By Pastor Kevin
A while ago, Renee and I were in Florida watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. At that moment, a thought filled my heart: There is another world, another realm, under that water. I’ve experienced it enough to know there are sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, a variety of fish life—from large to small, safe to dangerous, beautiful to scary. We began to talk about another world, another realm—a realm of the supernatural that is around us, just waiting to be tapped into and experienced!
Some have seen enough to know the supernatural realm is there, but like the depths of the sea they never go in deep enough to discover and enjoy it. Others even deny that the supernatural realm is for us. And the power of the Holy Spirit was for “them,” a different time, but it’s not for us today.
I have good news for you today—the supernatural realm of the Kingdom is for you! The Spirit-filled life is for you! It is critical in these last days that we, as the Body of Christ, are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Time is short. There will be a final outpouring of God’s Spirit—an outpouring of power. We will need to gather a massive harvest of souls into the Kingdom.
It’s not our “programs” that will transform people’s lives, transform this city and nation… it’s a PERSON! It’s going to be an encounter with the Living God, the God that still heals the sick, that still speaks to His people, and still does miracles.
Join me on a journey as we study God’s Word and find out what He has to say about the Spirit-Filled Life!
Wisdom
Knowing What To Do
We are all called to “get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:5), but the gift of wisdom is when the Holy Spirit gives His people insight to the best choice from God’s perspective. When given multiple options, routes, or choices, wisdom reveals the best decision and application. Joseph displayed the gift of wisdom with how to manage the drought and famine coming to Egypt (Genesis 41).
Knowledge
Knowing Things Supernaturally
God knows about everything. Any time we receive a word from the Holy Spirit that we couldn’t have known on our own, that’s the gift of knowledge. It may be supernaturally knowing someone’s name, family situation, or healing need. Both Paul and Ananias displayed this gift in Acts 9.
Faith
Bold Faith in Action
Each individual has been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), but there are moments when the Holy Spirit will give an extra surge of faith and confidence in God’s power, presence, and promises. In Matthew 14, Peter displayed this gift when he walked on water.
Healing
Wholeness to the Body
Jesus walked in the gifts of healing on numerous accounts, and invites His disciples to “heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse the lepers” in Matthew 10:8. Peter and John display this gift to the crippled man at the gate Beautiful, and Paul operated in the gifts of healing so much that even his handkerchiefs would heal those who touched them.
Miracles
Heaven on Earth
Dr. David Yonggi Cho defined the gift of miracles as “a remarkable or surprising event that happens by the direct intervention of God, not following the general known laws of nature.” This can manifest in many ways; a floating axe head (2 Kings 6), multiplication of food (1 Kings 17, Matthew 14), parting waters (2 Kings 2, Exodus 14), and walking on water (Matthew 14).
Prophecy
Saying What God Says
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. Prophecy is hearing what God says or seeing what God sees and then declaring it for the instruction, edification, and benefit of others. Jesus Christ prophesied His own death and resurrection years before it happened in John 2. Agabus also prophesied to the Apostle Paul that in the future he would be arrested and bound in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-12), but it was for the purpose of preaching the Gospel in Jerusalem and in Rome (Acts 23:11).
Discernment
Knowing the Spirit
Both angels and demons work in supernatural ways, and the gift of discernment sheds light on the motive and spirit someone may be operating from. This isn’t discernment of people but of the spirit behind the person. Jesus showed this when He rebuked Peter (Matthew 16), and Paul showed this when he cast out a spirit from the woman with the spirit of divination (Acts 16).
Tongues
Heaven’s Language
This gift enables the Holy Spirit to speak on your behalf (Romans 8) and for the spiritual edification of oneself (1 Corinthians 14). Paul writes, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” This gift is great for when you want to pray but are unsure of what to pray. Many call it the “prayer language.”
Interpretation
Decoding Heaven’s Languages
Interpretation of tongues goes hand in hand with the public gift of tongues. This is when the Holy Spirit opens your ears to interpret what someone says when they are praying in tongues. Since the gift of tongues is directed toward God and not man (Romans 14:2), the interpretation is in the same nature and is exalting and praising God (Acts 2:11; 1 Corinthians 14:16).
