Embracing God's Love and Spiritual Gifts Today
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truths of God's Word, exploring the transformative power of love and the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We began by acknowledging the ongoing journey through the book of Exodus, inviting everyone to join in the discovery of God's mighty acts. We celebrated the initiatives within our church community, such as the Growth Track and the Bold X Conference, which are instrumental in fostering spiritual growth and unity among believers.
We then transitioned into a pivotal message about the immediacy of God's deliverance and freedom. God declares that our burdens can be lifted, our sicknesses healed, and our divisions reconciled, not progressively, but instantaneously. This truth is not just for endurance but for completion and moving forward in victory.
As we navigated through the scriptures, we emphasized the essence of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the foundation upon which all spiritual gifts must operate. Without love, even the most spectacular gifts are rendered meaningless. We explored the gift of prophecy, not as a tool for predicting doom but as a means to speak God's potential into people's lives, reconciling them to their identity in Christ.
We shared personal testimonies of how prophecy has played a significant role in our lives, guiding decisions such as adopting a child and shifting the direction of our ministry. These experiences underscored the importance of discerning and embracing the voice of the Lord.
Furthermore, we discussed the significance of spiritual gifts in the context of love. We affirmed that these gifts are not earned but received, and they should be used to edify the body of Christ, not to foster arrogance or pride. We encouraged the congregation to seek the gifts of the Spirit with a heart full of Jesus' love, avoiding the pitfalls of manipulation and self-aggrandizement.
In conclusion, we extended an invitation to those who felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to step forward in faith, to receive salvation, and to embrace the spiritual gifts God has for them. We affirmed that these gifts are not relics of the past but are available and active today, empowering us to live out our calling in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's deliverance and healing are available to us not as a gradual process but as an immediate reality. When we come before Him with our needs, He is able to bring about instantaneous change, freeing us from the weights that hold us back and propelling us into His purpose for our lives. This truth is a reminder that with God, all things are possible, and we can expect miraculous interventions in our circumstances. [39:13]
2. The gift of prophecy is not about foretelling doom but about speaking life into others, revealing God's potential for them, and reconciling them to their true identity in Christ. As believers, we are called to use this gift to build up the church and to bring individuals into a closer relationship with God, affirming His plans and purposes for their lives. [01:15:24]
3. Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and are meant to be received with humility and love. They are not a badge of honor or a means to elevate oneself above others. Instead, they are tools for serving the church and advancing God's kingdom on earth. When we operate in our gifts with the love of Jesus as our guide, we become effective witnesses of His grace and power. [01:26:07]
4. The pursuit of spiritual gifts should be accompanied by a deep desire to be filled with the love of Jesus. Without love, the exercise of spiritual gifts can become a hollow display of power that fails to glorify God or benefit others. Love is the greatest gift, and it should be the driving force behind all that we do as followers of Christ. [01:27:57]
5. We must be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives, recognizing that He still bestows gifts upon His children today. Whether it is a word of knowledge, a gift of healing, or the ability to prophesy, these gifts are part of God's plan for the edification of the church. We are encouraged to seek these gifts earnestly, with a heart ready to receive and use them for the glory of God. [01:37:42]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Love Chapter
2. 1 Corinthians 14:1 - Pursue Love and Desire Spiritual Gifts
3. Colossians 3:13 - Forgive as the Lord Forgave You
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 13 say about the importance of love in relation to spiritual gifts?
2. According to the sermon, how does the gift of prophecy function in the New Covenant? [01:15:01]
3. What personal testimonies were shared in the sermon to illustrate the impact of prophecy? [01:22:30]
4. How does Colossians 3:13 instruct us to handle offenses and faults among each other?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that without love, spiritual gifts are meaningless? How does this align with the sermon’s message? [01:27:03]
2. How can the gift of prophecy be used to build up the church according to the sermon? [01:15:01]
3. What does it mean to make allowance for each other's faults and forgive as described in Colossians 3:13? How does this apply to our daily interactions?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed the immediate deliverance and healing of God. How did it impact your faith? [38:34]
2. How can you actively seek to use the gift of prophecy to speak life and God's potential into others? What steps can you take this week to practice this? [01:15:01]
3. In what ways can you ensure that your use of spiritual gifts is always guided by love and humility? [01:27:03]
4. Think of a recent conflict or division in your life. How can you apply the principle of immediate reconciliation and forgiveness as taught in Colossians 3:13? [52:06]
5. Identify a spiritual gift you feel called to pursue. How can you seek this gift with a heart full of Jesus' love, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and manipulation? [01:26:07]
6. How can you remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life, recognizing and embracing the gifts He bestows upon you? [01:37:42]
7. Consider someone in your life who needs encouragement. How can you use the principles from 1 Corinthians 13 to show them love and support this week? [01:02:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Instantaneous Divine Intervention
God's deliverance is not a distant dream but an immediate reality. Believers are often taught to wait patiently for God's intervention, but the truth is that God's power is not bound by time. The Bible is filled with instances of sudden breakthroughs and miracles, and this same power is available today. When one approaches God with faith, there is an expectation of immediate change. This is not to discount the value of enduring faith, but to emphasize that God can and does act swiftly to free His people from their burdens. This understanding encourages believers to approach God with boldness, expecting His mighty hand to move in their lives without delay. [07:40]
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need immediate divine intervention? How can you approach God with faith for this change today?
Day 2: Prophecy as a Tool for Edification
The gift of prophecy is often misunderstood as a means to predict future calamities. However, its true purpose is to speak life and align individuals with God's vision for them. Prophecy is a powerful tool that can encourage, comfort, and exhort the body of Christ, helping believers to see themselves through God's eyes. It is about affirming God's love, purpose, and potential in each person's life, which can lead to transformation and a deeper understanding of one's identity in Christ. This gift should be exercised with the intent to build up the church and to bring glory to God, not to instill fear or to showcase one's spiritual prowess. [01:15:24]
"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy... the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation." (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3 ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your words this week to encourage someone in their spiritual walk, speaking life and God's potential into their situation?
Day 3: Humility in Receiving Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are not a reward for good behavior or a status symbol within the church; they are given by the Holy Spirit out of grace. These gifts are meant to be received with humility and used in love to serve others and edify the church. The focus should always be on how these gifts can benefit the body of Christ and advance the kingdom of God, not on how they can elevate the individual. When one operates in their spiritual gifts with Jesus' love as the guiding principle, they become a conduit of God's grace and power, impacting lives and glorifying God. [01:26:07]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you believe God has given you, and how can you use it this week to serve someone else in love and humility?
Day 4: Love as the Driving Force Behind Gifts
Love is the greatest gift and should be the driving force behind the exercise of all other spiritual gifts. Without love, the use of these gifts can become self-serving and fail to reflect the character of Christ. Love ensures that the gifts are used in a way that glorifies God and genuinely benefits others. It is the love of Jesus that compels believers to use their gifts to serve, to heal, and to bring hope. This love is patient, kind, and selfless, and it is this love that should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, especially when operating in their spiritual gifts. [01:27:57]
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how you have used your spiritual gifts recently. Have your actions been motivated by love, and how can you ensure that love remains the foundation of your service?
Day 5: Openness to the Holy Spirit's Movement
The Holy Spirit is actively working in the lives of believers today, just as in the early church. The spiritual gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and prophecy, are not relics of the past but are available to all who are open to receiving them. These gifts are given for the common good and are meant to be sought after with a heart ready to receive. Believers are encouraged to earnestly desire these gifts, not for personal gain, but to contribute to the growth and edification of the church. Being open to the Holy Spirit means being willing to step out in faith, to be used by God in ways that may be unexpected but are always for His glory. [01:37:42]
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to be more open to the Holy Spirit's movement in your life, and how can you actively seek the spiritual gifts He has for you?
Quotes
1. "The truth is not just for endurance but for completion and moving forward in victory." [39:13](Download | Download Cropped Video)
2. "Prophesying is speaking God's potential into people. Prophesying in the New Covenant way is reconciling people to who they are in Christ." [01:15:24](Download | Download Cropped Video)
3. "A spiritual gift received without embracing the kind of love that was displayed in Jesus though at the cross is useless." [01:36:35](Download | Download Cropped Video)
4. "We believe that every single thing that God has given you, the Bible says every spiritual gift you need to live out the calling." [01:46:37](Download | Download Cropped Video)
5. "We don't get to pick our beliefs. Just because we haven't received something doesn't mean we get to now change God's Word of truth." [01:34:09](Download | )
6. "The gifts of the Spirit are still alive. That we do not simply need to just love better. The call is to be filled with the love of Jesus. And desiring of the spiritual gift." [01:26:07](Download | )
7. "If love is not the leader, then it becomes just a pride-filled show that ruins the people." [01:25:24](Download | )
8. "The Lord is still at work and you just live who you are. He spoke identity." [01:17:47](Download | )
9. "The Holy Spirit was working through you. It was giving you. And you began to speak things that were identities." [01:21:30](Download | )
10. "The new covenant prophesying is different... it can also be speaking into another. What you see would be in a Jesus centered life for them." [01:18:47](Download | )
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