A Seasons for Gift - week 2 of 2 (The Gifts of the Holy Spirit) by Jim Jung

A Season for Gifts – week 2 of 2 (The Gifts of the Holy Spirit)

There are two reasons for the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

1. To reveal Jesus to the believer – Upon accepting Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to you with the fruit of the Spirit to build godly character. Changing us from glory to glory – to become more like Christ. We could call it - Sanctification. If you are walking with the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life then you will be fruitful also. (2 Peter 1: 4-10 where the Apostle Peter is saying that we need to be growing in the fruit of the Spirit, displaying Godly qualities).
2. To reveal Jesus through the believer – As a believer we are called to ministry on behalf of Christ and so the Holy Spirit brings gifts that will work through our lives.
   As we highlighted in the first week of this subject, because of misconceptions about the Holy Spirit many have a tendency to cloud Him in a shroud of mystery or negate His importance altogether. Many accept the fruit of the Spirit but reject the gifts of the Spirit [and sometimes vice versa]. We actually need both if He is to effectively work in us and through us.
   The Apostle Paul explains that:
   (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6) “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working [effects], but the same God works all of them in all men”.
   There are three categories of Spiritual Gifts listed in the New Testament.

1. Manifestation Gifts
   (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 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. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”.
   The Apostle Paul highlights 9 Manifestation Gifts of the Spirit here.

• Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge & Discernment [activity of the mind] – what Jesus would think;
• Faith, Healing and Miracles [actions] – what Jesus would do;
• Prophecy, Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues [speaking] – what Jesus would say
  If Jesus were walking the earth today he would be moving in each of these gifts. All of these gifts are still active today, when the church is moving collectively in the gifts of the Spirit (not just one superstar but all of the body of Christ) then the world should see Christ in us because; we’re thinking what Jesus is thinking, we’re saying what Jesus is saying, and we’re doing what Jesus is doing.

1. Motivational (grace) Gifts
   Romans 12: 6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully”.
   Paul highlights the 7 Motivational or grace gifts as:
   Prophecy, Giving, Serving, Leading, Teaching, Mercy, and Encouraging. And he then describes:
2. Ministry or Office Gifts
   Ephesians 4: 11 “It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers”
   These are known as the 5 fold ministry gifts or the ascension gifts. These he specifically says are for the preparation of God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4: 12).
   So, the Holy Spirit is the gift giver. He comes to us to build character and works through us with supernatural gifts that draw others to Christ. Can I encourage you to investigate and invigorate your passion toward all the Holy Spirit wants to offer you today.