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Operation Session #2 “He Speaks”

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. 

​

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. 

 

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Three Nail Thursday 8/26/2021

Three Nail Thursday

Welcome to Three Nails Thursday! It’s a weekly bit of items that have helped me through my week. Thursday is my Friday, as my work schedule is Sunday through Thursday (Normally). Considering all that is happening, I need some inspiration to keep me focused on the task at hand. So I’m sharing with you three things that keep me grounded, focused, and inspired throughout my week. Here are the three nails! 

Here's Three Things that helped me this week!

A Song I am listening to...

A few days ago, I officiated the funeral of a young man taken way too soon. All I could think about the whole week-long was all the times that God has kept me. So many times throughout my life, I could have been taken as quickly and as early as him. But, instead, it served as a reminder that I want to ensure that my calling and election is sure. 

While driving to Texas, these two old songs spoke that message loud and clear. If you want to ensure that you will be ready to meet Jesus, then keep oil in your lamp. Stay prepared, stay vigilant, for the Word of the Lord records that “day” shall come as a thief in the night! May this serve as a reminder to be ready. If you’re not, get ready! 

Keep Oil in Your Lamp – Mississippi Mass Choir

I’ll See You in the Rapture – Mississippi Mass Choir

 
The second verse of “Keep Oil in Your Lamp” says this. 

Mothers and Daughters
Father and Sons
Sisters and Brothers 
Enemy and friend 
You need to know that once he comes
There will be no oil to borrow or lend
Seek ye the Lord while He may be found
Once the wedding begins 
The door to the church will be closed
Never to open again 

 The words are inspired by the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13.) 

I’ve created a playlist that will include all the songs that I share with you. Click here to follow along and enjoy. 

A Verse that has spoke to me...

A verse that has kept me rooted and grounded since the unexpected passing of my father. When I would pray about what happened in March of 2018, the Lord gave me this verse. I have used it more times than I can count, and it is requested by so many people that hear me use this in a sermon.
I was listening to Zig Ziglar, trying to get motivated, when God dropped this on me. I didn’t realize the tragedy that the Ziglar family had faced with their young daughter. Then he quoted a portion of the scripture; I immediately went to my Bible and found it. This verse is highlighted in my Bible and my mind so clearly.
The verse is in Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)

1 Good people pass away;
the godly often die before their time.
But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand
that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
2 For those who follow godly paths
will rest in peace when they die.

I realized that God was protecting him. I didn’t and still don’t fully understand it all. But, I do understand that God’s ways are much higher than mine. God sees the end from the beginning; we view it far differently.
God knew what was coming and saw to it that my dad remained protected. I viewed my dad’s end here as the finish; it wasn’t.

I struggle to get angry with God over events, circumstances, or trials that I find unfair at the moment. But, unfortunately, I’ve witnessed far too many people get mad and leave serving God long before God is done working. Regardless of how we view it, God isn’t finished working yet! What we view as an end is just a beginning. God often must ensure that the next phase happens according to His will by intervening in the previous one.

Just ponder that for a moment!

A Quote that has inspired me...

“People need to be willing to sacrifice eloquence for revelation. People don’t want pretty words; they desire to know the heart of God! Eloquence is not your friend; revelation is!” Pastor Marcus Brecheen

This quote was about 5 minutes into a session about preaching. It hit me hard; I often feel the pressure to preach to make it tweetable, shareable, and marketable. However, those moments often fail to root and ground God’s people to His Word. When it’s all said and done, our effectiveness won’t be judged by the tweets, posts, or clicks. Instead, it’ll be shown by those who give an account before God on what I have given to them from the heart of God. 

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Operation Session #1

The Grace to operate. 

Hebrews 4:9-13 NLT

 9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. 

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. 

Opening Story = “I can’t believe it! Bologna again! 

If you’re tired of bologna, Maybe we should change our diet? If all you can fix is bologna, then change the chef.

If you have been operating in a way that isn’t producing the desired results, isn’t it time to act differently?

God wants to pour, lavish His Grace upon you, let God’s Grace transform your life. His lavish grace will cause you to operate differently. 

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 2-9 NKJV

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the Grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The gifts were exploding in the church at Corinth, so much so that Paul had to write I Corinthians 14 to give direction on regulating them. We must know and understand that order in the spirit isn’t quenching the spirit. Operation without order is confusion; God is not the author of confusion but peace. When the gifts operate correctly, it causes the church to flourish.

Direction and instruction should not cause defection. 

When the Grace of God touches a person’s life or the life of an entire church, it always produces transformation and has tremendous effects. It causes a person to repent, gives them the desire to change, and empowers them to live an obedient and sanctified life.

  1. God’s grace poured on us, transforms us. (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV; Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Conformed is a change from the outside to the inside.

Transformed is a change from inside out working outwardly

Grace is in an inside job that transforms us into the image of Jesus Christ.

Grace = Charis = Charis sometimes denoted special power that was conferred upon an individual or group of individuals by God. When grace transforms you, it carries outside evidence of what has happened inwardly. Grace poured inwardly continuously resulted in some type of outward evidence.

The New Testament word Grace is also charis. It is occasionally translated favor because a person who receives charis (grace) has been supernaturally enabled to receive evidence of God’s favor on their life. Thus, when we read of “grace” in Paul’s writings, we know that he was referring to God graciously imparting a special touch that enables, empowers, and strengthens the recipients.

Grace poured out on you inwardly is a divine touch that transforms you and gives you the ability to do what you could not do before.

Grace was poured out on them. 1 Corinthians 1:4.

That Grace that was lavished on them changed the Corinthian Church.

Since grace first produces inward change, but it also always comes with outward evidence. It is never silent; it is never invisible; it always manifests visibly. So at Corinth, when God’s Grace touched them, it became visible through the many supernatural manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

(Miss Thompson and Teddy)

Think back on your life, what happened to you, when you encountered God’s Grace. That difference from where you were to where you are now; is the Holy Spirit operating in your life. So the Holy Spirit works in us, on us, through us, and for us.

We receive gifts because of Grace! 1 Corinthians 1:5 NKJV 

Paul said the church was enriched in everything by Him. The Corinth church was loaded with these gifts. These gifts were in such mighty manifestation in Corinth that Paul had to write the church about managing such abundance of spiritual gifts in their services (Read and thoroughly study 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14).

What are the gifts? 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NKJV; Romans 12:

1 Corinthians 12:7 “each one” or “everyman” “is from the Greek word “hekastos” “which is an all-inclusive term that includes every single person with no one excluded. It means that God wants every Christian to function in spiritual gifts, and no one is excluded.

He wants you to operate in the gifts because it is a profit to all when you do. The word “profit” is describing something that is a benefit or an advantage gained. So when believers operate in their gifts, it is a benefit to every person in the church, and it gives all of us an advantage in our lives.

The enemy has fought and resisted the gifts in your life because he is an adversary that doesn’t want you to have an advantage. With you having an advantage, he cannot steal, kill and destroy. 

Paul gave us an understanding of the gifts that were overflowing and enriching the church in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,

Utterance is the Greek word logos, meaning words that are vocalized.

Knowledge is the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge or insight.

The Holy Spirit was revealing to the church at Corinth supernatural knowledge and supernatural insight.

Paul listed these gifts as well as seven others in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 NKJV

It is quite the range of gifts that God’s Grace gives to us. In that list, Paul lists the vocal gifts and the revelatory gifts.

Vocal gifts (utterance)

The vocal gifts are tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy.

Revelatory Gifts (knowledge)

Word of Wisdom, word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits are the revelatory gits. 

These were the gifts that were primarily operating in the Corinth Church.

The other three listed are faith, working of miracles, gifts of healing (exercising gifts)

You can categorize them as three that say something, three that reveal something, and three that do something.

The manifestations and operations of the Holy Spirit are endless in their variety and diversity, but the result is always toward one end: “to profit withal.” Therefore, these nine gifts are always for our benefit. And because they originate from the Spirit of God, we can trust, as James 1:17 states, they are good because they come from the Father Above.

The four major lists of gifts are found in Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:9-11 but other passages mention or illustrate gifts not included in these lists.

All gifts are given to help the church operate to its fullest potential.

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What Are You Producing? #2 of 2

When we live in the flesh or out of carnality, what is produced out of our actions is not life-giving, nor is it life receiving. Instead, it ends in destruction, for they shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. 

However, there is a way of life that makes you come alive, indeed, come alive. 

Here’s what Paul says, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22 -23

As one man said, this is not a list of virtues to keep so that you will not do the vices listed before. 

Most of our mindset when reading this text is to think. Don’t do these things (the vices). Instead, do these things (the virtues). In either case, the emphasis was on what you should not do and what you should do instead. That is definitely not what Paul is talking about here. Paul is not saying, “Don’t try to obey all the rules in the Old Testament law; here is a much easier set of rules to obey instead.” That would be to replace one wrong attitude with another one. Paul is not talking about rules at all.

Look at the metaphor Paul uses, fruit! All those attributes he wrote are wrapped up in a singular fruit—the fruit of the Spirit. 

Fruit is a natural product of our lives because we walk in, are led by, and live in the Spirit. If a tree is alive, it will bear fruit. That is the nature of being a living tree! Fruit is what you get when a tree has life within it. Does a dead tree produce fruit? It has many of the characteristics of a tree, but if it’s not producing, it is a dead tree. Read John 15 (the True Vine). 

The Greek word translated “fruit” refers to the natural product of a living thing. Paul used “fruit” to help us understand the development of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer. The fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Spirit, not by the Christian. The Greek word is singular, showing that “fruit” is a unified whole, not independent characteristics. As we grow and mature in Christ, all the attributes of Christ will be manifested in our lives.

Here are the attributes of Christ that we will show. 

Love – true love is a choice and not a feeling. Jesus chose to love me; even when I was unlovable, He loved. (1 John 4:7-8)

Joy – the Greek word translated as “joy” in Galatians 5 means “gladness and delight” – It’s a feeling of gladness based on our circumstances. Some would say happiness which is based on happenings. Sadly, the world’s joy cannot last because it is based on fleeting, physical circumstances. But the joy of the Lord is established in our spiritual, eternal circumstances (John 15:4-11; Romans 15:13) 

Peace – for many, peace is the absence of conflict. However, we are always at war as believers, so peace has to mean more than just that. We have peace with God (Romans 5:1), meaning our broken relationship has been restored. We are at peace now! Once, we were lacking; currently, we lack no-thing; we are at peace because in Christ we’re complete. (Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Philippians 4:4-9; Judges 6:24; Romans 8:6; James 3:18; Job 22:21-22; 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Longsuffering – the word in Greek means to be “long-tempered” or patient. Some would say the people who are longsuffering are pushovers, weak, or meek. But, on the contrary, this shows strong character, boldness, and willingness not to make hasty or rash decisions. (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11-12; Romans 5:3-4)

Kindness & Goodness – these two are so closely related that I have combined them. Together, they give us the concept that we must not only possess Christlike goodness, but we also must show it by the actions we take towards others. Titus 3:4 shows us precisely this concept. It was God’s kindness and goodness in action. He was full of goodness but was kind enough to show it to every person. Thus, God demonstrates (Romans 5:8). I love that it was not a one-time thing; He continues to demonstrate this to us. Jesus was selfless, compassionate, and merciful in extending His love to us; that’s kindness. He was pure, holy, and righteous; that’s godliness or goodness! (Exodus 34:6; Mark 10:18; James 1:17; Matthew 7:11; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:35; Colossians 3:12-13) 

Faithfulness – To be “faithful” is to be reliable or trustworthy. Are we reliable when it comes to walking with Jesus? For example, Adam had a morning appointment with God, he missed it, and God went looking for Adam. Do you keep your appointments with God, or is God out looking for you too? Once we were faithful to our carnal man, are we now devoted to walking in, being led by, and living in the Spirit? 

2 Thessalonians 1:4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.  

What will your life tell? ( 1 Corinthians 4:2; Hebrews 10:23; Revelation 2:10; Matthew 25:21) 

Gentleness is the grace of the soul; it is living in humility. Many mistake humility as weakness. Gentleness is equal to meekness; it is strength under control. Paul even said in writing to Timothy that he would correct his adversaries with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25). Paul further taught that we should restore those who have been caught in sin through a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). Gentleness isn’t self-seeking or self-absorbed; it’s quite the opposite. It is necessary to keep the body of Christ in a place of harmony and unity(Ephesians 4:2). (Philippians 4:5; Psalm 18:35; 1 Timothy 6:11-12) 

Self-Control – the only possible way to have the control to abstain from the works of the flesh is to be led by the Spirit.  It is not enough to run from something; you must be running towards something. You can run towards God by being led by the Spirit. As you are running towards God, drawing nearer to Him, every step takes you further from the “works of the flesh”! Saying yes to the Spirit is a hard no to the flesh! (Proverbs 25:28; Romans 7:18; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 2:11-12)

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Tt 2:11–14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Pe 1:5–11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

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Walk In the Spirit!

Galatians 5:16-25 NKJV

The Fruit of Spirit makes you come alive!
Paul lists out what walking in the flesh and the evidence of that walk. Walking in the flesh is the natural state of every man who is not walking in the Spirit. The natural man lusts against the spiritual man. In other words, the natural man has no desire to make a change and wars against the Spirit, which would create the change.
Flesh and the works of it are overcome by walking in the Spirit. Not only are we to walk in the Spirit, but we are also to be led by the Spirit and live by the Spirit. The Spirit of God allows us to make the changes away from the list of vices that Paul listed out as the works of the flesh.
Living with the ramifications of our flesh is work, and work is hard, tiring, and often overwhelming. Living in the vices that Paul listed out is exhausting. Living with jealousy, wrath, envy, and dissension constantly has to be exhausting.
However, if we walk, become led by, and live in the Spirit, automatically then there is the production of the fruit of Spirit. That fruit is the character of Jesus Christ. It is only produced in you by the Spirit. The man doesn’t produce the fruit; the Spirit produces the fruit. We simply must walk in the Spirit. The fruit is a byproduct of that walk.
It is who you are walking with that will change your character, life, and destiny. Walk in the Spirit.