Love – Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Jul 29, 2010 at 6:18 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
“Love”
Pastor Grant Williams July 28, 2010
Week #2 Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified Version)
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Define Love: _________________________________________________________________________________
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From the creation of the world (6,000 years ago), through love, for the protection (war) of the Israelites because of love, to the sending of a Saviour out of love, for Jesus sacrifice in love, the Bible is sending us a simple but powerful message. Love God and love each other as He loves us. The greatest commandment.
Love as a element of the fruit of the Spirit is a verb. It’s not a feeling, and much like faith, if only expressed in words it’s essentially meaningless. Though we like to hear the words “I love you” they mean nothing if not accompanied by loving action.
I. Love is Sacred (1 Jn 4:7-8, 16)
1 John 4:7,8 and 16 (Amplified Version)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
We have read in the word about Walking in the spirit… you want to know if you are walking and living in the spirit? are you loving people like God loves? are you progressively knowing him more and having a clearer understanding of who He is and not stopping there but being more like him?
Colossians 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).
6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),
7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
So really this message is to let Christians know that if they are not loving, they are not in God, they do not know God, they are not allowing His nature to abide in them, even if they profess belief in Jesus Christ.
II. Love is Selfless (Php 2:1-3, Eph 3:18-19)
Define selfless: ______________________________________________________________________________________
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Philippians 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive [a]incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
Ephesians 3:18-19 (Amplified Bible)
18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Besides the sacrifice on the cross, how did Christ love us?
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Until we know that survival is not our primary purpose in life, our behavior will be motivated primarily by self-preservation. We need to seek to build others up so they are better than us
III. Love is also Sacrificial (Eph 5:25, Ro 5:8, Jn 15:13)
What the difference between selfless and sacrificial? ________________________________________________________
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Ephesians 5:25 (Amplified Bible)
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Romans 5:8 (Amplified Bible)
8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
John 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
Love is an action – no a thought, Love always requires sacrifice, whether it be giving up our time, interests, or to the far extreme, our lives. If you say you love someone, but have never given up something for them, chances are it’s not real love. More likely they are probably really loving you.
IV. Love is Supportive (2Co 8:1-8, Jas 2:15-16)
Define Supportive: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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2 Corinthians 8:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 WE WANT to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms];
2 For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
3 For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily,
4 Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].
5 Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [[a]entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]–
6 So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you [the church at Corinth].
7 Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything–in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us–[see to it that you come to the front now and] abound and excel in this gracious work [of almsgiving] also.
8 I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.
James 2:15-16 (Amplified Bible)
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,
16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
V. Love is Soothing (1Co 4:21, 13:4)
1 Corinthians 4:21 (Amplified Bible)
21 Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified Bible)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind;
Love makes us feel safe and soothed rather than pressured to perform, or live up to some standard. Love comforts us when we are struggling. Jesus said he will give us rest and peace. We all need to ask ourselves, do the people I say I love feel soothed by me? Can my loved ones completely let down their guard around me? Are they emotionally safe?
Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Jul 21, 2010 at 10:22 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
The Fruit of the Spirit
Pastor Grant Williams July 21, 2010 Handout
Colossians 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).
6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),
7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foul-mouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
1 John 4:20 (Amplified Bible)
20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.
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Ephesians 4:31-32 (Amplified Bible)
31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarrelling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender-hearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
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Romans 6:6 (Amplified Bible)
6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.
Galatians 5:16-26 (King James Version)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified Version)
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
- THE ACTS OF THE SINFUL NATURE (WORKS OF THE FLESH)
These acts can be divided into four categories.
- SINS INVOLVING SEX (V.19)
- These are “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery v.19
- These sins cover all sexual offenses whether public or private.
3.This list covers all sins whether between married or unmarried.
- SINS INVOLVING RELIGION (v. 20a)
1. These include “idolatry and witchcraft”
2. Idolatry is the worship of anything other than God
3. Idolatry includes worship of money, power, prestige, or self.
4. Witchcraft is using spiritual gifts for evil.
5. Witchcraft – Gk. Pharmakon – drug abuse (form of witchcraft)
- SINS INVOLVING ANIMOSITY(bitterness) (v. 20-21a)
1. These include “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy”
2. These are all signs of the flesh at work in us.
3. There are eight different words dealing with animosity.
4. He lists 15 things, and 8 of them deal with relationships.
5. Discord refers to the strife that beset the Galatians.
6. Discord comes from petty bickering and pride.
7. Fits of rage – an outburst of anger
8. We often say things that we regret later.
- SINS INVOLVING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
1. These include “drunkenness and carousing”
2. NIV says, “orgies” but this word is used three times in the NT and each time it is used in reference to the abuse of alcohol.
3. It is used in Rom.13:13 and 1Pet.4:3
4. The Living Bible translates the word as “WILD PARTIES” which is more in line with it’s New Testament usage.
II. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
A. THE FRUIT
1. “But the fruit” fruit is singular in number.
2. Paul is not discussing nine different fruits.
3. He says, “the fruit”
4. That is a reference to one fruit composed of nine elements.
- THE ELEMENTS OF THE FRUIT
1. The first three are in relation to God
2. The next three are in relation to man
3. The last three are in relation to one’s own inner life.
C. OF THE SPIRIT
1. This is the fruit of having the Holy Spirit in control of one’s life.
2. The Holy Spirit produces this fruit through the believer when he is in union with Christ.
3. John 15:1-8
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John 15:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
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D. THE NINE ELEMENTS OF THE FRUIT
1. Love
a) Self-denying love.
b) Self-sacrificing love.
c) Christlike love.
d) This is the foundation of all other graces.
e) This love is described in 1Corinthians 13.
2. Joy
a) Joy of the Holy Spirit
b) Deep abiding joy.
c) Inner rejoicing in the Lord
3. Peace
a) Tranquillity
b) The peace that Christ gives
c) Peace that is not based on the world.
d) Peace which the world can’t take away.
4. Patience
a) Endurance
b) Steadfastness in the face of antagonism
c) Forbearance under ill-will
d) Allowing your enemies to wonder indefinitely when you will try to get even.
5. Kindness
a) Gracious
b) Kindly disposition.
6. Goodness
a) Ready to do good
b) Love in action.
7. Faith
a) Trust in God
b) Faithful to his task.
8. Gentleness
a) Controlled strength
b) Submissive to God
9. Self Control
a) Rational and reasonable
b) Restraint of natural impulses
c) Not quick tempered
E. HOW FRUIT COMES
1. Fruit is the result of a long growing process.
2. Fruits are not made, they are grown.
3. Fruit doesn’t come from planning and working it comes from growing.
4. You can’t build a fruit.
5. You can’t fashion a fruit.
6. You can’t get fruit from a fruitless tree.
7. You just have to grow fruit.
Working of Miracles
Posted: Jun 30, 2010 at 6:18 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
Working of Miracles
Pastor Grant Williams June 30, 2010
1 Corinthians 13:2 (Amplified Bible)
2 And if I have prophetic powers ([a]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
1 Corinthians 12 (King James Version)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Paul in writing this letter regarding the nine spiritual gifts was not writing to one person, he was writing to the whole church at Corinth. He was telling them as a church, as a group, to desire these gifts.
Defintion of a Miracle:
a supernatural intervention by God in the ordinary course of nature
2 Kings 2:1-15 (Amplified Bible)
1 WHEN THE Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were going from Gilgal.
2 And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray you, for the Lord has sent me to Bethel. But Elisha replied, As the Lord lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel.
3 The prophets’ sons who were at Bethel came to Elisha and said, Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today? He said, Yes, I know it; hold your peace.
4 Elijah said to him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray you, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho. But he said, As the Lord lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho.
5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said, Do you know that the Lord will take your master away from you today? And he answered, Yes, I know it; hold your peace.
6 Elijah said to him, Tarry here, I pray you, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan. But he said, As the Lord lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And the two of them went on.
7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood [to watch] afar off; and the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8 And Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the waters, and they divided this way and that, so that the two of them went over on dry ground.
9 And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.
10 He said, You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you–but if not, it shall not be so.
11 As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 And he took the mantle that fell from Elijah and struck the waters and said, Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? And when he had struck the waters, they parted this way and that, and Elisha went over.
15 When the sons of the prophets who were [watching] at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
In regards to physical healing many times miracles are received but this is not necessarily the “working of miracles” – our bodies are to be made whole – it’s still miraculous when they are but it’s not the “working of miracles” as described in 1 Corinthians 12.
Examples of the gift of “working of miracles”
1. Turning dust into insects.
Exodus 8:16 (Amplified Bible)
16 Then the Lord said to Moses, Say to Aaron, Stretch out your rod and strike the dust of the ground, that it may become biting gnats or mosquitoes throughout all the land of Egypt.
2. Turning water into wine.
John 2:7-11 (Amplified Bible)
7 Jesus said to them, Fill the waterpots with water. So they filled them up to the brim.
8 Then He said to them, Draw some out now and take it to the manager of the feast [to the one presiding, the superintendent of the banquet]. So they took him some.
9 And when the manager tasted the water just now turned into wine, not knowing where it came from–though the servants who had drawn the water knew–he called the bridegroom
10 And said to him, Everyone else serves his best wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then he serves that which is not so good; but you have kept back the good wine until now!
11 This, the first of His signs (miracles, wonderworks), Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory [by it He displayed His greatness and His power openly], and His disciples believed in Him [adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him].
Water turns into wine by the aging process, or the process of nature, but turning it water into wine by speaking word is a “working of miracles” a supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature.
There are several examples in the Old Testament of this gift in operation.
The gift was used in Egypt when God convinced Pharaoh to let Israel go in Exodus 7 – chapter 14. Several miracles happened during that time period.
o Aaron threw down his rod and it turned into a snake Exodus 7:9-12.
o Dust was turned into insects Exodus 8:16-18
o Exodus 14 the Israelites came out of Egypt with mountains in one direction the red sea in another and the Pharaoh and the Egyptian army in the other. So, GOd told Moses stretch forth your rod and the sea was divided.
There were actually 2 gifts in operation there – the working of a miracle to divide the read sea and the gift of faith to keep it divided – it took faith to sustain the miracle.
1 Kings 17 (Amplified Bible)
1 ELIJAH THE Tishbite, of the temporary residents of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years but according to My word.
2 And the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
3 Go from here and turn east and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan.
4 You shall drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.
5 So he did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook.
7 After a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land.
8 And the word of the Lord came to him:
9 Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.
12 And she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have not a loaf baked but only a handful of meal in the jar and a little oil in the bottle. See, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it–and die.
13 Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as you have said. But make me a little cake of [it] first and bring it to me, and afterward prepare some for yourself and your son.
14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: The jar of meal shall not waste away or the bottle of oil fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.
15 She did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.
16 The jar of meal was not spent nor did the bottle of oil fail, according to the word which the Lord spoke through Elijah.
Examples in the New Testament
1. John chapter 6 – story of the boy with of 5 loaves and 2 fishes feeding 5 thousand.
2. Ananias and Sapphira – Peter had many gifts (knowledge, wisdom and the workings of miracles)
Acts 5 (Amplified Bible)
1 BUT A certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property,
2 And with his wife’s knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?
4 As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God.
5 Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped up [the body] and carried it out and buried it.
7 Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not having learned of what had happened.
8 And Peter said to her, Tell me, did you sell the land for so much? Yes, she said, for so much.
9 Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed and conspired together to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [also].
10 And instantly she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men entering found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And the whole church and all others who heard of these things were appalled [great awe and strange terror and dread seized them].
12 Now by the hands of the apostles (special messengers) numerous and startling signs and wonders were being performed among the people. And by common consent they all met together [at the temple] in the covered porch (walk) called Solomon’s.
13 And none of those who were not of their number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them in high regard and praised and made much of them.
14 More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women,
15 So that they [even] kept carrying out the sick into the streets and placing them on couches and sleeping pads, [in the hope] that as Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16 And the people gathered also from the towns and hamlets around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those troubled with foul spirits, and they were all cured.
Gift of “faith” vs. gift of “working of miracles”.
The working of miracles is used to deliver people from unavoidable danger or harm. The gift of faith would carry a person through the danger with great peace and calm without the person being harmed at all.
The difference between the gift of faith and the gift of working of miracles is:
- the gift of faith receives a miracle
- the gift of working of miracles works a miracle
Through the working of miracles:
- God delivered His people and made others fear in Exodus.
- God caused the shadow cast by the sun to go back ten steps on a sun dial as a sign to Hezekiah would live and not die (Isaiah 38:1-8).
- God multiplied loaves (Matt 14:17-21)
- God made a solid iron axed head float in water as if it were a piece of wood. (2 Kings 6:5-7)
- God calmed the raging storm (Mark 4:37-41
- God through Jesus instructions had a multitude of fish fill the disciples nets when they let it down. (John 21:6-11)
- God had the widows small pot of oil become a fountain of oil and provided sustenance for her and her son. (2 Kings 4:1-7)
1 Corinthians 12:31 (King James Version)
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Weekly Devotional – 06/20/10
Posted: Jun 20, 2010 at 10:22 PM in Weekly Devotional
Isaiah 43:19 (King James Version)
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Good morning,
What a powerful passage in Isaiah! Gods Word says “I will do a new thing” and things, means Words – God will perform His Words and His promises in your life even when you don’t think it’s possible.
When I was in the Air Force, stationed at Howard AFB in Panama I loved watching the F-15 fighter jets take off. Watching as they would taxi down the runway and not only seeing but feeling the amount of power and thrust it took to get that stationary object off the ground and into the air was incredible.
As that F-15 takes off and moves and climbs and the further from the earth’s gravitational pull, the less energy it needs to move farther along.
That’s also true with us us as well. Whether it’s breaking a habit, losing those first few pounds or learning something new, taking our first step into a new thing is the hardest part. That initial step always takes the most effort, the most energy. If we keep pressing on, however, it becomes easier and easier to move ahead!
As we read God’s Word there are things that seem impossible to the natural man. We look with our natural eyes and see wilderness (no answers) and desert (no provision).
But God says, “Behold” get that F-15 fired up and ready for take off because if you do it, (have the faith) to taxi down that runway and fight off the natural man with all the power and thrust that Holy Spirit will give you – I will do a new thing in your life.
When we are obedient to His Word He promises to provide. Just like the F-15 the further it flies and separates itself from the pull of the world it flies much easier.
When you are soaring high above you can see the bigger picture, you can see the over the wilderness, you can find the river in the desert.
Just like the fighter jet – it might get a little messy at take off, you’re old way of thinking needs to be burned off and let God’s Word thrust you into a place where you can see things that way God does, where the problems in the world will seem strangely dim.
God wants us to get out of our comfort zones and take that first step of faith so that we can see just how truly awesome He is! Take your first step into something new today! Have a great week!
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant
Weekly Devotional – 05/23/10
Posted: May 23, 2010 at 5:17 PM in Weekly Devotional
Good afternoon,
Below is a passage that many of us are familiar with, but do we understand it? do we really believe it?
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
So, if God was a man of the world, a man that looked on the outside, He would have chosen the elite of His day to accomplish His mission — however, He used simple fishermen. These men were considered uneducated, lacking social status and lacking wealth of any kind — yet these “simple” men were the ones the Lord selected to build the Kingdom of God.
When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, God didn’t send an army to deliver them, He sent a single man. But a single man of God was shown to be greater than the most powerful kingdom on Earth.
Throughout the Bible, we read of the Lord choosing and using the weak things of the world to confound and shame the wise and powerful. God seems to love revealing His awesome power through humble vessels, so that no flesh can glory in His presence.
We spend so much of our time and thoughts trying to buy and obtain the “things”, status and wealth that we think we need to live an outward Godly life yet, God says I will give you all you need and use you if you spent more time and your thoughts on doing what I want.
Men, don’t think obtaining a certain financial level or status proves how Godly you are or to the level of how God will bless your family – God uses and pushes forward the humble and brings down the proud, the ones who think they have to do it themselves.
Women, don’t let the size of your ring, the price of your car or the name on your purse define who you are. Don’t look at what everyone else has, (it’s all going to burn up) for a measure of Godliness. Let your life be defined by how you are allowing God to use you for His purposes. It take all the pressure off of you and frees up your time.
All of this is a trick of the enemy for both men and women, we get side tracked. Remember that God uses the humble, ordinary, often broken (an experience with God denying the old self) people…to do extraordinary things. God is not looking at your wealth, your social status or your education — He’s looking at your heart! If your heart is willing and your life is available, then He is more than able to perform miraculous work through you for His Kingdom’s sake.
Don’t allow the enemy to stifle or steal the Lord’s vision for your life, do what you know is right (righteouss before Him)–- He has a plan to use you to confound the wise of this world, and push you forward in the Kingdom of God so you will be blessed and your family.
Have a great week!
Your Servant,
Pastor Grant