Monday, August 1, 2011

Gifts of the Spirit


1 Corinthians 12:7-11
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
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.

Gifts of the Spirit

We started this study in our Disciples Class last Wednesday night at Fellowship. We are exploring the gifts of the Spirit for the next few weeks. However, one point kept coming up in the discussion and promises to be repeated.

Verse 11 in the passage above says 'But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.' All things as the Father commands. He does it at His own will. That's that part of this fellowship we have through Christ with God that is most important for us to remember...as HE wills. We have no control of when the gift starts, stops or what happens as the gift operates. That's God's business.

The posture of a disciple is yeilded, open. Like the lump of clay in Ezekiel, we are subject to the Master's shaping and firing as He wills. The purpose of our 'shape' is determined by Him, not us. Same for how we're used. Can you imagine if you reached into your cabinet for a pitcher, and it somehow refused the iced tea you were trying to put in it because it thinks it was made for only milk? You'd throw it out. It wouldn't be fit for your use if the pitcher somehow got to decide how it would be used.

Is your vessel yeilded? Are you open to what God has for you? Are you ready to receive, regardless of what He presents? Jesus left Glory and found Himself debased, beaten and killed...just as the Father designed. In return, His Name is above all names and His inheritance is all who would believe on that Name. His obedience redeemed me. It redeemed you, if you've received it.

God blesses whom He will. He is God. He is Master. He is Creator. He chooses how He will use those who serve Him. He chooses when and how the Holy Spirit will behave for Him. Our call is to obedience, humility and reception of all that He offers from assignment to grace.

Won't you choose to receive from God? He has nothing for you, except His best.

I invite you to learn more about these precious gifts during our study on Wednesday nights at 7 at Fellowship. I also hope you'll join us for service Sundays at 11:30 if you are not already involved (yes, involved, not just attending) another church family. We're growing, but there's always room for you.

Romans 12:1-5
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Peace.

Lifeline is the evangelistic ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. Feel free to share this message. Previous Lifeline mailings can also be reached through the church website www.fcchosengeneration.com on the Lifeline link. For questions or to subscribe, send an email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. You can reach the church at chosen.gen@att.net.

Fellowship Church
Where Passions Become Reality
Because you are a CHOSEN GENERATION!

455 Hwy 138 W, Ste C
Jonesboro, GA 30238
Alton Watkins, Pastor

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