Thursday, April 7, 2016

# 17 in series: SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND MINISTRIES.

THANKS to: The signs of the Times "We Believe" special 3/2016.   "signs of the Times 1-800- 545- 2449, Nampa Idaho. USA.

OCCASIONALLY,

     CIRCUMSTANCES require that family members be separated for an extended period of time, It may be that the husband and father has to travel in connection with work. He may be gone for several months. If he is a responsible person, he will make arrangements so his family is well cared for during his absence. He will have gone over, perhaps even made a list of things that has been done, and leave instructions such as, if you need more money just dip into our savings. He'll have made sure there's enough fuel for heat and that the car is up to snuff!

 A DIVINE PROVISION.

     NINETEEN centuries ago, after establishing His church on earth, Jesus returned to Heaven. The disciples watched His ascend with anxious hearts>>
     Luke 24:50-51  "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."
    Acts 1:9  "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

    We can only imagine the thoughts that ran through their minds, such as "Can we represent Him correctly? Could we successfully carry out the work He had left for us to do? Dis they have the talents necessary to carry the Gospel to all the world?"
    With the very same care and compassion that characterized His entire life, Jesus anticipated these needs and made every provision for them. Just before leaving earth, He told them >>

     Luke 24:49  "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

NOTE: This is among the most important passage in the Bible!
    Through the Holy Spirit, { The Father's direct 'channel' into our minds] Jesus would provide every gift and talent they would need to carry out their task .
   And He kept His promise!>>
    Ephesians 4:8  "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."
    Ephesians 4:11-13  "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"

     Acts 2:1-4  "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

    NOTE: Ephesians describe the gifts but Acts speaks to the How! It is The Third Person of the Godhead and the Bible refers to Him as personal Noun! Thus not a force,but a person whose Spirit like God's is everywhere, all the time!

IS THIS AVAILABLE TO US, ALSO?

    Well just read this by Paul>>>>
    1 Corinthians 12:1-3 " Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.">>>>

Note: Why can this be so?   That's by the powers of the Holy Spirit, God's direct line of communications to each one of us! Think conscience.

>>>1 Corinthians 12:4-12 "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  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: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."

Note: Please take note there is but ONE Holy Spirit, but there are many evil spirits, that confuse, deceive and outright lie to humans, always contrary to God's Word!>>>>

    2 Corinthians 11:14" And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

TWO POINTS NEED TO BE MADE:
(1).  The Holy Spirit decides which git to bestow. He alone takes responsibility, because He knows what gifts the church needs, and He knows which person, will best use which gift to the work of sharing Jesus' love with others!
(2). The same gift is not given to everyone. Thus, no one has a right to insist that the Spirit give give him or her, the gift of prophecy, or the gift of healing, or the gift of tongues [to be fully versed into another language not one's "mother-tongue. {Not to be confused with man's glossolalia, the "speaking in tongues many churches use, for this Satanic gibberish, none understand it!

   The TRUE Christ man or Woman, will submit completely to Christ, putting all their talents on the Alter and asking God to give them whatever gifts the the Holy Spirits Himself sees fit to give them!>>>

     Romans 12:4-8 "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."
    1 Peter 4:10-11 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

  Now know the why Paul wrote in Corinth what he did......

   1 Corinthians 1:4-7 " I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

   In this way, through the Spiritual gifts Christ made complete provisions for His Church--- His Family on earth--- to strengthen it and empower it to carry forward its ministry physically, intellectually, and spiritually, until the day when the family on earth and family in Heaven are once again,united!

Further Study: Matt. 25:31-36. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28. 2 Cor. 5:14-21. Acts 6:1-7. 1Timothy 2:1-3. Colossians 2:19
NEXT: # 18  The gift of Prophecy.

Thanking Y O U for your time,
Questions?  Comments?  John at www.servant@frontier.com

OR: Visit your Seventh-day Adventist Church any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10 AM. Find what you know has been missing in your life, Peace of Mind the world knoweth not!

Other sites: AFTV.org  BLBN.org  Amzingdiscoveries.org   www.bonesinstone.com

John B

   

    






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