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The three verbal gifts of the Holy Spirit In Part 3a we considered the description of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. We are now going to focus on the description of the 3 verbal gifts (tongues, interpretation, and prophecy) in the following passage. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interprets, that the church may receive edifying. 6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God; I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Brethren be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so, falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. . 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. Comments by verse v.1 We ought to desire spiritual gifts especially that we should prophesy! v.2 When we speak in an unknown tongue, we are not speaking to men but to God. It is a direct communication between man and God or vice versa. Although our minds do not understand we are speaking mysteries about God. What do you think the angels make of this? v.3 Prophecy is in English and is understood by the church thus building them up. v4. Tongues builds up the speaker, but prophecy builds up the church. see also Jude v20. v5 Paul wants everyone to talk in tongues but even better if they prophesy so that others can be fed. However, if there is an interpretation of the tongue it has the same effect as a prophecy i.e. it is understood! v6-12 What good is done in public if no one can understand what you are saying. Love considers others not just our own profit. If you want to give a tongue for the church pray and ask God for the interpretation as well so that everyone will be blessed. v15. Spirit filled Christians should pray and sing, sometimes in English, sometimes in tongues. Both are OK and one should not preclude the other. v16-17 Do not give thanks at the meal table in tongues since no one can understand and say Amen. v18 Paul appreciated the gift of tongues and used it more than anyone else! v19 but we must know the correct context for the use of tongues i.e. do not confuse the private use with its public use. At the meetings concentrate on what benefits the whole church. v21.-24 There appears to be an apparent contradiction between verse 21-22 and 23-24 in that in the former tongues is designated as a sign for the unbeliever but in the latter as a sign for the believers. The explanation lies in that on the day of Pentecost the Jews who first heard the other tongues were fulfilling the prophecies of the old testament (Isa 28 and Deut 24 v29) to show the Jews that they were in unbelief. However, the reference to tongues in v23-24 is for the Church and therefore is for a different purpose i.e. for the believers not the unsaved. v27 Let tongues and prophecies be given in batches of two or three and then give the congregation time to digest them and to discern what the Lord is saying to the church. v39 Do not forbid the speaking in tongues. v40 Be sensitive to the Spirit and others. Never behave in an unseemly or outrageous way for the church is the household of God. Amen Personal Prayer

The power gifts of the Holy Spirit continued : Faith and the Gifts of Healings The Gift of Faith Although we know that every believer is dealt the measure of fawhen there is a specific need God gives us an extra injection of faith. This increased level of faith may only apply to the specific purpose and may last only until the conclusion of the matter. The person receiving the gift of faith might even be surprised to hear themselves say 'Yes, the Lord is going to do this...' and then think where did they get the strength to believe for this level of faith. It is very encouraging to the rest of the church to see/hear this gift in action as this gift will keep them holding on in faith to receive the desired outcome (e.g. a bigger church building). Or what about the gift of faith to raise the dead (e.g. Lazarus). Most of us would need a huge injection of faith to perform that ministry. Roger Price tells the story of a woman who died during the praise and worship at her local church. There was a doctor present who confirmed that there was no pulse. The elder leading the meeting although aware of the fact she had died asked the congregation to pray for her and someone called out "Lord bless her'. The life came back into her, and she came round and apologised for fainting! The elder leading the meeting received the gift of faith! Sometimes a collective gift of faith can be manifest through the assembled congregation. A woman with severe post-natal depression was instantly set free and healed when a church collectively prayed for her. The Lord still wants to operate His power gifts to meet the needs of His people let us be open to receive them for His glory! The Gifts of Healings Please notice that it is plural 'gifts' for there are many types of healing. There is such a thing as the healing of emotions and there is a need within the church for this type of ministry. People need to be healed from a wide range of conditions and sicknesses, arthritis, depression, cancer, allergies etc. etc. It is interesting to note that in the gospels there were no instances recorded where Jesus was either unwilling or unable to heal whoever asked him. The gifts of healings are often administered by the laying on of hands. This is a means of identification with the sick person. It is good acknowledge the Lord as the great healer asking Him to impart healing and health to the afflicted person. Healing can be administered in several ways including the laying on of hands, or through the anointing with oil or even transmitted by a piece of cloth. Mark 6:12 And they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shall have forgiven him. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit who supplies the power for the gift of healing to take place. Every Christian has the right to call for the elders and that the elders must step out in faith and obedience to God's word. Sometimes healing takes place when a single prayer of faith is made, and we just know that God has heard and granted our prayer. However there are other times when we must persist in prayer before healing will take place (pray like a hacking cough as the Greek says in one scripture!). As ever we need to be led by the Holy Spirit. When we are needing healing, we ought to pray for ourselves in the first instance. Then, if necessary, ask our family and friends to pray. If you are still sick, then call for the elders. Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Gifts of healings are sometimes instantaneous but at other times takes place gradually. So patiently wait in faith if you have received prayer for healing! If we give up in unbelief the gradual healing process will be stopped. Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. A healing might be termed as a miracle by being instantaneous or by being unusual in some respect. A Christian I know felt led to pray over a handkerchief when visiting a relative who lived some distance away. A year or so later someone in the relative’s family took seriously ill. When he remembered the handkerchief, it was applied to the sick person’s body and a miraculous healing took place! Often at a meeting where a word of knowledge is given for healing, it can be a prelude for general healing to take place. Amen Personal Prayer Teaching partly adapted from the late R. Price (Chichester Christian Fellowship)

How to prepare your heart for revival Revival is when eternity invades time [1] Revival is God’s radical treatment for a sick and lukewarm church Revival starts with me Revival starts with you God is calling me into personal revival God is calling me to break up the fallow ground in my heart God is calling you into personal revival God is calling you to break up the fallow ground in your heart The fallow ground is the soil of your heart that used to produce fruit The fallow ground in our hearts is overgrown with weeds and thistles and thorns God is calling us into revival through Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves in righteousness Reap in mercy Break up the fallow ground For it is time to seek the Lord Until he comes and rains righteousness on you Context: Hosea chapters 1-3 tell Hosea’s personal story God told him to marry Gomer a promiscuous woman and raise children Hosea had even to buy her back from her lover Their third child a boy had a name something like ‘my daddy is not my daddy’ Hosea keenly felt the pain and rejection of loving an unfaithful covenant breaking wife God keenly felt the pain and rejection of loving an unfaithful covenant breaking people Hosea identified with God’s breaking heart [2] over the sin of his people Our sin breaks God’s heart God’s tender love and mercy towards his people pours out of the book Hosea chapters 4-14 give the prophetic message of Hosea to Israel The land was filled with corruption amongst its rulers Families were unstable and immorality was widely accepted Society was divided and poverty was rife Idolatry was on the rise and the religious leaders had no answers Sound familiar? Could this be Scotland today? Here is God’s solution for a backslidden and lukewarm church Sow for yourselves in righteousness –Sowing; –live right before God- Believe and practice God’s word- let it dwell in your heart richly- Ask the Holy Spirit to water the seed of the word-Pray fervently-share the gospel Sow only good seeds Do only good deeds Reap in mercy; Reaping; when we sowed in righteousness we reaped a harvest of the Lord’s loving-kindness (chesed) Our God is Chasidic-full of loving kindness Our God multiplies the righteous seed we have sown way beyond the measure we sowed Our first cycles of sowing and reaping produced a good harvest But something crept up on us- perhaps the sin crouching at the door? Or the worries and cares of this life? The pursuit of wealth? And now whatever has happened, the soil of our hearts has become fallow ground. Examine your heart...take the Tozer [3] test The fallow heart is smug and can’t be taught much. The fallow heart is self contented. The fallow heart is protected from the shock of the plough. The fallow heart Some hearts have lain fallow year by year, safe and undisturbed The fallow heart focuses on past fruit The fallow heart has a two signs on it; ‘Do not disturb’ and ‘Past-master’ . The fear of the plough means there can be no present fruit The spirit of adventure is dead . The fallow heart is fenced in and God is fenced out The fallow heart smiles indulgently at fasting, revivals, self searching and the need to move on in God. The fallow soil has been hardened and can only support weeds and thorns and thistles The very seeds sown by the world , the flesh and the devil The soil of our hearts lies fallow to varying degrees-what state is your heart in tonight? Examine your heart… and take the Plough [4] test The ploughed heart The ploughed heart practices confession and repentance We need to keep short accounts with God and each other The ploughed heart has a sign ‘not safety first’ The ploughed heart is discontent in God The ploughed heart is yearning and full of godly sorrow The ploughed heart is courageously obedient and ready to bear fruit. Break up the fallow ground; Breaking- humble yourself before the Lord Confess that your heart has become hard, fallow and shallow Acknowledge it is your own responsibility to break up the fallow ground Ask for his help and guidance in the breaking – the Holy Spirit will assist us Confess all known sin, all the usual suspects found in the Ten Commandments Include unforgiveness, bitterness, grudges and resentment- then forsake them Examine your heart… Examine your heart for unbelief Examine your heart for prayerlessness A sinning man stops praying, a praying man stops sinning [5]. Examine your heart for the lost Examine the priorities of your heart Is your first priority in the material world? Is your first priority in human relationships? Is your first real priority to get money, power or possessions? Is your heart, seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness knowing that all these things shall be added unto you? What are you living for? Who are you living for? Next, deal also with the questionable things in your life. It might not be outright sin but does it glorify God? Examine your friendships and associations –do they please God? Develop convictions to protect yourself from falling into sin Convictions help integrate our hearts (inward) with our actions (outward) Job made a covenant with his eyes [6]. For it is time to seek the Lord; Seeking – the time to seek God is now –the time to seek his face is now- the time to seek his face in faith is now- believing he wants you to find him now It is God’s will for you to find him- when you seek him with all your heart Until he comes and rains righteousness on you, persist- how long O Lord? Persist until he comes – he will certainly come if we persist If we focus on the persisting –He will focus on his coming- Yes the very presence of the living God will come down on you- History testifies to this in the Lewis revival Prepare ye the way of the Lord in your own heart- remove every obstacle – and bring the presence of the living God in a new way into your heart God wants to do a new thing in your heart right now. Raining- Until the Spirit is poured on us from on high [7] And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field And the fruitful field is counted as a forest God wants your heart to be an orchard. God promised to pour out his Spirit on the dry and thirsty ground [8] He promised that the crocus and the rose would bloom in the desert place Imagine fragrant flowers and sweet fruit trees in planted in the soil of your heart God desires to breathe in your fragrance God desires to taste the sweet fruit of your character Jeremiah says ‘break up your fallow ground and don’t sow amongst thorns’ [9]. Conclusion The reason we don’t have revival is that we are willing to live without it [10] The alternative to revival is progressive decline into barrenness. Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Let’s bring the plough of God’s word into the fallow grounds of our hearts tonight asking God to empower the plough by his Holy Spirit and that he shows us exactly what needs to be removed. Are you willing to break the fallow ground in your heart? , are you willing to be made willing? God is willing and God is able to help each one of us break up our fallow ground. Amen. Prayer [1] Unknown author quoted by Clayton Dougan [2] Clayton Dougan in the podcast The breaking heart of God, Sermon Index.com [3] A.W. Tozer [4] Michael Catt The power of surrender; breaking through to the ploughed life [5] Leonard Ravenhill [6] Job 31:1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman. [7] Isaiah 32:15 [8] Isaiah 44:3-4 [9] Jeremiah 4:3 [10] Leonard Ravenhill

The power gifts of the Holy Spirit; Miracles, Faith, and Gifts of healings The power gifts of the Holy Spirit are the gifts most likely to cause a stir and draw a crowd! This is the case for distinct reasons; firstly, most people have unmet needs in their lives. Many people need a miracle or require a gift of faith to overcome some huge obstacle in their lives or desire a healing touch from the Lord. Another reason these gifts are so popular is that Christians love to see God move in power! However, although most, if not all of us would love to see the power gifts in operation, there are certain dangers for the believers who operate in these gifts. Sometimes we love the Lord's deeds more than we love His person! People will often flock to a healing or miracle meeting but would not come to a teaching on the attributes of God. We must desire the Giver Himself not just His gifts. We must love God first for who He is and not for what He gives us. People will travel for miles to see a man or woman with a reputation for doing miracles. Such ministers often get put on a pedestal and folks can forget it is the Holy Spirit who is glorifying Jesus Christ by performing the miracles etc. Ministers who operate in these power gifts often become unapproachable and sadly in some cases fall into serious sin. Pride comes before a fall! The church must take its share of the blame if we put these ministers under such a pressure of high expectation that they just cannot cope. We become disappointed when we find out these men have 'feet of clay,’ but we should have known better than to look at the man anyway! Miracles [1],[2] These are when God glorifies Himself by intervening in the natural processes in a supernatural way. This usually involves a dramatic shortening of the time scale of the natural process. For example, all healing is performed by God who gives and maintains life. If He did not supply the healing power to all of our bodies, we would die. But when Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the Devil, he either shortened the time scale of healing from gradual to instantaneous (or) or instigated an otherwise impossible feat. The miracle of turning the water into wine is an example since it is God who produces all wine from water (and other ingredients). At the wedding in Cana Jesus simply speeded up the process! Similarly in the case of the feeding of the five thousand with the loaves and fishes, it is the Lord who multiplies seed for bread and fishes, Jesus just did it in a quicker and more supernatural way. God can miraculously stretch things out like the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil! 1 Kings 17:14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. Corrie Ten Boom's little bottle of vitamins lasted for months in the concentration camp! Some Christians have reported driving hundreds of miles on one gallon of petrol! God will sometimes do this type of miracle but only when it is really needed. (the clutch had gone in my car but I prayed God would enable me to drive it to the repair shop. The mechanic could not believe I had driven it there with no clutch! Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs [3] following. Amen. Miracles, signs, and wonders [4] follow the believers. Signs draw our attention to God and seek to cause us to believe in him and his power. They also confirm that it is the authentic word of God that has been preached. Whereas wonders are directed towards our imagination and are given to get us thinking about the awesomeness of God. When a deadly snake bit Paul while in Malta, the natives expected him to die but God preserved his life as a miraculous sign to the Maltese. The word "Sign" (semeion) in the New Testament is used of miracles and are taken as evidence of divine authority. Sometimes it is translated as "miracle.” The New Testament writers also used dunamis, meaning power or inherent ability, to refer to activity of supernatural origin or character (Mark 6:2; Acts 8:13; 19:11; Rom. 15:19; 1 Cor. 12:10,28,29; Gal. 3:5; 2 Thess. 2:9; Heb. 2:4). Also the word "Work" (ergon) is also employed in the New Testament in the sense of "miracle." John the Baptist heard of the "works" of Jesus while he was in prison (Matt. 11:2). The apostle John used the term frequently in his Gospel (5:20,36; 7:3; 10:38; 14:11,12; 15:24). Amen Personal Prayer Footnotes [1] 1411. dunamis, doo'-nam-is, from G1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself): --ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. [2] How do miracles relate to the natural order? Christian thinkers have responded in diverse ways throughout the centuries. Some hold that miracles are not contrary to nature (Augustine and C. S. Lewis, for instance). This harmony view contends that human knowledge with limited perspective does not fully understand or comprehend the higher laws that God employs in working the miraculous. Others (like Thomas Aquinas) have maintained miracles stand outside the laws of nature. This approach is called the intervention view, based on their belief that God intervenes in the natural order to do the miraculous. [3] The basic nature of a sign is that it points people to God. "Wonders" describe God's supernatural activity, a special manifestation of His power (Ex. 7:3), Wonders can serve as a sign of a future event. Signs seek to bring belief (Ex. 4:5; compare 10:2), but they do not compel a person to believe (Ex. 4:9). We should join the Psalmist in confessing that the God of Israel "alone works wonders" (Ps. 72:18 NASB). [4] "Wonders" (teras) translates a Greek word from which the word terror comes. It denotes something unusual that causes the beholder to marvel. Although it usually follows "signs," it sometimes precedes it (Acts 2:22,43; 6:8) or occurs alone (as in Acts 2:19). Whereas a sign appeals to the understanding, a wonder appeals to the imagination. "Wonders" are usually presented as God's activity. Next time in The gifts of the Godhead Part 3g we will consider the other two power gifts of the Holy Spirit i.e. faith and gifts of healings.

The Holy Spirit inspirational gifts continued: A word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits A word of knowledge In the Greek it is a not the word of knowledge. This is when God who is omniscient (i.e. knows everything) chooses to reveal something by his Holy Spirit to a believer so that they can use this information to minister to another. Such a word of knowledge can open up your understanding to minister correctly into the person's situation. People often put this gift on too high a level! Sometimes you are going about your normal daily business when the Lord lays a burden on your heart for someone or something then He has supernaturally given you knowledge of a situation you otherwise could not know! The Lord might call you to pray or visit or respond in some other way. This at a basic level is a word of knowledge. Often after the event you find out that something important happened just at the very time you received and acted on the word of knowledge. God never gives this gift except for a specific purpose, and we should act in faith when it happens i.e. be obedient to the Spirit's leading. (I was once woken up at night s to intercede for a relative who was in danger of a miscarriage- the pregnancy had a successful outcome). Sometimes people at a meeting will receive a word of knowledge about a health, financial or other problem for someone in the congregation. When the word is given out it promotes faith in the person to receive healing or have their particular need met. Thus it often is a catalyst to successful personal ministry. Remember the Samaritan women at the well. The word of knowledge laid bare her whole life causing her to perceive that Jesus was a prophet. Thee bible teacher the late Roger Price told a story of how (after several false starts) being obedient to prompting of the Holy Spirit led to the conversion of a fellow student. Sometimes the word or picture we receive can be unusual (e.g. tinned food story). We have just got to be obedient and give them! Jack Deere tells how one day when counselling one of his bible school students, suddenly saw in his mind the word pornography appearing and then it flashed on and off. He tried to ignore this but after a while he realised that the Lord was giving him a supernatural message. When he eventually gave in and asked the student outright if he was using this type of material, the student eventually came clean and received ministry which completely set him free from this bondage. Judge the fruit! This is a border line example between a word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. Discerning of spirits There is such a thing as natural discernment (as in fictional characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple) but the gift of discerning of spirits reveals that which only God can reveal. Often this gift functions during personal ministry when the Lord reveals the spiritual nature of the root problem which is not apparent in any natural sense. Jack Deere tells of one young lady who came for prayer for nightmares. Whilst praying Jack received a word of knowledge from the Lord.... 'Don'. It turned out that the young women had been involved in immorality with a man named Don (who was heavily into the occult). The Lord then enabled Jack to discern that the girl had been demonized through this contact. After the spiritual root of the problem was manifested and repentance made, the young woman was set free by prayer and the nightmares stopped! This gift is vital in the deliverance ministry for unless the Lord supernaturally reveals what the root problem is spiritually speaking, then we are unable to proceed. Thankfully, the Lord usually gives discerning of spirits because He wants his people to be set free! Sometimes the Lord gives discerning of spirits to a local church so that they know how to pray specifically and intelligently for their local area or even nation. Another use of this gift can be when someone is telling you something and the Holy Spirit says that either they are lying or not telling the whole truth. This discernment might just be a warning or else a prompt to confront the person. You need to be led of the Spirit to manage this type of situation. If a doubtful character comes to your church, you might ask the Lord to give you discernment in the matter! Moving in the inspirational gifts These three gifts often come to believers as a recurrent thought or feeling, or as a vision (picture). For example you might see a picture of an ear, through which the Lord is showing that someone present has an ear problem and if He is revealing that it is almost certain that He wants to heal that problem. Some people see outlines of a body with just the affected part visible or prominent. Other may see or hear words... 'heart problem' etc. or 'marriage difficulties'. God will have his own way of speaking to you. Step out in faith and see the supernatural power of the Lord at work in your church and in your personal life! It is a real boost to our faith to see the Lord meet people needs in such a fresh supernatural way! Amen Personal Prayer Referenced authors Roger Price BBS tape series (no. 95) 'Moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit-part 2' Chichester Christian Fellowship. Surprised by the voice of God by Jack Deere (Kingsway 1996).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit ;the inspirational gifts: Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, and Discerning of Spirits Brief Review There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9. To another faith by the same Spirit, to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit, 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits, to other divers’ kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: For the purposes of our study the gifts are considered in three groups. 1. The verbal gifts; tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy. 2. The inspirational gifts; a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. 3. The power gifts, faith, gifts of healing and miracles. The inspirational (or revelatory) gifts Last time when we considered the verbal gifts, we saw that these gifts were under our control to some degree and in one sense we can reach out to the Lord to receive them from Him. However, it is more difficult (though not impossible) to reach out for the inspirational gifts than the verbal gifts. The inspirational gifts often operate unexpectedly, but when they do, they usually resolve a difficult if not otherwise impossible situation to resolve. Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, in their book 'Watch of the Lord'' talk of the gifts of the Holy Spirit being part of the Church's military assets. The HOLY SPIRIT gives a word of knowledge=intelligence. The HOLY SPIRIT gives a word of wisdom=unique and successful strategies. The HOLY SPIRIT gives discerning of spirits=radar ability to reveal the hidden enemy 'stealth'. The HOLY SPIRIT gives a gift of faith the vision for victory. Judging the gifts James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. There should always be fruit coming from the inspirational gifts (and other gifts) whether immediate or after a while. The demonized girl who followed Paul and Silas around Phillipi had supernatural knowledge about them, but it was not pure, gentle, and eventually contributed to Paul and Silas getting a severe beating and imprisonment. However, the true inspirational gifts are beautiful to see and bring great encouragement to the church. As in the colours of the rainbow and in the fruit of the Holy Spirit sometimes the various gifts seem to merge into each other i.e. sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a prophecy and a word of knowledge. 1. Word of wisdom Wisdom is the correct use of knowledge. A word of wisdom can be used by God in many different ways. Luke 21:14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Matthew 10:19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. This is referring to a time of persecution not to whether you ought to prepare a sermon or talk in advance! The gift of a word of wisdom often is for when you are in a tricky situation and the Holy Spirit gives you the answer to the problem. Remember the word of wisdom Jesus used when they asked him if they should pay taxes to Caesar! A pastor was interviewed on radio by an atheist but had to stop talking when the atheist raised his hand. The atheist asked a number of questions to which the pastor gave good answers, but the interviewer kept his best shot until last. The climax question was in a certain passage of scripture God tells the Israelites to kill all the people in a certain town, men, women, and children even the animals, Is that your God? The pastor cries inwardly 'Lord help me!'. He receives a word of wisdom 'Yes, it is my God, a God of love, a God of long-suffering and patience but also a God of wrath and judgement! That is why Christians are so urgent about the Gospel in a nation where we have taken God's mercy and forgiveness for granted for so long. After a minute of total silence the interviewer thanked the pastor and closed the show. Another dramatic resolution (in the old testament) of an insoluble problem by a word of wisdom was when the two women argued over the live baby. People can also receive a word of wisdom over day-to-day problems such as moving house or changing job etc. A Christian family felt lead to move back into a certain town but there was no job for the man and their house would not sell! Their pastor prayed for them and received a word of wisdom to the effect that as mature believers they should no longer wait for the job and house situations to resolve but step out in faith and go ahead with the move. Everything worked out with remarkable success! Amen Personal prayer Next time in the gifts of the Godhead Part 3e we consider the next inspirational gift, the word of knowledge.

The case for once saved always saved Is it possible for a true born-again believer to lose their salvation and end up in the eternal lake of fire, separated from God forever? The question usually arises when someone we know or even perhaps ourselves, who previously professed Christianity but is now living far from Jesus and does not seem to even care. As we begin this important study it is crucial to remember that not everyone in any given fellowship may be truly born again! Our question in this study is focused on those who have truly been born-again. This study has three parts to it. 1. The need for holiness in the believer’s life. 2. Bible evidence to support ‘once saved always saved’. 3. Responses to those scriptures which appear to contradict this. Part 1 It is clear from the teaching of the Bible that the Lord wants and indeed expects us to lead holy lives that bear fruit. It does matter how we live in every area of our lives and we must not grieve the Holy Spirit who indwells us by living in constant sin. The grace of God and His righteousness in us are not a license to sin. Even if we do stumble our hearts should be quick to confess our sins to the Lord. Calvinists and Armenians Calvinists (John Calvin 1509-1564) generally believe in Eternal Security. They believe that God knew everyone who would believe from before the foundation of the world, and because of this He called and chose each one. In this viewpoint God has done all the work for salvation in the past and the people will be saved in the future. One drawback from this point of view is that because it is so focused on the past it leaves out how the believers live in the present. When taken to extremes this could be taken to mean that it really does not matter how the Christian behaves and hence opens the door for widescale immorality. Arminians (Jacob Arminius 1560-1609), on the other hand, concentrate much more on the present. They also believe God has called and chosen us, but that this calling works only on a day to day basis. So, if we live a holy life today, we are still saved, but if not, we are in instant danger of losing our salvation. Some Arminians become very legalistic and keep long sets of rules perhaps even to the extent of keeping all the law of Moses. Some are in more bondage to the law than any legalistic Jew! Most of what the Calvinists believe is scripturally correct, but a balanced biblical viewpoint must take the present into account. Jesus is alive today and .... He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:23-25). Israel needed a high priest to represent the people to God and in the same way Jesus Christ our high priest makes daily intercessions for each one of us. Our eternal security and salvation do not only depend in what the Lord has done in the past but also on the fact that Jesus Christ is interceding for us today. This means there is a present aspect to our salvation. In other words, if Jesus stopped interceding for us perhaps, we might lose our salvation. Praise God however that He can save us to the uttermost (panteles) meaning completely, utterly, or finally, or even better everlastingly (forever). This present aspect of our salvation means that God requires something from us today! Our present-day sin is still loathsome to God. Although Jesus paid the price in full for all our sins when we sin today, Jesus has to say to His Father ‘I suffered and died for that sin’. So, there is still a reaction in heaven when we sin though He graciously forgives us when we repent. Our sins are still of real significance today and we must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice. Ephesians 4 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. The basis of our eternal security is founded in two equally important things. 1. The work and calling of God in the past 2. The living intercession of Christ for us. If we remember both aspects, they will keep us from extremes of considering sin unimportant or trying to live under the Law. Our love and gratitude to Jesus will lead us into greater holiness. Some Arminian preachers are frightened to preach on God’s grace in case it will promote sin in the believer’s lives. The Bible however teaches that as we acquire an understanding of the grace and love of God and a revelation that Jesus is constantly interceding for us, then we will be inspired to lead holy lives. The supporting scriptures for this motivation to holiness are given below [1]. From these scriptures it is clear that God does not employ fear or outward things to spur us on to holiness but rather it is the truth inside us that will cause a response from our hearts. We respond to God’s love and grace. Those forgiven most, love most! Holiness needs a new nature No matter how good on external appearances people are, only the new birth can really change their nature. People who have only received the Gospel in their heads are often more difficult to convert because they think they are already saved. Part 2 Two Views of Salvation Some people would say that man’s work can help him earn salvation, whereas others say salvation is entirely God’s work. If salvation can be earned or deserved in any way, based on our actions, then there is a possibility that we might stumble and lose it again. This is in effect a ‘social gospel’ a gospel based on good works. This would mean that salvation was gained by doing good works and implies a necessary standard of conduct. If, like most Christians we believe that salvation is entirely the work of God, then we could only lose it through some failure on God’s part. This is of course impossible. The Bible is clear on this point that salvation is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Four Foundational Principles for Eternal Security 1. God’s omniscience; he knows everything, past, present, and future. He knows each one of us at our worst (faults and failings) and at our best. He knew what he was doing when he saved each one of us. He was big enough to complete the task of preparing us for eternity. Romans 8 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. See also 2 Timothy 2 13, Isaiah 46 9-10. 2. The nature of a gift from God; Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A wage is earned, but a gift is given, the Greek word for gift charisma means a gift. Eternal life is a gift and the Scripture says in Romans 11 :29 ... the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. If we could lose our salvation, then surely God’s omniscience and grace would be in doubt! 3. The work of the Trinity in our salvation All three personalities of the triune Godhead co-operated in our salvation. The idea that any or all of them failed is absurd. a) The work of the Father. Ephesians 1 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Father God planned our salvation and has adopted us into his family. Philippians 1 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: It was the Father who began the good work in us, and He will faithfully complete it. b) The work of the Son Jesus died for every sin; past, present, and future. If even one sin was not covered by his blood, then we would be in grave danger. But thank God that no sin can now affect God’s plan, because they have all been considered since Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:). The parakletos (advocate) means one called alongside to help. Jesus does not turn his back on us when we sin but rather, he rushes to the Father saying, ‘Yes I know he is guilty, but I paid for that sin on the cross’. When we get to heaven there will be great rejoicing ‘He (Jesus shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53 11). Jesus is both judge and advocate (John 5 22+27). The court is biased in our favour! c) The work of the Father and Son Together. John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Father gives men to the Son and He will lose none of them! John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never[2] perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man can pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. d) The work of the Holy Spirit. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise 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, 14 Which is the earnest [3] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. We are sealed now of salvation. This implies a ‘done deal’. God owns us from that moment forever. The King of King’s seal cannot be reversed. 4. The family or kindred relationship. We are born-again into God’s family; Galatians 3 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Even if we deny Our Father, He remains faithful to us. Responses to scriptures which appear to be against eternal security There are Christians who believe that they can lose their salvation. It is worth considering just for a moment, that there are only two positions on this matter. Either you can or you cannot lose your salvation! In general, two types of error can be made when trying to interpret a passage of scripture. 1. Either or the verse or passage is misapplied i.e. it is talking about a different subject altogether (and not salvation in this case). 2. A verse can be taken out of context and so it is meaning becomes distorted. An example of such an error is where some people say that because Galatians 5:4 [4] says that we can ‘fall from grace’ then this means we can lose our salvation. This passage is talking about how to lead the Christian life not about salvation! Scriptures used to oppose the doctrine of eternal security Generally, they can be divided into five main groups. 1. Passages dealing with fruit and the judgement of believers works. e.g. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9) the main thrust of the story is about people’s hearts and the fruit that they will produce when salvation comes. Only the first category the hard-hearted person who refuses the seed of God’s word is an unbeliever. See also Hebrews 6:7-10 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. 2. Passages about God disciplining believers. Although God does discipline his children, he does not throw them out of his family. The unforgivable sin is of course the sin of not believing what the Holy Spirit and the Word God say about Jesus Christ and can only be committed by unbelievers! In Acts 5:1-11 Annanias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and died! This does not imply that they lost their salvation, but it was a judgement of their works. Their dead works will be burned up in heaven just like ours! See also the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 28 and especially v.19 ...you and your sons will be with me. 3. Passages taken out of context. Matthew 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. The context of ‘saved’ here is that of delivered i.e. will not die but survive. Matthew 7:21-23 ...I never knew you; depart from me your evil who practise lawlessness. This talking about judgement day (every knee ...) and is clearly talking about unbelievers. 4. Passages exhorting believers to live in fellowship. Hebrews 6:1-6 careful study of this passage shows that the ‘repentance of v.6 is referring to the same repentance from dead works’ as verse 1. This is talking about believers who are out of fellowship with the Lord and need to get rid of their dead works. 5. Miscellaneous scriptures. Revelation 3 5 ‘Overcomers’ Some people assume that some believers will not be overcomers and hence lose their salvation. However, in 1 John 5 4-5 defines who the overcomers are i.e. one who has faith in Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:11-13; ‘If we deny (disown) Him....He will also deny us. If God remains faithful our salvation is secure in Him. Conclusion The grace of God should promote holiness in our lives. We are in a relationship with God which cannot be broken although our fellowship can. Your eternal life has already begun so let us live and act in a worthy manner! Jude:24-25 24 Now unto him that can keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and for ever. Amen. Teaching adapted in part from BBS TAPES 9-11 by the late Roger Price (Chichester CF) see additional resources for links [1] Titus 2 11-13. Ephesians 2:8-10. Romans 6:11-15. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. Ephesians 3:20 -4 22. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12. Collossians 3:1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 1 John 3:13. [2] Double negative in Greek for emphasis ‘never ever’. [3] Guarantee or down-payment. [4] Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit In Part 1 we considered the gift of God the Father- Jesus Christ (see John 3:16). In Part 2 we considered the ascension gifts of God the Son (see Ephesians 4:8-13). Now in Part 3a we begin to consider the nine gifts of God the Holy Spirit. Our keynote passage is found in 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to other divers’ kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Please notice in verse 7 the gifts are given to every man to profit the body of Christ. These gifts are not just speaking about natural talents, e.g. the gift of tongues means that someone is good at foreign languages. This cannot be referring to the spiritual gift of tongues since there are many unbelievers who are gifted at languages! There are nine gifts of Holy Spirit are described here and these can be conveniently divided into three groups for study purposes. 1. The verbal gifts; tongues, interpretation, and prophecy. 2. The inspirational gifts;(God shows us something we otherwise could not know) word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discernment of spirits. 3. The power gifts (demonstrating the power of God); healings, miracles, and faith. Although the power gifts may be the most spectacular of the gifts the emphasis of the bible is on the verbal gifts with over half the Scripture about the gifts devoted to these. 1 Cor 14 teaches solely about the verbal gifts. There is not a whole chapter devoted to either the inspirational or the power gifts. We are also taught to desire the gift of prophecy above all others! In the early church we find that the verbal gifts were the gifts most manifested in the church. If we follow the example the Corinthian church there should be tongues, interpretation, and prophecy at every church meeting! Interestingly the other six gifts tend to be used more in personal ministry with occasional manifestations in the church meetings. The verbal gifts are often the gifts that open us up to begin to move in the other six gifts. In some ways they are easier to move in since these gifts are under our control i.e., we can either speak or keep silent! Regular use of the verbal gifts keeps us open and ready to operate in the other six gifts when the Holy Spirit gives them to us. They help us to recognise the voice or leading of the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues is especially useful to us in that we can use it for our personal edification anywhere, doing the ironing, in the car and we can use it without speaking out! For those of us who can speak in tongues it should be a daily exercise so that in addition to our personal benefit we are ready to give a tongue at church if the Spirit wills. Amen Personal Prayer Next time in the Gifts of the Godhead Part 3b we focus on the verbal gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The ascension gifts of the Son Jesus Christ In Part 1 we covered The Gift of the Father as described in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Father's gift to mankind was his son Jesus Christ. See also the link at the bottom of the page. In Part 2 we now consider; The ascension gifts of the Son, Jesus Christ Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers. 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Comments v8 Victorious Roman generals on returning to Rome paraded the biggest and strongest of their captives so that the Roman citizens could see the extent of the legion’s victory. They would also have their men shower the crowds with trinkets such as coins and small pieces of jewellery so that the people could share in the victory. So it was that when Jesus Christ won the greatest victory of all time triumphing over the devil and all his powers and principalities and Jesus made an open show of them! When he ascended back to heaven, he showered men (the church) not just with trinkets, but the wonderful and precious gifts described in verse 11. These gifts are known as either the five-fold or four-fold ministry gifts and their purpose is to bring the church of Jesus Christ into a full maturity so that the body can perform the ministry. All these five ascension gifts are dependent on the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and it may well be that these gifts are not just limited to the ministry gifts (v.11) but also include many other (if not all) the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift of gifts Himself! We will cover the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Part 3. The ascension gifts of Jesus Christ the Son are people set apart to perform the five-fold ministry gifts in the church to bring the body of Christ into a full maturity. Amen Prayer The gift of the Father https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/immanuel-our-best-ever-christmas-gift

Guest blogger Linda Morris (aka Batnabas) What is the difference? Is it important? Those of you who know me, or have read other things I have written, will not be surprised that my answer is ‘Yes.’ An emphatic ‘Yes.’ Because this is partially to blame for the church – in general – moving away from its Hebraic roots. Pentecost is an important date in the Christian calendar. We sing songs proclaiming that God poured out His Holy Spirit on that day and “the church was born.” You will hear people preaching the same. Well it was not, and I am sorry if this offends you. But I am not apologising for it. Jesus did NOT come to start a new religion. Neither did Paul. The crowd in Jerusalem, in Acts chapter 2 were primarily Jews, but some gentiles (non-Jews) would have been there too. We know that the disciples plus Jews and others who had accepted Jesus as their Messiah were among them. The reason they were there was to fulfil the Biblical command to observe the feast of Shavuot. They were to present the firstfruits of the wheat harvest to God (Lev 22:15-17). Nowadays, it also represents the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. So they celebrate God’s provision for them physically and spiritually at Shavuot. They received another gift from God that day – the Holy Spirit! Jesus is called the firstfruits (1 Cor 15:23). At Shavuot, the Book of Ruth is read, mainly because it is a story about a harvest, but it also tells the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman, joining herself to the Jews. This gives a little hint that God would join the gentiles to His people in the future, through Jesus. Ruth is one of 4 women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, who were all gentiles. The only other woman in this list was His mother, Mary, who of course was Jewish. Ruth said, “your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth joined herself to the Jews, but many Christians have at best, separated themselves from the Jews, and at worst turned against them, even hating them. The beginning of this was in the 4th century at the Council of Nicea when the church split from its Jewish roots. One of the results of this is that some years there can be a gap of a few weeks between the Jews celebrating Passover and the Christians celebrating Easter, depending on our calendars. Another is the erroneous teaching that the Jews were unfaithful to God, therefore He broke His Covenant with them and replaced them with the church! This is called ‘Replacement Theology’ and is quite rife in the Christian church. Don’t you see? If God broke His Covenant with the Jews He can just as easily break His Covenant with us! Are Christians perfect? Are we always faithful to Him? If we believe that God breaks His Covenants, then what are we doing going to church? If He is not a Covenant-keeping God, then we are wasting our time! Unfortunately, we have lost a lot by casting off our root, particularly in the area of understanding the Bible. I have often thought that as Christians we just float along the surface in Bible study. By discovering and accepting our Hebraic roots we gain such a deeper understanding of Scripture, of God, of Jesus. It brings the Bible to life. Tom Bradford, a Bible teacher in America, has said that ‘even open-minded Bible commentary writers find themselves at the end of a promising road to new discoveries of the Bible because they are unwilling to pursue it. It could be disruptive to the inner workings of the institutional church.’ He also says that in recent years there has been an upsurge internationally in Christians turning to Hebraic Roots teaching which he attributes to the Holy Spirit. So it seems that many Christians are realising that there is so much to gain, so much to learn. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Once you start, you wonder why you did not do it sooner. I am not in any way advocating that we all convert to Judaism. That is a backward step. The Messianic Jewish movement (Jews who have accepted Jesus as their Messiah) is growing rapidly in Israel and among Jewish communities in other countries. When people in the UK accept Jesus, they say ‘the prayer’ committing their lives to Jesus and approach the faith through Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Messianic Jews have the whole story. The Covenant with God, the ‘Law and Prophets’ (The Tanakh – our Old Testament) which tells the whole story of God’s love for His people and the promised Messiah. We are not New Testament people – we are Bible people. It is a fascinating book, and you will discover and be amazed and excited by all the new things you can learn when you look at it in its Hebraic setting. If you need help with how to access this aspect of Bible study let us know and we will be glad to guide you. Amen Prayer

On the road to Emmaus How does God communicate with you? How does God make His will known to you? This is an important question for each one of us as we are all seeking the way ahead with the Lord. God speaks and makes His will known to us in many ways. Firstly, the Lord speaks through the words in the bible e.g. You shall not steal. Also, God can speak through the still small voice of the Holy Spirit saying, ‘This is the way walk you in it.’ Sometimes the Lord gives us a check in our spirit, where we just know not to do or say something or to go someplace. Remember Paul was forbidden by the Spirit of Jesus Christ from going in to preach the Gospel in Asia but rather received in a dream the Macedonian call. God sometimes speaks through circumstances; you ask God for something and you do not get it, the door is closed etc., sometimes this is because the thing requested is not God’s will for you. However, we must be careful that it is not the enemy holding back God’s answer causing us to give up too soon. There are probably other ways that God will speak and make His will know to us e.g. seeing His blessing on something or receiving a supernatural confirmation (I had a dream one night of the pastor’s wife sending me a parcel in the post. It arrived at my door the next morning!). Today we are going to look at two men who were beaten, disappointed and downtrodden. Two men who did not know just what to do next. All their hopes were dashed, where could they possibly go from here. Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, what manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and has not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said to them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. 22 Moreover certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre. 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went into tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood amid them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Sometimes when the Lord is communicating with us, our hearts are burning within us, even though we do not recognise that it is the Lord who is speaking. The two disciples recognised retrospectively that it was Jesus who had been speaking to them. When they sat down to a meal, Jesus blessed the bread and gave it to them, then their eyes were opened, and He vanished before their eyes. But what happened next? They somehow understood that they had to go back up to Jerusalem to be with the other disciples. But what has this to do with us today? Well, we are going to have a communion meal with the Lord today. Jesus has given us true bread and true drink. Jesus has been speaking to us all the way (over the last few weeks and months) and maybe our hearts have been burning but we did not know why. Perhaps as we meet with Jesus in communion today our eyes will be opened to the Lord and his will and then we will know what to do next. In closing, my idea is that yet another way for the Lord to reveal His will to you and I, is to give us burning heart, producing a great enthusiasm, and thus showing us what to do next for the Lord. Amen Prayer: Lord God, give us a burning heart and a great enthusiasm to do your perfect will today and to find the way ahead in every area of our lives, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen

How can we maximise our nutrition from the bible? In Part 2 we considered what Jesus meant when he said, ‘I am the bread of life’ and saw that we absorbed from Jesus the bread of life, his life, his character, his example, his teaching i.e. food for our souls. We need to feed on God’s word (bible) every day of our lives because it contains the nourishment we need for our souls. Today in Part 3 we consider how can we maximise the benefit from what we can take from our daily bread? We now consider the practice of Christian meditation on the word of God (bible). Does anyone have a favourite scripture or keynote verse? Psalm 1 is the keynote scripture for my life. 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. When Psalm 1 was written the law was most of the bible that existed at that time. We can extrapolate it today to include all the bible (word of God). The Hebrew word for meditate means ‘moving the lips’ or ‘mutter’. In a sense we talk to our ourselves about the verse. Another analogy is that we should be like a cow chewing the cud i.e. we chew the food and swallow then let it come back up so we can chew it again and again. In practice this means that we should choose a verse or portion of scripture and keep chewing on it until its meaning becomes clear to us. I did this with the verse ‘I am the bread of life’ that Jesus spoke in John 6. What does bread do, what does life mean and so on? Ask yourself about the meaning of the passage of scripture you are reading. Here are some other scriptures that show believers taking God’s word into themselves. Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. Ezekiel 2:8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, Rev 10:9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. So, the idea of eating or taking God’s word into yourself is thoroughly biblical. Let's do it! Amen Personal Prayer