Gifts continued 1

We continue this teaching series on t how this coming of the Holy Spirit changes those early believers and how that same Holy Spirt continues to impact his church, us, today.

We continue to look at the fruits of the spirit, the spiritual Gifts that the Holy Spirit gives believers and the power the Holy Spirit brings.

Last week we looked at what the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how we are used by the Holy Spirt, how the gifts are used alongside our talents when we partner with the holy spirit and how although we are given the gifts the holy spirit decides in his wisdom to give us, we are to desire the greater gifts.

Today we are going to unpack the gifts that are spiritual in natures we are focusing on the Pneumatikon Gifts a list of Gifts that are spiritual in character. that we find in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

We can split them into three groups.

The gifts of utterance (speech):

The Gift of Tongues

The Gift of Interpretation of TonguesT

he Gift of Prophecy

The gifts of revelation:

The Word of Knowledge

The Word of Wisdom

The Gift of Discerning of spirits

The ability or the power gifts:

The Gift of Faith

The Gifts of Healings

The Working of Miracles

We are going to cover t

The gifts of speech.

The Gift of Tongues:

Firstly, let's deal with the name. The word 'tongues' is descriptive of what the crowd at the first Pentecost heard (their own language) but this is not descriptive of the The Greek word used which is glossa. This word means 'tongue'. Why split hairs over an s? Well it is important in our understanding that this is not a crash course in learning lots of languages, when Peter spoke at the first pentecost he didn’t speak `greek’ and then John translated to the language of Capidocea, and james to the the language of the people of medes. Peter spoke one tongue, one language that was heard by differently by other. The gift of speaking in a tongue is simply to speak in another language that is Spirit-inspired and never learned. It is a language the meaning of which is completely unknown to the speaker. It may be an earthly language or a heavenly language (1 Corinthians 13:1 ), but its source and inspiration is the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I wonder about bystanders when people speak in a tongue that others hear as fluent Spanish, or Arabic. Do the bystanders hear the human language or the gibberish - Thinking the are drunk on cheap wine, like the accusation thrown at the apostles on the first pentecost. 1. This prayer language takes two different forms.

A spoken prayer language.

Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26–27 NIV26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:21 Corinthians 14:14

Singing in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:15

The purpose of speaking in tongues

So why should we desire this gift if we do not understand what we are saying? It is a gift given for prayer and worship to enable us to speak to God from our spirit. When we speak in a tongue, we 'utter mysteries in the Spirit' (14:2). 'For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful' (14:4). Paul's emphasis throughout 1 Corinthians 14 is that we do not use our Spirit-inspired language selfishly or to impress, or just because we can in church, but rather that we do everything for the building up of the body. Also, in the church, it is important that it is interpreted for the sake of the unbeliever for whom it is a sign (14:22).

For personal edification

1 Corinthians 14:4

Prayer

It is a form of prayer when we do not really understand how to pray. (Romans 8:26-27

Worship

It is one way that we worship God

A Sign to Others

The tongue will always be a sign to the unbelievers. (1 Corinthians 14:22 One final thing concerning tongues: there should be no compulsion in speaking in a tongue. It is a choice by the speaker to speak or not to speak (14:15). Practical steps

Lets hear about one believers first experience of speaking in tongues.

The Gift of Interpretation

This gift is the inspired interpretation of what has been said in an unknown tongue in a meeting. Paul considered intrrptation a necessity in services. 1 Corinthians 14:5,

1 Corinthians 14:12–13 NIV12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.

The gift of tongues by itself does not fully build up the body of Christ It requires interpretation for there to be edification. It is an interpretation not a translation. In the mind and spirit of the interpreter, the message might be received in the form of words, or a picture, which he then interprets. I believe that interpretation should always be directed towards God since tongues is given for prayer and worship. The interpretation of a tongue should be given so that the rest of the church can share in what has been prayed or praised by the speaker (14:16-17). Paul makes note about about tongues not being used in a corporate setting unless there is an interpretation we have to be carful with this comment though as it addressed a particular set of guidance and Paul was quick to ensure there use in 1 Corinthians 14:39

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

Practical steps.

Start by opening your mouth. Start in private. Ask the HS what it meant.

Listen to other people who speak in tongues - not heard anyone. Listen carefully, around the church you will hear it. Ask the holy spirt to guide you in what it means. Is it adoration, is it praise, is it prayer.

The Gift of Prophecy

The definition of Prophecy.

The word prophecy means “to utter inspired words”. Prophecy is a Spirit-inspired utterance. In the New Testament, it is 'invasive prophetic speech', as opposed to and in contrast with the classic prophecy of the Old Testament prophets. by that I mean you don’t tend to have a single prophet somone with the Job of delivering gods words, with eveyone else not able too. Prophecy in the NT and now is something that could be given to any believer, not as a role but as an immediate gift, any of us could be used by God to break into someones life with a prophecy. In other words it is revelation received in the moment that is the rhema word of the Lord. - The spoken word of God. It is the Spirit's desire that the Church should be built up, instructed, and comforted.

1 Corinthians 14:31 NIV

1 Corinthians 14:31 NIV

31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

Prophecy is not for correcting people, (the preaching of the Word should do that). Neither is it to tear people down and bring judgement to the Church. Much harm has been caused by people misusing the gifts in this way.

1 Corinthians 14:23-25 Paul then explains how effective Prophecy can be upon both believers and unbelievers.1 Corinthians 14:23-25

1 Corinthians 14:23–25 NIV

1 Corinthians 14:23–25 NIV

23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

1 Corinthians 14:29–30 NIV

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

Every Prophecy must come under the judgement of the Elders as they apply the standard of Scriptural truth to what is said.

Prophesy is:

Something all believers may exercise some time as the Spirit wills.

Something we should all eagerly desire 1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

Something that Build up, strengthen believers. - Exhort them. Stir up believers. Comfort and encourage the body.

Confront and challenge but not condem, I generally find that when prophesy confronts and challenges it is not the words of the prophesy that does it. It is the HS working in the hearers of the prophesy that challenges. When the words of the prophesy challenge, I often find that it stops being prophesy and becomes a rant or a telling off and that is not prophesy

If that is what prophesy is lets look at some things prophesy is not.

It should not be confused with preaching. - though there may be prophetic elements in a preach, but there is a vast amount of human too.

The gift of prophecy is not foretelling the future - though it could be speaking of the future. Don’t mix it up with words of knowledge or wisdom and especially don’t mix it up with human planning or wishful thinks.

The Gift of prophecy is not for personal guidance - I do not get up in a morning and prophesy what the weather will be like I have an app for that, or prophesy when to cross the road. God gave me eyes and skills for that. Prophsey is speaking Gods word into peoples lives, not for directing them.

It is for speaking supernaturally to men 1 Corinthians 14:3

1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV

3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Prophecy requires no interpretation

Prophecy convinces the unlearned. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 NIV

24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Prophecy functions so that believers may learn. 1 Corinthians 14:31

1 Corinthians 14:31 NIV

31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

Everyone should desire and covet this gift. 1 Corinthians 14:1

1 Corinthians 14:1 NIV

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

The person operating the gift is responsible for its use or abuse. 1 Corinthians 14:32

1 Corinthians 14:32 NIV

32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

How to Prophesy

I like to think about prophesy as three conversations.

A conversation with God - it is often the listening part in prayer. Where the HS speaks to us.

A conversation between the giver and the receiver the exchange of a prophetic word being delivered, there are two powerful people involved. There's the person that is delivering the prophetic word and there's the person that is receiving the prophetic word. You have the choice to accept or not accept the word. Just because somebody has delivered a word to you, you don't have to take it on. The scripture says judge it, sift it, eat what's good and spit out the rest(1 Thessalonians 5:21). In other words, there may be a mix of God and the person's soul or flesh in the word. It's up to us now to learn how to judge it. Because the human element is fallible, prophecy must be judged.

Lets’s hear someone you may recognise pick up on this..

How shall we judge a prophecy

Other than Gut feel how can we judge prophecy

Will never contradict the written Word of God

It will always exalt Jesus Christ, and pull him down, deny or disregard Him.

It will build up individuals and the church, not at the expense of others.

It should witness with the majority of the believers present. The majority of people when judging it will come to the same conclusion. We all have one spirit, this makes sense.

a prophecy will not break the spirit of the meeting, though it may change the course of it. This is why it is good to confirm with a leader, and not just blurt out in the middle of a meeting.

Finaly If there is a predictive aspect, it will come to pass.The “FRUIT TEST” (

Matthew 7:16 NIV

Matthew 7:16 NIV

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

The third conversation is

A conversation between the receiver and God.

I like to listen over and over to the word if it's recorded, I have a prophecy on my phone, that I go back to and pray over with god.

If you are given a prophecy write it out and read it over and over, pray over it, and ask questions. I ask "Holy Spirit, what is 100% you? What is the fluff or the filler?

Then I ask, “What is for now, what's for soon, and what's for 10 years down the track?” Discerning the timing of the fulfilment of it is important.

Sometimes I need to ask a more fundamental question - what does it man and is it for me. I try to get a sense of meaning of the imagery, and ask Holy Spirit to unpack it even more.

Practical steps.

Start small

small in prophecy

small in sharing

Small in number of words Don’t Pad If God give you six words, deliver six words not 66.

Test first

Ask God to confirm

Check it out with a trusted mature christian, preferably someone who prophesies or a leader

Keep under authority of the church leadership - it is not always appropriate to blut it out during the middle of a service..

Keep under authority of God It is really important that we prophesy from the foundation that God is good. That we prophesy God’s redemptive purpose for people, cities, town, villages, churches and organisations. Don’t miss the moment. Prayer

Ask God to give us the gifts

prophesy

Next time we will look at

The ability or the power gifts:

The Gift of Faith

The Gifts of Healings

The Working of Miracles