Operations Session #2

Operations – “He Speaks” 

Operate / Gifts of the Spirit / Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10

Many people wonder who wrote the book of Hebrews – was it Apollos, Luke, or the Apostle Paul – it opens with its actual author, God! 

God did indeed speak in times past in many ways.… The psalmist writes that the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19). Paul makes it clear that creation around us and our conscience within testifies to the existence of God (Romans 1).

Throughout Scripture, angels have attested to the reality of God.

Prophets have spoken clearly and unmistakably of the reality of God.

Christmas Vacation Story – “A Tree That Big” 

Three things that we must know about God. 

God is speaking to you. 

God has spoken. 

God wants to speak to you. 

God has spoken.

Hebrews 1:1 NKJV

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

God Spoke to Eve in Genesis 3.

God spoke to Noah in Genesis 6:17-21.

God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:1.

​ God Still Speaks.

Hebrews 1:2 NKJV

has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

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Hebrews 2:1–4

 NKJV

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

God speaks through dreams.

Genesis 20:3 NKJV

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

Acts 2:18 NKJV

And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

God speaks through Visions. 

Isaiah 6:1

 NKJV

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Who was Uzziah? 

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Acts 11:4–5 NKJV

But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.

​God wants to Speak to You.

Hebrews 2:1–4 NKJV

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Five Ways that the gifts of the Spirit are used to speak to us. 

1. Through the gift of tongues (Acts 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 14:26-33). 

Speaking in tongues is speaking a language one did not acquire by natural means. It’s often related to either divine revelation or worship. The language may or not be intelligible by another human.

2. Through the interpretation of tongues (Acts 2:4; I Corinthians 14:4-5)

 Interpretation is when an individual interprets what has been spoken by himself or another that which was unknown. It is not a translation but an explanation of what was unknown by the hearer.

3. Through Prophecy (1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:12-16;  2 Peter 1:16–2:3)

 Prophecy is declaring the mind, will, or knowledge of God; especially concerning past, present, or future manifestations of the outworking of His will or other events. The message will edify, exhort, and comfort the hearers. 

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1 Timothy 1:18 NKJV

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

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1 Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in Spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Words of prophecy are words of edification and exhortation, instruction and direction (1 Corinthians 14:3). “You heard such words,” Paul rote Timothy. “Now hold on to those words, for they are essential to you in the spiritual battle.”

4. Through Teaching (Matthew 28:18-20; Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:2; James 3:1)

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Titus 1:9NKJV

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Teaching =didaskō where get our English word, didactic which means. intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

Teaching is inspired communication that instills doctrine and instructs in the faith. 

5. Through Exhortation (Luke 3:18; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Hebrews 12:5-6; Hebrews 13:22)

Exhortation means “a calling of someone alongside to help.” 

Its primary meaning in the New Testament is urging someone to do something; it also includes comforting and consoling. 

So prolific was Joseph, who Acts 4:36 states was a member of the early church, that the apostles nicknamed him Barnabas, “the son of encouragement.”

John 15:26 – help = Comforter, Gr. Parakletos – come alongside and advocate, helper.  The helper refers to one who helps, advocates or comforts someone on behalf of another.

Romans 12:6-8 NKJV

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:8 – exhortation = (paraklēsis), n. encouragement; comfort. The act of earnestly supporting or encouraging (a response or action)

The one operating in exhortation is like the Holy Spirit who comes alongside and comforts, helps and empowers you. The exhortation is when an individual comes alongside you and encourages, uplifts, and urges you along.