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Gifts of the Spirit

- by: Elder Michael L.

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 12:1-14 Speak of the gifts of the Spirit.

The word gifts in verse 4 comes form the Greek work charisma which means-a divine gratuity i.e. deliverance from danger or passion; especially a spiritual endowment …miraculous faculty; free gift.

Verse 5 the word administrations comes from the Greek word diakonea, which means attendance as a servant etc. Figuratively, aid, official service especially of the Christian teacher. Technically of the diaconate administer, administer, administration and ministry. Office relief service and servicing.

Verse 6 the word operations comes from the Greek word energema, which means an effect, operation, or working.

Verse 7 the word manifestations comes form the Greek word phanerosis, which means exhibition, figuratively, expression, by extension a bestowment or manifestation.

Verse 7 the word profit comes form the Greek work sumphero, which means contribute, be better for, be profitable, or profitable for. When God uses someone in one of the gifts of the Spirit it is so they came be profitable to the church and also for the purposes of God.

THE WORD OF WISDOM

Verse 8 the first gift is the word of wisdom. We will look at this expression thoroughly. First of all, the word comes from the Greek word logos, which means something said, including the thought, reasoning, computation, or the divine expression. The word wisdom comes from several root words, the first of which is Sophia. It’s
generally theoretical it means wisdom, higher or lower, worldly or spiritual, insight into the true (sometimes hidden) nature of things.
The second word is phronesis it is usually the practical side of wisdom. It means understanding prudence, a right use of the mind. This comes from a man named Lightfoot. The third word is sunesis, which means understanding, intelligence, it is a critical faculty. This and phronesis are particular applications of Sophia.

In James 1:5 we find out that wisdom comes from God. Ecclesiastes 2:26 also speaks of God giving a good man wisdom, knowledge and joy. Daniel 2:21 echoes these other two scriptures by letting us know that God gives us wisdom.

In James 3:13-18 as you read this you will find there is wisdom from above and wisdom from the earth.

We are going to look at some choice scriptures about wisdom.

Proverbs 3:13-14
Proverbs 8:11
Ecclesiastes 2:13
Ecclesiastes 7:19

Lets look at the wisdom of Christ.

Isaiah 11:2
Luke 2:40
Matthew 13:54
1 Corinthians 1:24
Colossians 2:3

The fear of the Lord and the word of God will bring wisdom.

Job 28:28
Proverbs 4:7
Hosea 14:9
Matthew 7:24
2 Timothy 3:15

Let’s look at some practical examples.

1 Chronicles 12:32 Notice what it says about the children of Issachar. Acts 6:8-15 Notice in verse 15 that Stephen’s face did shine. If you notice in Daniel 12:3 how the bible says “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.” So when a man is full of wisdom sometimes his face can shine because of it.

Luke 2:47-48 Even when Jesus was 12 years old his wisdom was evident. In those days, when wise men conversed, they would many times answer a wise enquiry with a wise question, revealing an even deeper wisdom on a particular point. This Jesus did at 12 years of age with doctors of theology. And they were amazed at his wisdom and understanding.

1 Kings 3:4-28 We can see the wisdom of Solomon revealed in righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 We can have the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God. You’ll notice in verse 14 that the word of God is spiritually understood, therefore if we are going to comprehend the word and wisdom of God, we must be born of the Spirit because the bible says that the natural man does not receive the spiritual things of God.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

The second gift in the series is the word of knowledge. Word comes from the Greek word Logos which means something said (including the thought) by implying a topic (subject or discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extensions, a computation…the divine expression (i.e. Christ)…speaker, speech, talk, utterance, word.

The word knowledge comes from the Greek word Gnosis, which means knowing (the act) i.e. by implication knowledge: knowledge science. In Vine’s book he expands upon the word Gnosis stating that it means primarily a seeking to know, an enquiry, investigation, denotes in the New Testament knowledge especially of spiritual truth. As we walk with God, there are times God’s will (supernaturally) tell some people, or let some people just know things.

1 Peter 5:1-11 the story of Ananias and Saphira, the Holy Spirit let Peter know that they were lying about the price of the land they sold.

Luke 7:36-50 Jesus is at Simon the Pharisee’s house and he reads Simon’s thoughts and answers him just as if Simon were talking to him audibly.

Acts 18:9-10 Paul receives the word of knowledge from Jesus that comforts him in his ministry. I have two personal experiences. The first one is when I was first coming to Christ, I was walking into a club with a girl that I was dating and heard a man’s voice speaking into my left ear “You’re going to be challenged.” This certainly happened that night. The night before was my first night in church in six years. There was a visiting minister that I had never seen before. But somehow every word he said seemed to apply to me. When I left service that night I had gone up from to receive Christ. I also made two promises. That I would quit smoking and drinking. The next day I proceeded to break them both. That’s what I was doing when I was going into the club.

After wrestling in my spirit for about 45 minutes, we left the club. As we were going home I thought for sure I was going to die and go to hell that night. But I kept my thoughts to myself. After we were home for a while the dog outside started howling. Both my girlfriend and her sister said this is a bad omen. This means someone we love or who’s in our family is going to die or get hurt very badly tonight. That’s when I let
them know what I was feeling. At this time is when I fully surrendered my life to Christ and repented of my sins.

The second experience happened about 16 years ago. I was just walking up the middle of the church when the Lord spoke to my mind that several people were going to be coming into the church. This happened and the very next week 8 new people came into church.