Tuesday Teaching - Spiritual Gifts pt. 2

Sorry I didn't get this posted until Wednesday morning. I wanted to get you started on a Bible study this week. Its a follow up to last week...

In reading I Corinthians 12:9-10 we find five more gifts. I will call some of these gifts...the eye-brow raising gifts. These gifts have caused quite a stir in the Christian community. Some believe they exist and others explain them away. I want to make a profound statement...If a person claims to believe the entire counsel of God's Word, then you must believe it in its entirity and not pick only the parts you like.

When it comes to the phenomenon of gifts (scripture calls it the activities) it does cause quite a stir. It makes us uncomfortable. Sparking debates which range from ultra-gift usage in every service to referring to gifts in operation as the work of Satan.

Miracles are when God does something that only he can do. The task is not accomplished by natural means. It is the use of super-natural means. Our God is a super-natural God. Miracles are so numbed down today...we think if God answers a prayer its a miracle...far from it. A miracle is shaking of a poisonous snake in the fire...a miracle is walking on water...we have so dulled what we think a miracle to be that we now scoff when one truly happens. There are those in the kingdom that serve us with the gift of miracles. Our God is a God of miracles.

Prophecy is the forthtelling. Unfortunately, many hotel conference room preachers have used this as a tactic to control and manipulate people. What I believe...if you're going to say "thus sayeth the Lord" it better be God. Remember in the OT people died for falsely prophecying. They were false prophets. At the same time we cannot say the gift does not exist if scripture validates its usage. God does desire to speak to his people. Both to bless and correct.

Discerning of Spirits is the ability to sift through all the voices of people, the flesh, the Spirit and even the evil one. Discernment is a great gift to have when there is potential demonic activity involved in a situation. Also, I encourage people to talk with discerning people when trying to make a decision. A month ago I was stalking my antique booth. I always run into this family that are really out there when it comes to their supernatural beliefs. The mother of the family comes up to me saying "they got me again, I'm itching on my arm". I knew right then I did not want to be part of this discussion. She informed me that demon spirits bite her sometimes and it makes her itch. I was like get away from me. I did not discern demons biting her...I discerned horrible teaching and a bit of plain craziness working in that person.

Now, the one noone likes. Tongues! It seems to me to be the gift that causes more division than any other. Divisions for two reasons...abuse and misunderstanding. The gift of tongues is when a person speaks a language they have not formally learned. Acts chapter 2 was the gift of tongues in action. Many churches abuse this gift (along with a few others) making some church services seem like a freak show. I have seen well meaning people totally misapply and misuse tongues. On the other hand, I have seen legalism try to apply rules that aren't anywhere near what scripture implies. Once again you have to take the whole counsel of God's Word. Criptic scriptures are the basis of heresy.

The interpretation of tongues is when a person hears what is spoken in tongues and either understands or gives the message in a known tongue. Nowhere do I find that the sole validation of tongues requires an interpreter. I know what Paul said...and I agree...but what about the rest of what Paul said. Singing in the spirit, speaking in tongues more than y'all do, five words understood than ten thousand not understood...we have to look at it all in context.

Well, I anticipate a stir. Yet I feel I have a good grasp on the "eye-brow raising" gifts. What are your thoughts...post them if you would like.

Love In Action Ministries - CHARITY AUCTION

I would like to invite everyone out to the Love In Action Ministries auction. Jerry Edding has put together a good selection of bargains to be had. There is something for everybody. Bikes for the kids. Antiques for the collectors. Some items will be sold by the box full...never know what you might find in those boxes. And everything in between.

You can view the itmes tomorrow, June 19, beginning at 8 AM. The actual auction begins at 10 AM. 100% of money raised will go towards the ministry efforts of Love in Action. For more information about Love in Action visit their website www.loveinactionministries.com

Tuesday Teaching - Spiritual Gifts

We have been doing a section on spiritual gifts during our Spirit-Life series. I would like to start doing Bible studies for our church and anyone who would like to join every Tuesday. It will be available all week...just an added opportunity for those who may be having difficulty getting in the Word during the week.

Todays text is:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (New King James Version)

(remember pray and ask God to guide via the Holy Spirit...then read slowly)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

What jumps out at you? (think on this for just a moment)

The context is Paul writing to the Corinthian church because of their misuse and abuse of spiritual gifts. He is also trying to keep a sense of unity within the fellowship of believers.

My primary goal is to expose you to the gifts God gives His followers so they can serve one another. Do you see your gifting in this list? If not that's okay there are gifts listed in other passages that may fit you better.

FYI: If you are not sure what your gifting is there are tons of spiritual gift tests online. Also, talk to some of the leaders in your church and ask where you could help. It could be that you will find a place to serve that you really enjoy...if you don't like it..just be honest and ask if there is another ministry opportunity you may enjoy.

For churches to grow in number and maturity it requires all believers to take pride in their church and get behind the overall vision by serving with the talents that God has given them by the Spirit. If you want to be a stronger Christian I have a strong conviction that you need to be involved in your local church. NOT JUST SHOWING UP ON SUNDAY WHEN YOU CAN MAKE IT!

Real quick answer these three questions:

1. How are you serving God with your time?
2. How are you serving God with your treasure?
3. How are you serving God with your talent?

Quit Blaming The Other Guy!

The other night while flipping through the channels I came acrossed the Bill Maher show. Let me start by saying Mr. Maher is not one I care to watch very often, but I stopped because he was talking about the oil spill. I forget who his co-host was...someone from CNN. Regardless, they were talking about how people were criticizing President Obama for his lack of response to the oil crisis. They made some points I agreed with, and then they did something that as a leader turns my stomach. They spent the next 30 minutes complaining about what George Bush would have done if this oil crisis would have occurred on his watch. If you would have listened you would think that President Bush was the real problem with the oil crisis.

I am not on the Barack Obama hater train. Personally, I would like to meet him as he and I have alot of similar interests. With that said there are many policies I don't like, nor do I agree with. Yet, I pray for him...I don't want harm to come to him...he seems to be a real family man (time will show if thats true).

There is one critical point that I cannot stand about the Obama administration. He and his team constantly blame George Bush for everything that is not going the way they would like it to go. Evil businesses...W's fault! Health care....W's fault! Budget problems...W's fault! Financial problems...because of the previous eight years! You get my point.

As leaders just because we face opposition, overwhelming difficulties, and even challenges left over from the last guy quit blaming him/her for your current inabilities to accomplish certain goals. I know its frustrating. You may even have a legitimate complaint. But, you still have to lead...quit whining! Take the opportunity you have been given and make it better. Quit blaming the other guy!

I beleive it was Laura Bush who gave her son, President George Bush, some great advice. Don't talk bad about the previous administration. I never heard him make a critical comment about the Clintons...he seemed to show them deep respect and appreciation.

Upon coming to Enterprise I followed a man that this church loved. Family circumstances put a real damper on his ministry credability. I determined I was not going to say bad things about the previous pastor. Even though there were some not so theological messages preached and financial calamity was pending...I found he had some of the greatest people on the planet in his church and there was a reason they came to the church that he lead. The men of the church loved him...and by the way when I came they informed me but never once did they belittle the previous pastor.

I decided we are not blaming...we need to restore the church's reputation and grow. For the most part we accomplished those goals. By the way, the previous leader was and is still well respected through-out the community. For the past ten years if I didn't have something nice to say...I didn't say anything.

Unfortunately, over the past couple years, I wasted valuable energy blaming an organization and its leader (oh yeah its board ... that doesn't exist) for putting me through a living hell. Those who know me in the community understand, support and agree with my public protest concerning what happened to our church. Even if I did get a little out of control.

Today, is different. Forgiveness has been granted and whatever happens in our fellowship (in regard to leadership) is up to me. I cann't blame Word of Life, youth pastors gone bad, worship leaders that I don't see eye to eye with, members that leave, or even the devil. We have been given a chance to start fresh and where we go is where I lead...success or failure its on me!