Ghost Stories

Gifts of the Spirit Click the link above to view the full sermon on Facebook. Activating the gifts of the Holy Spirit is ultimately up to us. Believe it or not, these gifts are available to all of us. Spiritual gifts are not weird or freaky we are encouraged to eagerly desire the gifts. According to a recent study 97% of Christians do not know anything about spiritual gifts. Church, let us not be a part of that statistic. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit especially prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Spiritual gifts are there to enable us to live a supernatural life in a natural world. The working definition of spiritual gifts is that spiritual gifts are special abilities given by God, to all God’s people to empower them to make an impact, to accomplish God’s purpose and plans.  Spiritual gifts are NOT: Natural talents Earned (They are received) A sign of spiritual maturity Given to the “elite” few Fruits of the spirit (Gifts are given, fruit are grown) To be feared Spiritual gifts categories: Motivational gifts: Each Christian receives one at the time of salvation, and it is the tool through which God works in him or her to see needs and to do something to meet them. These gifts equip believers to take a vital role in the Church. Romans 12:6-8 | 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Manifestation gifts: These gifts are another category of spiritual gifts that are given to the Church to benefit both believers and unbelievers. These gifts represent the work God does through the life of a believer in a given situation to demonstrate His supernatural power. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 How to grow in your manifestation gifts Earnestly desire the gifts Study what the Word says Ask God to reveal them to you Examine what makes you tick Destiny Hub Where is the Holy Spirit leading you 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

The Power of the Holy Spirit There is no secret formula that makes the Spirit’s power operational in our lives. Scripture tells us that the Spirit dwells and operates in us. We have to learn by experience through interaction with God to understand how that dynamic works. The Holy Spirit gave power to: Joseph to rule over Egypt Joshua military power Prophets to speak prophetic words Gideon to lead Samson to fight Jesus to be raised from the dead Disciples to change the world Jesus promised His disciples He would fill them by the Holy Spirit. Throughout history the Holy Spirit gave power to His people. The power that was available to everyone who we look up to in the word of God, is still available to us today. All those who have placed their faith in Christ are immediately and permanently indwelled by the Holy Spirit. “Behold, I send the Promise of my Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (Endued means to be clothed, put on, to sink in clothing) Do you every feel like there are people who have more spiritual power than you? It is not “more” power but rather more surrender to the power. We need to allow ourselves to be submerged in the Spirit. Most Christians are struggling in their walk because they are doing it in their own strength and not through the power available to them. And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 The spirit of God gives us the power to live a supernatural life in a natural world. Those who are saved, in Christ, are absolutely and totally free from any threat of condemnation. Acts 1:8| But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (Dynamis power: Power for performing miracles. Moral power and excellence of soul Power and influence that belong wealth and riches. Power and resources arising from numbers. Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts.) The Holy Spirit power is only released when we take a leap of faith and allow Him to work. When we embrace the power of the Holy Spirit we are empowered for life and ministry. 

It’s important that we understand that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We need to understand that because, how you view yourself your world view will determine how you view everything else. If you view yourself as a human person having a spiritual experience then everything is first filtered through a human senses. then the Lord god formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath or the spirit of life and man became a living being  Genesis 2:7 So, in essence the Holy Spirit and the spirit of God is what energizes us. The spirit of God is what makes us alive when the spirit leaves. then Jesus said to them again peace to you as the Father sent me forth so i am sending you 22 and having said this He breathed on them and said to them Receive the holy spirit  John 20: 21-22 If we are spirit beings we must become acquainted with the spirit of God which gives life. So, if we are spirit beings we need to have a deeper intimacy with the spirit of god which gives life. The Holy Spirit is not a cosmic force it is a person.  The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost. Revelations 22:17 If we are spirit beings we know that without the spirit we become very drained and unfulfilled. To be strengthened we need to come to God the spirit of life so we can be energized we need to become acquainted with the holy spirit which is the presence of God the third part of the trinity that’s active in the earth. The number one function of the holy spirit is to enable intimacy with God the Father. The main role of the Holy Spirit is for us to experience the Father’s heart of love. This is important because we can have intimacy with God but if we do not view God the Father as God the Father of love we’re going to become very weary in your relationship. It’s very difficult for us to connect with symbols. We must have a relationship with the trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Sometimes we try to connect to God through symbols but that represents something else. Personal Acts of the Holy Spirit: Searches (1 Corinthians 2:10) Speaks (Hebrews 3:7-11) Testifies (Romans 8:16) Teaches (John 14:26) Reproves (John 16:7) Prays and Intercedes (Romans 8:2) Leads (Mark 1:12) Regenerates (Titus 3:5) Comforts (John 14:26) Calls men into ministry (Acts 13:4) Imparts spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12) Glorifies Jesus, the Son of God (John 16:14) 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever – 17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. John 14:16-17 Too many people run around trying to help themselves. They turn to the wrong places for comfort, encouragement, or counsel. Many try to be “good Christians” by advocating for the self. All the while, the Spirit lives within, ready to help and aid us as Christ did his disciples. He wants to shape and mould you, gift and counsel you. He wants to open the mind of God as revealed in Scripture to you. Personhood of the Holy Spirit My comforter: Life is a painful mess of challenges, limitations, and failures. You are always put face-to-face with life’s difficulties. He works to bring Scripture, friendships, and perspective into our minds at just the right time. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 My counsellor The Holy Spirit delivers the Lord’s counsel to our lives and hearts. Open yourself to His word. But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. John 16:13 My strengthener He champions our God-given cause and works in us so that even in our weakness we are enabled to work for and in God. When we aren’t capable, the Holy Spirit becomes our capability. What do you need today? Whatever it is you need