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GWEA Monthly Messages
The "Fruit" and the "Gifts" of the Holy Spirit are Ministry Partners
REVEREND GORDON WILLIAMS, SEPTEMBER 2017
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In my ministry travels, I continue to hear people say that they want to receive the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit," but when I tell them they need to receive the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" also, they hesitate and express their dissatisfaction.
 The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, aid, mercy (Rom. 12:6–8); the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues languages, and the interpretation of tongues (languages) as outlined in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 12, verses 8 to 10.
The problem arises when people fail to understand that no one can receive the Fruit of the Holy Spirit without
 the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we cannot have the Gifts without the Fruit, nor the Fruit without the Gifts. They are partners in ministry where one cannot function without the other. The Holy Spirit “apportions (distributes) each gift of the Spirit individually” (1 Cor. 12:11).Many people are afraid to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They believe that they are too controversial. Well, of course they are! One could say the whole bible is disputable but that doesn't change the necessity for Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We all need to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) where the Holy Spirit becomes our comforter, guide, and our teacher. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are actually “Gifts of (God's) Grace” which result in “signs, wonders and miracles” (Heb. 2:3–4); and "unless we see signs, wonders and miracles, we will not believe" (Jn. 4:48).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are therapeutic, and to those who use them daily, a sense of physical and mental well being is achieved. We are "edified (built up) from the inside out" when we "pray in the spirit" (Eph. 6:18) using the Gift of Tongues (1 Cor. 14:4). We prevent ourselves from being "conformed to the world" when we use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in ministry. Paul explains, “Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (1 Cor. 12:2).
Jesus compares us to old wineskins. When we repent and receive forgiveness for our sins, He makes us into new wineskins. The new wine (of the Holy Spirit} cannot be put into old wineskins or it will burst, the wine will spill, and the skins will be destroyed. New wine skins are able to stretch enough to handle the rigorous fermentation process of the new wine. However, the old skins have already been used and are fully stretched. If they are used again for holding wine that is still in the process of fermenting, they will burst. The new wine of the Holy Spirit must be put into fresh wineskins so they are preserved.
"Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matt. 9:17)
We become "new wineskins" when we repent, and receive the (Baptism of the) Holy Spirit. We experience being "transformed by the renewing of our minds," and the Holy Spirit takes residence as God in us. Then, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit grows on fertile soil, taking a firm root and developing within us to maturity (Matt. 7:16-20).
 However, some people who receive the new wine, dislike its taste and prefer the old. This is problematic - the fermentation process of the new wine is unbearable to many so they succumb to or revert back to their old ways. The Holy Spirit requires our full cooperation! We need to "walk in the spirit (by praying in our tongues language) and not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Gal 5:16-18).The Holy Spirit desires that everyone develop the character of Jesus through witnessing, sharing the Gospel and doing the ministry (of Jesus Christ) in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these because I go to the Father” (Jn. 14:12).
Living daily under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and witnessing to others assures us of our Salvation (Rev. 12:11). As we use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we do the same ministry that Jesus did. When we are obedient to use His Grace Gifts, the Holy Spirit develops the “character of Jesus” in us, (Fruit of the Spirit), and in return, we become enlightened to an abundance of exciting ministerial opportunities.
However, many people who don't know the Holy Spirit, develop an unhealthy fear towards receiving Him. In fact, when I minister to children, I tell them that the Holy Spirit is a lot of fun! I’ll never forget the 2 brothers (8 and 10 years old) who once came to me for prayer. I asked them, “Would you like to receive the Holy Spirit into your heart?” The 8 year old said, “No! No! I’m afraid of Him!” I responded, “Don't be 'cause He’s a lot of fun!” The youngster asked, “Is He really?” "Well, let's find out," I replied.
I prayed with both of them as they held each other's hand to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came upon them and they fell to the floor speaking in their new tongues languages. Later, the 8 year old came to me and said with a big smile, “He really is a lot of fun!”
Whether children, adults, fathers, mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, etc., there is no age limit for Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 21). The Holy Spirit imparts His “joy in our hearts” (1 Thess. 1:6) and we can have the confidence that “we can do all things through Him who strengthens us” (Philip. 4:13).
 If you, a family member, loved one, and/or a friend, have not yet received Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or need prayer or a miracle in your life, please contact me.
If you need prayer, guidance or encouragement to hear the "Voice of the Holy Spirit", please contact me. "He who has an ear, let Him hear what the Holy Spirit says to the church!"
Yours in Jesus Christ,
 Copyright © 2017. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved
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"Do not neglect the gift you have..." (1 Timothy 4:11-13).
When Timothy received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, like Paul, he may have received the charismatic gift of speaking in tongues (languages) which would have been the normal initial evidence (Acts 2:4; Acts 15:8; 1 Corinthians 14:18). Like many of us, he did not use his gift. Problems arose which, Paul correctly concluded, were a result of Timothy neglecting to use, every day, "the gift which he received by prophetic utterance." To neglect to use the spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12 8-10) is to neglect the Holy Spirit. Physical and emotional disturbances occur when we don't use His gifts daily; fear, crying for no apparent reason, heart palpitations and a burning mouth. For any Christian, especially a pastor, the results can be devastating. When we stop using the gifts, we miss out on doing the ministry for which the gifts are given. It's true that the other aspects of the Christian walk (like being an example to others), are very important; the public reading of Scripture is important, as are preaching and teaching - but it's critical to use the gifts in order to meet other people's needs. We must use them every day.
Those who have not yet received spiritual gifts will, as they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The nine Beatitudes, found in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 5, verses 3 to 12), are a collection of Jesus' moral teachings and served as an introduction to His Sermon on the Mount. Basically, Jesus outlined in the Beatitudes the process involved in the development of a Christ-like character. Unfortunately many of our biblical translations do not adequately convey his teachings. One who is teachable in all things and will act on command when directed by the Lord to do something. This obedience results in moulding one's character into conformity with the character ‘of Christ, the full embodiment of the fruit of the Spirit. |
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