GIFT-OLOGY: Experiencing the Minifest Power of the Holy Spirit (2)

THE GIFT OF BELIEVING THAT THE EXTRAORDINARY IS POSSIBLE

1 Corinthians 12:7–8 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

I WAS 12 ON THE BRINK OF DEATH FROM A SEVERE HEAD INJURY – MY BRAIN HAD SHIFTED DUE TO A MASSIVE COLISION WITH THE CORNER OF A TABLE:

· I AM GLAD THAT MY GRANDFATHER DID NOT SAY: WELL, LET’S JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS

o IM GLAD, IN THAT MOMENT, HE HAD THE FAITH TO BELIEVE THAT GOD COULD AND WOULD DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – SUPERNATURAL – ON THAT HOSPITAL ROOM

· SAY WHAT YOU WILL – WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT MOMENT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF

o HEALING

o AND A MIRACLE

o ALL BY THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF THE LORD THROUGH THE HUMAN CHANNEL OF A HUMAN BEING, WHO IN THAT MOMENT BELIEVED

I. THE GIFT OF EXTRAORDINARY FAITH

Three Kinds of Faith:

1. Conversion Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2. Continuing Faith

§ 1Romans 12 -According to faith”

· The belief of

3. Charismatic Faith

Occasional/spontaneous

Mysterious strange confidence that rises in a given moment, challenge or need – extraordinary certainty and belief that God is about to move or breakthrough

The Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence so they can take heroic stands for the future of God’s work in the church.

Peter in the book of Acts

The Hall of Faith Hebrews 11.

1. Noah (120 years building an Ark for rain – something he had never seen)

2. Abrham believing he would father a child way past his prime

3. Moses saying no to Egypt for the coming glory

How Can You Know If You Have the Gift of Faith? Three questions:

1. Is your belief in God biblical and whole life invasive?

Is He sovereign?

2. Do you have crazy courage to act/believe for Christ in the face of huge obstacles?

The Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence so they can take heroic stands for the future of God’s work in the church.

Peter in the book of Acts

The Hall of Faith Hebrews 11.

1. Noah (120 years building an Ark for rain – something he had never seen)

2. Abraham believing he would father a child way past his prime

3. Moses saying no to Egypt for the coming glory

3. Do you keep record of God’s prior work in your life for present confidence?

GIFTS (PLURAL) OF HEALING

1 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

PLURAL

o NOT THE GIFT OF HEALING

· DN MEAN HE ALWAYS WILL- VERSES

o Paul healed but not always – lingering illness of:

§ Epaphroditus

§ Timothy

§ Trophimus

ALWAYS THE SOVEREIGN ACT OF GOD

o Sometimes God simply heals (John 5:6-9 pool of Saloam)

o Sometimes connected with our own faith

§ Matt 9:20-22

o Something connected with the faith of another

§ Mark 2:1-5

o Point: SOMETIME GOD HEALS IN A SOVEREIGN ACT UNRELATED TO US AND THEN OFTEN TIMES HE HEALS IN CONNECTION TO FAITH

· DN MEAN A PERSON ALWAYS CAN – VERSES

o NOT ON A WHIM

DOES MEAN – HE IS STILL ABLE TO DO IT

GIFTS OF HEALING CONNECTS WITH GIFT OF FAITH IN THIS WAY:

1. FAITH THAT IS CONFIDENT THAT GOD DOES HEAL

2. FAITH THAT IS CONFIDENT IN GOD’S ABILITY TO HEAL

3. FAITH THAT IS CONFIDENT IN GOD’S DESIRE TO HEAL

STORY OF BOY WITH JUANDICE

WORKINGS OF MIRACLES

· EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS AND OCCURANCES IN LIFE THAT DEFY HUMAN LOGIC, LAWS, ETC

· HAPPENING ALL AROUND THE WORLD: WHY NOT HERE?

o NO ACTS COMMITMENT