Understanding the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Today

Devotional

Day 1: The Gifts of the Spirit: A Present Reality

The gifts of the Spirit are not relics of the past but are relevant and necessary for the church today. They are given at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, and we must remain open and discerning, testing all things against scripture and reason. The gifts of the Spirit, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12-14, are not merely historical artifacts but are vital for the church's mission today. In a world marked by moral decay and chaos, the church needs a profound outpouring of the Spirit. These gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit according to His will, and it is our responsibility to remain open and discerning. We must test all things against the scriptures and reason, ensuring that our understanding aligns with divine truth. The sovereignty of the Spirit means that these gifts can be given at any time, and our role is to be vigilant and receptive. [02:51]

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Reflection: Consider a spiritual gift you believe you have received. How can you use this gift today to serve others and glorify God?

Day 2: Reason and Understanding: Tools for Spiritual Growth

Reason and understanding are vital in our spiritual journey. Christianity is not irrational; it elevates our intellect to comprehend divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences. Christianity calls us to engage our minds and elevate our understanding to grasp divine truths. Reason and understanding are essential tools given by God to discern the truth. While emotional experiences can be powerful, they should not lead us away from the foundational truths of scripture. Our faith is not irrational; rather, it invites us to use our intellects to explore and comprehend the mysteries of God. By doing so, we can grow spiritually and deepen our relationship with God. [09:52]

Proverbs 2:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage your intellect in your spiritual journey today? How can you seek wisdom and understanding from God?

Day 3: The Authority of Scripture: Our Guiding Light

The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance. Any movement that diminishes their authority or claims new revelations that contradict scripture should be approached with caution. The Bible is the complete and sufficient guide for our faith and practice. It is the foundation upon which we build our understanding of God and His will for our lives. Any movement or teaching that seeks to diminish the authority of scripture or claims new revelations that contradict it should be approached with caution. The scriptures provide us with the wisdom and guidance we need to navigate the complexities of life. By holding fast to the authority of scripture, we can remain grounded in truth and avoid being led astray by false teachings. [20:15]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you use scripture to guide you in that decision? How can you ensure that scripture remains your guiding light in future decisions?

Day 4: Avoiding Fanaticism: A Call for Balance

Fanaticism and overreaching can lead to ridicule and discredit the work of the Spirit. We must maintain a balance, using both reason and scripture to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good and true. In our pursuit of spiritual growth, it is crucial to avoid fanaticism and overreaching, which can lead to ridicule and discredit the work of the Spirit. Maintaining a balance between reason and scripture allows us to test the spirits and discern what is good and true. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of extremism and remain faithful to the teachings of the Bible. This balance ensures that our faith is grounded in truth and that we are not swayed by emotional experiences or claims that contradict scripture. [46:26]

1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: Think of a time when you encountered a teaching or movement that seemed extreme. How did you use reason and scripture to discern its validity? How can you apply this discernment in your spiritual journey today?

Day 5: Enlightened Understanding: The Spirit's Role in Our Comprehension

The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, enabling us to see the truth. We are never saved against our reason; rather, our understanding is lifted to a higher realm by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enlightening our understanding and enabling us to see the truth. Our salvation is not contrary to reason; instead, the Spirit elevates our understanding to a higher realm. This divine enlightenment allows us to comprehend the mysteries of God and grow in our faith. By relying on the Spirit, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's will and purpose for our lives. This understanding is not achieved through human effort alone but through the Spirit's work in our hearts and minds. [10:43]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding today? What steps can you take to ensure that your comprehension of spiritual truths is guided by the Spirit?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of the doctrine of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, we delved into the gifts of the Spirit, as outlined in the scriptures, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12-14. This doctrine is not just a historical curiosity but a vital aspect of our faith that demands our attention, especially in the current state of the world, which is marked by moral decay and chaos. The only remedy for such a condition is a profound outpouring of the Spirit upon the church. We must be vigilant in understanding and applying the teachings of the Bible, as they are the foundation of our faith and practice.

We examined the various positions regarding the gifts of the Spirit, noting that some believe these gifts were only for the early church, while others assert they should be present at all times, contingent on our faith. However, the truth lies in the sovereignty of the Spirit, who may choose to bestow these gifts at any time. Our role is to remain open and discerning, testing all things against the scriptures and reason.

The importance of reason and understanding was emphasized, as they are essential tools given by God to discern the truth. Christianity is not irrational; rather, it elevates our understanding to grasp divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences or claims of new revelations that contradict scripture. The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance, and any movement that diminishes their authority should be approached with caution.

We also discussed the dangers of fanaticism and the tendency of some movements to overreach, leading to ridicule and discrediting the work of the Spirit. It is crucial to maintain a balance, using both reason and scripture to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good and true.

Key Takeaways

1. The gifts of the Spirit are not relics of the past but are relevant and necessary for the church today. They are given at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, and we must remain open and discerning, testing all things against scripture and reason. [02:51]
2. Reason and understanding are vital in our spiritual journey. Christianity is not irrational; it elevates our intellect to comprehend divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences. [09:52]
3. The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance. Any movement that diminishes their authority or claims new revelations that contradict scripture should be approached with caution. [20:15]
4. Fanaticism and overreaching can lead to ridicule and discredit the work of the Spirit. We must maintain a balance, using both reason and scripture to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good and true. [46:26]
5. The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, enabling us to see the truth. We are never saved against our reason; rather, our understanding is lifted to a higher realm by the Spirit. [10:43]
** [10:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Doctrine
[00:28] - Gifts of the Spirit in Early Church
[01:15] - Importance of Studying Scripture
[02:05] - Need for Spiritual Revival
[03:05] - Sovereignty of the Spirit
[04:30] - Testing the Spirits
[05:33] - Role of Reason and Understanding
[07:20] - Early Church and Reason
[09:52] - Christianity and Rationality
[12:28] - Spirit and Intellect
[19:29] - Authority of Scripture
[21:20] - Dangers of New Revelations
[26:38] - Applying Reason and Scripture
[36:10] - Caution Against New Teachings
[46:26] - Avoiding Fanaticism

Sermon Clips

We examined the various positions regarding the gifts of the Spirit, noting that some believe these gifts were only for the early church, while others assert they should be present at all times, contingent on our faith. However, the truth lies in the sovereignty of the Spirit, who may choose to bestow these gifts at any time. Our role is to remain open and discerning, testing all things against the scriptures and reason. [00:03:05]

The importance of reason and understanding was emphasized, as they are essential tools given by God to discern the truth. Christianity is not irrational; rather, it elevates our understanding to grasp divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences or claims of new revelations that contradict scripture. [00:09:52]

The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance. Any movement that diminishes their authority or claims new revelations that contradict scripture should be approached with caution. The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, enabling us to see the truth. We are never saved against our reason; rather, our understanding is lifted to a higher realm by the Spirit. [00:20:15]

Fanaticism and overreaching can lead to ridicule and discredit the work of the Spirit. We must maintain a balance, using both reason and scripture to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good and true. The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, enabling us to see the truth. We are never saved against our reason; rather, our understanding is lifted to a higher realm by the Spirit. [00:46:26]

The gifts of the Spirit are not relics of the past but are relevant and necessary for the church today. They are given at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, and we must remain open and discerning, testing all things against scripture and reason. [00:02:51]

Reason and understanding are vital in our spiritual journey. Christianity is not irrational; it elevates our intellect to comprehend divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences. [00:09:52]

The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance. Any movement that diminishes their authority or claims new revelations that contradict scripture should be approached with caution. [00:20:15]

Fanaticism and overreaching can lead to ridicule and discredit the work of the Spirit. We must maintain a balance, using both reason and scripture to test the spirits and hold fast to what is good and true. [00:46:26]

The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding, enabling us to see the truth. We are never saved against our reason; rather, our understanding is lifted to a higher realm by the Spirit. [00:10:43]

The gifts of the Spirit are not relics of the past but are relevant and necessary for the church today. They are given at the discretion of the Holy Spirit, and we must remain open and discerning, testing all things against scripture and reason. [00:02:51]

Reason and understanding are vital in our spiritual journey. Christianity is not irrational; it elevates our intellect to comprehend divine truths. We must never abandon our intellects or let ourselves be swayed by emotional experiences. [00:09:52]

The scriptures are complete and sufficient for our guidance. Any movement that diminishes their authority or claims new revelations that contradict scripture should be approached with caution. [00:20:15]

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