In Chapters 6 & 7 Paul carefully expressed to us the conflict we experience between the Spirit and the flesh. He pointed out how sin takes hold within our flesh and prompts us to do things that we know we shouldn’t be doing. He pointed out that we need to consider ourselves dead to sin, dead to the law and alive to Jesus Christ. In Chapter 8 we find out how spiritual life begins to take shape.
James 1:17 reminds us:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (NKJV)
The Father, through the Holy Spirit within each believer, has given each of us some kind of spiritual gift. He wants us to use them for His glory to build up the body of Christ. God gives each of us gifts. There are no gift-less Christians.
1 Corinthians 7:7 (NKJV) … each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV) There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
Gifts are something we need to use intentionally. Every Christian has a gift, but not all use them. We need to “stir them up” and make sure that we don’t neglect them – just as Paul had to encourage Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:14 (NKJV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, …
2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you …
If you’d like some help in determining your gift(s) here’s a link to a little test that just may do the job.
Here we take a look at the Holy Spirit coming upon the church at Pentecost. We’ll hear Peter’s first sermon and see the response of the crowd.
Audio: Acts0201-41.mp3
Notes: Acts02:01-41.pdf
This week we begin the Book of Acts. Here’s a brief outline of Chapter 1 with the audio and notes:
I. 1:1-3 Introduction: Christ’s Resurrection
II. 1:4-8 The Promise of the Holy Spirit
III. 1:9-11 Christ’s Ascension
IV. 1:12-14 Waiting for the Promise
V. 1:15-26 The Selection of Matthias
Audio: Acts01.mp3
Notes: Acts01.pdf
Central Reflections 