In our last lesson called: “Developing Your Specific Sanctified Gifts” We began to learn about the gifts God gives through Faith, which He provides as a vehicle to manifest the gifts of His grace to the ones called by Him to be His own. Today’s lesson reveals both the origin and the spiritual energy necessary that comes through ” Believing God To Empower Your Gifts”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Genesis 15:1 – 6 (KJV)
Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Gen 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Gen 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Corinthians 1:1 – 9 (KJV)
1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1Co 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Co 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) The life of the Patriarch Abraham is a good example of the results of a relationship of grace being provided by God after being chosen by God to receive a blessing of a gifted life filled with the purposes and the mission of God to provide through him salvation for all others who would believe in his coming seed, Jesus Christ.
2) In like manner, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians to make them (and us) aware of the same idea concerning God’s calling and gifts, for the purposes of providing grace through the seed of Abraham (i.e. Jesus Christ) and a life of fruitfulness which produces overflow to others who also are being called to faith, which produces more and more people who become empowered to be saved. (Which promotes righteousness in the world and glorifies God)
3) Through the exercise of our faith, (which means believing God’s Word which is all about Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son) we are being equipped for every good work and purpose which God has ordained for each of us, which ultimately empowers of gifts to be ornaments of His Glory!
Scriptural Support Passages: Philippians 2:12 – 15 (KJV)
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;