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Equipping the Saints: Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

A.    Listing of Gifts – the lists in the Bible are meant as descriptive examples and not as an exhaustive list. Therefore the are other gifts than those listed. Rom 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. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 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. 1 Cor 12:7-10 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the 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 bet

Equipping the Saints: The Kingdom of God

1.   Introduction A.    Why are we doing this training? 1 Cor 12:1-2 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. Eph 4:11-13 1 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service , so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Matt 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.   B.    An Encouragement                                                              i.       Please listen intently and watch closely 1.      Allow your beliefs and practices to be stretched. 2.      Don’t form rigid conclusions too quickly. 3.      Get involved.   We’ll have a hands-on time of prayer and mini

What is Spirit Led Living?

A Spirit led life must by definition be a life of intentionality. We cannot say that we are Spirit led and just let life happen. If we are truly Spirit-led then that same Spirit gives us a sense of urgency and of place that reminds us that other than living to have fellowship with the Father, our main purpose is to make dsiciples. As the Aposlte Paul says, the Kingdom of God is not a matter of words but a matter of the demonstration of His power in order that lives would be saved and transformed. True Spirit led living is not content to experience God's presence without seeking to share that experience with someone else. Rom 8:14 "...because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." We cannot claim to be sons and daughter of the King if we are not led by the Spirit. But what does that mean? Many churches make plans months in advance. They have their worship songs and sermon series all mapped out. Some would say that this takes God out of the eq

Demonization (Part 4)

·        How do we overcome the attacks of the enemy? 6. Use Scripture appropriately. 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Matt 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"   Matt 4:7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"   Matt 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" 7. Next time he reminds you of your past, remind him of his future. Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Matt 25:41 "Then he will say to those on h

Demonization (Part 3)

How do we overcome the attacks of the enemy? 1. Resist temptation. James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 2. Don’t give the enemy a foothold. Eph 4:25-28 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do

Demonization (Part 2)

Can Christians be demon possessed or indwelt by a demon?   NO, however…   There are four levels of demonic influence 1. Temptations Matt 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."   1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 2. Affliction 2 Cor 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I wi