FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP
THE GIFTS
OF THE SPIRIT – XVII
THE WORKING
OF MIRACLES - II
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of
miracles…
Review: We have seen over the last few posts that the
gospel was absolutely intended to be communicated not just in word, but in
demonstration of power; specifically with healings and casting out of demons. The gospel message is not a religious
philosophy to be believed; but a command to repent, with an explanation of the divine
rescue plan executed in Yahushua Messiah that enables man to change allegiance
from one kingdom to another. Healing the
sick and casting out demons is a demonstration of the authority of the Kingdom
that men are commanded to obey. It is
the proof that such a transition of kingdoms is possible; and it opens the door
to that Kingdom for them by making the Kingdom “draw nigh/near” the people who
witness its power in operation. The power gifts of the Spirit are the workhorse
of the church of Yahushua, constantly demonstrating the supremacy of the
Kingdom of Heaven, constantly bringing the Kingdom near to those who need to gain
entrance to it.
We
also have mentioned throughout this study on the gifts of the Spirit that most
of the gifts have a “trigger,” some essential characteristic that enhances and
strengthens the operation of the gifts.
We have discussed that the trigger for the word of knowledge and the
word of wisdom is the fear of IAUE. Love
is the trigger for the gift of faith.
Compassion is the trigger for the gifts of healing. So, what is the trigger for the gift of the
working of power (miracles)?
Do
you remember what Paul told the Corinthian disciples?
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of IAUE.
2 For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Yahushua Messiah, and him
crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear,
and in much trembling.
4 And my
speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power(dunamis):
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in
the power (dunamis) of IAUE.
Most who read this passage of Scripture never make the
connection between Paul’s weakness, fear and trembling with the demonstration
of the Spirit and power of IAUE in Paul’s preaching, the signs and wonders that
accompanied his presentation of the gospel.
Note his reference to determining to know only “Yahushua
Messiah, and him crucified.”
Later in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul said:
2
Corinthians 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Messiah speaking in me, which to
you-ward is not weak, but is mighty (dunateo –
full of dunamis/power) in you.
4 For though he was crucified through weakness,
yet he liveth by the power (dunamis) of IAUE. For we also
are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power (dunamis) of IAUE toward you.
This
weakness (astheneo
– weakness, lacking in strength, to be powerless) is the antithesis of
power. Paul understood that there was
only one real obstacle to the power of IAUE operating freely through him, and
that obstacle was him. To the degree
that Paul regarded himself capable, the ability/power of IAUE was restrained. To the degree that Paul had confidence in
himself, or drew attention to himself, the power of IAUE was diminished. The strength/ability of man and the power of
IAUE are diametrically opposed to each other.
The manifestation of the power of IAUE is directly proportional to the
weakness of man.
The apostle makes this truth abundantly clear
as he shares his personal testimony with the Corinthian disciples.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest
I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet
me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 Three times I besought the Master about
this, that it should leave me;
9 but he said to me, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power (dunamis)
is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of
my weaknesses, that the power(dunamis) of Messiah may rest
upon me.
10 For the sake of Messiah, then, I am
content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for
when I am weak, then I am strong (dunatos - powerful).
[Before
we can discuss this passage, I believe we need first to deal with the issue of
Paul’s thorn in the flesh, because it “appears” to be in conflict with aspects
of the redemption in Messiah Yahushua that are provided to us through the shed
blood of Messiah. First, it is undeniable that to Paul was given greater
revelation and insight into the Truth than any man alive in his day. Also, that
signs and wonders worked freely through his ministry was evident. Paul also explained the purity of his Hebrew upbringing
as a Pharisee (Philippians 3:4-6) and that he was taught the law by Gamaliel
himself (Acts 22:3). If any man had reason to think highly of himself, it was
Paul. When the Scripture says to him was
given a “thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him,” it does
not mean Paul had a demon or that he had some physical infirmity. A “thorn in the flesh” is the term that is
used in the Old Testament to describe the peoples (Gibeonites, Jebusites, and
certain of the Canaanites) that the children of Israel did not destroy when
they took their tribal possessions within the promised land. These peoples became a nuisance and a constant
source of trouble (thorns in their flesh and pricks in their eyes). These
heathen peoples do represent demonic spirits; but this passage says they were
sent to “buffet” Paul. This word “buffet”
(kolaphidzo)
literally means “to strike with the fist.”
Virtually everywhere Paul went to spread the gospel he was struck with
the fist, beaten, stoned, whipped, etc.
This demonic spirit followed him everywhere constantly enticing the locals
to physically abuse Paul. When Paul
thrice entreated Messiah to remove this “thorn in the flesh,” the answer he
received was that his grace was sufficient…the power that was given to Paul
that enabled him to do the Master’s will was enough. The attacks on his flesh, on his body, only
made the power of IAUE greater in his life.
The thorn in the flesh was only creating the opposite effect in the life
and ministry of the apostle from that which was desired by the demon. In
essence, the demon was being “used” by the Master to magnify the gospel through
Paul. The Master assured Paul that his
grace would carry him through the hardships he encountered.]
Power
is made perfect through weakness.
Weakness
is the trigger of the gift of the working of power. This is a major reason why the power of IAUE
is so seldom evidenced in Christian churches around the world. Most churches are actively involved in doing
one of two things: 1) Supporting the ministry
of some dynamic personality, making him out to be something special or
important. People drive hundreds of
miles or fly across the country just to be in their services to sit in the
presence of these preachers. 2)
Maintaining the day to day operation of traditional churches. These are focused on having enough people in
attendance to contribute in the offering plates sufficient monies to keep the
churches functioning…paying for their various budget items. In both circumstances, there is no weakness,
no fear, no trembling before IAUE out of concern that their flesh might seek
attention for even a moment.
In
my personal experience, every single time I have been asked to speak, or even
just to prepare for a regular weekly Bible study I was teaching; and the Holy
Spirit refused to talk to me, to give me His leading as to what I should teach,
or even to give me a topic to present (using my already-obtained knowledge of
the subject), I approached the actual moment of having to make my presentation
with such weakness and helplessness, because I knew that I had absolutely
nothing to say. In those times, His
power was always more greatly manifested. His anointing was always the
strongest. They were also the most
uncomfortable times in my life because I was totally out of control. I had
absolutely nothing to offer. I was weak;
but when I was weak, His power was strong.
Many
years ago in Argentina, a girl named Annie was dramatically delivered of evil
spirits and was transformed into a new creature in Messiah. Messiah explained in the Scriptures that the
one who is forgiven much, loves much.
This girl was so grateful for her deliverance that she spent her days in
prayer, pressing into the presence of the one who had captured her heart. She explained that it would often take three
hours before being escorted into His presence; and once there, IAUE would give
her visions and revelations; which she was instructed to record in a diary. She became well known both for the dramatic
deliverance she received as well as for the regular visions and revelations
IAUE had given to her. She was invited
to speak in churches and to share her visions fairly often. One day she was invited to be the guest
speaker at a large youth conference. In
preparation for that event, IAUE asked her if she would like to see His
greatest power. Of course she said, “Yes,”
and then in a vision He escorted her down a trail, and shortly they came upon a
large vat with steam bubbling from the top and the ground was shaking around
it. She though surely this must be His
greatest power; but the Father ignored it and continued to walk her down the
trail. They then came upon a large vat
that was covered with storm clouds, and lighting and thunder caused it to
appear ominous and threatening, and she thought again, “This must it.” Still, the Father continued to walk past
until they came up to a vat that had absolutely no activity visible around it
at all; and IAUE said, “This is it. This
is my greatest power.” It was labeled “Weakness.” Annie did not understand the vision at all…until
the night of the event.
When
she was introduced, she still had not received any direction from IAUE as to
which vision to share with this crowded hall of young people. She took the podium and thought of a vision
she would share, but got a strong, “No,” from the Holy Spirit. Still another vision came to mind to share
with the people, and again, the Spirit told her, “No.” Standing in silence in front of all these
people who had come to hear of the visions of Annie, she knew she could say
nothing at all for nothing was given to her to speak. Annie broke, and began to weep in front of
the crowd. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit
began sweeping through the audience, healing many, causing demons to flee from
many, others were born again, others were filled with the Spirit. The place was absolutely overwhelmed by the
power of IAUE, which was released through the weakness of this one who refused
to draw upon any strength within herself for the occasion.
Do
you recall what we called the first lesson in discipleship? “Take my yoke
upon you and learn of me, for I am meek
and lowly in heart.” This
lesson is not just a means of making us the kind of disciple Messiah wants us
to become; it is also to incline our hearts to weakness so His power can be
made perfect within us.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship IAUE in the spirit, and rejoice in Messiah Yahushua, and have no confidence in the flesh…
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship IAUE in the spirit, and rejoice in Messiah Yahushua, and have no confidence in the flesh…
10 That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death;
It
isn’t US who casts out demons, or performs miraculous things. These are manifestations of the power of the
Spirit of holiness within us. That power
is released in direct proportion to our laying our lives down that the life of
Messiah might be lived through us. The
gift of the working of power may be found freely in living sacrifices (Rom
12:1-2). When we abide in Messiah and
he abides in us, and we allow HIM to live through us, that is when we are weak,
and he is strong.
Next
week: The gift of prophecy
Kingdom
heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the
performance of the will of IAUE.
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