- 1 Corinthians 14:1
Here lies the simplicity of the Spirit filled life. Jesus was fully man. He was born of a virgin to remain sinless here on earth, but He gave up His divine nature. He took on our likeness and ministered the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
- Philippians 2:5-7
He not only paved a way for us to enter His Kingdom, but he also demonstrated how to minister the Gospel as a child of God rather than as God. The ministry of Jesus did not begin until the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him. The Spirit of God was the key to Jesus' ministry and He is the key to ours.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
- Matthew 3:16
Pursue Love
When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus. He, as man, received sonship when he heard God say, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." This is love. We cannot minister to others unless we have a revelation of God's love for us.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
- 1 John 4:8
They key to God's love is to see yourself as a son (or daughter).
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
- Galatians 4:7
Sonship unlocks the Kingdom to believers. Did Jesus know who he was? Yes he did, but this act formally demonstated to the world the crucial revelation we must have, sonship. Sonship is what gives us the confidence in our Father which enables us to love without fear of being hurt and love without the intent of getting something. In sonship, we have everything we need emotionally and physically.
Desire Spiritual Gifts
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
The manifestations of the Spirit profit all. What are they for? Paul doesn't say here, but the task at hand is discipling nations and preaching the Gospel to every creature. This is an impossible task. However, we have been given a Helper Who specializes in the impossible. His gifts are the tools we are equipped with to minister His love.
Especially That You May Prophesy
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
- 1 Corinthians 14:3
Prophecy is the superior gift. It is through prophecy that we can strengthen, encourage, and comfort a world in need and the broken Body of Christ.
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