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PRAYER – We want to live an abundant life, live victoriously. As believers, we are to be examples of what God had intended us to be like. You had given us spiritual gifts; we ask you to remind us to fan into flame the gifts of God.
INTRODUCTION
Have you wondered why the church and believers today hasn’t made a greater impact on our generation today? The gospel had lost its relevance to most people in their real lives. People cannot look beyond their daily struggles. We have the message. But we need to preach the full gospel – that there is abundant life, there is healing power, delivering power, there’s joy… People must be able to see the power of God manifest in their lives; it must become reality for them.
We are given spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit when we become a Christian. But we failed to recognize them and failed to use them.
Mark 16:15-18
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 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 anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Jesus said all true believers would flow in the miraculous: “And these signs will follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Do these things seem absurd in our circles? Even in our churches? Of course, many people in the world do not believe in these signs and wonders and may even be shocked by it.
Anecdote: Recall the early 2000s when we were just starting to move in the spirit, we had the canal house and the meetings in North Dandalup. In our meetings, people get saved, healings were happening, demons were cast out, financial miracles…
If a Christian’s life isn’t supernatural, it’s superficial. Here Mark goes on to say in
Mark 16:19-20
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
The messages based in God’s Word would be confirmed by signs following. Without a doubt, Jesus and the first apostles used the gifts, calling men to their message and confirming that God was truly the One speaking through them.
Hebrews 2:3-4
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
The Lord bore witness to the accuracy of their message through miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus used miracles to confirm His message. If we cannot reach a person where they are, we need the miraculous power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts are not optional, but an integral part of the gospel. It is necessary and is still valid today.
Our churches are not touching people because lives are not transformed. But the Lord wants to touch lives. And hence we go back to what Paul had urged Timothy to do.
2 Timothy 1:6
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. In other translations, ‘stir up the gift’ is read as “fan into flames the gift” (ESV, NIV, NLT), “keep ablaze the gift” (HCSB), and “rekindle the gift” (CSB, NRSV).
Writing this epistle from prison, and only a short time before he will be executed, Paul was keen to ensure that this young protégé will be able to stand firm in safeguarding the gospel and spreading the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
The Greek word translated “stir up” denotes the kindling of a fire. We have a fireplace, and we understood that it is necessary to stir up the glowing embers and add new fuel for the fire to flame up and continue burning brightly. Paul was telling Timothy was to see to it that his spiritual gifts did not grow cold through disuse; he was to “stir it up” and keep the fire going.
Paul was simply reminding Timothy about his faith; not just him; but through the faith of his mother and grandmother as well. It wasn’t Paul’s responsibility to stir up Timothy? No, Timothy was told to stir up the gift himself. We can encourage each other, pray for each other, and minister to one another, but it is an individual’s responsibility to keep his “spiritual fire” burning, stirred up.
An anecdote of Charles Spurgeon tells of when he visited an elderly nurse from his congregation. This elder lady was living in a poor house, and when Spurgeon went to visit her, he saw a framed certificate on her wall. As a nurse she had cared for a wealthy man for quite a time. When he died, he left his vast estate to her. She didn’t read the contents of the certificate. Not knowing the value of what she had been given, she was living destitute all her life.
When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, He left you an incredible gift—your spiritual gift. Maybe you’ve not discovered yet what you have in Jesus. Could it be you have it framed on the wall, not using it? Or is it still sitting on the shelf in its wrapping? Or have left your gift under the tree, unopened and unappreciated?
Just a word on gifts; there are also ministry gifts mentioned in the Bible. We are not focusing on these for this session.
Ephesians 4:7, 11-12
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
(Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers)
Romans 12:6-8
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, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
(a) perceiving, (b) serving, (c) teaching, (d) encouraging, (e) giving, (f) ruling, and (g) mercy
God didn’t save you to just do nothing, but to serve! He had given you spiritual gifts. That includes every one of us who believes in Jesus. You need to continually let the Holy Spirit rekindle, renew and revive your spiritual gifts.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
These are supernatural gifts. Not natural talents but are supernatural gifts from heaven. When you get baptized in the Spirit, you receive these gifts and they are gifts. The word “gifts” is charisma. ‘Charis’ is a Greek word meaning grace. Grace is a free, unmerited favour of God toward the undeserving and the ill-deserving.
It is the manifestation of charisma gifts of God that set Christians apart from the rest of the world. If you love the LORD, you want to be adorned with his gifts. God is the one who initiated the gifts, he gave freely to His people, and you are responsible to use these gifts that are under your control.
1 Corinthians 12: 8–10
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
There are nine spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are:
– word of wisdom,
– word of knowledge,
– faith,
– gifts of healings,
– working of miracles,
– prophecy,
– discerning of spirits,
– different kinds of tongues,
– interpretation of tongues.
The nine gifts can in general terms be categorized into three groups:
1 Corinthians 12:7
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
The nine gifts are all “manifestations of the Spirit, given to everyone for the profit of all”, A ‘manifestation’ is something you can clearly perceive, you can see it, hear it, and even feel it by your physical senses. When people can experience the charisma gifts in a believer, it shows the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Word of Knowledge
A word of knowledge is a special revelation/insight from God as to a hidden circumstance or internal position of a person’s heart. A word of knowledge is an utterance enabled by the Holy Spirit that supernaturally reveals facts that would otherwise remain unknown.
Illustration
At House of RaphaEL, rephael was minstering to this young man, and then had a word of knowledge that he was kicked. That young man broke down that he had been kicked by his father. We were then able to continue to minster for his resporation.
Word of Wisdom
A word of wisdom (Greek: sophia) is the spiritual capability to observe life and truth from God’s perspective and then apply that wisdom to specific situations. It is a special revelation/insight from God of the divine purposes of God. It is an astonishing message from God, given by the Holy Spirit through a believer in how to approach a situation or apply understanding in a particular circumstance. Wisdom can be recognized by its fruit.
Illustration
Our ex-pastor was joining an African mission. They had a session where funds were raised. They had cards that say, just $5 a month. We took that pledge card twice but had this strange ‘NO’ from the Lord. Few months later, that mission had wrapped up, some funds mismanagement.
Discerning of spirits
The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to recognize the source of a spiritual manifestation. It is a special revelation/insight from God as to what spirit is motivating a person or a circumstance. It is significant to be able to discern the different spirits:
Discerning of spirits must be done by the control of the Holy Spirit; He bears witness with our spirit when something is or is not of God. It is the spiritual ability to tell the difference from God’s word between the spirit of evil and of God, the flesh and the spirit, and truth and error, before the fruit is clearly manifested. The gift enables you to detect the realm of the spirits and their activities. It involves the power of spiritual insight.
Illustration
At the canal house, I sense this spirit of death, even smell, on this new lady in the group. She flatly denied saying her life was cruisy. Few months later, her sister who had brought her to our meeting, said she attempted suicide.
Gift of Faith
The gift of faith is the special ability that God gives to believers to determine with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for His work, and to act on God’s promises with assurance and firm belief in His ability to fulfil His purposes. It is the assurance in your heart that your prayers are answered even BEFORE you sees it come to pass with your 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.
Gift of Miracles
The gift of working of miracles is a supernatural energy flow from God that causes an instantaneous creative change in the human body, nature or a specific situation. It is described as a mighty work. This gift is usually manifested during times when an immediate action is needed from God to intervene and release His power. The gift of the working of miracles means a supernatural intervention by God in the ordinary course of nature.
In the gift of faith, God is working in our behalf, but separate of us. We do nothing. God does something through us independently, radically, gloriously in a magnificent way. We just marvel at His work. In the gift of the working of miracles, God trusts us with the power, the energy, the ability that we do not usually have. It is the power of God flowing through us. It is God using our hands, our minds, our bodies to be or do something that is not normal, that is beyond the ordinary. It is not in our natural behavior to be able to do those things.
Gifts of Healings
Gifts of Healings are the supernatural ability to heal all manner of sickness and disease in the human body. This power gift is used in times where people need miraculous intervention from God for the restoration of their health. Healing may take place instantaneously or gradually over a given time period.
Prophecy
Prophecy is God revealing his mind, his counsel and intents to his people. God wants to communicate with his people. The words ‘prophecy’, ‘prophesy’ stands for “speaking, to declare, a pronouncement, to proclaim, a declaration, to make known” a message inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The gift of prophecy is a body ministry function, given because Christ wants to bless His people.
1 Corinthians 14:3
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men (NKJV)
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort (NIV)
Prophecy is vital in the body life of the Church. The gift of prophecy is given to believers to bring the word from the Lord for edification and exhortation and comfort to men. In a wide sense, it is a rhema word communicating God’s intent and purposes.
Speaking in Tongues
The most contentious of all the gifts is speaking in tongues. It is the supernatural gift given to the believer by the Holy Spirit to speak in another human language and/ or an unknown heavenly language (angelic language) without being taught. What does this really mean? Paul clearly states that when a person speaks in tongues; he does not speak to man but to God, because no one understands him (1 Cor 14:2).
Acts 1:4-5, 8
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus asked his disciples to wait until they receive the “power” when the Holy Spirit comes. This happened at Pentecost, and the power of the Spirit is evidenced by the speaking in other tongues. You wait till the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you speak in tongues; you are filled with the power of God. Then wait no more but move with your tongues into the realm of the supernatural.
Illustration
My personal experience in being filled with the HS and spoke in tongues in Sydney on a hospital bed praying for someone.
Interpretation of Tongues
1 Corinthians 14:26-28
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
Remember, that spiritual gifts are given for the edification & strengthening of the body of Christ – bringing a psalm, a teaching, tongue, revelation, interpretation. This gift is the divine ability to interpret a message spoken in an unknown tongue. It works in a situation where a message or utterance has previously been given in an unknown tongue. Hence it is no use if someone exercises the gift of tongues (exaltation tongue) and there is no one to interpret.
When God uses a believer to speak in tongues in a public gathering; He is bringing a prophetic word to His people. Hence the gift of interpretation of tongues will work hand in hand with this gift to bring a clear message that can be understood by the people.
There are different kinds of tongues (1 Cor 12:10). God has appointed different spiritual gifts in the church body (1 Cor 12:28). Speaking in tongues is important as it the prayer language of the Holy Spirit that he gives to us so that we can pray. Tongues is a prayer language of the Spirit, hence there are different kinds of tongues for different kinds of prayers.
Personal Edification
Jude 20 – praying in the Spirit to build up our faith. It edifies you, enlightens you and builds you up (1 Cor 14:3, 4). You are assessing the power of the Holy Spirit when you pray in tongues. For this kind of tongues, you do not need interpretation, as it is not for the entire church. You are speaking to God.
Praise
Acts 2:11 – At Pentecost, the disciples were praising and declaring the wonders of God. They were praising in tongues publicly, magnifying the name of God. Yet they are praising God privately, though in a public place, there is no need for interpretation of the tongues.
Intercession
Rom. 8:26 – when you can pray in tongues, and the Spirit will intercede for us with groanings that words cannot express. You speak mysteries. You tap into the wisdom of God that only God can reveal through his Spirit (1 Cor 2:7-10). For this type of tongue, there is no need for interpretation.
Spiritual warfare
Eph. 6:18 – Paul instructed the Ephesians to put on the armor of God, particularly to “pray in the Spirit”. This kind of prayer in the Spirit is spiritual warfare, praying to God to send angels to bind the demonic spirits. The LORD shall “march out like a mighty man, a warrior… to triumph over your enemies” (Isa 42:13) on your behalf. There is no need for interpretation for this kind of tongues.
Exaltation
Exaltation is bringing about an intense atmosphere of exhilaration, well-being, power, or importance. When you speak in tongues in a public gathering, you bring a word from God to the people. As the tongue is unknown to the people when you speak in tongues supernaturally, you need to interpret because you want the people to hear (1 Cor 14:5). Tongues with interpretation are a prophetic word meant for the people.
Tongues plus interpretation is as powerful as prophecy. When tongues are used for exaltation, use it correctly because there is a message for everybody. You need to listen quietly, and then have interpretation, so that the church may be edified.
HOW DO WE COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO STIR UP THE GIFT?
1 Timothy 4:13-14
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
We must choose to do it. We keep the gift of God stirred up as we choose to continue in the things of God.
1. Continue in Well Doing
Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life
We must continue to do well.
2. Compassion for people
1 John 4:8
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
God’s basic nature and character is love. Jesus is often moved with compassion for people in need. The guideline here is if you feel the compassion of God towards certain people, just follow the flow to minister. Recognise that it is God’s love flowing out through you, and God will use the spiritual gifts He had given to you to minister to those people.
3. Continue in the Faith
Colossians 1:23
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…
In order to keep the gift of God stirred up, we must continue in the faith; grounded and settled, and you wil not be moved.
4. Consistent Prayer
Colossians 4:2
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
We must be courageously persistent in prayer. Hold it fast, and don’t let it go. We must also watch. Stay awake. Be focused and specific, not vague.
We must continue consistently in prayer, and always with thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for always.
5. Commit to Stay in the Word of God
1 Timothy 4:16
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (NKJV)
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (NASV)
It is not enough to learn what is good. We must also continue in it. We must persevere in the good doctrine of God. True disciples are not only hearers but also faithful doers of the Word. We know the truth as we continue in the Word of Truth. Then, divine truth sets us free.
6. Commune with the Father & His Son
1 John 2:24:
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
How do we stir up this precious gift of God that is in us and not neglect it? As we have read, we must continue in well doing, in the love of Christ, in the grace of God, in faith, in prayer and in the Word. Then we will “continue in the Son, and in the Father.”
CONCLUSION
1 Corinthians 12:31
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts…