elijah had the assurance that there would be no rain for three and a half years. By the gift

of faith, he had assurance that it would rain when he asked for rain, even though he

couldn't see the rain.

By the gift of faith, Elisha had the assurance that the victory would be won in the camp the

day before the natural eyes saw it come to pass. No wonder he could tell the man so(II Kings 7:1).


By the gift of faith Jesus rested his head on the pillow DURING the storm. He already had

the assurance they. were going over to the other side (Mk.4:35).

Ananias had the assurance, even before he went to see Paul, that Paul would receive theHoly Ghost (Acts 9).

Paul knew by a divine revelation that no man would lay hands on him to do him harm. He

acted accordingly. (Faith is an act, faith without works is dead). Real faith is trust.

The Bible speaks of several different types of faith which increase from faith to faith

(Romans 1:17):

Saving faith - faith which gets you into Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Fruit of faith - faith which gets Heaven into you (Galatians 5:22-23) .

Gift of faith - stems from saving faith and the fruit of faith; It is the ability to believe for

the miraculous (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

This gift not only operates in healings and in miracles, but in the realm of the impossible as

well. Saving faith produces the active faith of the fruit of the Spirit which, in turn, produc-

es the gift of faith.

When the gift of faith is empowered, the results are miraculous!

For assuredly,

I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,

Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt

in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be

done, he will have whatever he says.

Mark 11:23


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Working of Miracles

1 Corinthians 12:10 - To another the working ofmiracles ;

Sometimes physical healings in the body are really the result of the working of creative

miracles: such as eyeballs, ear drums, or voice boxes being created by God where there

were none before, or where they had been destroyed. Healing may be slow or fast, but mir-

acles (which produce healing) are usually instantaneous.

The working of miracles, however, is not just related to healing alone. Miracles are super-

natural (extra-natural, "outside of nature") events to change the force of nature: as when

Elisha caused the axe head to float, and when Elijah parted the Jordan river.

What It Is Not!

1. NOT SO-CALLED MIRACLES OF SCIENCE

The gift of the working of miracles is not what some call "miracles of science." Natural

science is not a supernatural miracle. It is a natural man using natural intellect to deal withnatural laws. Natural wisdom is foolishness when compared to God's wisdom.

Some preachers stand in their pulpit attempting to explain 1Cor.12:10 and refer to the

"marvelous miracle age" in which we are now living. But the modern medical science and

machine age are produced by natural brains and it has nothing to do with manifestation of

the Spirit of God which is known as "the working of miracles."

2. NOT SIMPLY A WONDER OF NATURE

This gift must not be reduced to a surprise or wonder. Many people look at the wonders of

nature and say, "Oh, that is a miracle." Some who are unlearned in the things of God at-

tempt to reduce "the working of miracles" to a time in the distant past when God created

this magnificent world in which we live. However, "the working of miracles" is a manifes-

tation of the Spirit of God in our day.

In 1Cor 1:7 the Apostle Paul prays under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the church

would not lose any spiritual gifts until the Lord Jesus returns. Thus, the gift of "working of

miracles" has not been relegated to the distant past. It is a current gift which will remain in

operation for at least until Jesus returns.

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly

waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus

Christ,

1 Corinthians 1:7


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3. NOT SIMPLY A SURPRISE

Often, when modern church buildings, college buildings, hospital buildings, school build-

ings, etc. are completed, someone will say, "It's a miracle of God." However, a building in

and of itself is not a miracle. It may be surprising that it was ever completed. It may be

surprising that it turned out decent and usable. But, such things can also be produced by

natural sinners who fight against God's miracle working power.

4. NOT MODERN SURGICAL SKILLS

This gift cannot be our modern surgical skills, though such skills are very valuable. Our

modern surgeons can take man apart but they cannot put him together again. They sew

him together with surgical stitches but they must wait for the wound to heal. There is noth-

ing supernatural about that. Doctors who do not even know God can possess modern surgi-

cal skills.

DEFINITION

What It Is!

1. IT IS SIGNS AND WONDERS

The working of miracles is signs and wonders.

It is always supernatural and contrary to nature. It is used to confirm the Word of God

preached by God's servants. God works miracles to build faith in His Word.

The Spiritual gift of working of miracles is a supernatural

manifestation of the Spirit of God doing a supernatural act

that none of the other eight spiritual gifts do.

Mark 16:17- And these signs will follow those who believe: In

My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new

tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anythingdeadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the

sick, and they will recover.

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was receivedup into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And

they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with

them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

Amen.


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The absence of miracles will often cause people to doubt God's Word. For instance, when

God called Gideon, Gideon asked God, "If I am a mighty man of valor where are all the

miracles?" This was why Moses asked God to be with him to perform miracles. This is

why Elisha asked, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" This is why God told Joshua, "As I

was with Moses so I will be with thee." This is why we are required to do the same things

Jesus did and take up the work He left off.

2. MIRACLES ACCOMPLISH GOD'S DIVINE WILL

Miracles are performed to deliver people in danger, to perform judgments upon those whointerfere with His work, to calm storms, to cast out devils, to bind up broken hearts, to de-

liver the captives, and to deliver people from natural stubbornness and rebellion so they

may receive the Holy Ghost. Miracles cause people to be saved. Denying miracles does

not!


God raised the dead for Elijah and Elisha (IKings 17:21).

Elijah had power over rain.The men who came to arrest Elijah were struck dead.

Naaman's leprosy possessed Gehazi.

Moses had power over rain, hail, and frogs.

God rolled the waters back, made the sun stand still,

caused the axe to swim, took the burn out of the fire,

won the battle for Gideon, protected the children of Israel from disease,

He protected their clothes 40 years,

and caused Moses eyes to not grow dim.

But I have a greater witness than Johns; for the works

which the Father has given Me to finishthe very works that I

dobear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.John 5:36

Jesus answered them, I told you, and you do not believe.The works that I do in My Fathers name, they bear witness of

Me.

John 10:25

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the

works that I do he will do also; and greaterworks than these he

will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12


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Jesus turned the water into wine (John 2).

Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth from the dead after he had already been em-

balmed (John 11).

Jesus fed 5000 with five loaves and two fishes.

Nine lepers were healed; but one of them was made whole as he later worshipped Jesus

(Luke 17). The nine that were healed did not have their missing organs restored. The man

who returned found that he had a whole nose, whole ear, whole hand, etc. It was more than

just a healing, it was a miracle!

When Peter went into a room and found the people weeping over a corpse he first knelt and

prayed; then he arose and commanded the woman to arise. She was restored to life. This

miracle resulted in many turning to God (Acts 9:39-43).

Paul raised a man to life after the man fell out of a window and was killed (Acts 20:6-12).

Through this gift Paul wrought special miracles through handkerchiefs and aprons (Acts

19:1-6).

Through this gift, two deacons, Philip and Stephen, had signs and wonders follow their

ministry confirming the Word of God which they preached (Acts 6-8).

Through this gift, Ananias, who held no known office in the church, laid hands on Paul for

Paul to be healed and to receive the Holy Ghost.

Through this gift, Paul struck a man blind (Acts 13:11).

Most of these are instances where God trusted men with miracles. The Bible is a book of

miracles and God is a God of miracles.


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Other Kinds of Tongues

&

Interpretation of Tongues

Tongues = languages

This gift is not the only evidence of you having the

Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13: 1 - Though I speak with the tongues ofmen and of angels

It is a sign to the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 14:22)

DEFINITION

Supernatural utterance through the power of the Holy Spirit in a person that manifests as

spiritual language. The Holy Spirit energizes the tongue to edify believers through lan-

guage and music.

Supernatural utterance in languages not known to the speaker; these languages may be ex-

istent in the world, revived from some past culture, or "unknown" in the sense that they are

a means of communication inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 19:1-7; I Corinthians

12:10, 13:1-3, 14:2, 4-22, 26-32).

to anotherdifferentkinds of tongues, to another the

interpretation of tongues.

For with stammering lips and another tongueHe will speak to this people

Isaiah 28:11

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out de-mons; they will speak with new tongues

Mark 16:17

And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as camewith Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gen-

tiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify GodActs 10:45-46


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At Pentecost the church received the gift to communicate the gospel in foreign languages

(Acts 2). God gave His Spirit to all His people to empower them to witness and prophesy.

In Corinth some members of the church uttered sounds the rest of the congregation did not

understand (I Corinthians 12-14). This led to controversy and division. Paul tried to unite

the church, assuring the church that there are different gifts but only one Spirit (I Corinthi-

ans 12:4-11).

Every believer has a part to play in speaking in tongues for the Spirit gives you utterance,

and you do the talking. The Holy Spirit does not talk with tongues. In fact, nowhere in the

Bible does it mention that the Holy Spirit ever talked with tongues.

Instead, you will be doing the talking in the flesh; after all, God said He would pour out

His Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who has ever spoken in tongues was in the flesh; however,

he or she was inspired by the Spirit when they spoke.

Interpretation of Tongues

Interpretation of tongues is a supernatural verbalization and subsequent interpretation to

reveal the meaning of a diverse tongue. This gift operates out of the mind of the Spirit rath-

er than out of the mind of man.

It is important to note that "interpretation" of tongues is not the same thing as "translation"

of tongues, because the interpreter never understands the tongue he or she is interpreting.

For example, the message in tongues may be long and the interpretation short because theinterpretation only gives the meaning. On the other hand, one may speak a short time in

tongues and then given a lengthy interpretation. Yet still, at other times, the interpretation

is almost word for word.

Prophecy

Whatitisnot!

And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE,[a] MENE, TEKEL,[b] UPHARSIN.[c]

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has num-bered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEK: You have been

weighed in the balances, and found wanting;

Daniel 5:25-27


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Prophecy

DEFINITION

The verb "prophesy"means "to speak before"(from Greekpro, before, andphemi, to speak).The gift includes both the idea of foretelling and forthtelling, predicting the future and

preaching.

A prophet was God's mouthpiece: he spoke for God and

gave His message. Sometimes that message was regarding

the future. Other times it concerned the present, even the

past, or simply doctrinal truth, but it was always God's

message spoken forth.

Prophecy has been surrounded by misunderstanding, con-

fusion, and fear. Yet, from the standpoint of the Scriptures,the gift of prophecy is the most important spiritual gift. Paul considers it vital to the upbuild-

ing of the church.

The importance of the gift of prophecy is seen from from Paul's urgency for it. He com-

mands the Corinthians to "earnestly desire to prophesy"

Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, (1 Cor. 14:39)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Cor. 14:1)

But this is what was spoken by the

prophet Joel:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says

God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;And they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:16-18


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Moses, was finally convinced that

God wanted to delegate his governing

authority to a larger number, that he

called seventy elders to a "committee

meeting" at the tabernacle. Two failed

to show up. The Spirit of God fell on

the sixty-eight who attended. But the Spirit also came upon the two who remained in the

camp who began to prophesy as well.

Remember that prophecy is greater than tongues, or better than tongues only if there is no

interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:5)

The Apostle Paul indicated that the gift of prophecy was for every believer: "For you can

all prophesy one by one..." (1 Corinthians 14:31).

The gift of prophecy also speaks to the unbeliever and those who are uninformed of Godly

living. (1 Corinthians 14:24)

Purpose of Prophecy

Exhortation and assurance are two common purposes of prophecy. "He who prophesies

speaks to men for their upbuilding (oikodome) and encouragement (paraklesis) and consola-

tion (paramuthia;(1 Corinthians 14:3)."

Through this unique spiritual gift the church is enabled to grow, mature and move forward

according to the will of God.

Some Common Misconceptions About Prophecy

The gift of prophecy (I Corinthians 12) and the office of the prophet(Ephesians 4:11) are not the same thing.

There is a ministry of the prophet, but not everyone is a prophet. For example, a boy may

wear a Cubs baseball cap, but that does not mean he plays professional baseball for the Chi-

cago Cubs. You may prophesy, but operating in the simple gift of prophecy does not quali-

fy you to stand in the office of a prophet, much like wearing a Cubs hat does not qualify

you to play baseball for the Chicago Cubs - you must be gifted.

To stand in the office of a prophet, one must have a consistent manifestation of at least two

of the revelation gifts ( word of wisdom, word of knowledge, ordiscerning of spirits) plusprophecy.

A word fitly spoken is like

apples of gold Proverbs 25:11

Then Moses said to him, Are you zeal-

ous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORDspeople were prophets and that the LORD

would put His Spirit upon them!


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Prophecy is not the intepretation of tongues.

The Bible says that "greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues"(ICorinthians 14:5), even though both are inspired utterances. Tongues, of course, is inspired

utterance in an "unknown" tongue. The interpretation of tongues is inspired utterance tell-

ing that which was spoken in tongues. Prophecy, on the other hand, is inspired utterance ina "known" tongue. The difference between interpretation and prophecy is that interpretation

is dependent upon tongues, whereas prophecy is not.

Prophecy is not the same thing as preaching..

The words preach and prophesy come from two entirely different Greek words. To "preach"

means to proclaim, announce, cry, or tell. Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, andPREACH the gospel.."(Mark 16:15). Note that He didn't say to prophesy the Gospel.

The word prophecy means to "bubble up, to flow forth, or to cause to drop like rain." Teach-

ing and preaching are preplanned, but prophecy is not.

The Bible tells us that we are to "Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things."I Thessaloni-ans 5:20-21.

When a prophecy is given, we are to test it and hold on to what is good in it.

Seven Ways to Judge Prophecy

1. By their fruits you shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-18,20)

2. Does it glorify Christ? (John 16:14; I Cor. 12:3; I John 4:1-2)3. Does it agree with the Scriptures? (Isaiah 8:20)

4. Are their prophecies fulfilled? (Deuteronomy 18:22) Some prophecies are not of God

even though they may come to pass. The benchmark remains that all prophecies should ex-

alt the Lord Jesus.

5. Is the prophecy disjointed or confused? True prophecy is line upon line and precept

upon precept. (Isaiah 28:13)

6. Do the prophecies produce liberty or bondage? (Romans 8:15)

7. All believers have an unction (anointing) within them that tells them when something

is wrong. Prophecies should witness with our spirit.

(I John 2:20,27)


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Why Is Prophecy Important?

There are five reasons why prophecy is so important in the local church:

1. It brings life. Prophecy brought life to the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-4).

2. It gives spiritual vision. The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish.'

The Lord gives vision through the prophetic word (Proverbs 29:13,18).3. It edifies, exhorts, and comforts (I Corinthians 14:3).

4. It brings revival and restoration. True prophecy brings restoration and revival (Acts

2:16-18).

5. It guides you to your right position in Christ. Prophecy is used by God to direct you

where you need to go (Acts 13:1-3)

Prophets were called to watch, which sometimes demanded unusual and difficult journeys.Isaiah was privy to the conversation of God, and heard them discussing the future of Israel.

However, Elisha heard the plans of the enemy and revealed them to the King, placing him-self in a very difficult position. I myself must also mount the watchtower." (Kim Clement)


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Conclusion

My prayer is that through this very simple teaching of the Gifts of The Holy Spirit, you

would have learnt how to operate and flow more effectively with Him.

The gifts are yours if you want! They will enhance your walk of faith, and I believe youwill see a greater manifestation of Gods glory and power.

If you have need of further information or want us to pray with you to see a greater release

of these gifts in your life, then please contact our office, or write to us.

Contact Details

Revive Worship Centre

Email: [email protected]

Documents

Using God's Gifts Effectively PDF