22 April 2018
Two-Minute Features | 29 April 2018 | 15 April 2018

Summary of Spiritual Gifts, Part 2 (TMF:875)

Friday, April 27, 2018
Peace to Live By: Summary of Spiritual Gifts, Part 2 (TMF:875) - Daniel Litton
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       Now, let’s consider the gifts that Paul mentions here. They are: the utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, the ability to distinguish between spirits, various kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. And Paul said that the Spirit “apportions to each one individually as he wills.” It doesn’t necessarily state that there is only one gift given to each believer. I personally believe that while believers definitely receive one gift, that they can in fact receive more than one. Think of it like the Parable of the Talents in Matthew chapter 25. In that parable, Jesus said in verse 15: “To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability” (Matthew 25:15, ESV). If you go over to 1 Corinthians chapter 14, we can also see this fact in verse 1. Paul says, “Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).

Summary of Spiritual Gifts, Part 1 (TMF:874)

Thursday, April 26, 2018
Peace to Live By: Summary of Spiritual Gifts, Part 1 (TMF:874) - Daniel Litton
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       So, let’s take a short time here and talk about Spiritual gifts. First, I want us to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and let’s read what the Apostle Paul says about ‘spiritual’ gifts. Here is what I want us to see today. First, notice that Paul talks about gifts, services, and activities. That’s interesting and something I want you to consider on your own time. Second, realize that God empowers each of these three things. Third, note that each believer “is given the manifestation of the Spirit.” So, these gifts display God in us—they show his goodness. Fourth, the gifts are “for the common good.” That is, they are to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Now, let’s consider the gifts that Paul mentions here. They are: the utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, the ability to distinguish between spirits, various kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

The Spirit Leads Us to Do Kingdom Works (TMF:873)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Peace to Live By: The Spirit Leads Us to Do Kingdom Works (TMF:873) - Daniel Litton
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       The Holy Spirit leads us to do works for God, for the kingdom’s sake. He leads us to help other people. We should want to do these things freely, and not feel obligated to do them. The drive of our heart should be doing the right thing for God, with faith and love. Sometimes the Spirit leads us to do small things for others, and sometimes large and more sacrificial things. But, we should allow ourselves to follow the Spirit’s leading. When we feel the urge to do something good, often times that is exactly what God wants us to do. Those thoughts many times aren’t just our own thoughts, but the Spirit of God’s thoughts living inside us. He is telling us he wants us to do this or that. Psalm 143:10 says: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (ESV). We must cooperate with the Spirit!

The Spirit Speaks to Us in Our Minds (TMF:872)

Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Peace to Live By: The Spirit Speaks to Us in Our Minds (TMF:872) - Daniel Litton
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       He have to allow him to work in us. Turn quickly over to Acts chapter 8: “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him” (Acts 8:26-30, ESV). Now, this is definitely an interesting passage. An angel of the Lord directed Philip to go in a certain direction (which of course, angels do direct us, but this is a whole ‘nother discussion for another time), but what I want us to see here, even though it may seem basic, is the fact that the Holy Spirit ‘led’ Philip by speaking a word from God to him. I believe God can, and still does, do this with us as believers. He will often speak things to us in our minds.

The Spirit Guides Us in the Gray Areas (TMF:871)

Monday, April 23, 2018
Peace to Live By: The Spirit Guides Us in the Gray Areas (TMF:871) - Daniel Litton
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       The Spirit even guides us in the gray areas. Paul said in Romans 14 about the things we approve in our own lives: “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” and “The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God” (Romans 14:5, 22, ESV). When we are not sure what we should do in this or that situation, the Holy Spirit helps us know what is pleasing to God. He gives us God’s peace when we are doing right. Colossians 3:15 states, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” (ESV). When making decisions, we should not follow our emotions, or thoughts we have come up with, but the Spirit’s peace in our hearts. We must not be afraid of being led by the Spirit of God, but rather trust God that he is leading us in the right direction. And this is true even in the gray areas (for more on this, see Romans 14).