Bible Studies

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HOLY SPIRIT LESSON III
Using God's Gifts
(All scripture from the ASV unless otherwise noted)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Miraculous or supernatural, given by God for specific situations and ministries.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will."

Spiritual Gifts - Given to all Christians at the time of salvation through Jesus for spiritual living

2nd Peter 1:2-9 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; and in your knowledge self–control; and in your self–control patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

So far we've learned that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the aspects of God we need to know intimately in order to live a victorious Christian life. (Lesson 1)

Through the Father and the Son all Christians have access to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Spiritual Gifts. These are unique and definable as separate, although a few of those gifts seem to be interchangeable. (Lesson II)

The Spiritual gifts specifically are faith, hope and love. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom; knowledge; faith; healing; miracles; prophecy; discernment; tongues; interpretation. Above all, we are instructed that love (Or charity as some Bibles refer to it.) is the greatest gift. In other words, all other gifts are empty without the love of God in them, through Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

In 2nd Peter 1:2-9, we see that spiritual gifts are meant to work together to multiply and increase our ability to partake in the divine nature. Our goal should be to be able say as the Apostle Paul did, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." The spiritual gifts allow us to grow into Jesus, to partake of his own divine nature! Spiritual gifts help us to live the kind of lives God wants us to be able to, and are certainly necessary to maintaining our goal of getting to heaven. Especially love.

On the other hand, gifts of the Holy Spirit are specifically given by God to each individual as He chooses for specific works. They are not necessary to secure our place in heaven. Paul tells us that we are all members of one body, the Body of Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to each person to assist the body (edify the body) and to glorify God.

New Christians are called babes in Christ, and are described as in need of the milk of the Word. (Basic Biblical precepts) As we become more mature, as our spiritual gifts increase, we begin to consume the meat of the Word. (To gain knowledge and wisdom) Faith is the first gift which leads to all others. It takes only a tiny bit of faith to take the first step toward salvation. When we receive Christ, our faith is strengthened by a new found sense of hope and love. The rest doesn't come automatically. In order to increase in our gifts and ability to lead successful Christian lives, we must embark on, and continue to diligently study the scriptures. We must worship with and associate ourselves with the Body of Christ. We must fellowship with other believers. As in Paul's description of the Body of Christ, the eyes can not function independently of the arms and legs, so forth and so on. There are many Christians today who have abandoned Church and association with other Christians for their own "personal relationship with Christ." But in fact, we have no personal relationship with Christ if we don't have a relationship to the body. I'm not saying that a Christian must attend Church in order to be a part of the Body, but they can not live alone with their faith and expect much victory in their Christian walk.

A student beginning medical school must first learn some very basic things about anatomy and physiology. Over a period of about 4 years they learn the tools of their trade which will result in their basic M.D. status. M.D.'s continue their "on the job" training in areas such as surgery, emergency room medicine, and family medicine. After that, many continue in their field of specialty. This is much like the Christian walk. We begin as students, progress to a disciples, and then to the workings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for our service to the Body of Christ, his Church, and to the glory of God.

We will start this lesson with the spiritual gift of faith.

I. FAITH - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight)

Before becoming Christians we placed our faith in many things for a variety of reasons. Many times without much reason or proof that what we have faith in will actually happen. Humans tend to believe in what we want to believe in. We often blindly place our faith in people, places, or things. Jobs, relationships, new ideas, new products, medicine and in our own ability to cope with life sufficiently on a day to day basis. Sometimes our faith is proven right, but more often we are let down by faith in the things of this world. Blind faith does not seem to fulfill what we expected.

But faith in Christ is not the same thing. It often takes blind faith to make the first small step towards salvation. Once having done so, our eyes begin to open, our faith is no longer blind and as our knowledge of the Gospel grows, our faith increases by leaps and bounds.

It's often surprising to read in the Bible about how Jesus exemplified the faith of the unlearned, and how rebuked those who should have had more. "Oh ye of little faith." He was talking to his Apostles! They often bickered amongst themselves and struggled constantly to grasp those things Jesus tried to teach them. But Jesus promised them that he would provide them with the ability to fully understand all things. He promised the Holy Spirit to bring them the spirit of truth which would help them to understand the Gospel.

The spirit of truth comes by the Holy Spirit, we use that as we study scripture. The truth of the Word is revealed to us and our faith increases.

READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

Romans 1:16,17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

Matthew 16:1-4 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to–day: for the heaven is red and lowering. Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

Matthew 6:33,34 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

1 John 15:26-27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me: and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Romans 10:17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

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

EXERCISE
1) How much faith did it take to make your confession of Christ? What else have you placed your faith in, and what were the results?
2) What do you find yourself worrying about on a day to day basis? How much faith does it take for God to provide us with our basic needs?
3) Are you still leaning on blind faith in God? Why, and what would help you grow in faith? What are you doing to increase your faith?
4) Name a few ways faith leads to hope and love.

II. HOPE AND LOVE

HOPE: to want or expect something: to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely (Encarta ® World English Dictionary)

Most of us have often confused or intermingled the word hope with the words "wish" and "desire". My own Christian hope for my life today and the future are based on a reasonable expectation that those things I hope for will come to pass. Wishes and desires are not often backed up with good reasons behind them. However, when one diligently studies the Bible in the spirit of truth, we have hope, and more than that, great assurance in God's promises for our life. We can honestly say, "I know that I know."

If hope and assurance in God is strong, we are also capable of greater love. His great love fills us and allows us to love the world as He does. We become more capable of having patience, mercy, compassion and forgiveness for all people. These are the qualities of Christ. We become more capable of living a Godly life, filled with virtue and self-control.

Faith, Hope and Love - The Father, Son and Holy Spirit - You, Me and the rest of the world. Can you see how these all relate to our personal relationship with God, to ourselves and with our fellow man?

If we are able to grasp and grow in these three spiritual gifts, we'll then be able to use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to edify the body and glorify God the way he intends.

READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

God's promises to mankind are found throughout the Bible beginning in Genesis. The more you read these scriptures, the more God proves himself, the greater your hope will become. Here's a list of who God makes specific promises to, and under certain conditions: To the afflicted; To backsliders; To children; To orphans; To widows; To penitents; To the righteous; To seekers

(NOTE: Obviously you are probably not going to read all these scriptures now. But this can serve as a good reference whenever you are in need of some hope, and it goes to show you how many blessings God provides for those who believe, and even for those who don’t!)

Not only does God promise us specific things, but he also provides countless blessings.
Spiritual blessings from God Gen. 49:24; Ex. 15:2; 31:13; 33:16; Lev. 21:8; Dt. 33:25, 27; 1 Sam. 2:4; Neh. 8:10; Job 23:6; Ps. 1:3; 18:1,2, 28, 32, 35,36; 23:2,3; 27:14; 28:8; 29:11; 30:7; 31:24; 37:6, 17, 24, 39; 52:8; 55:22; 61:5; 63:8; 66:9; 68:18, 28, 35; 71:16; 72:6, 17; 73:23, 26; 81:10; 84:5, 11; 89:17; 92:12-14; 94:17,18; 105:4; 119:32, 102; 132:15; 138:3, 8; 144:1,2; 146:5; Pr. 10:29; 16:6; Isa. 1:25; 4:3,4; 6:6,7; 26:12; 28:6; 33:5,6; 40:11, 29, 31; 41:10, 13,14, 17,18; 44:3; 45:8, 24; 54:17; 57:19; 58:8, 10,11; Jer. 31:12, 14, 33; Ezek. 16:14; Dan. 11:32; Hos. 6:3; 14:5-8; Hab. 3:19; Zech. 10:12; 12:8; Mal. 3:2,3; 4:2; Jn. 1:16; 17:11; Acts 20:32; Rom. 9:23; 14:4; 1 Cor. 12:6; 13:10, 12; 15:10; 2 Cor. 1:21,22; 3:5; 5:5; 9:8; 10:4; Eph. 3:20; Phil. 1:6; 2:13; 4:7, 19; Col. 1:11,12; 1 Th. 5:24; Heb. 12:10,11; Jas. 1:17,18; 1 Pet. 1:5; 2 Pet.1:2-4; 1 Jn. 1:9; 4:4; Jude 1:24
Temporal,(physical or temporary) blessings from God Gen. 1:30; 8:22; 9:1-3; 22:17; 26:4,5; 28:20,21; 49:11,12, 20, 24,25; Ex. 15:26; 23:22, 25,26; 34:24; Lev. 25:20-22; 26:4-10; Num. 10:29; Dt. 1:10; 2:7; 4:4, 40; 5:33; 6:2-25; 7:13-24; 8:1-10, 15-18; 10:18; 11:12-15; 12:7, 28; 15:4, 6; 26:18,19; 28:7,8; 29:5; 32:13,14; Josh. 1:8; Ruth 1:6; 1 Sam. 2:7,8; 2 Sam. 7:8,9; 1 Chr. 17:7,8; 29:12, 14, 16; 2 Chr. 1:12; 31:10; Ezra 8:22; Neh. 8:10; Job 5:10; 12:23; 22:18; 37:6, 10, 13, 16,17; 38:1-41; Ps. 21:3-5; 23:1, 5; 34:10; 36:6; 44:3; 65:8-13; 68:6, 9,10, 19; 69:35,36; 81:13-16; 85:12; 91:1-16; 103:2-5; 104:1-35; 105:24; 107:35-38; 111:5; 113:9; 115:16; 127:1-5; 135:7; 136:1-26; 145:15,16; 146:5-9; 147:8,9, 13,14; Eccl. 2:24; 3:13; 5:19; Isa. 25:4; 30:23-26; 31:1,2; 33:15,16; 43:20; 48:21; 51:2; 55:10; Jer. 5:24; 10:13; 14:22; 27:4-6; 30:19; 31:35; 51:16; Ezek. 36:28-38; Dan. 5:18; 6:20, 22; Hos. 2:8; 11:3; Joel 2:21, 23, 26; Amos 4:7; Jonah 4:6; Zech. 10:1; Mal. 3:10-12; Mt. 5:45; 6:26, 30-33; 10:29; Lk. 12:22-31; Jn. 6:31; Acts 14:17; 1 Cor. 2:9; 16:2; 2 Cor. 7:6; 9:8-10; Phil. 4:19; 2 Pet.2:7-9

SCRIPTURES ABOUT LOVE

John 3:16,17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (King James Version)

Matthew 22:36-40, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.

Collosians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. It is what ties everything completely together. (Good News Translation)

1 John 3:23, 24 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

1 John 4:18-20 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.

EXERCISE
1) Describe how hope as a Christian is different than the hope of a non-believer.
2) Do you have the right to hope for physical things? Write down three spiritual hopes, and three physical hopes. Where do you get the faith to believe your hopes will come to pass.
3) What's the difference between conviction and condemnation? Does God love sinners?
If you have one or more enemies, does God want you to love them? How can you?
4) List three reasons

III. CONCLUSION

2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

For our faith to grow into the other gifts we must know the word of truth, which is the Bible. We show ourselves approved by our diligent study of the Bible. Anyone can study the Bible and have human understanding of the things contained therein, but when we study God's word in the spirit of truth we get more than human understanding. The Word begins to live in us and guide us through our day to lives. Without faith, hope and love are dead along with all the other gifts.

Many Christians think they can just receive Christ and it's enough. But a seed needs nourishment to sprout, grow and bloom into the thing which nature intended it to be. We are not plant life however, and our flesh is not the question. The Bible is our spiritual food. Without it our spirit will whither and die and the blood of Christ that was shed to first redeem us will have been wasted. Yes, sometimes even studying the Bible can seem a laborious task just like any other type of education. Putting forth the effort pleases God. We will be rewarded for our dedication with an abundance of gifts and blessings now, and for the eternity to follow.

This coming Wednesday I will present part IV of this lesson, Spiritual Warfare, and lesson V will cover Using the Greater Gifts.

May the peace of Christ be with you. Amen

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