Have you ever had someone tell you about a scary spiritual experience they had when a spirit “manifested”? Maybe you’ve had an experience like that yourself. Or perhaps you’ve seen a scary movie about demons or ghosts “manifesting” themselves that got you thinking. A “manifestation” of a spirit would be solid evidence that you are dealing with an authentic spirit. A “manifestation” of a spirit suddenly makes the topic come alive and it moves from the theoretical to the actual. That is exactly what the manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit does. When you have a legitimate encounter with the spiritual gifts, God becomes real. You are no longer dealing with the theoretical or even the theological. You are now dealing with the true living God Who is revealing Himself by His Spirit.

Now I want to give you some further information in some spiritual matters. ^2-3 You have not forgotten that you were Gentiles, following dumb idols just as you had been taught. Now I want you to understand, as Christians, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God could call Jesus accursed, and no one could say that he is the Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. ^4-7 Men have different gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served. God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all. Each man is given his gift by the Spirit that he may make the most of it. 1Corinthians 12:1-7 Phillips Translation

As we study through the spiritual gifts may we all grow in grace together, discover our spiritual gifts and learn to live in the Spirit.

Pastor Mike