Gifts of the Spirit; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

 

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

 Working of miracles: This describes when the Holy Spirit chooses to override the laws of nature, and works in or through an available person or with no person.

The Gifts of healing and working of miracles often operate in conjunction with the gift of faith, as in Acts 3:1-8. These things are not done on the whim of the individual, as if the power to heal or work miracles was at their permanent disposal. Instead, they operate as an individual is prompted by God and given the faith to perform such a work (another example of this is in Acts14:8-10; Read).

 By the way Paul was rewarded with a stoning for this miracle. The result is in verse 19-21 and preaching the gospel to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra – people got saved through this miracle. This miracle was the result of the pagan gods in the area and the miracle showed the superior power of the one true God. 

Read Acts 9:38-42. Dorcas raised to life and more were added to the church.

Prophecy: The telling forth of God’s message in a particular situation, always in accord with His Word and His current work. Sometimes this has the character of foretelling the future, as in Acts 21:8-14 Paul knowing he was to go to Jerusalem and then he went on to Rome

Acts 21:8 “And the next day those around him going out, Paul came to Caesarea. And entering the house of Philip the evangelist, he being of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 And there were four virgin daughters to this one, who prophesied. 

10 And as we stayed more days, a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus came down. 11 And coming to us, and taking Paul's belt, and binding his hands and feet, he said, The Holy Spirit says these things: So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him into the hands of the nations. 12 And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, what are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And he not being persuaded, we ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done. ." 

Acts 27:21 But there being much fasting, then standing up in their midst, Paul said, O men, being obedient to me you ought not to have set sail from Crete, and to have come by this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there will be no casting away of life among you, only of the ship. 23 For tonight an angel of God stood beside me, whose I am and whom I serve, 24 saying, Fear not, Paul! You must stand before Caesar. And behold! God has given you all those who sail with you. 25 Therefore, men, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it will be so, according to the way it was told me. 

Some people who believe the miraculous gifts have been removed from the church, wish to define prophecy solely as “preaching.” Though this is common, it is not always the case.  What is inaccurate is to define prophecy as “good preaching. Spirit-anointed preaching will often use the spontaneous gift of prophecy.”

All prophecy will align with Scripture. There are times God will want us to know something – wether we are going towards trouble or a direction He wants us to take.

These are two examples of the gift of prophecy in action. See if you can find more examples in the Bible or think of times in your life when you have felt a direction from God.

Discerning of Spirits: Pray for this gifting to be in the churches on the Tablelands. The ability to tell the difference between true and false doctrine, and between what is of the Holy Spirit and what isn’t. We do well to understand the difference between the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge. One may have great knowledge, even supernatural knowledge, yet have no wisdom from God in the application of that knowledge. Always use discernment in receiving a word of knowledge, remembering that God is not the only source of supernatural knowledge. Even if a word is true, it does not mean that it is from God and that the one speaking the word is truly representing God. We always need people who have the gift of discerning of spirits

Read Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also, and being baptized, he continued with Philip. And seeing miracles and mighty works happening, he was amazed.

14 And the apostles in Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; 15 who when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had not fallen on any of them, they were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, Give me this power also, that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20 But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 

21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

Acts 16:16 “And as we went to prayer, it happened that a certain girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining. 17 The same followed Paul and us and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who are announcing to us the way of salvation. 18 And she did this many days. But being distressed, and turning to the demonic spirit, Paul said, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out in that hour.” 

Satan appears as an angel of light. In 2Cor. 11:14 Paul recorded this “Did not even Satan marvellously transform himself into an angel of light?”

He deceives with a false, tempting message. Read Genesis 2:16-17 and Genesis 3:2-5. Satan poses as this wonderful prince of light and deceives Adam and Eve.

I would encourage you to read from Genesis 2 verse 16 to chapter 3 verse 5.

There can be lying spirits in the mouths of prophets (1Kings 22:21-23 and 2Chor. 18:20-22).

Satan can speak right after God speaks – he is very sneaky.

Read Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You. 23 But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not saviour the things that are of God, but those that are of men. 

Sometimes people who seem to say the right things are really from the devil. It is important to test the word of anyone who claims to speak from God (1John 4:1-4).

Satan can work deceiving miracles – we see this when the man of lawlessness is revelled. Read 2Thess. 2:9 whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. 

The devil will infiltrate the church with false teachers Jude 1:4 For certain men crept in secretly, those having been of old previously written into this condemnation, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God for unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. 

2 And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of. 

 How we need the gift of miracles, Prophecy and discernment in the church today! Let us pray