1. The Father Gave His Son

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosever believes in Him will not perish but shall have everlasting life. John 3:16

What a sacrifice, to make us His children also, as we respond to Him.

My Part:   Acknowledge my need.  Receive the gift of His Son with gratitude.  Repent. (Change of direction, thoughts and behaviour) Surrender to a new CEO for your life.

1. The Son Gave His Life

That’s the way it is with the Son of Man. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Matthew 20:28

My Part:  Receive Him and His sacrifice with gratitude and get to know Him.

III. The Father Gives The Holy Spirit

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever. John 14:16

But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:26

My Part:  Recognize the gift of this Wonderful Holy Person and

Receive Him with Gratitude

 

1. The Holy Spirit Gives:
2. Life -The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.

Who gives life – God’s Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God’s life-giving Spirit.

John 6:63 Good News     

Romans 8:10 (NIV): “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.”

2. Comfort and Help –

John 14:15-17 Jesus said: If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.”

Up until the resurrection of Christ, the Spirit of God was with Believers. Since He met with the disciples in the Upper Room in John, chapter 20, and came and breathed on them and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost,” the Spirit of God moved into the lives of Christians.  His spirit blended with our spirit

That was foretold in John 7, verses 37-39:  “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this he spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.)”  In short, “glorified” means Jesus is recognized, praised, and manifested in his true, exalted nature as divine and supreme and sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Jesus promised another comforter. Another? Yes. They are saying, “Jesus, are You going away? Jesus, will You leave us like poor sheep without a Shepherd?”         “No,” said Jesus, “I am going to leave another Comforter.” So now we have Jesus AND The Holy Spirit!!

In the Bible (John 14:16), “another Comforter” refers to the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus to take His place as an advocate, counsellor, and helper for believers after His ascension.

Jesus is saying, “The Spirit of God will be better for you than Me on my own, as I will be constrained by time and space if I am in the flesh and on my own as you know me now.” Why did Jesus say that? If Jesus was on earth now, I would go across the seas, I would go anywhere in the world, to see Him. But if I could get there, there would also be great crowds of people, and I might not be able to see Him. Even if I did get to see Him, I wouldn’t get to be with Him much.

Meaning of “Another” (Allos): The Greek word allos means another of the same kind, signifying that the Holy Spirit is identical in character and power to Jesus, acting as his stand-in on earth.

Meaning of “Comforter” (Paraclete): It means “one called alongside to help,” similar to an advocate, legal helper, or personal counsellor.

The Promise: Jesus ensures that while He is leaving physically, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will dwell within believers, providing continuous comfort and truth.

Purpose: The Comforter brings joy, peace, and spiritual aid in tough times.

This promise means that the Holy Spirit carries out the same work of guidance, protection, and comfort that Jesus provided while he was on earth.

When the Spirit of God comes – He is another One like Jesus. He now comes within us – Christ’s personal Representative. In fact, Jesus said in the Great Commission, “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” – meaning through the Spirit of God.  The way we get to know Jesus intimately is through getting to know the Holy Spirit.

What a gift the Father has given to us. This wonderful comforter and helper…this wonderful person, The Holy Spirit.

3. Spiritual Tools to Accomplish His Will On Earth –
4. a) The gifts of the Father. Romans 12:6-8 (given for motivation).  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
5. b) The gifts of the Son. Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1st Corinthians 12:28 (given for ministry or administration) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity/maturity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
6. c) The gifts of The Holy Spirit. 1st Corinthians 12: 7-11 (given for manifestation and power)

As God gives power through our gift/s, the effects produced by it are the operations or manifestations of the Spirit. These nine gifts of manifestation (I Corinthians 12:7-11) are given to benefit the body of the church.  To empower us for the work of the ministry.

My Part is the following:  Recognize my deep need of the Holy Spirit.  Deeply desire a relationship with Him.        Accept with joy all He wants to give to you.

To summarize, it is our responsibility to develop our motivational gifts, it’s the church’s responsibility to confirm ministry gifts, and it is the Holy Spirit’s function to enable, to empower the use of the gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of all.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit

God has given His people nine mighty gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable them to mature spiritually, edify others, and do the work of the ministry. Although these gifts of God are perfect, the manifestation of these gifts are sometimes not so perfect because they are manifested through an imperfect channel: men and women.

However, perfect or imperfect, it is still God’s will that the Church have all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation and that every believer be open to the working of these gifts in their life. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul confirms this statement when he exhorted God’s people by writing:

“That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: ‘So that ye come behind in no gift;’ waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 1:5-7).

Therefore, these gifts are not only essential for spiritual maturity and ministry, but they also prepare you for Christ’s return.

The gifts are the “spiritual senses” of the Church. Just as we have five physical senses that allow us to function in the natural realm (world), so we also have nine gifts of the Holy Spirit available to us (the “spiritual senses”) that enable us to function properly in the spiritual realm.

1. The Nine Gifts of The Holy Spirit

Paul Says that “Spiritual Gifts” is something that we should not be ignorant about.  We read it today in 1 Corinthians 12:1

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”   Ignorance comes through a lack of knowledge and if we don’t know about these gifts, how will we be able to desire and experience these gifts.

Here the Greek word for “gifts” is “charismata” and means gifts of grace.

1. These nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are given and ministered by the grace of God and cannot be earned:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

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 various kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

1. The Nine Gifts Are Divided Into Three Categories:
2. The three revelation gifts.

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Discerning of spirits

2. The three power gifts.

Faith

Gifts of healing

Working of miracles

 

3. The three vocal gifts.

Prophecy

Divers kinds of tongues

Interpretation of tongues

III.       Some important things to understand.

Every Child of God may receive at least one gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 4:10

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Paul had the desire to impart to all believers a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:11

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”

We receive these gifts according to the measure of God’s grace toward us. Romans 12:6

It is important that we do not neglect using the gift/s that the Holy Spirit imparts to us.

” Neglect not the gift that is in thee.”  1 Timothy 4:14

We should never let this gift/s lay dormant and unused in our lives.

 2 Timothy 1:6

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

The gift that is within us will be manifested and shown through us.

1 Corinthians 12:7

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

The invisible person of the Holy Spirit manifests Himself through the operation of these gifts. Through us, He demonstrates His personality, His power, His Will and His purpose.

1 Corinthians 2:4

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but In demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

1. What Is The Purpose Of These Nine Gifts?

Through the nine gifts, the Holy Spirit meets the different kinds of needs of people: Next week we will examine all three categories.

In closing, so far we have discussed and revealed the fact that:

• the Holy Spirit is not an it but a Person and fully God.
• That our God is a giving God in every respect.
• God the Father GAVE us His Son. The Father gives us Motivational Gifts at birth to use them to benefit ourselves and others. Our gifts shape our personalities. Because God has created us with free will, we can choose to use our motivational gifts appropriately, or we can choose to neglect them or even to abuse them.  God loves us. He freely gives us abilities and talents that will help us live up to our potential and positively contribute to our communities. In our gifts he gives us our purpose, our reason to live.
• God the Son GAVE His life for us. He gives ministry gifts for the administration and leadership of the church.  ie Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Administrators etc
• The Holy Spirit not only reveals Jesus to us but Jesus indwells the believer through the Holy Spirit. I will never leave you.
• The Holy Spirit gives the Church, Gifts which we will explore next week, to help fulfil the ministry we have been called to do.
• We can and should get to know the HS, understand Him, listen to Him, hear Him and interpret His nudging and prompting.
• The Church should be a joyous place, a place of peace, a place of comfort, of strength, of courage, a place where one feels one belongs, a place that is full of life and the world outside can see that there is something worth looking into in the church. We, I believe, should see the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in our midst; we have so much to learn, re-learn and let go of.  Change, that dreadful word is necessary in all denominations.  I’m not just talking about St Matthews but the Church worldwide needs to shake itself, to read what the Word of God is really saying, to re-evaluate the blue print of how the church should and needs to function and that means embracing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and being willing to receive and act upon what God is really saying to His Church. Basically, we need to develop the spiritual side of our lives.  We go to school, college, uni and learn to develop our brains and find out what we are good at naturally, so we need to go to God to develop the spiritual side of our lives, basically the driving force of our lives, the generator as it were and identify what He wants to do through us supernaturally.
• To summarize, it is our responsibility to develop our motivational gifts, those gifts that make us who we are, it’s the church’s responsibility to confirm the ministry gifts, and it is the Holy Spirit’s function to enable the use of His gifts for the benefit of all, to extend the Kingdom and to reveal the love of God to the community through the church.
• Next week we will explore the 9 gifts in more detail and hopefully come to a new and fuller understanding of them and their importance and value to us, to God’s Church.