Encourgement: A Study in the Book of Acts

Encourgement: A Study in the Book of Acts   by Major Kelly Durant                                         

1-Acts 4:36, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23-24, Acts 15:32 Acts 16: Acts 18:27, Acts 20:2, and Acts 28:15.

2-How many of you have heard a quote, ‘It is better a hand on the shoulder, than a (hand) swat on the rear?’ It’s so true! We all need encouragement often! Do you not agree? In life everyone needs correction and instruction, but my favorite is way to give it is through encouragement! Encouragement is a need for each of us all the time! It is an act of divine love!

Some of you have a difficult life from abusive people around you. Some people are more easily depressed than others. Some people are living in very difficult situations. The reality is we all need someone to lift us up from time to time!

In life the average person will suffer discouragement over and over. People live with family problems, broken relationships, health issues, financial worries, corruption in their communities, and just random chaos upsetting our daily lives!  

3-But we have the promises of God from the Holy Scriptures that we are always going to come out alright!  As in Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.   And Jesus said, in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

These are a few causes of sadness and discouragement.  I personally think what brings about one of the worst discouragements in our lives a feeling of being unloved and unwanted. Sometimes this is due to circumstances out of our control. 

Sometimes our feelings are not real but distorted imaginations.  Often our minds often deceive us, and Satan, our enemy, plants horrible thoughts in our heads. 

Mother Teresa stated, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved”.  I think everyone would confirm that our most important job in life is to love God and others and to encourage others in word and with effective deeds of kindness!

4-And then some people provoke upon their selves their own discouragement.  Sad but true, some people are not very loved because they themselves do not give love. Everyone reaps what they sew, or do not sew, in this life and eternally.

No matter what your situation is, it is important to refresh our minds at how to obtain encouragement. Repeatedly in the book of Acts we read that the disciples got encouragement. God wants Christians to be full of faith, hope, and love and these all bring encouragement!  

Do you like to encourage others? Do you sew it so you can reap it?

5-Consider this, how would you like to have as your name, Encourager? Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”, in modern English),(Other version: Son of consolation).

Imagine, if someone were to say, the son of encouragement will come to my house to visit, do you want to meet him?  Barnabas was true to his name to console others.  He was one of the first Jewish disciples that was considered to be a saint by the old church.

His name was Joses (Joseph), but he was led to change his name to Barnabas. Recall as well Saul became Paul, and many Christians changed their names to signify their mission in life! Maybe we should change the names of some of you here! I have known a few ladies with the name Dolores (which means “pains”) that I wish I could be renamed Joy!

If Barnabas had the job of encouraging, and he was one of the most important figures travelling with Paul, then I deduct the message we should learn here is that we must develop more encouragers amongst ourselves!

Where does our encouragement from God come from? Through the Holy Spirit!

6-Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Here in our city, we have observed ourselves in this phase as they were, in a time of strength.  We have enjoyed a growth phase in the past, but this blessing is only effective if each person here is being sensitive living a pure obedient Christian life which attracts the Holy Spirit! It also attracts others from the world to join us to get relief from their suffering. Jesus stated clearly that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. 

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

When you share comfort and encouragement you are being a channel for the Holy Spirit to work in you!

7-Acts 11: 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

So now consider this, Barnabas encouraged others with the Holy Spirit, and many people believed on the Lord due to his way of being, by his loving spirit, and for his concern for others. His influence was like a fire that spread and warmed many hearts to do the same! Let’s keep this fire burning!

This brings each of us to a challenge, ask yourself: How many people have you encouraged in your lifetime to be closer to the Lord? Can you name the person that has encouraged you in your past as well?

The word says in Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

8-Let’s continue on in Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.

Here we have an example of 2 more brothers who were very good at encouraging others. And a prophet, or one representing God, is one who encourages through prayer and study of the word, and the results bring strength and power in the spirit!

How encouraging are you? How loving are you? How full of the Holy Spirit are you? When people think of you, do they think you are full of comfort, consolation, and encouragement? Or are others indifferent to you because you are indifferent?

9-Acts 16:40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

What is the message here? Whenever you have a testimony you must share it to encourage others! Paul and Silas had a big testimony, that God opened the prison doors for them!

These brothers went to a house for a visit, but what about those that are too far away to visit? What can we do?

All of us can encourage friends that are far away by writing to them sharing  uplifting words to continue to do good for the Lord! In today’s world be can call them as well! We find more visitation in the next verse, first a letter, then a visit.

10-Acts 18:27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Paul, Barnabas and many like Apollos seemed to get around a lot to encourage others. 

Acts 20:2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,

Even when you are in a hard situation you can still be uplifting. Paul was shipwrecked and in a survival situation but he was always positive.  Look in:

11-Acts 27: 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

Notice how Paul encouraged them that nothing bad would happen to them because God was with them in their journey on the ship. Do you do that? Do you tell others things will come out good because God is with you? The people were made very happy by these words! And his encouragement was not a long exhortation but a short one. Encouragement doesn’t have to be a long speech; it can be just a few words as well.

12-Acts 28:15The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

What we learn from this verse is when a Christian brother or sister is close by we should get excited and encouraged we should go visit them as it will bring us up in spirits. If they come near, we should also go to see them.

Soon we will get a visit from our leaders, and we will all travel and it will encourage us in the spirit! Encouragement comes from hearing the word through someone who is mature in the spirit. Leaders must travel to inspire others!

13-What has the Book of Acts taught us about encouragement today?

1-Encouragement comes from people who take up the challenge. Ask yourself, am I willing to be a Barnabas to have the ministry of encouragement?

2-Encouragement comes from the Holy Spirit and all we have to do is ask for it. Ask yourself, do I regularly ask for the Holy Spirit to be close to me?

3-The influence of one encourager spreads and causes many others to become encouragers as well.  Ask yourself how many people have I influenced in my life?

4-We must share testimonies and positive words of God’s works to bring encouragement to others. Ask yourself, when have I shared a testimony?

5-Visitation from others brings encouragement. Ask yourself, when was the last time I traveled to get encouragement from someone mature in the faith? Or to give it?

Remember love is encouragement and it is like a cologne, or perfume, and you cannot put some on someone else without getting some on yourself!

Be encouraged and encourage others from this day forward! Prayer…

There's too much pain everywhere! Comfort/Consolation: Give It & Take It!

Comfort/Consolation:  Give It & Take It!                    By Kelly Durant 8-10-14 Re 6-9-24

Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

2. How many of you have ever heard the story about the person in the mental hospital that bangs their head on the wall, and they do it off and on all day? The professionals and doctors decided to go in the cell and interview the crazy man, “Why do you bang your head on the wall?” The man looks at them dumbfounded and answered, “Don’t you know? Because it feels so good when I stop!”

Believe it or not, this pattern of seeking pain, then relief, is a reality for many people in this life who live without a connection to the Lord! People live on a treadmill of up and down because they have never known real love, healing, and comfort from God! I have known people who seem to thrive in life, not on encouragement and comfort, but thrive on discouragement and bad news! They seem to be energized running from one crisis to the next just to get attention!

Real life examples: I have dealt with a dozen or more people in my past who from week to week always have a life and death emergency crisis and they’d say “Oh pastor, you don’t know what happened to me now!” That phrase meant I was going to be busy doing something unplanned for. I am not complaining about serving others, this is what I am here for, but my concern is how do we fix this situation that certain people have so many problems non-stop and seem energized living in the crisis mode? They need an extra dosage of comfort and Jesus!

3. All of us confront problems in life, but it is how one handles them that matters! Crisis situations are not the whole problem, how one reacts and handles them determines if matters will calm down or if they will get worse! The reaction of most Christians is to ask for prayer and help from a brother or sister, and this is the way it is supposed to be.  We are supposed to help one another. Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  In other words, don’t abuse, but serve, or be served, and with love.

The issue is many people without the Lord in their lives are weak and obsess over things. There are many TV shows on people’s addictions such as drugs or alcohol, or an addiction to hoarding things which is idolatry and materialism, or to eating, or politicians addicted to power, or to botox, or obsessed with music, exercise, or to anything which actually can become an obsession which is idolitry! People become extreme and crazy to lust and want and get, and to get attention, and why? It is because God’s love and Jesus does not fill their empty hearts, so they get crazy trying to get satisfied with something, or just anything! They crave one more bite, one more drink, one more relationship, one more person helping them as a victim and yet nothing soothes their soul! 

It is like that old frustrating song by the Rolling Stones (a song deemed #1 of the century?!) ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’. When I was about 10 years old, I played that miserable song over and over non-stop for hours and days on a 45 record (making my mother crazy!) and I thought to myself, you mean he is a rich and famous rock star and he is not happy? No satisfaction in life?! Well, it is true, people without God, whether rich or poor, are never content, they are always obsessing, stressing, and creating drama if no drama is coming to them! It is a lifestyle! And a stressful one at that!

4. So if we look at the scripture today, Paul in Romans 1 is expressing that no matter how dark this world is, no matter how many horrible sins are taking place around you (see the rest of the chapter), our comfort is in the encouragement and comfort we can give each other and get from God through the Holy Spirit!  Paul mentions “impart a spiritual gift” and what does that mean? Paul wants to empower every believer against the evil ones, problems, and hardships that attack each one of us as a Christian.  

The gifts of the spirit we have learned are in I Cor. 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

So basically, the Word of God encourages and comforts us, it tells us to seek the Spirit and no matter the problem we face, God will make a way for us to get by without us worrying, obsessing, or becoming crazy!  If we are ignorant on matters, God increases our knowledge, if we doubt the faith or need faith for our needs, God will supply it. When we are sick, God will often heal us and even do miracles! God’s Spirit can help us to discern between the true and false, and even help us to learn languages, or understand people speaking in the Spirit.  These are all Spirit gifts we share, and they are all done within the context of us helping one another by praying and sharing them, practicing them within our community of brothers & sisters.

5. So why do we have such an abundance of craziness, obsessiveness, and drama in the world today? It is in great part because of the lack of (or rejection of) the knowledge of God (which Romans 1 makes clear), but also according to the verses today, we could conclude it is a lack of us comforting one another in hard times as we should be.  Paul says, “that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me”. Let’s look at comfort a bit deeper.

Paul is clearly saying here that it is our faith in Jesus that brings us comfort and we must comfort one another, He wants to give comfort and he wants to receive it. How do you comfort another person? That depends, right? Comfort is a personal thing, you have to be with the person, you must communicate and share the faith together which implies praying, studying, and listening to what that person’s needs are. You may not have the answers to all their needs, but when you pray for them, God will answer somehow, right? The biggest problem is many people do not know how to express what their needs are because their life is comprised of carnal things, and not spiritual things. The people ask for the carnal things, rent or bill money, but the greater need they have is spiritual. People do not see that it is their way of life and habits that are impoverishing them. The wounded person must first be healed, soup, soap, and then salvation!

6. God comforts us to be encouraged and consoled but not for us to get comfortable! In carnal people’s ways (Romans 1 describes quite a few!) there is the selfishness factor of some people that they start wanting all your time and attention, or too much comfort. To the contrary, I think none of us get tired of serving a Christian brother or sister because if they are true, they will always appreciate it, and they serve you back when you need it! I personally have had to learn a balance to spend more time with our leaders, planning and doing, instead of too much of my time with people who are always going to keep having one crisis after another!  If I help a person 5 times, then maybe it’s time that I choose a different person to help them. But what can we do for the poor, old, single ones with no relatives in this country, and no welfare check?

The frustration is one is always trying to win someone to Christ, and you serve them in their crisis, but then they may not even appreciate it! Often people want more and more and are abusive! I have had my kindness interpreted as stupidity a few times! Imagine a person almost homeless, you help them, and then they judge you as a dumb person?! As I mentioned before, my commitment is to serve people with love and this implies doing things not very pleasant at times like going to represent them in the courts, helping pay late bills, visiting them in the hospitals, taking them to apply for jobs, and on and on. The factor is, neither you nor I can afford to get discouraged from dealing with the sufferings brought on by someone’s sin! Sin brings pain and when in pain it’s an emergency! Life is like a battlefield and as Christians we are the only soldiers still well enough to go out and rescue the fallen ones!

Remember the 10 lepers that Jesus healed, and only 1 came back to thank Him! The general mission of all of us in life is to preach the gospel and do good matter what and that includes showing God’s love by comforting, healing, and helping! We cannot focus on ourselves and any reward in this life, we just must simply comfort each other however needed whenever needed! 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

7. All of this to get you to think about the following, do you know what the greatest human need is? It is to be loved! Everyone is hungry for love, each one of us wants comfort, we all want connectedness and a feeling of belonging! As Christians we have a lot of work to do to be able to have confidence amongst ourselves to build up trust and feel free to confess our weaknesses and needs to one another. Can we trust that the other person will listen, care, pray, and comfort us? We all need comfort in our pain, and we should be able to get it!

The problem with ‘help’ is the following, those immature in the faith are like little children, they are selfish, they have no consciousness of the needs of others, and they are not aware of their own carnality and abusiveness of what they expect from others. They want to get help and comfort, but they do not give any! They obsess only over their own self! With some you may help them 2 dozen times, but that one day you cannot help them then you suddenly become the bad guy! In the end, our help is for the needy, not the greedy! But we focus on the good ones, some people really do change with love and Jesus, and this is our COMFORT to keep on ministering! The thankful ONES make our day!

Love, which entails comfort should work like this: we as Christians are tapped into God’s system, like a water system that never runs dry, and the Holy Spirit fills us and refills us again so we just keep pouring out on others. Those that are empty and receive God’s love get filled up, and if they allow God’s healing, then they become whole, and instead of remaining broken and leaking out the love given them, they retain it, appreciate it, and then after getting full, they too start overflowing on others as well. This is also a way of observing how holiness works, God’s Spirit of purity fills us up until there is no more emptiness and then we overflow on everyone!

8. Referring to whom to comfort, as a pastor I always try to focus in on the neediest persons in the group, the weakest and most vulnerable, the ones suffering most.  A church should be a place where people arrive for love, comfort, and mercy! The mature are here to guide the immature; the strong are here to help the weak without a judgmental attitude. As believers we have all things common, and we share with each other so that no one is suffering from a dire need. (Acts 2:44,45) It is the job of all Christians to know how everyone is doing spiritually and materially, and everyone should serve to show love, and this brings comfort knowing that all areas are covered in our fellowship! 

Comfort is an expression of love, and it is shown in many ways: it is a human need! Without natural affection babies have been known to die, so what about people?  Ask yourself right now, do I have the confidence to seek advice and comfort with a brother or sister near me? When is the last time you comforted another person who had a problem, something secret no one could know about?  Seriously, how do you serve others if you are not alleviating their distresses? It should be with acts of service and that is love in action! We need to establish closer relationships amongst ourselves, so we have more love and confidence, and God gives us our talents and the Holy Spirit to be used and shared.

All of us should do a better job of listening, understanding, and comforting others!  John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  This love implies that your whole life is wrapped around others!

9. Do you know of anyone suffering or of anyone who gets into crisis often? Do you know of anyone who obsesses over things because they don’t have the peace of God in their heart, and they are trying to fill a void?  Someone with no satisfaction with anything?  There is a cure!

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” And this next verse is a promise I have claimed often…

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you”.  Also, with the Holy Spirit anyone can access the gift of having a comforter or obtain the power needed to get through a trial… John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”

10. Despite God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comforting us we still need each other for comfort! We love God but equally as important, we must love our neighbor as ourselves! Comfort may be expressed with encouragement from sharing God’s word, through prayer, through serving or giving or providing in the time of need, through hugging someone who needs it, through loving care and concern, and even just by your presence by being there for them when they need you most! Do you allow yourself to be available? Break down your defensive walls and connect with people on a human level! 

Jesus warned us how it would be in the last days. Matthew 24:12 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Ask yourself, am I an indifferent, a self-protecting stagnant water type of Christian? Or do I overflow the Spirit on to others? Do I obsess and worry too much and live in the crisis mode? Or am I one that pours out the love and comfort of the Holy Spirit freely onto others? The formula of God has always been that to receive you must give! People are dying for a lack of love and comfort, so DO SOMETHING! 

Do you know of anyone who really does have a need to be comforted? If you do, then just act! Call them, visit them, spend time with them! Don’t worry about how much Bible you know to share; people are comforted just by knowing you care! You are a living Bible representing the Holy Spirit and Jesus to them! Break your old habits, learn to comfort or you will suffer, and many others will continue to suffer as well! 

The Holy Spirit Makes You Glow!

 The Holy Spirit Makes You Glow!                                    Kelly Durant  6-27-10 Re 6-11-23

We are all just worms, according to the scripture!    

Job 25:6

6 how much less man, who is but a maggot — 

a son of man, who is only a worm!"

Eccl 8:1

Who is like the wise man?

Who knows the explanation of things?

Wisdom brightens a man's face

and changes its hard appearance. 

 

2. There is story about the boy who went with his father fishing, but the boy was going through a stage in his age that he was unthankful and complained for everything. The father said enough is enough, if you complain anymore, I will make you eat a worm! The boy complained again, and then again about something that morning so they got when home the father said, “Alright, here is the worm on the plate, now eat it!” The boy complained, “Well at least fry it and put salt on it!” Then the boy said, “This is so unfair, I will eat half only if you will eat half too!” The father feeling bad that he punished him this way said, “Okay, look I am eating half!” Then the boy put on a frown cried and complained again. “What is it this time?” demanded the father. The boy said, “You ate the half that was going to be mine so I can’t eat the half you left!” (wahaa!)

 

There are many types of worms, but one type is special, a glow worm, it glows in the dark. We as people are as worms, but for God we can be a glow worm! He makes our faces to shine!

 

3.Today we will examine the HS in your life. I want to start off with a neglected part of the spirit of God, the part that makes us glow, the HS. Remember when Moses spent time with God, he came down from the mountain glowing like the sun and they had to cover his face to keep from blinding the people! On the day of Pentecost the HS glowed around the heads of the disciples.  And Stephen, the first martyr had the glow of the H.S. on his face too!

 

Anyone with God’s Holy Spirit will have God’s shine. It is a light, a happiness, a radiance that bears witness of the power of God in us! The HS is also wisdom.  

Eccl 8:1

Who is like the wise man?

Who knows the explanation of things?

Wisdom brightens a man's face

and changes its hard appearance. 

 

4. In the NT, we conclude that Stephen was glowing like an angel when they stoned him. Despite having a face full of strength, light, and the HS, they stoned him to death.   

Acts 6:15

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.    

Acts 7:55-56

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 

Most of you are familiar, to get God’s Spirit, all you need to do is ask for it! It will make you more beautiful, it is God’s testimony for all to see! Your glow!

    

5. How do we get it? We ask for it!     Luke 11:13

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

In the Salvation Amy we emphasize the HS as a part of our being.  Many songs speak of asking God to send the fire today, like the fire on the flag, we will not do God’s work without his Spirit present in our lives. In reality, historically, the SA appears to be sort of like a precursor to the Pentecostal movement for their emphasis on the HS! The founders had it!

 

No one can deny that few Christian movements have ever accomplished in only 150 years what the SA has accomplished in 130+ countries with multi-millions of souls saved, lives restored from vices, and multi-millions given aid to help in their poverty or disaster! In the end, you can be proud you are one of the Soldiers who serve others in need with the HS as your strength! But serving is a burden and duty if you do not have the H.S. in you!

 

6. Why Study Spiritual Gifts? Acts 1:8

1.    It’s a Matter of Obedience – 1 Corinthians 12:1

            “Now about your gifts…I do not want you to be ignorant.”

2.    They will benefit and its ministries will become increasingly effective as its member discuss and use their gifts.

3.    Individual believers will mature in their self-image and faith as they experience the competence of God.

 

Let’s examine the church historically. The HS has often been neglected by the power-hungry church due to its potential to empower the believer, or average man or woman. Look at Peter, a rough middle to low class fisherman, and with the HS he preached sermons that converted thousands! 

 Historical Overview

•       Augustine – disregarded what texts stated – minimized the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting divine enabling to Christians.  Vague, at best in dealing with the pace and meaning of Spiritual gifts.

•       Emperor Constantine – Made Christianity a state religion.  Concept of priesthood strengthened – (empowered) Regarded as the primary means of grace.  Weak, passive laity.

•       Thomas Aquinas – Drew parallel between Spiritual gifts and Spiritual fruits.  Equated Spiritual gifts with inner virtues (love, hope) Standard view of Roman Catholicism thus did not develop an adequate theology of Spiritual Gifts.

•       John Calvin – Ambiguous at best, lumping together all things pertaining to true knowledge of God as gift of the Holy Spirit.  Supernatural gifts ceased with the death of the last apostles.

•       John Wesley – Christians should concentrate on a more excellent way “ – love”

•       Holiness Movement – Late 1800’s makeup largely of Methodists.  Became interested in the nature of Spiritual gifts.

•       Spawned the Pentecostal Movement – emphasized some of the gifts listed in Scripture

 

7. FRUIT

n  The fruit of the Spirit produces ethical character

n  All of the fruit of the Spirit is for each Spirit-filled believer

n  The fruit of the Spirit is reflective of maturity in Christ.

n  The fruit of the Spirit deals with inward attitudes

n  The fruit of the Spirit is an indication of Spirit-filled life

n  The fruit of the Spirit is difficult to imitate

n  The fruit of the Spirit is continually with us, because it is a maturity of a Spirit-filled life

 

   8. GIFTS

n  The gifts of the Spirit produce Christian Service

n  Some of the gifts of the Spirit are for each Spirit-filled believer

n  The gifts of the Spirit are reflective of the blessings of Christ

n  The gifts of the Spirit deal with outward actions.

n  The gifts of the Spirit are not and indication of Spirit-filled life

n  The gifts of the Spirit are easier to imitate

n  The gifts of the Spirit may come and go – may not always be evident

 

9. The 5 basic principles:

1. God imparts spiritual gifts according to His divine grace; they cannot be earned through human merit.
2. God gives spiritual gifts according to his own discretion; He is not bound by man’s wishes.
3. God wills that every Christian exercise spiritual gifts; these divine enablings are not limited to a few believers.
4. God provides gifts for the purpose of ministry and service; they are not given in order to draw attention to man or to satisfy his ego.
5. God intends that the ministry of the church be accomplished through spiritual gifts; human talents are not adequate for spiritual ministry.

 

-God imparts spiritual gifts according to His divine grace

-God gives spiritual gifts according to his own discretion

       -God wills that every Christian exercise spiritual gifts

       -God provides gifts for the purpose of ministry and service

       -God intends that the ministry be accomplished through spiritual gifts

 

      10. A Chart of the New Testament Charismata

Romans 12:6-8	I Corinthians 12:4-11	I Corinthians 12:28	Ephesians 4:11
•       Prophecy •        Teaching •        Serving •        Exhortation •        Giving •        Giving Aid •       Compassion	•       Prophecy •        Healing •        Working Miracles •        Tongues •       Interpretation of  tongues •        Wisdom •        Knowledge •        Faith  •        Discernment	•       Prophecy •        Teaching •        Healing •        Working Miracles •        Tongues •        Interpretation   of tongues •        Apostleship •        Helps •       Administration	•       Prophecy •        Teaching •        Apostleship •        Evangelism •       Shepherding

11. We are human, we are worms. All of us may be weak at times, people complain and are not happy at times, all of us have our trials in life that seem very hard to bear at times but what is the answer? 

Where would you rather be, in the dirt, or in the light? The HS is like a fire, shining with a light of love that warms everyone in their path! We must ask God for the gifts of the Spirit!

The answer is to be busy for God, applying  ourselves in His work, in His kingdom with the power of the HS! Doing God’s work without the HS is like burning an old kerosene lamp on empty. Instead of burning the oil, we can be burning the wick of our own flesh, and when we do, all the people see the light going out and smell the burnt dry attitude.

Having God and Jesus in your life means having the H.S. fruit and gifts too! The people who really serve God, serving Him not out of duty, not out of pressure, but serve out of love for God with the power of the HS have a shine on their face! The people with the HS in their lives attract others to love and serve God like a light that attracts all the creatures in the night to surround it.

Does your face and heart glow with the HS? Being reminded of the gifts and fruits of the HS, do you believe God is using you in one or more of these areas?

If not, now is your time to come for prayer and to ask for the HS!