We have just finished looking into the Bible concerning .....
Why we serve GOD.
Now, we will engage in opening up the eyes of our understanding into ..........
How we Serve.
Before we can successfully operate as GOD's workmanship, to serve........., our LORD will do somethings first to equip us. .. Our equipment, or gifts define how each of us serve GOD.
1 Cor 12:11 All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses
The Bible says your gift will make room for you. It is in the gifting provided through the Holy Spirit that shows you how we serve GOD as individuals. Of course the ability we obtain through GOD is not just a natural ability or a natural gift. This impartation is a supernatural gift, it is a spiritual gift.
Cor 12:1 NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.
1 Cor 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.
Before we get into the subject further and define spiritual gifts, please observe the current condition, in our Churches.
There is much confusion, much deception, and much abuse, around the administration and use of spiritual gifts, in the Body of Christ.
Our churches have the look of accommodating charlatans, and opportunist, that are making merchandise of our good will, for their own selfish profit.
Matt 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves
Matt 24:11
And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error
Luke 6:26
"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
We must remain alert and aware of the traps or snares set for GODs people because today deception is indeed rampant in our churches today.
In the direction of the other extreme we have Christians that deny that GOD actually imparts spiritual gifts. In one case there is deception surrounding the use of spiritual gifts and then we have the outright denial that spiritual gifts even exist today. I can not say which error is the more dangerous than the other, but both errors are dangerous and we should not be the victim of either of them.
Fortunately for us we have the light of life, Jesus exposing the dark motives of men through the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit of GOD we investigate, question, and inquire into all things. Men can be deceived all day long, but mature Spirit lead Christian should not be deceived, at least not for long.
1 Cor 2:15
But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
Wow, having the Spirit of GOD active on the inside of you... well, nothing can even come close to matching its value..
Now, back to the subject at hand...Our spiritual gift is GOD empowering us to be HIS witness and to execute HIS will in the earth.
Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Zech 4:6
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts
Joel 2:28
"It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions
The LORD is saying, when people encounter you, they will see things that no natural man can do. GOD's purpose is to convince men that HE indeed is present and to convict men of sin so they might be saved.
John 11:40
Jesus *said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
John 11:41
So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
John 11:42
"I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
John 11:43
When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."
This profound miracle occurred so that the people would believe that Jesus was sent by GOD. And many people believed on the LORD Jesus after this miracle was performed.
John 11:45
Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him
Ok, someone may say.. well yes this happen but that was Jesus.. and we are not Jesus.., Jesus is GOD he can do anything, right???
My friends Jesus came here, to earth as a normal man. He gave up everything related to HIS divine nature and was born a human being.
Here is a scripture verifying the divine nature of GOD, proving Jesus being GOD!!!!! Before descending to HIS eartly ministry.
Phil 2:6
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
Now, here is Jesus in the role of HIS earthy ministry, were He referred to HImself as the Son of Man.
Phil 2:7
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
Matt 8:20
Jesus *said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Every miracle performed by Our LORD was done through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit... YES, the same Holy Spirit that we are filled with Today, the very same Holy Spirit.. There is no other ..
The Gifts:
1 Cor 12:8
To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;
1 Cor 12:9
To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;
1 Cor 12:10
To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.
Eph 4:11
And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.
Eph 4:12
His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church),
Somewhere in the gifts described above you may find YOur empowerment through and by the Holy Spirit... ..How do you know..., there is only one way to know........ GOD Himself shall reveal this to YOU..
But you MUST prepare yourself...,AND, this is how we prepare..
Rom 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
