The Purpose and Operation of the Gifts of the Spirit Part Two

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 KJV 1900

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Title: The Purpose and Operation of the Gifts of the Spirit

Part Two

There are three catagories of the Gifts of the Spirit

Gifts of Revelation (to know)

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Discernment of spirits

Gifts of Utterance (to speak)

Speaking in tongues

Interpretation of tongues

Prophecy

Gifts of Power (to do)

Gift of faith

Gift of healing

Working of miracles

Things to know generally

First thing to understand for each of these gifts is that they are given to an individual for the benefit of the church.

Each work in harmony with ALL the other gifts

The service gifts, office gifts and special or specific gifts ALL work together for end - health of the body of Christ!

The Holy Ghost is the source of it all!

You do not own it - it is given to you. Once you operate or use that gift, it is gone.

Just because you were used once, does not mean that you will be again.

On the other hand, having been used once - continued relationship and growth making it easier for you to respond and be used.

This is why once used you must become a student of the gift, so God can choose a willing, educated vessel!

All nine gifts are interconnected or closely related.

You do not have to identify what gift was in operation. Often the difference between a Word of Wisdom and Knowledge is very small. Or, was it the Gift of Faith or the Working of Miracles?

God is not a genie lamp to rub and with enough fasting and prayer he will speak through you… although you must fast, pray and study (plus all the other spiritual disciplines)!

Gifts of Revelation or the Gifts to Know (MIND OF CHRIST)

Supernatural impartation from God to guide the church (individual or corporate) in making a right decision in a specific situation.

Word of Wisdom - not the wisdom of experience

Specific wisdom for a specific situation

Divine insight into a specific situation

God given direction or instruction on how to proceed best!

Biblical examples

Solomon’s Judgement to divide the child - he had no idea who was telling the truth but through a Word of Wisdom, the truth was revealed. 1 Kings 3

Joseph tells pharaoh that God is the interpreter of dreams, you tell me and I will tell you. Gen 41

How Jesus handled the whole situation with the woman caught in act of adultery. John 8

Word of Knowledge - not education or learning from training or schooling.

Supernatural knowledge to know things others do not for a specific situation.

Sound very similar to a Word of Wisdom… what’s the difference?

Word of Wisdom: divine guidance direct from God, how to act in a situation.

Word of Knowledge: divine guidance direct from God on how to act and in response to man’s actions!

Biblical examples:

Ananias and Sapphira - Peter knew what they did… Acts5

Elisha knew Gehazi’s lie - 2 Kings 5

Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree before they met in John 1

Discernment of spirits

Supernatural insight into motivations of men for a specific situation, need.

Why people do what they do is as important and even more important then what they do!

Word of wisdom is knowing what to do.

Word of knowledge is response to what was done. Circumstances.

Discernment of sprits is knowing why people did what they did. Motivations!

Biblical examples:

Paul casts the devil out of the girl with the right message! Acts 16

Elisha discerns the army of angels in 2 Kings 6

Three spiritual sources

God, Satan and flesh

God is pure, satan is destruction and death…

What about the flesh… what the motivation?

You respond to things according to motivation.

Someone trying to manipulate the “will of God” for another using words like “I feel in the Holy Ghost” vs. innocent youth trying to be used o God

The Gifts are closely related and connected

Gifts of Revelation are connected to the Gifts of Utterance and they are connected to the Gifts of Power.

So to Know the mind of God is to Speak with his voice, and to Speak is to Act as his hands!

NOT A PROGRESSION - just connected

Gifts of Power or the Gifts to Do (HAND OF CHRIST)

Supernatural impartation from God to manifest in the church (individual or corporate) in establishing his authority.

Gift of faith - special impartation of faith for a specific need

Faith is the currency of Heaven - different faith

Everyone is given a measure of faith - different faith

Gift of faith is a supernatural impartation in/for a specific situation

Forgetting yourself and focusing on God

Biblical examples

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3

Daniel in the lions den in Daniel 6

Paul shaking off the snake in Acts 28

I believe but help mine unbelief Mark 9

Gift of healing - supernatural gift to heal sickness.

Note it is Gifts plural…

God given ability to heal every sickness; body, spirit and soul

This gift should be easy in the church!

Sis. McCarter healed two weeks ago of chronic cough.

Call for the Elders to pray the prayer of faith James 5:14

Laying of of hands

Symbolic of transfer

Symbolic of taking authority

This is why 1 Tim 5:12 say to lay hands on no man suddenly. Not an admonition not to surprise anyone… It means before you are ready.

Don’t lay hands on anyone you don’t have authority over.

Biblical examples

Peter and John healing the lame man at the temple gate Acts 3

Peter’s shadow healing people in Acts 5

Working of miracles - God’s direct intervention in life

Biblical examples

Red Sea, Jordans River parting

Fire from heaven

Axe head floating

Feeding 5,000

Walking on water

Gifts of uterance to speak

Supernatural impartation from God to lead the church (individual or corporate) in making a moving in the right dirction.