The Charismatic Gifts of the Spirit Part 5

“The Gift of Faith”

 

This is the fifth lesson in our series on The Gifts of the Spirit. In the past lessons we have discussed the nine gifts of the spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

 

1 Corinthians 12:7-11: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8. for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9. to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10. to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

 

These gifts are a manifestation of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in an individual believer’s life as opposed to the ministry gifts as described later in the chapter and again in Ephesians 4:7, 11-13.

 

We learned that the giving of these gifts is a manifestation of God’s Grace in our lives.

We said God’s grace was a key attribute of God, it is free, it is God’s Sovereign choice,

it comes only through Jesus Christ, it is only given to the humble, it comes only by faith and is administered by the Holy Spirit, it is revealed in Jesus and applied in our lives by the Holy Spirit. Several examples of grace gifts are salvation, healing, the giving of the law, God’s longsuffering and forbearance being only a few. As we continue with this study I want you to remember to concentrate on three things, the riches of God’s grace, the abundance of God’s grace and the variety of God’s grace.

 

We then differentiated between the ministry Gifts as listed in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 12 and also in Ephesians 4 from the gifts of our text. I refer you to lesson 2 for further information.

 

Gifts of the Spirit:                                                  Ministry Gifts:

Word of Wisdom                                                      Apostles

Word of God Knowledge                                        Prophets

Discerning of spirits                                                 Evangelist

The Gift of Faith                                                      PastorsGift of Healings                                                        Teachers

Gift of Miracles                                                       Gifts of Healings

Gift of Prophecy                                                      Gifts of Miracles

Tongues                                                                    Helps         

Interpretation of Tongues                                        Adminstrations     

 

So we see that God in his infinite wisdom and grace has given us gifts, both individually and as a church for the benefit of all. They are for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all come into  the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man to the measure of the fullness of Christ.

 

Today we are beginning our study of the “power gifts” or those gifts that do something as opposed to the previous three gifts of Word of Wisdom, Knowledge and Discerning of Spirits that reveal something. The first gift we are going to discuss is the Gift of Faith.

 

1 Corinthians 12:7-9: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  8.  for to one is given …    to another faith by the same Spirit..

 

This gift of faith is our topic today. It is a special manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is different from our general faith and it is important for us to understand the difference.

 

Romans 12: 3: 3.  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

Romans 10:17: 17.  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

 

So then, to sum up these three verse we hear the Word of God , it produces that measure of faith in us and it leads to the grace of salvation. That special gift of God that is our new birth in Christ, the creation of a new creature one filled with the life of God. AMEN!

 

This is sometimes called our saving grace. I believe that it is the seed of all faith in our life. God plants that seed of faith in us, it leads to salvation and then grows stronger as we continue to feed it daily from God’s Word.  It is sometimes referred to as our general faith. That faith that that sustains us in our daily walk, that faith that we use to believe in God’s Word for every promise contained within it.

 

Mark 11:22-24: 22.  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.

23. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.  24.  "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 

Matthew 21:19-22: 19.  And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again.'' And immediately the fig tree withered away. 20.  Now when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?''  21. So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.  22.  "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive..

 

These Scriptures are referring to the same event in the life of Jesus, the cursing of the fig tree. It is when Jesus teaches us about our basic faith, a faith that sustains us daily, a faith that leads us to believe the Word of God no matter what. It is the faith we feed daily so that it becomes stronger in our lives so that the promises of God become a reality  in our daily life, not just words in a book. Amen?

 

This daily faith is not the gift of faith. The gift of faith we are studying today is a special manifestation of God in the believer’s life. It is an overwhelming burst of faith that gives us as believers the ability to believe for miracles, it also enables us to perform miracles. I believe it is mentioned first in the list of power gifts, because without that burst of faith I do not believe the gift of miracles or healings can be performed. I also believe that in certain cases it is given to the unbeliever so that miracles can be performed in their lives.

Just remember, it is a gift, given as the spirit wills, not something we turn on and off light a light switch.

 

Let’s look at a few examples of the gift of faith in both the Old and New Testament.

 

1 Kings 17:1-5: 1.  And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.''  2.  Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

3. "Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.  4.  "And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.''  5.  So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 

 

We often hear of this event in the life of Elijah the Prophet. Elijah was a devoted man of God, but to live by a brook and expect the animals to feed you daily takes a special kind of faith, many believe this is the gift of faith in action. The same it true in another event in this famous prophet’s life.

 

1 Kings 18:17-27: 17.  Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?''  18.  And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and you have followed the Baals.  19.  "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.''  20.  So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.  21.  And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.'' But the people answered him not a word.  22.  Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  23.  "Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it.  24.  "Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.'' So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken.''

25. Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.''
26. So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!'' But there was no voice; no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they had made.
27. And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.'' 28.  So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.  29.  And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.  30.  Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me.'' So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.  31.  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name.''  32.  Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.
28. And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.''
29. Then he said, "Do it a second time,'' and they did it a second time; and he said, "Do it a third time,'' and they did it a third time.  35.  So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.  36.  And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel, and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
30. "Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.''  38.  Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39.  Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!''

 

Both these examples show Elijah being put in a position of great danger unless God showed up in a mighty way. It takes great faith, a special faith to believe for these

miracles.

 

Let’s look at one more example in the Old Testament.

 

Daniel 3:12-17: 12.  "There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.''  13.  Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.

14. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
15. "Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?''  16.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17.  "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

 

This is the event in the lives of the three friends of Daniel who were brought into captivity with him, they had refused to bow down to the image of King Nebuchadnezzar that he had built. They knew it would result in their death, but nevertheless they refused to give in to idolatry. They knew God and trusted Him, but to stand in the door of the fiery furnace with calmness takes that special gift of faith and God sustained them with this gift of faith, by even being present in the furnace with them!

 

Let’s look at a few New Testament examples.

 

Mark 4:35-40: 35.  On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side.''  36.  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  37.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  38.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?''

39. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!'' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  40.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?''

 

This is an example of the gift of faith supplementing every day faith. The boat was sinking, but Jesus slept through it, however when His disciples woke him, he used his

general faith to calm the storm surrounding him. Many times God will give us that extra faith to help us when danger surrounds us, all the examples we see are just that times when lives were in danger.

 

Let’s look at an example in the life of Paul.

 

Acts 27:8-25: 8.  Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.  9.  Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,  10.  saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.''  11.  Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.  12.  And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.  13.  When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.  14.  But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.  15.  So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.  16.  And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.  17.  When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.  18.  And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.  19.  On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.  20.  Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.  21.  But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  22.  "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  23.  "For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,  24.  "saying, `Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'  25.  "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

 

This event took place on the journey to Rome, Paul was already a prisoner of the Roman Empire at this time. This is an example of several gifts of the spirit in action. The first is the gift of  wisdom. Paul was shown by the spirit that to continue to Rome at this time would end in disaster, which it did. Then God sent an angel to reassure Paul that his life would be spared thus strengthening his faith, with this word to sustain him and help Paul encourage those with him.  This is the special gift of faith. You must remember that by this time they had been at sea in a raging storm for two weeks. I don’t care how strong your faith is, when you are bombarded on all sides, there are times it might waiver and God in his infinite wisdom and mercy will give you that extra “oomph” of faith, the gift of faith  to get you through! Amen!

 

Let’s look at two more examples, one in the life of Jesus and one in the life of the apostles.

 

Luke 7:12-15: 12.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep.''  14.  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise.''

15. And he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

 

Jesus told us the work that he did we would do and greater.

 

John 14:12: 12.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

 

We will do greater works because of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had compassion for this mother who had lost her only son. This is an example of all three power gifts of the spirit. The gift of faith to raise the dead, the gifts of healing and miracles to accomplish the act. You cannot raise the dead without the presence of all three. If you raised the dead without healing them physically, they would immediately die of the same affliction. But here again

we see it is as the spirit wills, Jesus was moved with compassion and the spirit stepped in and supplemented His faith to accomplish this act. God through the Holy Spirit chose to honor Jesus’ act of compassion and raise the dead.

 

Acts 3:1-11: 1.  Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  2.  And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;  3.  who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.  4.  And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us.''

5. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.''  7.  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
7. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God.  9.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
8. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
9. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.

 

Let’s consider a few things. The Word tells us that this man laid by the gate every day of His life. That means that Jesus walked by him everytime he went into the temple. It was not until Peter and John went by that the Holy Spirit chose to intervene. If we look at our text we see Peter and John stopping when he asked for alms. Why did they stop this time and not some other time. Here again, the intervention of the Holy Spirit was at work. They followed the leading of the Spirit, stopped and looking at the man saw something different in him, the desire to receive something. I believe that the gift of faith was working in all three men. In Peter and John to perform the gift of healing and in the man to receive that gift. Amen!

 

This gift of faith prepares us to give and receive. It is a somewhat passive gift in that in itself it does nothing, but when added to the general faith of the believer or put into the heart of a hungry unbeliever will produce miracles. Amen!

 

I believe that this gift of faith is mentioned before the other two power gifts of working of miracles and the gift of healing because it is needed to activate the other two. Next month we will look at the other two gifts, the working of miracles and the gift of healing.

 

Lord, I pray for the manifestation of the gifts of the spirit in our lives. Lord I pray for your power to be manifested in the body of Christ so that more will come to believe in you and your saving grace, that miracles, healing and other gifts of the spirit will be manifested so that you may be glorified. Lord these are perilous time and we need your power in our lives more than ever, Show yourself in power in our lives. In Jesus Name Amen.