The will of God is not a supernatural thing but something quite obtainable.
Deuteronomy 30:11-12 ESV
[11] “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. [12] It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
In the New Testament, we are given another command which is the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
We have a reason to be always joyful. That unchanging source is Jesus.
1 Peter 1:8 ESV
[8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Our faith in Jesus allows us always to be joyful. Jesus will not change and his love for us never changes and because of this, we can be joyful.
Prayer is both common and a privilege for Christians. Prayer will keep us in contact with Jesus and our contact with Jesus will keep our joy. Through communication, our relationships become better. The more prayer, the more communication is achieved.
Heaven is where God dwells. Wherever you go, Heaven follows. If you do not feel God, Heaven is not there. Through prayer we feel and experience God more.
Prayer allows us to understand God’s heart. Prayer also allows us to be more grateful. By knowing God's heart, we will be grateful in all circumstances.
We are called to be grateful at all times because we have something to be thankful for. Joseph went through many troubles and hardships, but he knew that this had happened for good and glorified God.
Genesis 50:20 ESV
[20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
We can be joyful in all circumstances and live a very ordinary life.
My Lighthouse
CCLI Song # 7002032
Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson
Verse 1 In my wrestling and in my doubts In my failures You won't walk out Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled
sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled
sea Verse 2 In the silence You won't let go In the questions Your truth will
hold Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled
sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled
sea Chorus My Lighthouse my Lighthouse Shining in the darkness I will follow You oh My Lighthouse my Lighthouse I will trust the promise You will carry me safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) Safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore Verse 3 I won't fear what tomorrow brings With each morning I'll rise and sing My God's love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled
sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled
sea Chorus My Lighthouse my Lighthouse Shining in the darkness I will follow You oh My Lighthouse my Lighthouse I will trust the promise You will carry me safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) Safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore Bridge Fire before us You're the brightest You will lead us Through the storms (hey) (4X) Chorus My Lighthouse my Lighthouse Shining in the darkness I will follow You oh My Lighthouse my Lighthouse I will trust the promise You will carry me safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) Safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore (oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) safe to shore Bridge(6X) Chorus
Spiritual Gifts 12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Spiritual Gifts in Church Community
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
The church in Corinth was planted by Paul on his second missionary
journey. He spent 18 months in this wealthy city. The city was also known for
its schools, philosophy centers and its immorality.
On his third journey, he wrote the first letter to the Christians
living in Corinth. Paul addresses many issues covering topics of problems with
the Corinthian Christians including spiritual gifts.
Paul makes a difference between talents and spiritual gifts.
Spiritual gifts deals with a leading of the Holy Spirit. This is different from
being led by dumb idols.
1
Corinthians12:2ESV
[2]
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however
you were led.
You need an indwelling by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of God and will lead you to do God's will. Spiritual gifts are
supernatural empowerment to effectively carry out Christian service and
proclamation of the Lordship of Christ.
Jesus said in Acts1:8(ESV), "...But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We are not asked to do God's work on our own strength.
Gifts are from the Holy Spirit after you are born again and you need
to exercise those gifts. Talents are natural and you need to be trained to be
good and both Christians and non-Christians can possess these.
Luke11:13ESV
[13]
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
We just need to ask. The same spirit will give the gifts.
1
Corinthians12:4-6ESV
[4]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are
varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of
activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
The above passage mentions that it is the same spirit, same Lord and
same God involved in
John Owen tells that those who reject the work of the Holy Spirit
are rejecting Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
1
Corinthians12:7ESV
[7] To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
[11]
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one
individually as he wills.
Everything comes from God and those gifts are given differently to different
people. This makes the church diverse and we must understand this.
1
Corinthians12:8-10ESV
[8]
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another
the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith
by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to
another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to
distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues.
9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Revelatory.
Vocal.
Power
Word of wisdom.
Tongues.
Faith
Word of knowledge.
Interpretation of tongues.
Miracles
Discerning of Spirits.
Prophesy.
Gifts of Healing
The revelation-gifts bring to light what is hidden. They give
insight into special thoughts and intentions of God.
The power-gifts, on the other hand, demonstrate God’s power visibly.
They convey God’s grace visually.
The speaking-gifts communicate audibly.
Romans
12: 6-8 ESV
6
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one
who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the
one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[a] with zeal; the one
who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1
Corinthians 12:7-10,28 ESV
7 To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one
is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the
utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the
same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the
working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish
between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues.
As a Church community, it is important to recognize the role of the
Holy Spirit as He is very committed to exalting Jesus as Lord and equipping us
adequately for Christian Service.
Verse
1 He
is God (He is God) The
one true God (the one true God) There's
no doubt (there's no doubt) I'm
gonna shout it out (gonna shout it out) Verse
2 He
is King (He is King) The
one true King (the one true King) There's
no doubt (there's no doubt) I'm
gonna shout it out (gonna shout it out) Chorus Come
and see what God has done All
the wonders under the sun Come
and see what God can do He's
alive in me and you D.C.(X2) Chorus Come
and see what God has done All
the wonders under the sun Come
and see what God can do He's
alive in me and you Ending He
is God (He is God) He
is God (He is God) He
is God (He is God)
Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ephesians tells us we need to maintain the community that the Holy Spirit has formed. We do not need to make a community for Jesus. It has already been made and our one goal for us and that is to worship Jesus.
[3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.
Ephesians 4:3-4 ESV
The early church struggled with whom to follow. Did they follow Peter or Paul? Paul tells us that we should just follow Jesus. We have the same problem today. There are so many Denominations, but our concern should still be a focus on Jesus.
There are reasons for all the denominations and there are pros and cons for the different denominations; however, we should focus on Jesus and not the differences.
[10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:10 ESV
Paul reminds us that Jesus came down and then returned to Heaven to fulfill His duties. Jesus did this so that we would build community.
[11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV
We all have different abilities and are unique. None of us can be thrown away or ignored. None of us can also just sit back and do nothing. We are to harmoniously work together. We may argue and have different ideas than others, but a Christian community should work together through Jesus to make efforts to secure a Christian community.
We cannot just be content that we are all different. We have to make efforts to improve the community. How do we do this?
[15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
We do this through the foundation of love. We love through helping each other. Practically we do this by supporting all the other parts. We help each other through love. We help each other to become better people.
How to use our love is addressed this passage. Help others in the Christian community to become better. This is how we can love each other.
