Concerning Spiritual Gifts

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio.

A look at the 9 manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12v.1 tells us that he wants the church to be informed. He’s noticed that when the Corinthians were lost or pagans they were led astray by mute idols. Now he’s wanting to give the church some guidelines regarding manifestations of God’s Spirit. It’s implied that they may be prone to error due to their gullibility from the past.

The rule is, the manifestations of the Spirit have to give glory to Jesus, v. 3 says, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, Holy Spirit

John 16:13-15
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Imagine, if you will, a flow chart with the Holy Spirit at the top flowing down into an individual person. What flows out of that person are works. These works consist of service and spiritual gifts. Imagine the flow chart now consisting of many people. There’s only one Holy Spirit but many expressions of the Holy Spirit through people.

God Gives Good Gifts to those Who Ask

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Meaning these gifts are not only for you but to help others.

If the gifts become self serving then things are out of order. (Tongues, without public interpretation, are for self edification 1 Cor. 14:4)

1. Message of Wisdom
2. Message of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of Healing
5. Miraculous Powers
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing Between Spirits
8. Speaking in Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues

Wisdom
Wisdom is the synthesis of knowledge (facts). It causes one to draw conclusions that people without wisdom cannot draw. Facts and knowledge are the building blocks upon which wisdom is built. Supernatural wisdom would have a God component to it that would make it elusive to anyone without the Holy Spirit. Sometimes lost people are very wise in their synthesis of facts.

James 1:5,6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Knowledge

Holy Spirit Knowledge-
John 1:47-51
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe[h] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[i] you[j] will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[k] the Son of Man.”

Faith

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The Faith of the Centurion

The Centurion’s faith was rooted in his natural understanding of authority and his supernatural understanding of who Jesus was. Combining these two components leads Jesus to proclaim, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

If we want to be people of great faith like the Centurion we also will have to know who Jesus is. Compare the Centurion to Martha.

John 11:21-24
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Gifts of Healing
As an extraordinary charism, gifts of healing are supernatural enablements given to a believer to minister various kinds of healing and restoration to individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Greek of the New Testament, both the words gift and healing are plural.

I have noticed that some people who have gifts of healing may have greater success with healing some people with certain diseases over other diseases. I have a ministry friend that says, “Send me people with fibromyalgia”. They’ve seen a lot of success with the Holy Spirit flowing through them in healing this particular disease. I’ve also known a man who could touch a wart and it would disappear within a few days. It seems strange, but gifts and healing are both plural in the Greek.

Miraculous Powers
Every time something happened for the first time in the Bible it had never happened before. Today, in our time, if God did something that was not recorded in Scripture that was miraculous and brought glory to Jesus, there are some in the Body of Christ who would say, “That’s the Devil”. Be open to God doing miracles that don’t necessarily fit into our box, but the manifestation must point people to Jesus.

Signs and Wonders by their very nature will make a person wonder.

John 21:25
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Prophecy

Foretelling – Knowing the future, knowing hidden knowledge.
Forth telling – Expressing the heart, mind, and will of God about a situation supernaturally.

1 Corinthians 14:3
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

A word of Wisdom regarding directional words. Be careful. You should be able to hear God for yourself any way but if God uses a prophet to speak a directional word please be cautious. You don’t have to do what the person prophesying says. Unfortunately some can “prophelie” their own feelings or use the prophetic platform to manipulate.

A Truly Seeker Sensitive Environment

The gift of prophecy when in operation
1 Corinthians 14:24,25 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Distinguishing Between Spirits
Demons have various agendas usually tied to a sinful habit or behavior. A spirit of lying for example that influences a person’s thinking and words to lie. When a demon is manifesting they seem to try and mask their true nature because, for a reason I don’t fully understand, they lose part of their hold on the person when their true nature is revealed. In the Bible a name=nature.

In Mark 5:9 we see Jesus asking the Gaderene demoniac’s demon what its name is. The demon answers it’s name (nature or character) is legion for we are many.

When the nature of a demon is uncovered it’s exposed and less likely to retain it’s hold on the person.

Tongues
A sign that consistently accompanies the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:4, Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:14-16, Acts 15:7-9

A sign in a one on one setting for unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:22
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; A Language to God 1 Corinthians 14:2 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

Personal Edification

1 Corinthians 14:4a
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves,

Jude 1:20
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Interpretation of Tongues

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified)
31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces).

1 Cor. 14:1
Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy ([a]interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).
   

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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God Frustrates Humanism but Empowers People with the Holy Spirit

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.  

A comparative look at the tower of Babel and Pentecost                                                                                       It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness but today we’re going to talk a little bit about darkness before we get into the light.                                                                            Humanism - a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially : a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.

 

I believe humanism has so infiltrated many Christian systems that we don’t even recognize it. It’s accepted as normal and we just go on.

 

Building with Humanism

 

Genesis 11:1-9

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward,[a] they found a plain in Shinar[b] and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel[c] —because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

 

Pray

 

Abraham, Israel, and Jesus Christ were decendents of Shem. The possible jealousy of the Hamites towards the Shemites is revealed in Genesis 11:4, since,'let us make us a name' is an intriguing statement since the Hebrew for 'name' here is actually 'Shem'

 

Many today like to look at how other churches are doing things. There is some value in this, but I challenge those in Christian leadership to hear what God is telling you to do, don’t necessarily pattern the work that you’re doing after another simply because they have numbers or some other method of success. I believe a house built on sand can get very tall… until the rain comes.

 

Psalm 127:1

Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

 

How the Church is Built

 

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

 

Everything the Hamites did was motivated by their own hearts, their own desires, and their own reasoning. The scripture in v. 3 doesn’t say they asked the Lord and the Lord said. It says, “they said to each other”, and again in v. 4 they said, “let’s build a city and a tower.” None of this grandiose activity was directed or blessed by the Lord.

 

The Power of Human Agreement

 

With innate human power the Hamites built a massive city and were in the process of building a massive tower when God stepped in saying, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (Gen 11:6)

 

The purpose of the tower that went to the heavens was two fold:

1. Make a name for ourselves
2. Prevent scattering

Make a Name for Ourselves

This has been the motto of humanity, "let us make a name for ourselves." Think for yourselves how many public edifices make a plaque somewhere on which the names of all the public officials who were in power when it was built are inscribed: the mayor, the head of public works, etc. "Let us make a name for ourselves," is a fundamental urge of a fallen race. It reveals one of the basic philosophies of humanism: "Glory to man in the highest, for man is the master of things." That is the central thought of humanism, glory to mankind.

 

James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

 

1 Peter 5:5

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

 

Human effort apart from the spoken voice of God has potential to produce a lot of things but God wants us to hear his voice and obey. This is the way we are to build.

 

No Scattering

The second reason they built a tower and a city was so they wouldn’t be scattered across the Earth. God certainly desires that people live in unity but it must be for the right purpose and motivation. Unity that has disobedience as it’s purpose or outcome is not something God desires. The people of Babel where unified in such a way that they were working against God’s intent that humanity multiply, fill the earth, and glorify God in the process. Instead they had united in one place in order to secure their own position and in some way raise themselves up to God. The building of the Tower amounted to an assault on heaven. It was a statement saying that they could approach God on their own terms and in some measure as equals. The confusion of languages forced them to scatter across the earth  in order to fulfill the command to tend it and care for it.

 

One of the biggest temptations facing humanity today is trying to build something “for” God with human effort and strategy being the central theme of the work. Very often the motive is self, money, ego, or some other not so noble heart condition.

 

You hear it when pastors get together. They almost always want to talk numbers immediately, to almost jockey for position based on this. Numbers are important because they potentially represent people who a coming to know Christ and growing in their faith but not at the expense of our obedience to God’s spoken word. Now this will never be stated in a mission statement, vision statement, or church document but it will be in the hearts of the people in leadership if it’s in place.

 

God restores the languages of man but only with himself at the center of the process.

 

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Approximately 15 different nationalities and corresponding languages are listed here in Acts 2.

 

I’m concerned in our modern world that there are many religious systems that are built upon man’s abilities, man’s strategies, and man’s personality. I find this most unfortunate but know that “the tower” will come down. God will frustrate these systems.

 

I want every Christian to know how incredible the Holy Spirit is. He’s not Casper the Friendly Ghost, He’s God!

 

Romans 8:14

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Holy Spirit Accepts the Gentiles

 

Acts 11:15-16

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water, but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Cornelius the Gentile has a Vision to call for Peter

 

Acts 10:44-46

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

 

Acts 19:4-7

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

 

All believers should persistently seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes an increase in the activity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the recipient. The Holy Spirit gives dunamis power for life and service, as well as the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.

 

Humanism says, “I don’t need that”.

 

When God restores our language and He becomes the center of our life and work I believe the statement found in Genesis 11:6 “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” This will come to pass in a righteous way with the Holy Spirit at the center, giving glory to Jesus.

   

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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Be Baptized in the Holy Spirit

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
	Podcast: Play in New Window | Download

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. With things being the way they are and fewer and fewer American citizens believing biblically sound doctrinal truth, I’m convinced that sweeping revival/awakening/renewal is coming to our shores. I believe this revival will be recognized because signs wonders and miracles will return to the Church in the USA.

John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” The U.S. Citizenry needs to have internal controls or external controls will be applied causing our nation to spiral out of control into despotism. We need a spiritual awakening again in the U.S.A. and it starts right here, right now.

We need heart knowledge and we need to be ready with our spiritual surf boards when this wave hits. We can miss it…

Luke 19:41,42,44
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Thesis:
We need to power of the Holy Spirit like never before and we should be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues. With the baptism comes power, boldness to witness, and holiness.

Power

Jesus is the Fire Baptizer

Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The Baptism = Power

Luke 24:49
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Baptism is a Gift

Acts 1:4
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Boldness to Witness

Power to Witness in Concentric Circles of Influence

Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth.

Baptism Illustration

Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Acts 11:15-16
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Sometimes people like to make Acts Chapter 2 a unique experience only for the 120 in the upper room, but here we see “the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. ”

How are we filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit today? We ask, believing we have received, and we can also have people lay hands on us.

Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Acts 19:6
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Refill People

Ephesians 5:18b
be filled with the Spirit.

“be being filled” or “keep on being filled.” (present tense)
“be continually filled by the Spirit.” (passive voice)

 

 

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

 If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
View Larger Map