HOLY SPIRIT SERIES - SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND FRUIT [3]

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

What are gifts? 

1. A gift is a present/thing given willingly to someone without payment (the gift => The Holy Spirit Himself) 

Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father has promised.

Acts 1:4 TPT

2. A gift is a natural ability or talent (supernatural gifts given by the Holy spirit) 

 It is the same Holy Spirit who continues to distribute many different varieties of gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:4 TPT

The Gift of the spirit is the Holy spirit himself who dwells inside of us as promised to us by God. 

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are spiritual abilities the Holy spirit gives in variety to believers for the common good of the body of Christ. 

SPIRITUAL GIFTS:Who gives them and who are they given to?

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17 KJV

These gifts are from God and are available for ALL believers,  those who have received salvation through Christ so that they may grow and mature in their faith.  

Why Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the church and growth of the body of Christ in Love and unity.  Through these gifts,  God displays His love for his children and also reaches out to the unbelievers by demonstrating His glory via these same gifts.  

Spiritual gifts are given to us when we receive Christ and are cultivated through our walk with God. 

(See: I Cor 14 vs 12, 1 Cor 12 vs 7).

What are the spiritual gifts?

I will be sharing these gifts with scriptural references.  Please note that some are repeated.

Romans 12 vs 3-8: Prophecy, giving, exhortation, leadership, mercy,  service and teaching

Ephesians 4 vs 11: Apostles,  prophets,  evangelists,  pastors and teachers

1 cor 12 vs 8-10: Wisdom,  word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy,  discerning of spirits, diverse tongues,  interpretation of tongues.

Every believer has at least one of these gifts but most are yet to discover which.
Most people are born with natural gifts but they don't know till they start growing.  Same with spiritual gifts,  they are available at the second birth but most are only "activated" or discovered while growing.

We all have different gifts but they all come from the same Holy Spirit. Mr A might have the gift of healing while I have that of interpretation of tongues.  It is the same spirit that provides all and they are ALL useful to the body of Christ.  Whatever we gift we have/possess,  it (its expression) must conform to the word of God.

 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4 KJV

As defined that gifts are presents giving willingly without payment,  we do not pay to get them.  Spiritual gifts are not rewards.  They  are given by God's Grace.
We have to understand that it is not about us.  There is a need to be met with these needs and we are vessels.
As Christians,  we all should earnestly desire spiritual gifts.  Not to boast or brag that we have them.  Whatever gift we receive is of benefit for the common good of the body of Christ.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Fruit means yield,  result,  produce or outcome of something. 

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the produce,  yields or outcome of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. 

The fruit are evidence of godliness as they can only grow out of a live that is dead to self and alive by the spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit expresses our new nature in Christ through our characters/way of life. 

 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, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 AMPC

How do we have or produce these fruit(s)?

Since they are fruit(s) produced by somebody,  then you must have the producer (The Holy Spirit).
This Spirit dwells in believers so you must first believe in Christ and receive salvation through Him.

I know someone is thinking in their head,  "but so many Christians do not have these fruit"

This is because they are not led by the Holy spirit dwelling in them.  We have to yield to His leading. If a believer doesn't yield to the leading of the Spirit, you won't see any fruit. The fruit is not produced by the believer but by the Holy Spirit and there is a process of production

Physical fruits take time to grow and this is evident,  same with spiritual fruits,  they do not grow overnight.
In order to produce these fruit above,  we have to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him weed out the works of the flesh which have become behavioral patterns from the old man.

As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.

Galatians 5:16 TPT

Now I want us to look at these behavioral patterns and carefully examine ourselves.
Which of these things are still very much evident in our life?

 The cravings of the self-life are obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior. Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 TPT

These things mentioned above are very much contrasting to the fruit of the spirit.
The Bible goes ahead to tell us those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
This tells us very much the bulk doesn't stop at confessing and accepting Christ as our Savior.

I know majority of us still exhibit some of these traits of the flesh.  Some of us see it as not too much of a big deal,  if you are on this table,  now is the best time to allow the Holy Spirit break it completely. He can't work in you what you don't allow Him to.

Some of us also want to let go of these things but we slip and keep going back.  Don't feel sad,  you can't do it on your own so stop trying and allow the Holy Spirit. 

If you look at the last characteristics in the fruit of the Holy Spirit,  you will see Self-Control .  This points us back to the works of the flesh and the victory we now have over it 💃💃💃💃.
Those of us with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit now have the ability to control our desires and say NO to our flesh.  We have the power to say yes to the Holy Spirit so He can work in us a bountiful harvest of Spiritual fruit.

Gloryyyyyy!💃💃💃💃💃.

Everything we see in the fruit of the spirit is the nature of Christ and we as Christians have been called to mirror the image of Christ.

As believers we are to have ALL the fruit(s) of the spirit,  that is why the Bible uses singular term for it;  Fruit of the Spirit.
Nine of them mentioned come as one package.  There is nothing like I have love and I don't have self control.  It is one ninefold. We can't pick and choose.  This ninefold characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit.

So examine yourself again.

Are you missing out on one or 3 or all? Then there is a little problem. 

Go to God and stay in fellowship with Him. yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit and watch these fruit manifest.  Not one will be left out.

The fruit of the spirit is what will ultimately determine if we truly know the Lord.  Without these fruits,  everything else is worthless,  all our spiritual gifts are nothing.  If we prophesy from now till we die and no fruit,  it is all in vain. 

CONCLUSION

• The fruit of the spirit is the goal of every believer.   Developing a Christ-like life/nature is the life long goal.  When we get to heaven,  this is the nature we will exhibit and only those who have exhibited these on earth will be there.
• Both the fruit and the gifts have one source,  The Holy Spirit. Please hold dear your relationship with Him. We can't do this on our own,  allow Him help you.  He is here for you! 
•  The fruit of the spirit deals with our attitude and way of life,  the gifts deal with our actions in service.  Both are important! 
•  The fruit of the spirit is the same in all believers.  This is why we can easily associate them with Christ.  It defines who you as a Christian is or who you are becoming. It is about the kind of person God wants you to be for eternity.

Finally,  God is forming His character,  His very nature in you.  His spirit which now dwells in us will help us develop our spiritual gifts for you in His perfect timing. 

Keep growing In the gift and fruit of the Holy Spirit. 

God bless you all. 

Oluremi Akinfaderin.

HOLY SPIRIT SERIES - WALKING IN THE SPIRIT [2]

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:25 NKJVNKJV 


If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:25 ESV 

Ever since It became clear that I would teach on this, this scripture has been constant on my mind..  It is clear that there's a constant battle within us... We are spirit beings living within mortal bodies; "earthen vessels" as Scriptures calls it...And as Scripture says also, there's a constant battle between our spirits and our flesh.. A result of differing agendas between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. This battle predates us and will continue until Jesus finally vanquishes all evil forever under His feet....

But while we're here, Scripture reveals unto us a secret to consistent victory over the flesh....."Walk in the Spirit..." 

What does this really mean?

How do we go about it? 

Why is this so important?


1. Why is this so important?? Well, I'll tell you... 

      When God made the statement, "let them have dominion....." to man in Genesis 1:26, He relinquished His legal right to interference in the rulership of the earth....To put it simply, God doesn't have legal right to intervene in the affairs of the earth unless a man cooperates with Him to get His will done on the earth.... God needs man to fulfill His agenda for the earth as much as man needs God. When you look at it in this light, you begin to see why He desires that we walk in the Spirit... It is the only way we can be attuned to His workings and dealings in birthing certain eevents and manifestations on the earth....It is the only way we can bypass the natural and fleshly tendencies to pander to the yearnings of the flesh... It is our immunity against the enemy's advances and stretched out offerings....


2. Walking in the Spirit means "Keeping in Step with the Spirit" It is having an intimate romantic love with the Spirit and obeying and heeding to His every leading. 

      It is aligning to the leading of the Spirit, allowing Him control your thoughts, words, actions, movement- in effect, your whole life.... It is bending to His every whim...following closely after Him...never taking your eyes off Him.... It is giving up your life and desires so that He can reign in and live through you...Scripture says that "it's in Him we Live, Move and Have our very being" It is an uncompromising unity and Union with Him... We move when and where He moves....We say what He says and are quiet when He's quiet... We grieve over what He grieves over.. We rejoice over what He rejoices over and disdain what He disdains..... It is leaning close to hear the faintest of His heartbeats and tuning our heartbeat to His...It is living the quality of life Jesus lived while here on the earth...uninterrupted connection and connectivity with the Father....

3. We achieve this by Koinonia-,"Fellowship"  


Fellow citizens of the Kingdom, a life of walking in the Spirit entails;


√ Prayer

Constant, Ceaseless, Consistent Conversative Communion Hours and Hours of sincere communication.... I cannot overemphasize this enough..... If you stay in Prayer long enough, especially praying in the Spirit and/or in tongues, the realm of the supernatural will open up to you..Scriptures will open up to you..You will walk in boldness and accuracy that will daze you.... You will hear His voice as clearly as you hear the voice of your friend.... It will be clear, concise and recognisable...One translation says.."For He that prays in an unknown tongue enhances his Spiritual progress" You can't walk in the Spirit if you don't spend time with the Spirit. You should have a sacrosanct, set apart time where you commune with the Spirit. Pray in the Spirit always... Be relentless about speaking in other tongues..


√Study and Meditation 

     Scripture says in Psalms that it is the entrance of the Word that brings light and that the Word of God is a lamp untobour feet and a light unto our path...Friends, to be one with the Spirit and walk in Step, you must study the Spirit...You must spend time in the study of the word and spend time ruminating on it... It must fill your every thought, influence your every decision... It must be on your lips. This will change your life and open your eyes...You will hear His voice saying "This is the path you should go... Walk ye in it" 


√Fasting 

     You must die to self... to the desires of the flesh... You must periodically deaden the voice of the flesh through fasting... Jesus fasted while on earth and remarked that we must fast while He was gone.... Fasting loses the grip of the flesh over of your life and makes you more attentive to, pliable to, and in tune to the dictates of the Spirit... Fasting doesn't move God, neither does it impress Him...Jesus fasted for 40days and 40nights..yet it wasn't recorded anywhere where God said He was overly impressed by that.... In fact, God announced before the whole world that "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" before Jesus even ventured into the wilderness.... What fasting does is to quickly boost the reception power of our spiritual antenna so we can pick up signals from the Spirit faster and better.... This added with Prayer is a match made in heaven....combination of life!!! Kai! Let me move on...


√ Walking in Faith and Love... 

      Walking in the Spirit means staying in and  walking in faith. It means moving out and taking action on the strength of what God has told you irrespective of your surroundings or seemingly insurmountable challenges. It means walking in love and judging your interactions with people through the love bullet points listed in 1 Corinthians 13. 

It means Loving God with all your strength and lavishing your all on Him... It means reflecting that same love which He has shown you to the people He's created and staying true to this nature despite the negative encounters we may come across....

I'll stop here...and close with this...

"I used my life as a testing ground for this... And I found out that in days where zi walked in the Spirit, I was 65%-75% more productive in all my affairs and endesvours than when I walked in the flesh..." It affects the entire scope of your life... And it's your responsibility to make "Walking in the Spirit" a reality in your life... It's not God's responsibility but yours....and if you do the above mentioned as the Spirit leads, your whole life will change in the right direction with time....


Thank You for coming to my TED Talk 😂😂😂

HOLY SPIRIT SERIES - THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [1]

Introduction 

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Trinity is not like a rank or hierarchy, but God exists in 3 distinct yet single form. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.

John  4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is Spirit. 

John  1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word's God. The Word is Jesus Christ. 

God is God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.

In the Scriptures, we have Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost. All are referring to the same person and I'll be using Holy Spirit in this message.

Is the Holy A Person?

Some sects say the Holy Spirit is a force. A force is subject to the laws of Physics by the way...constrained by time and space. That's is not my Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a person, actively relating, building relationships, dwelling in the children of God.

Acts  13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

The Holy Spirit sent them forth. Like how our parents sent us to collect matches from our neighbors

Acts  8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

The Holy Spirit spoke. 

Ephesians  4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The Holy Spirit can be grieved. That's a feeling.

The Holy Spirit is a person. Not a force. Not a distant, impersonal, rigid, unfeelable something. He actively speaks, teaches, comforts, rejoices, instructs and directs us.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Case closed. The Holy Spirit teaches, reminds.

The Holy Spirit is not a force, but a person, a friend.

The Holy Spirit In The Old Testament

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

As at the time Peter was writing that, the New Testament had not been written, meaning the Scripture he mentioned was the Old Testimony.

So we can see that God, through the Holy Spirit, was in action in the times of Old.

Let's see some Scriptures

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

Holy Spirit came upon Gideon

Judges 13:25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

1 Samuel 10:6 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

The Holy Spirit came on Saul and he prophesied.

The truth is the Holy Spirit moved a lot in the Old Testament times. But it didn't stay. Came and went when necessary. It did not reside in them permanently, until Christ 

1 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

The Holy Spirit left. No time 

The Holy Spirit In Now 

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

In the Old, the Holy Spirit came on selected people. Not everyone. Now, even servants and slaves, are eligible to have the Holy Spirit. 

That prophecy came to pass on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2.

1. Now, everyone is eligible to receive the Holy Spirit. Everyone 

2. He can never leave nor forsake us. Yaaaaassss 

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Case closed.

Finally,

What Does The Holy Spirit Do Sef?

1. Reminds you of everything about Christ. The Holy Spirit helps you experience Christ as if he was right there with you.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2. The Holy Spirit empowers you to witness

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth

The Acts of the Apostles is actually Acts of the Holy Spirit. How he empowered the disciples to witness, reminded them of things to say, gave them boldness.

Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Power to witness

FEW POINTS

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

What does that mean?

As in the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is like fire, burning in us. So he can be quenched. This happens when we hinder the Holy Spirit from working in and through us. The more you resist the Holy Spirit, you are actually quench him in you.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

How can you grieve the Holy Spirit. Grieving there means being sad, distressed.

When we engage in sinful acts, we are grieving the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 5:17 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.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.