God whose Son was once a man - YouTube
1 God whose Son was once a man on earth
gave His life that men may live.
Risen, our ascended Lord
fulfilled His promised word.
When the Spirit came, the Church was born,
God's people shared in a bright new dawn.
They healed the sick, they taught God's word,
they sought the lost, they obeyed the Lord.
And it's all because the Spirit came
that the world will never be the same,
because the Spirit came.
2 God whose power fell on the early Church,
sent to earth from heaven above;
Spirit led, by Him ordained,
they showed the world God's love.
When the Spirit came, the Church was born,
God's people shared in a bright new dawn.
They healed the sick, they taught God's word,
they sought the lost, they obeyed the Lord.
And it's all because the Spirit came
that the world will never be the same,
because the Spirit came.
3 Pour Your Spirit on the Church to day,
that Your life through me may flow;
Spirit filled, I'll serve Your name
and live the truth I know.
When the Spirit comes, new life is born,
God's people shared in a bright new dawn.
We'll heal the sick, we'll teach God's word,
we'll seek the lost, we'll obey the Lord.
And it's all because the Spirit came
that the world will never be the same,
because the Spirit came.
Words by Peter Horrobin.
Reading: Second Book of Chronicles, verses 1 to 12.
The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free (Walk in the Light) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube
Reading: First letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 1 to 11.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind (Lyric Video) - YouTube
In various places in scripture, the Holy spirit is described as giving gifts to believers. There is some difference between the lists, but probably the most comprehensive is in the Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 8 to 10.
The gifts here are listed as; Knowledge, Wisdom, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy, Distinguishing between Spirits, Speaking in Tongues, Interpreting Tongues.
Over the next few weeks, we are going to look as what these gifts may mean in the modern era.
This week, the gifts under consideration are Knowledge and Wisdom.
At first sight, they may appear to mean the same thing, but they are very different. Some years ago, on the Steve Wright show on Radio 2, there was a slot entitled “Ask Elvis”. In this slot, listeners could contact the show with questions for Elvis, these were then put to Elvis who would offer an answer. (Actually, the voice was provided by Mitch Benn, an impersonator). One day the question was “What is the difference between Knowledge and Wisdom?” Elvis’s reply was very simple and to the point. “It is knowledge to know that tomatoes are fruit, but it is wisdom not to put them in fruit salad!” Wisdom is knowing how to use the information that we know.
Some years ago, I was watching a film on television with my son, Nathan. The film was “Thunderbirds” and as we watched and talked, I made the observation that the film had been directed by Jonathan Frakes of “Star Trek, the Next Generation” fame. Nathan’s swift response was “How did you know that?”. My response at the time was to the effect that I listened to what people told me, and remembered what I read.
Sometimes, there are occasions in life when we are confronted with a difficult situation and we give an answer to a question. In our mind we might say “How did I know that?” This is a gift of knowledge.
Many years ago, I was a student, and was listening to the local radio. There was a speaker who was expanding on his theory that Jesus Christ visits the earth in a flying saucer! I felt that he had been given rather an easy ride by the presenter, and wrote in to say so. Shortly afterwards, I was contacted and invited to go in and give an alternative view.
When I arrived, I was expecting to answer a few questions about my Christian faith, and went in, mentally prepared for that. After I had been introduced, it was something of a surprise to be asked, live on air, “Well Mr Youdan, as a scientist, what is your explanation of flying saucers?”
In spite of my lack of preparedness for such a question I was able to answer and talk about the work of people who had de-bunked some of the more spectacular writers of the previous few years. I then turned the interview to the area I actually wanted to talk about, Christianity. After the interview, I thought “How did I know that?” The Holy Spirit had given me a gift of knowledge, that is how I knew that.
In the Old Testament, Solomon, when he was made king, God invited him to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule properly. God was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom and not for material possessions, and granted the wish. Solomon is well known for wisdom, and many stories attest to this. He had everything that a man could want, but he had the humility to ask for wisdom to use his assets wisely in God’s service.
Wisdom is not something that we can learn; it cannot be bought; it is not a birthright. But, we all know someone we consider to be wise, someone to whom we can turn when we need advice, or an opinion on something. But equally, there are times when we are asked for advice, and the asker goes away saying that we have really helped. Sometimes, we might not know where the solution came from. The Holy Spirit has given us a gift of wisdom.
The modern world is full of things that we are allowed to do. When we are asked to to some of them, we need to ask “I am allowed to do this. It is permitted, but is it wise?” In these situations we need to ask the Holy Spirit for a gift of wisdom, he will not fail us.
Spirit of holiness BLOW THE WIND SOUTHERLY - YouTube
Prayer:
Lord, we pray that your spirit may be poured out, not only non those who are already Christians, but on all people.
In a world full of conflicting drives and forces, we pray that your Spirit may take our powers and energies and bring them to fulfilment and harmony in your service, in building and not destroying.
We pray for all who seek truth, and thus honour you, even if unconsciously. May your spirit make true in their experience what Christ has achieved for the world.
We pray for people in all those situations of tension and conflict where the welfare of many depends on the welfare of a few. May your Spirit enable people to be honest, and to refuse to put personal advantage above the interests of others.
We pray for the poor and hungry of the world, the ill and the anguished, the dying and the bereaved. May your Spirit distribute both the skill and the love which can bring healing and true comfort.
In the name of Jesus.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment