Old Testament Scripture Reading: Proverbs 18:10 – 16 (NASB)
Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Pro 18:11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
Pro 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.
Pro 18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.
Pro 18:14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
Pro 18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Pro 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Acts 2:36 – 41 (KJV)
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Spiritual Gifts are a blessing from God which are given by God to empower the believer for their God-ordained purposes in life which are associated with God’s plan and purposes for them to utilize for His glory as stated by Solomon and many other Biblical writers.
2) God The Holy Spirit has applied gifts in many forms throughout all of human history but has done so in a more intimate manner in New Testament times because Jesus’ sacrifice has allowed each believer in God’s Gospel to have an internal dwelling of the Spirit to seal and empower them for everything necessary in this life to be a vessel useful for God’s divine purposes.
3) Spiritual gifts are designed by God and administered to and through each believer and can be better understood and applied through biblical meditation, spiritual fellowship, fasting and prayer, and should be used to build up (edify) the Church.
