Bible Studies
HOLY SPIRIT LESSON II
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT & SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(All scripture from the ASV unless otherwise noted)
Introduction:
2nd Peter 1:2-4 "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust."
I've got to admit, it is a difficult thing to grasp the difference between gifts of the Spirit and Spiritual gifts. It's important for a study about God's Spirit to identify the two conceptually.
One is a direct single gift, or multiple gifts of a supernatural nature that is given by God to those he chooses, for use in specific situations or ministries. The other are gifts all Christians receive, which assist them in their spiritual walk and enable them to lead victorious Christian lives. Some of these gifts are interchangeable. All of them work to edify (enlighten) the Body of Christ aka the Church. In other words, God's ultimate plan is that we utilize the gifts he gives to bring glory and attention to Him. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
There is one particular Spiritual gift that is accessible even to sinners. That is the gift of God's grace. This gift might be better stated as God's sacrificial gift given through the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, there is one loophole. A sinner only has access to the continual benefits of this gift through their acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ
as Savior and Lord. (Ephesians 4:7,8)
Does God sometimes answer the prayers of sinners who don't confess Christ? Yes, I think so. That is one quality that separates the Christian God from others, and what makes our Father so special! He makes his rain to fall on the just and the unjust. He will have mercy on those he chooses. There are plenty of Old Testament scriptures to back that up. It is also interesting to note, that God sometimes granted supernatural gifts to Old Testament characters who weren't particularly godly, and once, he even spoke to a magician through a donkey! It is also important to point out that there are temporal (temporary) gifts God bestows on all mankind which relate to our physical well being. These include clothes, food, shelter, and money. And there are those gifts he gives to all creatures, such as food and shelter. Yet even these are given to remind us of, and bring attention to Him. Christian or not, nothing would exist without God.
I. SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Gifts For Every Christian - Faith, Hope, and Love
Faith - It doesn't take much faith to accomplish great things! (Luke 17:6)
Hope - I once asked a non-Christian associate, "If you were to lose everything, what would you have left." His answer? "I'd have nothing of course." That is sad. With the gift of Hope, Christians know that all things work to the good for those who love God. For those who have lost a child, a career, their home; for those Christians who have lost all but remain faithful and maintain their hope in God, there is absolutely no degree of disaster or misfortune that will ever cause them to lose hope. Non-Christians may have hope, but it is insecure and fleeting from situation to situation. God's hope is sure, and grows each time we rely on it.
Love - The love for God and from God is indescribable. But it is definable. Christian love is very different from the world's idea of love. The world's idea of love is indefinable, but most people find it easy to describe. Love as the world knows it can hurt, is blind, and can leave one cold and lifeless inside. The world's love often turns to hate, pain and suffering. Many people do many odd things in the name of "love". It is often confused with lust, like, desire, and infatuation. But the gift of love from God is perfect, pleasing and gratifying beyond compare!
READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES
THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW
2nd Peter 1:2-9 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; and in your knowledge self–control; and in your self–control patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight)
Romans 15:10-13 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; And let all the peoples praise him. And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Good News Translation) Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.
1 Corinthians 13:13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Exercise
1) What other spiritual gifts are acquired through Faith, Hope and Love?
Ask yourself, "Has God given me all I need?" What do you lack, and why?
2) Take a sheet of paper and write down a few things non-Christians place faith in.
What is their hope based on? Now consider these from a Christian perspective.
What makes the difference?
3) How does the Bible’s definition of love differ from the world's?
4) What is the greatest gift and why?
II. GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Special Gifts of the Holy Spirit given by God for specific situations.
wisdom; knowledge; faith; healing; miracles; prophecy; discernment; tongues; interpretation
(1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
Some of us may already feel God has blessed us with one or more of the "supernatural" gifts listed above. We've all met Christians who claim to have them, and some of you have seen these gifts at work but doubt they are for real. There are some Churches that teach and work in all of the gifts, there are some that teach and believe in some of them, and there are those who don't teach or believe in any of them. Quite frankly, I would feel powerless, and even non-Christian if I didn't believe in all the gifts, and if I didn't believe God could or would bless me with all of them if it suited his purpose.
These gifts are available to Christians, from God through Christ. He gives these gifts to those working in certain areas of ministry, (apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors and teachers, administrators and leaders), and also to members of the Body who are receptive to receiving and using those gifts to enlighten the Body, and to give God glory. While I do believe these gifts are available for personal use, I also feel it is necessary to testify to them, or give a praise report to others when we are witness to, or experience them ourselves.
READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES
THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW
1 Corinthians 12:28-31 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
1 Corinthians 12:12-28 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
Exercise
1) Do you believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Why, or why not? (If the answer is no, quit this study now and pray for God to reveal his word to you.)
2) Write down two of the gifts you know you have, or think you may have been blessed with. Do you know the moment you received them? What were you doing?
3) How did God use those gifts through you to enlighten (edify) the Body of Christ?
What do you see as "the rules" for using your gifts?
4) Can you identify certain gifts you don't have but would like to? How would you use them to glorify God.
III. BONUS GIFT!
There is another gift, or access to God's power that is not listed above. It needs to be mentioned here because it is something we as Christians all need to be aware of, and probably are in need of on a daily basis.
Luke 10:19, 20 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. He goes about like a roaring lion seeking those he may devour. His favorite meal is new Christians. He comes, and sends his demons to steal our faith, destroy our hope, and kill our love. Yes even to take our very lives! We will cover spiritual warfare in this study, but for now, memorize and use this prayer as often as you feel you need to.
"Dear Lord, in Jesus name I rebuke the enemy. I bind him and his spirits and cast them far from me. The enemy has no place in my spirit, mind, or body and it is by your authority that I repel this attack against me. Thank you God! I know my name is written in heaven, and you hear my prayer. In Jesus name, Amen."
It is worthwhile to point out that some who have not received salvation have tried to access this authority with poor results. (Acts 19:11-16)
IV. THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Luke 20:18-22 "When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit"
Friends, some of you will say, "Oh, that was for the Apostles back then not for me now." If that's how you choose to believe, then it will be so. As a matter of fact, many of the gifts studied in this lesson are not required for you to make it in to heaven. But I can tell you this, you may ask God for any and all of them and he will bless you abundantly! Once having received your own anointing, you will be far better prepared, and will have more of the tools you need to lead a victorious, happy, and faith filled Christian life. You will be able to say to those nay sayers who question your beliefs, "I know that I know that I know." You can be sure, it is God's desire that you know.
Next Wednesday I will present part III of this lesson, Using the Gifts. I pray you will be a step ahead of the program by then.
May the peace of Christ be with you until then.
Amen
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