Activating Spiritual Gifts

Over the last few months, we have been in a series on the Holy Spirit – His Person, His Purpose, and His Power.  Today, we want to continue talking about the power of the Holy Spirit as it works in the life of the believer.   We find in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 a diverse listing of spiritual gifts including word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues.

TheMacArthur Study Bibledefines spiritual gifts as a divine or supernatural enablement for ministry that the Holy Spirit gives in some measure to all believers and that are to be completely under His control and used for the building up of the Church to Christ’s glory.

In recent years, it seems the Church has shied away from the supernatural, while the world has embraced it with shows and movies like Harry Potter, the Marvel series, Long Island Medium, Lucifer, The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal experiences, etc.

“Because we haven’t produced what’s genuine, they [the world] are going after counterfeit.” –
Minister Alfie James

We have the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, and we have the responsibility to manifest these gifts.

How Do I Activate These Gifts?

1. Believe

If we don’t believe that the spiritual gifts are still active and available for us today, then we negate the very faith that we say we have.

Miracles and prophecies of the Old Testament

Joel 2:28 (NKJV) – And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

In this passage, we see prophecy in its various forms.

Miracles and prophecies of Jesus

Mark 16: 17-20 (NKJV) – And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

In this passage we see discerning of spirits, tongues, and healings.

Jesus went on to say in John 14:12(NLT) that anyone who believes in Him will do the same works that He did, and even greater works.

How do we get to the greater works?
We must believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work and that He wants to work through us.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV) – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

Manifestation is an exhibition or expression; a public showing.  God the Holy Spirit wants to publicly show His power to the believer and the unbeliever.

“Man is working with God, and God is working with man for the express purpose of helping a third party experience a gracious deliverance”. – Dr. David Ireland

2. Be Tuned In

Tune in means to watch or listen to a particular broadcast; to pay attention to; to become aware of; to be responsive to; to be able to understand. (thefreedictionary.com)

In order to activate spiritual gifts, we must watch and listen to what the Holy Spirit broadcasts.  We must get acquainted with Him, which means we must spend time with Him.  As we get to know Him, we become aware of His voice and His promptings.

We move from simply being aware of the Holy Spirit to paying attention to Him…then responding to Him…then understanding Him.

Peter could not have preached the sermon that saved 3,000 souls if he had not been tuned in to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2)

Peter and John could not have healed the lame man at the Beautiful gate if they had not been tuned in to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 3)

Paul could not have discerned the spirit of divination in the slave girl and cast it out if he had not been tuned in to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 16)

“You and I cannot expect to actively exercise spiritual gifts if we are not tuned in to the Holy Spirit.”  – Minister Alfie James

3. Be Available

The Holy Spirit is a gentleman; He will not force Himself on you.

One of the most hurtful things you can experience in your Christian walk is to see someone doing what God told you to do.

We must be open to

• How He Wants to Use Me
• Where He Wants to Use Me
• When He Wants to Use Me

“If I’m to flow in the spiritual gifts, I can’t dictate to Him.” – Minister Alfie James