Gifts

Restoring the Gifts to the People

Mar 7 2014

Restoring the Gifts to the People

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 14:26-33

The gifts of the Spirit are not for show. They were never meant for platform performances watched by an idle audience. The church is supposed to be a spiritual army where every soldier is trained in the use of their God given equipment.
John Wimber – the founder of the Vineyard Movement – said “God has given us a vision to see the body of Christ move from being an inactive audience to a Spirit-filled army. This isn’t about a one man show; this is about the equipping of the saints for the work of the Kingdom.” Unfortunately it is the one man show and his inactive audience that we keep seeing. So how do we change?
The Corinthian church is often cited for its weaknesses, but it had some fantastic strengths. And one of them was their desire to move in the gifts of the Spirit. More

Catching Corporate Wind

Feb 3 2014

Catching Corporate Wind

Acts 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Co 12:7). When last did you manifest the Spirit? We don’t have to think far to know what Paul was talking about here. A hundred and twenty people spoke in unlearnt languages on the day of the Pentecost – that was one kind of manifestation and Paul had seen others: healing, prophecy, messages of divine knowledge and more. These manifestations of the Holy Spirit can happen anywhere, but they are most common in church gatherings. Why? Because the church is Christ’s body united by one Spirit so when the body gathers we can expect the Spirit to be there in power. Paul did, he said “When you are assembled … and the power of our Lord Jesus is present …” (1 Co 5:4). Manifestations of the Holy Spirit should be normal in church gatherings and believers should know how to cooperate with him. Paul said “Now about the gifts (or manifestations) of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed” (1 Co 12:1). But before we can understand the gifts we need to understand the nature of the Spirit. More

The Beginning of Gifts

Jul 4 2012

The Beginning of Gifts

Acts 1.4-5, 12-14, 2.1-6

Andrew was still praying aloud when he heard a rushing sound in his ears. As he glanced across the room he caught Philips eye. He had heard something too. Both instantly shot their eyes over the group. Everyone was wide-eyed and the sound was now around them. Was it in the room or just their ears; they weren’t quite sure. But the air had thickened and there was a pleasant weight upon them. Peter was at the front. He had been kneeling, but as he stood to full height he looked around. There was a fire-like glow on each person, even the ladies at the back. But he could not stare long for the fire was on him too and he felt a driving passion building inside. Oh, it was strong; he wanted to shout. He took a deep breath and gave it voice. What on earth was that? He did it again. Was that language? Could the others hear? This was crazy, but it felt good. He wanted to do it again and again; but was he shouting? It seemed they all were. Yes he could see everyone was. Wow, even Mary…
Though the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was expected, what happened at Pentecost must have taken the group by surprise. More

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