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Gifts of the Spirit -Part 2

Functioning in our gifting…

When we labor in the natural realm, we get tired and worn out. But when we Labor with God in the spirit there is a rest that overcomes the weakness of the flesh! (see Matt. 11:28–30)

Matt. 11: 28 - 30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls . 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Pulling a yoke like an ox is not considered easy, neither is a burden considered light. In order for this rest to be accomplished we must be functioning in our gifting with the leading of the Holy Spirit. When each of us follows the Holy Spirit and function in our gifting, not emulating someone else, there is wholeness as the body of Christ is edified! The healthy church has the various gifts of God’s Spirit functioning to the building up of the many members. Teachers need to teach, prophets need to prophesy, ministers must minister, givers should give, and so on… (see Rom. 12:4-8)

prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 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.
Lastly, be diligent concerning your giving and receiving of spiritual gifting. As you dedicate yourself to God, and His gifting to you and through you, be careful not to be turned by circumstance from finding and fulfilling your purpose!!(see 2 Tim. 2:1)

2 Tim. 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

The pathway, or conduit, of communication God uses is the Holy Spirit. In order to really be efficient in receiving and giving God’s gifts we should first receive a key gift…the Holy Ghost!
(see John 20:22, Acts 8:15-17, Acts 19:2)

John 20: 22a
And when he had said this, he breathed on them , and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Acts 8: 15 - 17
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19: 2
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
There are great heights and depths to experience in kingdom of God. The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, will lead us and guides us to these places.

John 16: 13 - 15
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

…freely ye have received, freely give…(Matt. 10:8)
1.
Whatever gifts God graciously gives to us to us we need to receive with joy! If He gives us a teacher we will maintain a teachable spirit and be taught. If He sends us a healer we will be healed.

2.
Whatever gifts God places in us for others we should give with joy! If He gives us a prophetic word we will speak it forth. If He gives us helps we will help.

The giving and receiving of the gifts of the Spirit of God are part of our service of God and His kingdom purposes. To find fulfillment in life it is necessary to function in the gifting of God. As we labor with God we not only help others along, but we find our completion in performing our God-given purpose in the earth! We actually labor together with God! (see 1 Cor. 3:9)

1 Cor. 3: 9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

God’s Gifts/Spiritual giftsFirstly, we should understand that gifts are given, and received. Reasons for giving gifts include; kindness, charity, and help. It is not necessary to earn gifts.
In this study we are looking at gifts, which are given to us from God, through His Spirit. Let’s have a pure heart as we examine the scriptures concerning gifts that God gives…
One notable aspect of God’s giving is the fact that He doesn’t change His mind or withdraw His gifts from us(Rom. 11:29).
Rom. 11: 29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.(without regret)
Another aspect of God’s giving is that all of His gifts edify, or build up, the recipient. ( see 1 Cor. 14:3, Eph. 4:12)
1.Looking through the scriptures we find gifts of healing, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues, etc. (see 1 Cor. 12:8-10).
2. We also see gifts of apostles, prophets, teachers, etc.(see Eph.4:11)

1 Cor. 12: 8 - 10
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:
Eph. 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
The speaker, and the spoken are both gifts of God!
The healer and the healing are both gifts of God!
The prophet and the prophecy are both gifts of God!(*See 1 Cor 12:27)So many times the scriptures are studied just to find contention on doctrinal stands.

With a pure heart let’s find with God’s gifts…His purposes! In so doing we will be built up into a maturity which can build
up others also.