The Gifts of the Spirit

Here at Brenchley we quite often talk about the fruit of the Holy Spirit – God developing his loving character in us – but we don’t talk so often about the gifts of the Holy Spirit – and that is what I’d like to look at today.

These gifts – some of which are mentioned in our reading from 1 Corinthians - are a manifestation of the God’s spirit working in our lives. They are God working in us and through us to bless and encourage and guide us.

And these gifts are for service – ‘for the common good’ as the bible puts it. They are not to glorify us – they are to glorify God and to make him known.

They are to help create a healthier and more effective 'body of Christ' - to strengthen and equip us so that we can be more effective in making Jesus known to a lost world.

In order to manifest these gifts, we need to be clothed with power from on high as Luke puts it. We need to be open to God filling us with his Holy Spirit and empowering us.

This can occur as someone lays hands on us and prays for us – or sometimes God will pour out his Holy Spirit on a group of assembled Christians.

And once we have been filled with the Holy Spirit we need to go on being filled with the Holy Spirit – with God’s life and his love - as we walk through life.

We need to be walking in the spirit and lead by the spirit - with our hearts and minds focused on serving God and seeking to love and bless and encourage other people.

And of course we need to be prepared to step out in faith when we feel God is prompting us to share our faith or to encourage or pray for someone.

God’s spirit is very gentle and unobtrusive and it’s easy to miss what he may be asking us to do.

So, what are the gifts? – well Paul covers some of them in our reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 12. As I’ve said this isn’t an exhaustive list but it covers some of the main areas of gifting.

Paul lists the Utterance or Message of Wisdom – which is God imparting wisdom for the way ahead when a decision needs to be made. Or God giving us wisdom as to what to do or say in a particular situation.

The Utterance or – Word of Knowledge is the Holy Spirit revealing knowledge to us about something that we would otherwise not be able to know.

I remember at a house group I went to, someone talking about how desperately worried they’d been when their little daughter was born very prematurely.

But God gave them a vision of their daughter as a teenager with a cup of tea in her hand – and they knew in their heart that everything was going to be OK.

Faith is the next gift that Paul lists. The bible defines faith as “being sure and certain” that God will do something.

So, the gift of faith is to know for certain that God will do something either in the present or in the future. And this gift enables us to receive something from God by faith either for ourselves or for others.

Years ago at the previous church I went to, I did a Christian basics course with a young couple who wanted their baby baptised.

The wife was much more interested than the husband – and one morning just after the course had finished, while I was at home waiting for the kettle to boil, I suddenly knew in my spirit beyond doubt that this woman was going to become a Christian at some point in the future.

I didn’t know when or how, but I knew for certain that she would be saved and come to know God.

Gifts of healing can be given either to an individual to heal others in Jesus name or to an individual to receive healing from God.

I’ve mentioned before a local lady called Jennifer Rees-Larcombe – who received a gift of complete healing at a church in Pembury, after spending several years in a wheelchair.

Her healing was so complete that even her leg muscles which had wasted away, were completely restored.

And a couple of months ago Anne Wilkinson shared here how her knee had been healed when she went forward for prayer at out 4^th Sunday service.

The working of miracles is the ability to work miracles that bring glory to God. If you read Christian books you’ll come across lots of miracles and broadly they are the same type of miracles that Jesus did.

There are lots of modern day accounts of feeding miracles – where food doesn’t run out and also weather miracles.

I read about a Christian evangelist who was preaching outdoors in Africa when a large dark storm cloud formed and came towards his meeting.

He rebuked the storm in the name of Jesus and the cloud split in two and passed either side of the meeting much to the amazement of his audience.

Sometimes you hear of mechanical miracles – where for instance cars that shouldn’t, keep running, and occasionally the dead are raised.

Just a couple of weeks ago on the Christian TBN channel, I heard a man sharing an account of how Jesus had bought him back to life in the back of an ambulance – after he’d been dead for 45 minutes – much to the amazement of the ambulance crew.

Prophecy is simply the ability to communicate a message from God. This can be a message of encouragement for a church or individuals, and it won’t necessarily relate to the future.

Prophecies can be spoken out or written down and shared later. They are sometimes just simple words of encouragement from God.

For instance, I remember talking to someone in church here and I really felt that God wanted me to tell this person “it’s not your fault” – so I did. And this was something they needed to hear at that time in their life.

My wife Mary received a really lovely and encouraging prophecy for our previous church when we were away at a Christian event.

What was particularly interesting for me, was that as she received the prophecy she saw in her mind’s eye lots of little pictures of life at the church – people and events – and as these passed through her mind she felt God’s great love for the church.

Prophecies should be tested to check they are in line with God’s word and his loving character. And they should be shared in a spirit of humility.

In today’s gospel reading we see Jesus exercising a gift of prophecy as he foretells his death and resurrection and then he demonstrates another spiritual gift – probably a word of knowledge, as he tells Peter to go and catch the fish with the coin in its mouth.

Distinguishing between spirits is the ability to discern the presence or work of evil spirits which is another gift my wife has experienced on a few occasions.

Once we went to a church service where a lady with a persistent alcohol problem was prayed for. The pastor sensed her problem had a demonic element to it and commanded the evil spirit that was driving this lady to drink, to leave her.

As he did this, Mary said she could sense this spirit go up the aisle, past where we were sitting, and then out through the doors and leave the building.

Speaking in various kinds of tongues is the ability to speak in an unlearned human or angelic language.

The gift of tongues is under the control of the person with the gift and we can choose when and where and how often we exercise it.

It’s similar to being able to speak a foreign language - although of course we don’t understand the meaning of the words we’re saying.

Tongues when used personally is particularly helpful if you’re not quite sure how to pray for a particular person or situation. I find that if you pray in tongues first, you’ll often get an insight into how to pray.

God can also use the gift of tongues to encourage or direct people. I heard the story of an English guy who went to a church meeting in India.

During the meeting a man stood up and delivered an encouraging message from God in very good, clear English.

The English guy went up to this man at the end of the meeting to thank him for his encouraging words – but he found that this man clearly didn’t speak English and he realised he had been speaking in tongues.

Interpretation of tongues is the ability to interpret a message given in tongues during a church meeting.

Someone will stand up and deliver a message in tongues. Then immediately afterwards someone else will stand up and give the interpretation of what’s been said.

Now this isn’t an exhaustive list of gifts. God gives all sorts of other gifts as well, for example intercession – the ability to pray for specific things for extended periods.

I found after I was filled with the Holy Spirit that God would occasionally give me little pictures in my mind’s eye to help or encourage people, particularly if I was praying with them.

I remember for instance at a Christian event a few years ago sitting next to a lady who I didn’t know – and seeing a picture of her in my mind’s eye with lots of empty cardboard boxes tied to her back with string.

I then saw a pair of scissors come and cut the string and all the boxes fell off her back.

I gently shared the picture with her and asked if it meant anything. She promptly burst into tears and thanked me profusely, because this picture represented an answer to her prayers.

As well as imparting spiritual gifts to us - the Holy Spirit can also take our natural talents and abilities and enhance them to bless and touch people’s lives. For instance musical talents, or a gift for hospitality.

God of course knows exactly which gifts to impart to us – which gifts will be most useful to us as we seek to serve Him. And any gifts we do receive are always to be exercised lovingly and considerately. I can’t emphasise this too much.

If you read onto 1 Corinthians chapter 13 you’ll see that Paul says that if we try and exercise spiritual gifts without love being our motivation, it is worthless and we gain nothing.

But more than this, the unloving use of spiritual gifts or pride in spiritual gifting can be really harmful to both individuals and churches.

However, when exercised lovingly and humbly and gently, it’s immensely encouraging – and faith building when God works through you in some way to help or encourage or heal others.

I’d like to end my talk by giving those of you who would like to, the opportunity to receive more of God’s spirit – more of his life and love and power in your lives.

Perhaps there are some of you here who feel a bit spiritually dry – and you’d like a top-up - you’d like God to pour out his spirit on you to refresh and revive you – a bit like rain falling on dry ground. If that’s you, we’ll pray in a moment.

But also, perhaps there are some of you here who haven’t yet been filled with the Holy Spirit, who are spiritually thirsty and you’d prefer a glass of clear refreshing water as it were.

You’d like Jesus to fill you with his life-giving spirit, to empower you and impart spiritual gifts to you.

If that’s you, come and see me after the service and we’ll be pleased to pray for you.

So, let’s close with a time of quiet prayer and if you’re comfortable with the idea – as I pray, invite God to refresh and revive you with his life-giving spirit. You might find it helpful to open your arms out slightly in an attitude of receiving. Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus thank you for your great love for us. Thank you that you want to fill us with your love and your life so that we can share it more effectively.

Lord we invite you to come now by your spirit and fall on us like rain. Come Lord Jesus and refresh and revive us…….Amen.

Trinity Sunday – John 3 1-17

Trinity Sunday – John 3 1-17

Today is Trinity Sunday so firstly I’d like to say a few words about the Trinity and what it means.

And then, focusing on today’s gospel reading from John, I’d like to look at how we can come to know God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit in our own lives.

Several years ago, I remember my son Tom when he was about 12, asking me to explain the Trinity to him. You’re going to have to help me with this Lord I thought, and a picture of a child’s puzzle came into my mind.

It was an old fashioned wooden puzzle in the shape of a triangle and it had 3 pieces and for some reason it was green.

I told Tom to picture this puzzle in his mind. I said the puzzle symbolised God and that He was made up of 3 persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So, the Trinity is one God existing in three Persons.

Another way to think of the Trinity is as water, H2O. Water can exist as liquid water, or as ice, or as steam. They are 3 manifestations of the same thing. They are all water, albeit in 3 different forms.

The idea of the Trinity is rooted in scripture. It’s not a clever idea theologians have concocted. Rather it is what the bible reveals about the nature of God in both the Old and New Testaments.

And we see the Trinity in today’s gospel reading which is essentially about how we can come into a relationship with God the Father, through the sacrifice of Jesus – God the son - and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – God the Spirit.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, not wanting to be seen. Perhaps like some people exploring Christianity – he’s not too keen for his friends or work colleagues to know he’s interested in Jesus.

He is however intrigued by Jesus’ power – the miracles that Jesus does – and no doubt by the love that Jesus shows and the authority he speaks with.

He can see that Jesus has been sent by God – but he doesn’t yet fully understand who Jesus is – and he wants to find out.

Jesus sees straight to the heart of the question that Nicodemus’ is asking.

So, he explains that in order to know who he really is – Nicodemus must be ‘born from above’ – or ‘born again’ as other translations put it.

He needs the intervention of God’s Holy Spirit in his life to open his spiritual eyes in order to understand Jesus’ true identity.

This why when Peter recognised him as the Christ, the son of the living God; Jesus said to him - "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

The revelation of who Jesus is comes directly from God – and we are blessed when we receive it.

Nicodemus however, doesn’t understand how he can be born again – how he can be born a second time - so Jesus explains that he needs to be born of water and the Spirit.

Just as the only way a human can enter the physical world is through our mother’s wombs – through water - so the only way we can enter God’s kingdom is through being born spiritually into it.

As we open our hearts and our lives to God in genuine repentance - the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Jesus, comes to live within the depths of our being – and we are brought alive spiritually.

An amazing transformation takes place in our lives as we become children of God. Our spiritual eyes are opened and we can see and know exactly who Jesus is.

We recognise that he is our risen Lord and God. We can sense his presence with us and we have a desire to worship him. The bible is no longer a closed book – and as we read it we can start to understand the spiritual truths contained within it.

At the moment we are born again we receive eternal life and forgiveness. We are made clean in God’s eyes. We are transferred out of the kingdom of darkness – and Satan’s hold on us is broken for ever. We become part of God’s kingdom and family.

We receive the promise of salvation and the assurance that nothing can separate us from God’s love and that he will never leave or forsake us. On the contrary he will always be with us.

I could go on – but hopefully you get the picture. Some people seem to think that being a born-again Christian is just a particularly keen branch of Christianity – a bit like being an Anglican or Methodist.

But the truth is – as Jesus says – we cannot see or understand or enter the kingdom of God unless we are born again – whatever denominational label we may attach to ourselves.

Jesus compares the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives with the wind. Like the wind we cannot see the Holy Spirit – but we can feel his presence and see his activity.

Nicodemus is confused by what Jesus is saying – so Jesus prophesies to him about his death using an Old Testament story from the book of Numbers.

Just to give you the background to this story, the Jewish people were grumbling against God as they wandered in the wilderness and they started getting bitten by venomous snakes.

So, God said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So, Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

Just as the snake was put up on a pole – Jesus would be put up on the cross for all mankind – so that everyone who looks to him and believes in him would receive eternal life.

It’s interesting that Moses put a snake on his pole. Satan is portrayed as a snake in the bible – and Satan is the one who has bitten and poisoned the world with his venom.

On the cross Jesus took Satan’s venom as it were into his own body. He took our sin and all the bad stuff that poisons and spoils our lives upon himself so that we can be free.

And as we look to him – as we believe in him - we will live. We will not die from sin’s venom.

I suspect that – although Nicodemus initially didn’t understand what Jesus was saying – when Jesus was hung up on the cross – he remembered what Jesus said – and clarity and understanding flooded into his mind – and he realised that Jesus was dying for him and believed in him.

Indeed, we are told in John chapter 19 after the crucifixion, that Nicodemus took Jesus body along with Joseph of Arimathea, and they bound it in linen cloths with the spices that Nicodemus himself had bought.

In the final part of this passage Jesus explains to Nicodemus why he would be lifted up on a cross.

With probably the most well-known verses in the bible, Jesus tells us; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

God’s desire is to save you! He doesn’t want to condemn you – he wants to save you from death and judgement and being separated from him.

And that’s why he sent Jesus – to save you – yes you sitting here this morning whoever you are, and whatever you may have done – however bad it may seem to you.

Because he so loves you. You are incredibly precious and valuable to him.

When Jesus went to the cross and was nailed to it and lifted up - he took your and my sin - everything that we have ever done or will ever do, that is wrong or bad or evil into his own body.

He drew the poison that has spoiled our lives into his own body – and died for us in our place – so that we can be made clean and forgiven.

And he took the punishment our sins deserve – so that there would be no need for us to fear being punished and judged by God for things we’ve done wrong.

When Jesus prayed in the run up to his crucifixion “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” – the cup he was referring to is the cup of God’s wrath – God’s righteous anger at all the sin and pain and hurt in the world.

Jesus drained that cup fully for each one of us – to the very last drop.

The bible puts it like this: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering … he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Our part is simply to believe in Jesus – to put our faith in him and the sacrifice he has made for us. So, will you this morning open your eyes and look up at the cross and believe in Jesus – and what he has done for you – so that you won’t die from sin’s venom?

God has no desire to condemn you. He loves you and wants to welcome you home and embrace you as his child. But like the Prodigal son – you must make the decision that you want to come home.

God created you in love and he has watched over you from the moment of your conception. And he has longed all your life for you to make the decision to return to him – so that he can forgive you and make you clean and restore you to a relationship with him, through the death of his son.

And if you will do this – he will embrace you and forgive you and open your spiritual eyes to know him.

Let’s close with a time of quiet prayer and reflection. If you’re already a Christian why not pray now quietly for those here that haven’t yet recognised who Jesus is.

And if after what you’ve heard this morning, you’d like to know God, you’d like to know Jesus – and his love for you – you’d like to be forgiven and made clean - quietly in your hearts and minds and imaginations - look up at the cross and thank Jesus for loving you and dying for you.

PAUSE …

And now tell God you want to come home to him. Ask him to forgive you for all that is past and to make you clean.

PAUSE

And finally, invite God into your heart and life. Just say ‘Jesus please come into my life and make yourself known to me.’

PAUSE …

If you have invited God into your life this morning – please do come and see either myself or Campbell after the service. Thank you.

Luke 8; 4-15 and 2 Corinthians 3; 12 - 18

This morning I thought I’d say a few words which are based loosely on the parable of the sower. I want to look at the seed in the story, where it takes root and how it can grow.

Now I know that many of you know this parable very well and have probably heard it preached on loads of times – and are thinking oh no, not again - but try and bear with me.

So, when Campbell and I or indeed any Christian preacher preaches, we are seeking to cast God’s word over people’s lives.

Like the farmer in the story we are seeking to scatter seeds – kingdom seeds - over your lives.

We are seeking to speak words of truth - which the spirit of God – the Holy Spirit can take and use to convict, to encourage, to enlighten, to inform or to teach you.

We won’t always get it right but this is what we’re trying to do. We of course have no power of ourselves to touch or change your hearts. Only God can do that.

And also of course we have no control over the ground on which we are casting this seed.

The ground is your hearts. In any congregation of people some will have open receptive hearts but some will have harder hearts.

People go to church for many different reasons. Some go out of a sense of duty or habit. But they’re not really expecting God to intervene in their lives – and if they’re honest they are perhaps a bit fearful of him intruding in their life.

Indeed, sometimes people set a line over which they do not want God to tread. I believe in you God – but no funny business. None of this holy spirit stuff. I’m quite content as I am thank you.

Some go to church perhaps out of curiosity. Could it be that there really is a God? Some go primarily for companionship and to get to know other local people.

Some go as committed Christians and are open to what God may be saying to them as they seek to walk through life with him.

And some go to church because they are spiritually hungry – desperate even. They are earnestly looking for hope or meaning or purpose.

They’re looking for God to intervene in their life to help or heal them or perhaps to guide or encourage them in some way.

So, as we speak – even when our sermons may not be particularly good or interesting - the Holy Spirit is seeking to use our words to impact your life in some way.

For each person the specific thing that God may want you to take on board may be slightly different – but there is likely some truth that you need to hear, something that he wants to impart to you.

But he can only do this if you are willing to receive it – if your heart is sufficiently open or receptive to want to hear it and to allow it to impact your life in some way.

John tells us in his gospel; “to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God —children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.”

To those who will listen, Jesus offers life changing words. And if you don’t find our sermons particularly helpful – Jesus’ words are recorded for us in the gospels.

And Jesus’ words can radically change our lives – as millions of Christians have discovered – but only where people are willing to receive them.

God wants to help you even if your heart is quite hard. He wants to draw you to himself. He wants you to know his love – but not all people want his help.

Not all people want God to come close to them, because they are content with their lives as they are.

The truth is that the gateway to heaven is wide open – and Jesus’ words can bring you eternal life - but the pathway is narrow in the sense that people must be willing to listen to God; and to allow God to change them.

Change is at the very heart of the gospel message.

New life can only spring up where it can take root – where people are willing to allow God’s word to impact their lives and change them.

And this is where the seed in the parable of the sower takes root – in good ground – in soft soil where people’s hearts are open and willing to change.

God cannot really help us if we are unwilling to change. If we are content with ourselves as we are; if see no need to change; no shortcomings in ourselves; no need for forgiveness and no need to try and become better more loving people, there is a limited amount God can do for us.

Our lives as Christians start as we truly repent. As we reach that stage when realise that life without God is empty and pointless.

That the world alone cannot offer us fulfilment – and that we need God; that we need forgiveness; so we turn to God and invite him wholeheartedly into our lives to be our Lord and Saviour.

And then – as our lives are submitted to him he can start to change us into the people he wants us to be. Into the likeness of Jesus – into the best version of ourselves that we can be.

The bible talks of us both being transformed by the renewing of minds and conformed to the image and likeness of Jesus.

The renewing of our minds, is an inward spiritual transformation that will manifest itself through our outward actions - through our bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.

So, as we read the bible and submit to its teaching we start to understand what pleases God and we start to see life through Christian eyes.

And with the help of the holy spirit we can start to develop Christ-like attitudes and behaviour. The fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can start to grow in our lives.

I used to be quite quick tempered but I’ve noticed over the years that I’ve become much calmer and more controlled – although I still have some way to go with patience - especially in traffic to and from work.

Changing into the likeness of Christ is a gradual process – and its God developing his loving character in us.

And this is not so we lose our character, but rather to enable us to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be – kinder, more generous, loving, and forgiving people who can help to make the world around us a gentler, happier, more godly place.

Rick Warren expresses it well. “God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn't want to destroy it.”

If you picture an uncut diamond for instance it has the potential to be really beautiful. However, it needs a skilled gem cutter to cut it and shape it so that it reflects light in the best way possible.

And we’re all a bit like uncut diamonds. As Christians we have the potential to reflect God’s light which lives in us – but in order to help us to do this as effectively as possible, God wants to shape us – to change our characters to reflect the character of Jesus.

This is what Paul means when he describes us as being transformed into Christ’s image – from one degree of glory to another – in our reading from 2 Corinthians.

This of course is a lifetime’s work. And what changes us is God’s word. As we read it and imbibe it and reflect on it, with the help of the holy spirit, we become aware of our own shortcomings and see some new aspect of Christ’s character that needs to be formed in us.

I’m reading the Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel – which is a great bible reading plan. Each day there is reading from a Psalm or Proverb, a New Testament reading and an Old Testament reading.

Nicky comments on each reading and then includes a prayer in response to it. And part of what shines through for me, is Nicky Gumbel’s desire to be Christ-like.

With each little prayer he is inviting God to mould him into the character of Jesus – to help him and shape him into a more effective more loving Christian.

He is frank about his own shortcomings – but his aim – with God’s help is always to keep moving forward with God – and to reflect the love of Jesus more effectively in his own life.

And this should be our attitude. ‘Lord I’m conscious that in so many ways I don’t reflect your love as effectively as I should do.

‘But with your help I want to become more Christ-like. Help me and change me from within. Help me to reflect your love and kindness to those around me.’

Most importantly developing the character of Christ involves action. The faith God has placed within us - expressing itself through our words and actions.

God doesn’t just want us to be nice people – he wants us to be effective disciples. To share our faith and to extend his kingdom.

To step out in faith as we are led by the Spirit of God. Jesus was a man of action and as Christians we should be people of action.

People who actively seek to share our faith in everyday life in whatever way seems most appropriate.

God wants us to be transformed into the likeness of Christ so that others will see his life in us and be drawn to him.

I became a Christian because a young lady reflected the character of Jesus very powerfully to me – and I was drawn to the light of Christ which shone out of her life.

Most importantly we don’t need to wait for God to make us more Christ-like before we can step out in faith and start serving him. We can reflect his light even as fairly rough diamonds.

So, to tie up what I want to say this morning – why have you come to church today? Have you come with an open heart and mind – or are you perhaps seeking to keep God at arm’s length?

Are you willing to be changed by God? Do you want to reflect the character of Jesus more effectively in your life?

Do you want to be more loving and kind and gentle and patient in order to impact the lives of those around you – so that they can see something of the light and love of Christ in you – and be drawn to him through you?

Let’s close with a time of quiet reflective prayer where we can each be honest and open with God – and invite him to change us.

So, lets pray and share whatever thoughts my talk may have prompted.