Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

Spiritual Gifts #11: In this message, I teach that Divine love is the essential motivating force behind the operation of Spiritual gifts, emphasizing that God desires to express Himself through believers. 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, confirms that Spiritual gifts must function through love to operate as God intended, mirroring Jesus Christ's ultimate demonstration of sacrifice. True Divine love separates the individual from their sin, compelling Christians to love the person while hating the sin [John 3:16; Romans 5:8]. Through the Holy Spirit, believers receive an incorruptible seed of God's love into their reborn spirit, empowering them to lay down their lives for others [1 Peter 1:23; Romans 5:5; 1 John 3:16].

Although the believer's spirit is reborn in love, the human mind acts as the primary barrier preventing God's power and Spiritual gifts from fully manifesting. This is called grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit [Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19]. I stress the necessity of renewing the mind through the Word of God, which purifies the soul and aligns human thinking with the Holy Spirit [Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:22]. By casting thoughts contrary to Scripture [2 Corinthians 10:5] and cultivating Spiritual maturity, believers yield the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7]. Ultimately, walking in Divine love fulfills Christ's new commandment [Jo hn 13:34; 1 John 4:19] and serves as the foundation for all Spiritual gifts to overcome adversity. Join me as we delve into these Scriptures for a time of fellowship in God's love and grace. Selah, Charles.

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Spiritual Gifts #10: In this episode, I share how Spiritual gifts remain active today, but they must be motivated and operated exclusively through supernatural love rather than human pride or fleshly ambition. Rooted in the sacrifice of Calvary, believers are reborn of incorruptible seed through God's Word (1 Peter 1:23) into the very Divine love demonstrated when Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). While a Christian's Spirit is completely recreated and perfected in love, the carnal mind must be continually renewed and transformed by the Word of God rather than conformed to the world (Romans 12:2; 1 John  2:5). By renewing the mind, believers are empowered to walk and talk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6), loving their enemies, blessing those who curse them (Matthew 5:44-48), and allowing God's perfect love to cast out all fear (1 John 4:17-18).

Examining the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, the teaching underscores that any Spiritual gift exercised without Divine love renders the believer completely empty (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Because Spiritual gifts are unearned grace given by God (Ephesians 2:8-9), true love does not boast of its insights or draw self-seeking  attention to its abilities (1 Corinthians 13:4). Furthermore, love operates with tact and graceful manners rather than behaving rudely or insistently demanding its own way. Love is meek and gentle like Christ (Matthew 11:29; 1 Corinthians 13:5). Instead of becoming irritable, harboring resentment, or rejoicing in wrongdoing, love speaks the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), covers faults, and persistently believes the best in others (1 Corinthians 13:5-7). Join me as we delve into these Scripture for an exciting time together in love. Selah!

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Spiritual Gifts #9: In this message, I emphasize that Divine love must be the governing motive for every Spiritual gift and Christian endeavor. Highlighting 1 Corinthians 13, which is set between chapters 12 & 13 on Spiritual gifts, this teaching warns that speaking in tongues, prophesying, understanding mysteries, having great faith or making sacrificial acts of charity without love profits nothing and renders a person spiritually "nothing". Individuals can prophesy, cast out devils and perform wonderful works, yet still be regarded by Christ as workers of iniquity if their service is not driven by love (Matthew 7:22-23). This sermon explains that keeping God's Word matures and perfects His love in the believer, casting out fear, providing boldness and enabling Christians to walk as Jesus walked in compassion (1 John 2:5-6; 4:17). While a believer's spirit is recreated at salvation, the mind must be continually renewed through Scripture so that carnal attitudes, unforgiveness and worldly programming do not obstruct the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit's gifts.

I further urge believers to keep themselves in the love of God (Jude 20-21) and follow the steps of Christ (1 Peter 2:21), who was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power to go about going good (Acts 10:38). Grounded in 1 Corinthians 13:4, I present the first three of fifteen Christlike attitudes of love: (1) Patience (" suffering long"), (2) Kindness, and (3) Freedom from envy ("envies not"). Love's longsuffering patience mirrors God's patience towards humanity (2 Peter 3:9), calling believers to remain forbearing, to avoid losing their temper, and to refuse retaliation when wronged.  Love is kind, without hardness or sharpness and is entirely free from jealously and competition regarding another believer's gifts, position, or recognition, choosing instead to rejoice in every member's role within the body of Christ. Join me as we delve into these Scriptures for a time of building yourself up in the most holy faith. Selah!

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Spiritual Gifts #7: This message details how the nine (9) spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 -- including the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophesy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues -- are imparted by the Holy Spirit to build up the unified body of Christ. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 14:1, I encourage believers to zealously desire spiritual gifts while guarding against motives of self-interest, strife or spiritual pride. I explain how charity must take priority because Divine "agape" love provides the proper atmosphere, purest motive and "more excellent way" for the gifts to function effectively. Furthermore, I emphasize that whereas spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit, love itself is a fruit of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22] that requires a conscious act of personal will and self-surrender to walk in God's Divine nature.

Rooting the message in Christ's foundational teachings, I reference Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35 to show that loving God and loving others are direct Divine commandments that mark true discipleship. Pointing to Jesus' compassionate ministry in passages such as Mark 1:41 and Luke 7:13, as well as the command to abide in the true vine [John 15:4-12], I illustrate how spiritual power, fruitfulness and overflowing joy flow directly from remaining in Christ's love. Finally, drawing from 1 John 2:3-6; 4:7-18 and 5:1-4, I demonstrate that abiding in God's Word perfects Divine love in the believer, which eliminates fear and empowers the body of Christ to minister as His living representatives in the world today. Join me for this exciting new podcast sharing God's will for your life and ministry. Selah!

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Spiritual Offices #3: This message focuses on God's Divine plan to flow His love into believers and out into a lost world through Spiritual offices appointed to the Church. I highlight how the ascended Christ gave grace gifts [Gk: doma] in the form of specific ministry roles -- apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastor-teachers -- for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry and the edification of the body of Christ [Ephesians 4:7-16]. I compare these foundational roles to the human body system: apostles lay the structural foundation, prophets act as the nervous system providing direct spiritual inspiration, evangelists operate as the digestive system bringing in and assimilating new converts and pastor-teachers serve as the circulatory system distributing life and sound doctrine. The crucial function of teachers is to instruct the congregation, correct false teaching and establishes believers firmly in the Word [1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 13:1-5]. 

I transition to local leadership, the distinct responsibilities of elders, bishops [overseers] and deacons in maintaining congregational stability and spiritual health. Citing 1 Timothy 5:17 and 1 Peter 5:1-10, elders and pastors are urged to lead as humble examples rather than lording over God's heritage, laboring in the Word and doctrine while equipping saints to stand victorious against the devil through faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection. I share criteria for local leaders drawn from 1 Timothy 3:1-10 and Philippians 1:1, which distinguish spiritual overseers from deacons who handle administrative and financial service, while Acts 14:23 shows Paul and Barnabas ordaining elders to oversee each assembly. Ultimately, this sermon underscores that all Spiritual offices serve to equip [mend and shape up] saints so that the church can mature, exercise Spiritual gifts in unity and demonstrate God's overcoming love to the world. Join me as I share these Scriptures for an edifying time in God's Word. Selah!

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Spiritual Offices #1: This message introduces the study by establishing that believers must first understand their position and identity as sons and daughters of God in Christ before operating in spiritual offices. Drawing from the first three (3) chapters of Ephesians, I explain that believers are made righteous, blessed with all spiritual blessings, sealed with the Holy Spirit and resurrected into New Life with Christ. Moving into Ephesians chapters 4 through 6, the sermon outlines how believers should practically conduct themselves, highlighting seven (7) distinct "walks": walking in unity [4:1-16], holiness [4:17-30], love [4:31-5:2], light [5:3-14], wisdom [5:15-17], praise [5:18-20], and harmony [5:21-6:9].

Then, this message begins to examine the five (5) spiritual offices -- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers -- bestowed by Christ upon His ascension to equip the saints for ministry and to edify the body of Christ into Christian maturity [Ephesians 4:8; 4:11-16]. I compare these offices to human body systems, pointing out that apostles and prophets function like the skeletal, muscular and nervous framework, built on the foundation of Christ as the chief cornerstone [Ephesians 2:19-20]. I go on to clarify that while "not" every believer holds a spiritual office, all members receive spiritual gifts to herald the Gospel of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, which we will study in the weeks to come. Join me as I begin this new series to bring spiritual insight through exhortation into the function of the body of Christ as a whole. Selah!

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Spiritualities #3: This message emphasizes that believers must first understand their identity as new creations in Christ before they can operate in Spiritual gifts and minister in God's ability. Also, we must not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by renewing of our minds through the Word of God to discern God's acceptable and perfect will [Romans 12:1-2]. Through Christ's death, burial and resurrection, we are delivered from Satan's dominion and raised into heavenly places as sons and daughters of God.

 I highlight how God blessed us with all Spiritual blessings, redeemed us and granted us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so we may know the rich inheritance and the exceeding greatness of His resurrection power by seating us above all principalities [Ephesians 1:3-21]. That salvation involves confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection, establishing faith that provides both Spiritual rebirth and physical healing. That Christ defeated Satan and ascended above every authority! 

As believers we are empowered to live in continuous triumph and serve as God's representatives, because grace is His willingness to use His power on our behalf to meet every need and cause us to triumph [2 Corinthians 2:14]. As new creations, we are made the righteousness of God in Christ, and entrusted with the Word and ministry of reconciliation to restore others [2 Corinthians 5:17-21]. I reinforce that we are saved by grace through faith, created for good works, and reconciled into one household of God [Ephesians 2:1-10, 13-22]. I conclude that we are strengthened in the inner man and rooted in love, and filled with the fullness of God to do exceedingly abundantly above all  that we ask or think [Ephesians 3:14-21]. Joins me as I share even more Scriptures. Selah!

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Spiritualities #2: This message focuses on teaching "new creation realities" and the vital importance of believers coming into the spiritual knowledge of who they are in Christ. I warn that believers are often defeated and held back simply due to a lack of spiritual knowledge [Hosea 4:6]. To counteract this, I review verses from the book of Ephesians, emphasizing that believers are blessed [1:3], chosen [1:4], predestinated [1:5], accepted [1:6], redeemed and forgiven [1:7], obtained an inheritance [1:11] and sealed by the Holy Spirit [1:13]. I highlight Paul's apostolic prayer that believers would receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ [1:17], waking up to the fact that they are seated together with Christ in the heavenly places [2:6]. Ultimately, believers must recognize that their lives are hidden with Christ in God [Colossians 3:3] and that they have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light [Colossians 1:13], gaining the truth that makes them free indeed [John 8:31-32, 36].

Part 2

Armed with this knowledge, believers can actively develop their faith and walk in the authority of spiritual gifts, which must always be operated through divine love and compassion [Matthew 14:14; 1 Corinthians chapter 13]. I urge believers to be imitators of Christ [Ephesians 5:1] and to daily confess that they are new creations [2 Corinthians 5:17] and the righteousness of God [2 Corinthians 5:21]. Having received the Divine nature of God [2 Peter 1:4] and the measure of faith [Romans 12:3], believers are empowered to exercise true authority. I point to Mark 16:17-18 to demonstrate that believers have authority in Jesus' name to cast out devils, speak in tongues and lay hands on the sick so they recover. Believers are not beggars but joint-heirs with Christ [Romans 8:16-17] and kings who reign in life [Romans 5:17], called to exercise spiritual dominion over the earth as God intended from the very beginning [Genesis 1:26-28]. Join me as we delve into these Scriptures for an exciting time of exhortation. Selah!

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Spiritualities #1: This message focuses on helping believers recognize their true spiritual identity, authority and position in Christ as a necessary foundation before they can effectively operate in spiritual gifts. Drawing from Ephesians, I explain that believers are saved by grace through faith [Ephesians 2:8], redeemed through the blood of Jesus [Ephesians 1:7], and chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy concentrated and blameless [Ephesians 1:4]. Instead of living below their spiritual privileges -- which I compare to someone starving to death with a closet full of money or living on "Skid Row" despite owning a mansion in Beverly Hills -- believers must wake up to the reality that they have been translated out of darkness and blessed with every spiritual blessing [Ephesians 1:3]. They have been raised up to sit jointly in heavenly places with Christ [Ephesians 2:6]. Just as a policeman must know he is a policeman to exercise authority, believers must know their identity in Christ to wield spiritual authority and walk in victory over the enemy. 

With this identity established, believers are fully equipped to manifest the power of God's Kingdom and minister grace to a lost world. Every believer possesses a unique divine enablement, as shown in 1 Corinthians 7:7, which states that "every man hath his proper gift of God", and 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, which highlights that the Holy Spirit distributes these manifestations to everyone for the common profit. To operate effectively in these gifts, believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise [Ephesians 1:13], a distinct experience that I illustrate using Acts 19:1-6, where the believers at Ephesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit after initially believing. Armed with this seal, an eternal inheritance [Ephesians 1:11], and the "exceeding greatness" of God's power [Ephesians 1:19], believers are called to function as Jesus in the world. They act as the body of Christ to minister grace -- defined as God's willingness to use His power on our behalf to meet every need -- and to reconcile a lost world back to God. Join me as we delve into these Scriptures for your edification. Selah!

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118 How to Receive the Overflow

How to Receive the Overflow: This episode emphasizes that while salvation represents a believer being filled with the Holy Spirit -- comparable to a glass filled with water -- the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an additional immersion where the glass is dropped into a pitcher of water, completely submerged and overflowing. This baptism provides believers with the Spiritual power necessary to fulfill the Great Commission and actively minister to others. I note that the Holy Spirit was poured out 100% on the Day of Pentecost and remains fully available, therefore, believers do not need to tarry or beg God, but must simply reach out in faith to receive what has already been given. To help believers understand how to receive and minister this gift, I introduce a 5 step framework by the acronym "READY": Repent, Expect, Ask, Drink, and Yield. 

Each step of the "READY" formula is grounded in scripture to guide the believer's faith and actions. "Repent" [Acts 2:38-39] involves turning away from sin and repenting of false teaching that claim tongues and Spiritual gifts are not for today. "Expect" [Galatians 3:2, 13-14] teaches that the baptism is received by faith, using God's Word as the ultimate evidence of things not seen. "Ask" [Luke 11:9-13] reminds believers to confidently petition the Father for the Holy Spirit and immediately believe they have received it. "Drink" [John 7:37-39] requires the believer to relax, open their mouth wide, and drink in the Spirit so that rivers of living water can flow out. Finally, "Yield" [Romans 6:13, 19]  instructs believers to offer their physical bodies as instruments of righteousness. I strongly emphasize that the believer must actively make the vocal sounds and move their tongue -- as shown in Acts 2:4; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6, and 1 Corinthians 14 -- while the Holy Spirit shapes the syllables and provides the utterance. Once received, believers should regularly practice praying in tongues to build up their faith, relying on the positive criteria of Philippians 4:8 to evaluate subsequent interpretations of tongues. Join me as we delve into this life changing experience for many believers throughout the centuries. Selah!

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