Touré Roberts - Gifts of The Spirit - Part 1

If I want to dive right into the Word, let’s turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, beginning at verse 1. I’m so excited to continue our series on the Holy Spirit. It’s been a blessing, and we’ll do a quick recap shortly. Paul writes, «Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.» In other words, you can’t overlook this; ignorance is not bliss. You know that you were once Gentiles, those outside of the Covenant of God, right? And when you’re outside that Covenant, you end up doing all kinds of things. Paul is addressing the Church in Corinth, which, incidentally, like all of us, was once Gentiles. He reminds them, «You know that you were once Gentiles carried away by these mute idols.» «Mute» means they can’t speak, signifying unprofitable things—even some things we embrace now, believing they offer us protection. How many of us know it is nothing but the blood of Jesus and the hosts of heaven that provide true and lasting protection? Are you tracking with me? Because only the anointing breaks the yoke.

So, Paul is saying, «Now you know where you came from and how you were led away by these mute idols.» Then he states, «Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed.» That word «accursed» literally means «banned,» so no one speaking by the Spirit bans Jesus. We’ll discuss that later. «And no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.» There are different kinds of gifts—diversities, which means varieties (this is what that Greek word means). There are a variety of gifts, and «gifts» signifies divine graces. There are various divine graces, but the same Spirit. And there are differences in ministries; the same Greek word for 'varieties' applies here. There are varieties of ministries, ways to serve, but the same Lord.

Verse 6 states, «And there are a variety of activities,» which refers to operations, but it is the same God who works all in all. The manifestation of the Spirit—this word literally means the expression of the Spirit—expresses Himself differently. The expression of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. To one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit; to another, the word of knowledge through the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healings by the same Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, discerning of spirits; to another, different kinds of tongues; to another, the interpretation of tongues. Lastly, verse 11 says, «But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.» That word «distributing» in Greek can be better translated as «channeling.» So He is not giving one thing to one person; rather, He is channeling the essence of the whole to everyone in a way that is profitable in that moment.

Do you understand what I’m saying? It’s important because you might think, «Well, she prophesied; I don’t prophesy. I speak in tongues or I don’t speak in tongues. I have discerning of spirits.» We even need to talk about what that really is, but here is the reality: if you have the Spirit, you have the whole package. Since it belongs to God, it belongs to the Spirit, who decides how to channel it through others. Watch this—this won’t be about you; it will be about wherever the need is. One person does not have a monopoly on healing, prophecy, or miracles. All of us have access to the same source, and the source will determine how He channels it, when, and through whom.

Grab somebody’s hand if you can, and if you can’t, it’s okay; we understand. But if you can and are comfortable, go ahead. If not, we still love you. Don’t feel uncomfortable—just smile at the person and say, «Yes, I’m with you in the spirit.» You’re looking beautiful today! I see you, and I love you. Father, thank you so much for this moment that You have brought us into. Thank You for what You have been doing in our ministries, movements, churches, and conferences. You have been doing absolutely mind-blowing, overwhelming things that are evident of the reality of Your glory. It’s like a weight that’s not heavy; it is a weight, but it’s light because Your burdens, hallelujah, are easy. We love You, and we thank You.

Bless my neighbor, the person whose hand I’m holding right now. They need You in ways they might not even be able to express. They have problems they don’t even know about, and they have challenges that they do know about. God, there’s power in agreement. So even right now, I want to turn my attention to my neighbor, and I need my neighbor to be strong. So God, make them strong. If they need healing in their body, we thank You, God, that by Your stripes they are healed. We agree! Hallelujah! If they need wisdom and clarity…