THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT – Lesson Five
FAITH (Cont’d.)
Definition: Supernatural ability to act in a time of crisis, when others are cowering.
Examples (Cont’d.): (b) 1 Samuel 17 – See V.1-24. [Note V.11, 24 – 11On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
24When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.
Application: Let us ask the Lord to help us to heed Philippians 1:28-29 (NLT) – 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.]
See V.25-42. [V.42 – He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.
Application: Let us thank the Lord for the important role that He has given to young people in Kingdom matters. 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 John 2:13-14 (GNT) – 13 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you have defeated the Evil One.
14 I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One.
Let us therefore ask the Lord to help young people, as well as all believers, to heed 1 John 2:15-17 (AMP) – 15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.]
See V.43-58. [V.50 – So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. The Halley’s Bible Handbook states: “… David’s offer, with only a staff and a sling, to take on Goliath, was an act of unheard-of bravery and Amazing Trust in God.”]
(c) Acts 11:19-26 – [V.22-24 – 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith – Examples: Acts 4:36-37 – 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
See Acts 9:19b-31 – [V.27 – But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.]
(d) Acts 27:13-44 – [V.21-25, 33-38 – 21After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
33Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food-you haven’t eaten anything. 34Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.]
General Application: Let us continue to seek the Lord for the manifestation of the Gifts of the Spirit.