Know Your Tools Part 4B: The Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 ESV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 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, 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. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

We are given a toolbox from Jesus Christ when we are reconciled to God and join the family of God. This happens at the point of making Jesus Christ our Lord and Savor. This includes many items. It is important learn how and when to use them. Salvation does not equal proficiency with these spiritual tools.

We will put these all together at the end of this series for developing a divine nature.

These tools are divided into three categories.

The Armor of God

Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

Shield of Faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit = Word of God

The Fruits of the Spirit

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

Here is where they begin to look different.

The Gifts of the Spirit.

The Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Faith

Gifts of Healing

Today we are going to pick up with:

Working of Miracles

Every believer will see miracles in their life.

The regeneration of the work of salvation is the first work of miracles that every believer experiences.

This refers to an intensity/potency of miracles.

An assignment to ministry of miracles.

Romans 15:18–19 ESV

For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;

Prophecy

Discerning of Spirits

This is not to be confused with gift of criticism. This is the ability to know if someone is coming in the spirit of the Lord, a satanic spirit, or the spirit of the world.

Jeremiah 28:15–17 ESV

And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’ ” In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.

Some background here to understand the power of this scripture. Israel had been divided into two countries, Israel and Judah. Israel had already been conquered and now Judah was on the verge of the same thing. To be completely conquered by Babylon. The kings are having a meeting about what their options are. Should we fight or surrender?

God sends in Jeremiah with yokes and bonds. Jeremiah says you must choose surrender and live in bondage to King Nebuchadnezzar. It is the only way to survive. God has given it all over to Babylon because of the sin of Israel. Jeremiah told them that the other prophets are lying.

Then at some point, the prophet Hananiah speaks to Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. He prophesies that within 2 years, the yoke of Babylon will be broken. This was not of God. Jeremiah concedes and says it is of God, then it will come to pass.

Conclusion:

It is God’s will for us to live an overcoming life. A life full of freedom from sin and fulfillment in the riches of God’s mercy and grace. We are meant to have a powerful mind and a servants heart just like Jesus. These things are not natural. You were not born with them. These come from utilizing the tools we have been given. Maybe you have not used the tools correctly or not at all. Maybe you have not made Jesus your Lord and Saviour so these have not been a part of your life. Great news. Today is your day.

Jesus has already done the hard part and He makes it as easy as knowing your A, B, C’s.

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.