Freedom Ministries Fellowship Notes
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Opening prayer:
Praise and Worship: 10 minutes:
Testimonies: 5 minutes
Review: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In Chapters 12-14 in 1 Corinthians, Apostle Paul instructs the church on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to properly use them in public church settings. Some people teach that you have to be perfectly “holy” in your flesh before you can operate the gifts. This is obviously not true. The church in Corinth was engaging in prostitution, incest, pagan worship and all kinds of fleshly activities. Yet during public church settings, the gifts of the Holy Spirit were present and active. They are gifts from God, and He does not take them away.
1 Cor 12:7 says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” This means that everyone baptized in the Holy Spirit has been given gifts to benefit the entire church body. He then lists nine gifts in chapter twelve. They can easily be grouped into three categories:
Vocal Gifts: tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy
Knowledge Gifts: wisdom, knowledge and discerning of spirits
Power Gifts: faith, working of miracles and the gifts of healings
Everyone baptized in the Holy Ghost spoke in tongues in the Bible. It is the same today. We can speak at tongues at will. When we speak in tongues, it stirs up the other gifts. We will talk specifically about the baptism and speaking in tongues next week. This is just an overview of the gifts.
In Chapter 13, Paul explains that the better way to use the gifts is with love (agape). Some people use the gifts simply to see signs and wonders, but Paul is explaining the gifts are for building up the body of Christ. Signs and wonders can make a difference temporarily, but God wants people to experience His love and fellowship.
Lastly, Paul tells us to covet and earnestly desire the gifts of the Spirit. He tells the church to never forbid speaking in tongues. He also tells us to pursue, or follow the love of the Holy Spirit. This agape love is God Himself. When you sense the love flow out of us – which is God – every aspect of God is flowing out of us. His love, healing, wisdom and knowledge are available for us to minister to others. This brings people to God and builds up the body of Christ.
Prayer 1: 10 Minutes:
If there is any situation in your life that needs prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to pray through you for that situation. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God. It is the perfect prayer and is always answered!
Announcements:
All services are streamed live and archived at www.freedomministries.org.
Share God’s goodness together.
Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen