1st jan 2007!!
Sermon devotion / ps khong / when the spirit comes in power—the gifts of the holy spirit today / 1 corinthians 12 : 7-13

We have to learn to move in the holy spirit each and everyday of our lives. To be able to show others that Holy Spirit lives in us, and therefore to manifest the fruits of the spirit, by loving, caring and helping others.

Gifts are supernatural works of grace:

Spiritual gifts are always supernatural; they are always God-given. Thus, an unbeliever does not have supernatural gifts because he/she had not yet received the spirit in their lives. They cannot move in the Holy Spirit and perform miracles nor heal the sick. However, it’s important to note that spiritual gifts are very different from that of natural talents, they are 2 different things and thus cannot mix with each other. Natural talents that are acquired since you were young, but spiritual gifts can only be obtained when you are a believer and its God’s work of grace. For example, ps khong illustrated a story whereby a powerful prophet may be blessed with the spirit of prophesy but he/she may not be walking right with the lord and is a homosexual. However, God has given this gift not because he’s faithful but rather he’s gracious to all. This shows that all spiritual gifts are God-given and thus it’s of the spirit, not by the flesh. We cannot say that these spiritual gifts are from us and thus boast about it.

Supernatural gifts means that we’re able to communicate between spirit to spirit. God can actually also use our natural talents to be spiritual gifts. Therefore, he can sue our natural talents to serve others or to share the gospel. Spiritual gifts are charismata__works of grace. Charis means grace(means you can call me grace too ..LOL) one who is spiritual does not equivalent to one who exercises spiritual gifts. He may only be given spiritual gifts because of grace that the lord has given him. he has been given this particular gift because the lord has shown grace and mercy on him. God is such a great and wonderful God that he gives spiritual gifts to us freely.

Gifts are situational manifestation of the spirit:

We are often given the spiritual gifts only at that moment and then it disappears. Therefore, everyone who exercises spiritual gifs feel empty. We are only able to exercise the spiritual gifts there and then and it disappears after that. God allow us to exercise the spiritual gifts so that we be of a blessing to others and serve them. We can be always available to God, to be a warrior of light anytime to fight in the battlefield.

Gifts must be stirred up in the body of Christ:
It needs practice to be able to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit!!