Are The Gifts

For Today

“Copyright” Truitt 1992

PEACE

“Copyright” Truitt 2000

Allusive and hidden

Is the key of peace

From the hearts

Of many unhappy people.

In some the key is forbidden

By unwitting enemies

Of pure hearts.

Are there any pupils?

Some have ignorantly forbidden

The keys of peace

Out of a sincere heart.

How sad for the people!

Some have even forbidden

The answer of peace

To the hungry of hearts.

Jesus is the answer for all people!

INTRODUCTION

(1 Corinthians 12:1)

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

In the early church, God poured out a powerful anointing of His Spirit. The anointing was so powerful, that it caught the attention of thousands of people who were gathered together for the observance of the special Holy day of Pentecost.

God had set the stage for one of the greatest events of all history. Out of the air, there appeared the form of cloven tongues, fire blazing with the pure power and glory of the Holy God of Heaven and Earth.

Appropriately, it was accompanied by a rushing mighty wind. No wonder the disciples were so filled with excitement. With the tremendous outpouring that was taking place, it would be difficult to imagine the surge of power they must have felt, as the presence of the Holy Ghost filled them from their heads to their feet, no doubt purging them from the hindrances of their lives.

What joy Peter, who had so recently denied his Lord, must have felt. To think that God in His mercy would choose him to be the first spokesman for this dynamic beginning of Christ’s church.

The man, of whom fear had overcome just days before, was kindled into a flaming fire of God, boldly proclaiming Jesus to a bewildered audience captivated before him.

Spiritual gifts were operating on that day. The gift of divers kinds of tongues was functioning in each of them as they spoke in the languages of the many different nationalities present in Jerusalem that day. The gift of prophecy was operating in the apostle Peter that day.

Now let us proceed with the question at hand. Are the gifts for today?

ARE THE GIFTS FOR TODAY?

Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

In verse 4, Jesus told them to wait for God’s promise. The disciples, though they had walked with Jesus, still needed the power of God in their lives.

The task of being a witness to a world lost in sin required more than they possessed in themselves. Casting out devils was one of the signs. But, Remember, a supernatural war requires supernatural weapons. The gifts of the Spirit are some of those weapons

It is strange to me that anyone who takes the commission of God seriously would even suggest that the gifts are not for today.

The signs are functions related to the gifts. These signs shall follow the believer. The word, “shall”, is a word most definitely presenting a statement promising that the event will surely happen!

The promise is for the believer’s ministry. It is obvious, in the context of the words of Jesus in these scriptures that as long as there are believers with the duty of fulfilling this commission, there shall be signs.

We know that Jesus cannot lie! His words are true in everything He has said. Since these signs shall follow the believer, why is it that very few believers have these signs in their ministries? As a matter of fact, many of those who profess to be believers not only lack the signs, but also even deny them. What a sad commentary for the church bought and paid for by the blood of the Son of God!

Friends, Jesus loves every believer, regardless of their belief pertaining to the signs and gifts of God. However, some have come close to blaspheming the Holy Ghost; which if committed is unpardonable, A very serious offence. The fear of God should be on anyone who speaks or teaches about the things of the Holy Spirit. For we all want to be forgiven, if we are truly seeking after the things of God. Where God draws the line pertaining to this sin is in His wisdom. I do wish to comfort you with these words. The Holy Spirit draws men and convicts people of sin. If you hunger and desire Christ’s mercy, seeking with a heart of repentance calling on the name of the Lord: than you have not crossed the line. For we have the promise of Jesus, that He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him and whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This promise is for anyone who calls on the Lord with a heart of repentance, for he has called all men to repentance. Now pertaining to the subject of what people believe concerning the gifts: God’s word is true regardless of what we believe!

The bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Our battles in life involve spiritual beings of the supernatural realm, requiring us to be empowered with supernatural power greater than theirs, which must come from God!

In Mark, chapter 16, beginning in verse 15, Jesus gave the great commission to the church. He told the disciples about the signs that would follow the believer, in verses 17 & 18.

The first sign mentioned by Jesus was casting out devils. Is the world so free, that we cannot see a need for deliverance from the powers of darkness? Are people still bound in their sins? Has the church reached perfection? Is the church free from sin and bondage? Of course not, the church is struggling with sin. Even many of its leaders are in bondage. Satan is quite comfortable in the midst of many of God’s saints who choose to ignore him. He sits in the pew next to many of the churches’ deacons. Sometimes, he even helps some of the preachers with their sermons. What, how can that be? Looking at all of the divisions in the church over doctrines, it is easy to see that God is not the author of all of the things being taught.

Jesus prayed that we would be one, even as He and the Father are one, in John 17:11. Yes even the church needs deliverance. Many denominations ordain ministries in their own group many times denying them the privilege of recognition in other groups of God’s people. The ministries of God belong to God and are gifts to His church. Put the dividing aside and return to the will of God, that we would be one. Paul dealt with this problem in 1st Corinthians 1:10-13. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chlo’-e, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apol’los; and I of Ce’phas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” But, we are to be one in Christ. Break down the barriers and let’s do the work of God together.

Where are God’s prophets when we need them so much? We need their revelation knowledge and their discerning of spirits to expose the devil in our midst. Fortunately, God does have prophets in His church. Some are functioning and some are not functioning to any large degree. It’s time for the eyes of God’s people to be opened. Most churches would not know what to do with a prophet if he did function!

May the church wake up and know that we serve the living God, who desires to move in our midst. He desires to set us free and to manifest His love toward us in a mighty way.

Another sign mentioned is, “they shall speak with new tongues.” The bible teaches us that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever in 1st Corinthians 14:22.

Remember the commission is still on. We are to preach the gospel to every creature. The Word of God tells us that we are healed by the stripes of Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 proclaims:

…“with his stripes we are healed.” Since we are healed with the stripes of Jesus, then why would a believer deny the gifts of healing? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to deny a gift of God, given in love to bring healing to His people.

In Mark 16:18, we can see healing is one of the signs. It is also involved in the operations of the gifts. The gifts of healing is mentioned in 1st Corinthians 12:9.

Some people do not recognize part of Mark, chapter 16. For those refer to other parts of the bible, such as James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:14,15: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Whose prayer of faith? The elder’s prayer of faith: It is important that they believe for this promise. What about Acts 1:8? The first part says: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Search the scriptures and you will see that God still has apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Let us look at Ephesians 4:11-16: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists: and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Apostles and prophets are a part of the church today. The above scriptures in Ephesians are one sentence. The works of an apostle are much needed. Those works include miracles. The body is edified by the increase of God’s love. We need to grow. We need unity. We Christians need perfecting and preparation for the work of the ministry. Knowledge of Christ, the Son of God is much needed for our development.

Pray that the Lord may give us understanding of His Word! Continue to search the scriptures with an open heart to the Lord, and you will receive precious wisdom concerning the days we live in.

In Acts 2:17-20; the apostle Peter quoted the prophet Joel. Verses 17 and 18 should be examined very closely. It says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophecy:”

Please notice the words, “last days,” in verse 17. Friends we are closer to the end of this age than the early church was. Peter used this scripture to describe what was happening then. How much more should we not realize that it truly fits us today?

Please note that it is not just the apostles who will function in these supernatural ways, but also your sons and daughters.

Now let us look at the scripture that some people use to try to explain away the gifts pertaining to us today.

1st CORINTHIANS 13:8-12

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophecy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Some claim that the gifts have been done away with. First let me stress that nowhere in the Word of God can we find any scripture that supports such a view. They can only take the scripture and twist it to their view.

Let’s examine the verses just mentioned. First it teaches us that charity never fails, but prophecies shall fail. Remember, not all prophecy comes from God. Of those, we shall see failure.

When Jesus returns, the dispensation of the gentiles will be over and a new dispensation will begin. The Lord Jesus will reign for 1000 years. That time will be an era of perfection for the saints of God.

The gift of prophecy will no longer be needed in the church, for we will be like Him. Jesus is perfect and so shall we be.

Jesus himself, will tell us the things that we need to know, for we shall see Him face to face and will know even as we are known.

Of course we will not need tongues anymore, because Jesus will live among us physically, as well as spiritually. We shall be mature, for we will be glorified with Him, being like Him.

Some people teach that the written Word is that which is perfect. Yet, they fail to realize that when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

They read it, yet without understanding. We still are operating in part knowledge, part health, part unity, and part this and that. As a matter of fact, we believers are so far apart, that we seem to forget that all of His church parts are a part of each other.

Let us realize that Paul is speaking of perfection in us, which is the completion of God’s Word in our hearts, minds and bodies, which will make us mature. Obviously, that which is perfect is the wonderful return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth, setting up His kingdom with His glorified church, ruling with Him in the perfection of the Lord!

With the church bogged down with sin in it’s midst, and sickness within it’s members, and division in the minds of the people; surely it is time for the precious gifts of God’s Spirit to be operating within us.

In closing, please do not despise these precious gifts given from our loving Heavenly Father to us by the Holy Ghost! As you would not appreciate your giving of gifts to be despised by your children; think of how God feels about His gifts and our attitudes concerning them.

May our loving Lord Jesus give to us understanding of His will in everything we do and say!

NOTES