LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SESSION 8 APRIL 19,2015 Grace: God’s supernatural FAVOR and ABILITY. How Love expresses itself. He (The Holy Spirit) will testify of Me (Christ) (John 15:26) Jesus Christ’s character: (John 1:14, 17) “Full of Grace and Truth” Do you see yourself through His eyes .... The eyes of the Cross .... Or do you define yourself through your circumstances or how others view you? (Leads to rejection, feeling insignificant, making no difference) Religion’s standards? (Religion says you are made acceptable to God through performance.) The application of the law stimulates rebellion in the flesh. Can temporarily modify behavior, but can’t generate lasting change. Your Position in Christ (Romans 6:14; Ephesians 1:3-7)

Grace Embraces You: God holds you in a place of Love, right-standing and Favor .... Right where you are! Enables You – to walk free from sin’s dominion To walk with His favor before you, on you, and behind you! To walk through anything required of you! Romans 5:17 – RECEIVE “more than enough grace” .... Gift of Righteousness Romans 8:1, 2 – Walking under the control and direction of the Holy Spirit breaks the power of the flesh (old patterns of thinking, speaking, and behaving) and disconnects us from the bondage of condemnation

è Spiritual Gifts

• Motivation Gifts (Romans 12) – The Father

• Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12, 14) – The Holy Spirit

• Ministry Gifts (Ephesians 4) – The Son

è Ministry Gifts

• Ephesians 4:7-12 – The Giver (Christ), the gifts, the purpose

è What Happened To The Model? (Ephesians 4:12)

• Restating our mission and our model: YOU are the MINISTRY!

è Jesus Christ gave ministry gifts to His church. These are called-out servants who have a life calling. Christ calls them, there is no one else who decides these callings.

è ROLES/OFFICES

• Apostles – the first Apostles’ requirements: must have witnessed the ministry of Jesus, including His resurrected Person! Other Apostles: Paul, James, Barnabas, perhaps others.

• Were writers of Scripture, overseers of the church, guardians of sound doctrine, settlers of disputes, preachers/teachers of the Word; sufferers for their Master.

• SERVANTS; not rock stars!

• BEWARE of self-promoting, self-seeking, self-proclaimed “apostles”!

è Prophets: gifted men and women who boldly stand on God’s truth and powerfully reveal and present His Word. This gift is revelatory and powerful.

• This is NOT “spiritual fortunetelling”!

è Evangelists: those especially gifted in presenting the Gospel to the lost and passionately pursuing leading other to Christ.

è Pastors: “poimenos”, shepherd, overseer.

• Role is to serve the Lord by feeding (teaching), guiding, encouraging, correcting and protecting the sheep.

• “Preachers versus Pastors”

• The Pastor (shepherd) is the primary leader of the sheep-fold (church).

• Every “sheep” has a shepherd (assistant shepherd) appointed to him/her. There is a spiritual, internal connection. (The connection may be through an extension of the shepherd, i.e. associates, elders)

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THE RESURRECTION MAKE? EASTER SUNDAYAPRIL 5,2015 You are forgiven! (Colossians 2:11-15) You are loved, treasured, and held in the highest regard! You have Christ in you; the Father sees you IN HIS SON, inseparable! Without the resurrection, you could not have His Life – nor His identity! (Ephesians 1:3-7) Sin and death have no authority over you! (Romans 6:4-9) You have 24/7 Access to the throne of God the Father (because Jesus the Risen Christ, has ascended there and prays for you constantly!) (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:25) You have been given authority over the enemy and all his assignments for your demise! (Colossians 2:11-15; Ephesians 1:19-22; Ephesians 4:8) You are guaranteed a new body like His resurrection body! (Philippians 3:20, 21) (Recognizable, embraceable, relational, totally whole and functioning, not limited by earthly barriers) You are guaranteed to be with Him and to see your believing loved ones again and be with them forever! (John 11:25, 26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Corinthians 5:8) You have an on-going, never diminishing access to Hope, the sustaining force of life! (1 Peter 1:3-5) Copyright©2015 Covenant Heirs International/Steve Franklin Ministries®. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited

Review: Spiritual Gifts

 Grace Gifts …. To be desired and developed

 Motivation Gifts (Romans 12); Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12); Ministry Office Gifts

(Ephesians 4)

 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, reviewed: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

 Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)

 Tongues can best be described as “languages” (glossolalia). The gift of tongues is the special

ability to speak in a language not previously known by the speaker under the direction of

the Holy Spirit.

 What are some references to tongues”

 Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4; Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:18; 1

Corinthians 14:39

 What are the Purposes for tongues?

 To proclaim the Gospel to unbelievers (Acts 2)

 As a manifestation of the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6)

 As a private language of prayer

 Direct communication with God, spirit – to – Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14)

 Personal edification (building up of inner man) (1 Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20)

 To publically edify the church, always accompanied by interpretation (interpretation is not

necessarily a word for word translation, but a statement of meaning)

★ Keep perspective: 1 Corinthians 14:18, 19

 Some Guidelines for the operation of tongues in the public assembly

 Tongues are a legitimate gift (1 Corinthians 14:5, 18, 39)

 If there is no one gifted to interpret, there should be no tongues message given. (1

Corinthians 14:28; 1 Corinthians 14:18, 19) (It is permissible to pray silently or softly in

tongues, but not a message to the church.)

 There is a two (2) or three (3) limit to even a legitimate tongues/interpretation gift

expression. (1 Corinthians 14:27)

 All things must be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40) There is never a place

for disrespectful, disorderly outbursts in the assembly.

Some things to ponder:

 No need to be afraid or defensive, God will not force you to speak in tongues!

 Tongues plus interpretation should be on the order of prophecy in content and

accountability.

 The manifestation of private, prayer-oriented tongues is different from the public gift of

tongues in the public assembly!

FLOWING IN GOD S ECONOMY

Tithing: Living Under An Open Heaven!

Introduction

IVvo Keys that Reveal Your Heart:

Your Mouth - Matthew 12:34,35

Your Money - Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34

Definition: One Tenth

A. Devourer’s deception:

For a religious elite.

Obligation vs Opportunity.

Payment vs Investment.

God accepts every gift. ( Malachi 1:8,10)

B. Tithing is first and foremost an act of worship which springs from love and faith.

Principle of Tithing

A portion of what God gives a person is deemed holy by the Lord. God has never desired His

people to consume everything available to them.

Examples of principle:

Adam - Genesis 2:16,17 Moses - Leviticus 27:30,34

Abraham - Genesis 14:18-20 Jesus - Matthew 5:17

Jacob - Genesis 28:22 Church - Hebrews 6:20-7:13

The Precious Privilege of Tithing

A. You are entrusted with something that is holy, God’s alone.

8. Tithing in the right spirit of faith and obedience invites the Lord of the universe who

owns its resources by Divine Right (Psalm 24:1,2) into partnership with Lop!

The Pain of Tithing and Not Tithing

(Yes, tithing can be painful at first! Not tithing can be lethal!)

Birth Pains of a miraculous lifestyle.

1. You are entering into a new economy: The Kingdom of God’s Economic Plan!

Spiritual Gifts; continued: The Giver, The Gifts

 Review

 Motivation Gifts, Manifestation Gifts, Ministry Office Gifts

 1 Corinthians 12-14: The Manifestation Gifts of the Holy Spirit (these gifts belong to the

Holy Spirit and He grants and operates them as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)

 Prophecy: The special ability to hear and speak God’s messages to others for the purpose of

edification (building up), exhortation (encouragement, challenge), and comfort.

(1 Corinthians 14:5)

 This gift, takes place powerfully under the anointing of the Holy Spirit as one

ministers the Word of God.

 The gift can be used spontaneously by, under the direction of the Spirit.

 The gift is to be desired. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

 Those used in the gift are to be accountable. (1 Corinthians 14:29-32)

 Prophecy is partial, and thus not final authority. (1 Corinthians 13:9)

 Be careful of seeking Guidance continually by “Words” from others .... The Holy Spirit

is our teacher and Guide.

Review

 Spirit/Soul/Body; how the Lord speaks today.

 Spiritual Gifts: charismata: grace gifts …. Grace flows from Love.

 Given by a loving God for His glory and our benefit. Gifts are His expression of

Himself and not to be rejected or neglected by His children.

 Motivation Gifts (Romans 12) - Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12) - Ministry Office

Gifts (Ephesians 4)

 Review Motivation Gifts (see outline)

 Given to the believer by the Father; creation, spiritually - wired.

 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12)

“As He wills” – The Holy Spirit owns these and manifests them as He chooses. (1

Corinthians 12:11)

 1Corinthians 2:7-11 – Manifestation Gifts

 The word of wisdom – the Holy Spirit-given messages that bring God’s perspective to a given

circumstance, situation, or decision. (The source is the Mind of Christ) (General wisdom is

offered to all believers …. James 1:5,6)

 The word of knowledge – an utterance that gives information from the Holy Spirit, given for

a specific purpose and situation. This knowledge is not available by human reasoning, but

by the “insider” information of the Holy Spirit. (Examples from Jesus)

 The gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9) – the special ability to believe God and His word at an

exceptional level, usually for a specific issue/issues. (This is beyond general, saving faith.)

 Gifts of healings – the special ability, granted by the Holy Spirit to be an instrument in

healings that are divinely granted. The only explanation for these is that God intervened and

healed.

 Gifts of miracles – the special ability, given by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish supernatural

results, unexplained apart from God’s intervention.

 Prophecy – (see 1 Corinthians 14:1) – the special ability to hear/see what the Lord is saying,

doing to bring the building up, encouragement, motivation, correction, or comfort of

someone else. (1 Corinthians 14:3)

(REMEMBER: The Holy Spirit is our Guide, not a dictator. We must rely on our relationship

with the Lord, not someone’s “words” for our direction.

Even prophets are subject to other prophets …. 1 Corinthians 14:29-32

Steve Franklin Ministries®

P. O. BOX 43331 * BIRMINGHAM, AL 35243

www.sfmin.com * [email protected]

 LIFE COACHING

 Review

 You are wired to live from your reborn spirit, in, with, and by the Holy Spirit!

 The Holy Spirit’s presence …. in the believer.

 Nature (just like Jesus)

 Ministry (guides, bears witness of the truth)

 Comforts (comes alongside to encourage)

 Voice (How the Holy Spirit speaks today)

 Activation …. Clearing the static

 The mind and the spirit (check motive)

 WORD, inner witness, impressions, others

 Legitimate biblical prophecy has great value (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3 (also

partial 1 Corinthians 13:9) and even if accurate, not the final authority for

direction (Acts 21:10ff)

 Does God ever speak through dreams and visions?

 Does it pass certain tests?

 The Word, the inner witness of the truth in your spirit

 Consistency, accuracy and longevity

 You are GIFTED!!

 Motivation Gifts (Romans 12)

 Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12)

 Ministry Office Gifts (Ephesians 4)

 Spiritual Gifts:

 From charismata – grace gifts.

 Every believer has at least one.

 God-given, special ability to express the life and ministry of the Lord to please Him

and bless others.

 Motivation, Manifestation, and Ministry Office

Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4

(Father) (Holy Spirit) (Christ)

 Motivation Gifts

 Gifts from God the Father (Romans 12:3-8)

 Creation Gifts: how you are wired, spiritually. What motivates you; where you are

most successful, have favor, make the greatest impact and make the most difference.

 Prophecy – the special ability to stand boldly, strong in character, unwavering is

position; speaking what God says with authority.

 Ministry – inner motivation to serve God and others, giving service and willing to

serve behind the scenes, focusing on assisting others.

 Teaching – the special ability to help others to see a truth and understand how it

works and its value.

 Exhortation – the special ability to encourage, call out the best in someone, affirm

one’s value, raise one’s motivation to succeed; comfort one who is hurting.

 Giving – the special ability to help meet the needs/desires of others, helping them to

have the resources/tools they need to function; the desire and ability to assist those

in critical need.

 Leadership – the special ability to “stand out front” and inspire and direct a favorable

response from others.

Leadership is not demanded, it is granted through service, ability, experience,

wisdom, trust and respect.

 Showing Mercy – the special ability to show compassion to those who are hurting,

even if hurting through self-inflicted wounds.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

SESSION 2

JANUARY 18, 2015

The Holy Spirit Speaks Today

• 1 Corinthians 2:9-15; John 16:13-15

How does He speak?

• The Word

• The inner witness

 His voice (familiar …. John 10:4)

• Impressions

 Strong inner knowing, images that persist (Acts 15:28, 34; Acts 27:10)

 Can be wrong (see Acts 27:22-26)

• Doors …. Open or Closed …. 1 Corinthians 16:9; Colossians 4:3 …. Acts 16:6-7

• Others …. Casual (occasionally) …. Mature, consistent, leadership …. Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, prophecies …. Legitimate and illegitimate. Test by The Word, witness of the Spirit in your inner man, counsel of the wise and mature, track record of the messenger. Beware of relying solely on personal words or personal prophecies for practical direction. Listen to the Holy Spirit and don’t be afraid of silence. (1 Corinthians 13:9)

• Dreams, Visions …. Acts 2:17; Acts 16:9; 2 Corinthians 12:1, 2 …. Must pass the test of Word, Witness of the Spirit, and reliability over time.

How We Are Wired

 Spirit, Soul, Body

 Our Natural Condition

 Adam’s likeness …. Death

 Our Reborn Condition

 Connection and Investment are Essential!

 John 6:63 …. The Difference Maker!

 He is our Encourager, Comforter, Helper (Paraclete) (John 14:16)

 He is Just Like Jesus (John 14:16)

 He Lives In The Believer (John 14:17)

 He Will Teach Us And Remind Us Of Jesus’ Words (John 14:26)

 He Will Testify, Bear Witness Of Jesus (John 15:26) …. He always tells the truth!

 He Will Bear Witness, Reveal Sin, Righteousness, Judgment (John 16:7-9)

 He Will Guide Us Into The Truth! (John 16:13)

 He Will Glorify Jesus And Impart What Belongs To Us In Jesus (John 16:14, 15)

  He Speaks! (1Corinthians 2:9-12

 In your reborn spirit resides EVERYTHING the Lord has provided for you to succeed

and more than conquer every obstacle life brings!