Manifestation Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Tonight in our Bible Study we begin a discussion on the 9 gifts given to us from the Holy Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Paul writes: "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues."

My suggestion is that we have forgotten about these gifts in our churches. I don't think we have done so intentionally, but unintentionally from neglect or a lack or use or even a lack of emphasis.

Why are the "Manifestation Gifts" so important?

One reason might be the other alternatives that we use in the world today:

We refer alcoholics to AA.
We ask families to settle their disputes with a therapist.
We take our uncontrollable teenager to juvenile court.
We take those who are mentally challenged to psychiatrists.

That is all well and good. Please don't misunderstand me. Sometimes a psychiatrist is need. Sometimes the best thing a family can do is to see a Christian therapist.

But let's not forget what the Holy Spirit can do as well!

The Manifestation gifts are the power tools that are available to us.

They are OUR Weapons of Warfare. That's important to understand because our ultimate enemy is the devil.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" (and then in verse 5) "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Here's what I know: the Gifts of the Spirit to the believer are what the stone was to David when he slew Goliath. They are what the jawbone of an ass was to Samson when he slew 1,000 men.

The church seeking to win the world from slavery and bondage of the devil without these instruments of God’s power is like trying to defeat a modern army barehanded, without weapons.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:29, "Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house."

Zechariah 4:6 tells us that it is "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Let's take advantage of what God has given to us as Spirit-filled believers!

Gifts are broken down in 3 categories:

A. Power to Know: (to reveal, or information)
Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits

B. Power to Act: (to do, action)
Faith, Healings, Miracles

C. Power to Speak: (to utter or vocal)
Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Prophecy