Biblical

The Gathering Together – Our Hope

There are many story lines and many ideas that the World uses or touts as truth that, in fact, are truths
taken from the Bible and twisted to fit a different agenda. One of these truths is called The Gathering
Together. However, the secular World call it the ascendance.
The way secular man has described it is when man get’s smart enough here on Earth then they become
enlightened and then turn into energy or light and float off into a different dimension or higher reality. I
have seen this portrayed in all sorts of movies and in writings from popular writers of today. I don’t want
to name names because I want to focus on God and the things of God. But, I bet if you thought about it
for a minute you could come up with at least three articles or movies where this was the topic.
This concept, although based in the Bible, is totally in error! The truth is much bigger and much more
exciting than that. First, no one ever will “ascend” by being smart, nor will anyone “ascend” by how
good they are. Also, no one will “ascend” just because mankind has evolved! Why?
You have to understand that this World is temporary. Everything in it is temporary. The trees, the seas,
the birds, fish and animals are temporary. At some point in time all of this will vanish away and a new
Heaven and a new Earth will take it’s place.
Because we are temporal (earthly,) and temporary, most of us will die, and because Adam committed
high treason and gave his dominion of the Earth to the Devil and because Israel rejected the Messiah,
Jesus Christ and because the Devil crucified Jesus Christ when he had no right to AND finally because
God Raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated him on His own right hand, it became available for
anyone to “ascend.” The prerequisite is to confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, Jesus as Lord in your
life and to believe that God not only had the power to, but, actually raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
By doing this you are given a spiritual body. You don’t have to wait for it. It is created in you in a
moment of time. That “moment” in the Bible is the word “atom.” That is how quick God creates spirit in
you. Not in a minute, not in a second, not in a split second BUT in an atom of time. This sets the
Christian up for the gathering together.
Did you know that the only people going to heaven are Christians? Thaaat’s right! Everyone else, if they
are good in this life, are promised paradise which is here on the new Earth.
There are two scriptures that I want to share with you and the first is in I Corinthians chapter 15.
1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (died).
1 Corinthians 15:21-24 (KJV)
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he
shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (KJV)
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may
chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts,
another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and
the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:
for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a
quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that
which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also
that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
There is so much information in this short that I can’t cover it all in this article, but, I do want to point
out a few things. First, there is a resurrection of the good people and a second resurrection of the bad orevil people. The good people, those not born again of God’s spirit live in eternity in paradise. The evil
ones are banished from God’s presence. But, there is another group that are not resurrected because to
be resurrected everyone must be dead. This group is given a pass to heaven long before the
resurrections. This record in I Thessalonians talks about what happens to the Christians.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them (the Christians) which are
asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them (the Christians) also which
sleep (are dead and waiting for return of Jesus Christ) in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent (this is the old English word for precede) them which are
asleep (dead).
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The dead Christians rise first and then the Christians that are still living at the first return of our
Lord Jesus Christ will be changed. Changed into what? Spiritual Beings! That’s what! Then it
says we meet the Lord in the air, so shall we ever be with the Lord. Where is Jesus Christ now?
In Heaven! Where will he be in the future? In Heaven! Where will the Christians be? In Heaven!
That is why it says in Ephesians chapter two that we are already seated in Heaven!
Here is another point. There are TWO (2) returns of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first is his return
for his saints, the Christians. The second time he returns it is with his saints.
Ephesians 2:4-9 (KJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together (made us spiritually alive) with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The comfort of I Thess.4:18 is in knowing that no matter how temporary our lives may be and no
matter how many trials and tribulations your endure in this life, there is a time coming that not
only you, but, your loved ones who are Christians and all other Christians, that have died, are
gathered together at the same time as spiritual beings and then hand in hand, rejoicing as we go,
go to Heaven!

A Study of I Corinthians 14 (Part 2)

In our continued study of I Corinthians chapter fourteen we will proceed with verses twenty
three through forty.
Remember we are dealing with the operations of the manifestations of the gift of holy spirit
WITHIN the church (group of believers.)
1 Corinthians 14:23-40 (KJV)
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and
there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
One of the greatest deceptions by the Devil himself is to use well meaning Christians to queer
the use of the manifestations so that when level headed people, Christians or not, look at the
goings on in the Church that they become repulsed by the insanity. That is what was happening
in the Church in Corinth AND it is happening today in the Pentecostal Churches today. Sheer
insanity. Multiple people speaking in tongues all at one time. In today’s Churches there is rolling
in the isles, slain in the spirit and a multitude of other nonsense that only hurts the church.
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is
convinced of all, he is judged of all:
“All” at once? No, a thousand times no. Hang in there because Paul is about to tell us HOW and
WHEN to operate the manifestations in the Church.
When faithful believers prophesy people are edified and loving reproved.
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will
worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a
doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.
Let me point out that there is nothing wrong with the manifestations. What is wrong is the
peoples misuse of those manifestations. For example, if someone gave me a trumpet and I played
it in a band or in front of a crowd that paid to see me play that would be proper usage of the
trumpet. But, if I took that trumpet and started blowing it in a library or where someone is giving
a speech it would be wrong usage. Nothing wrong with the trumpet!
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by
course; and let one interpret.
So, HERE is how it is supposed to be done! If, in the Church, a person speaks in tongues, he
must interpret and let only two or the most three speak in tongues and interpret or prophesy and
let one speak and when he/she is done the next one can speak and after him the third can speak.
“let one interpret” should be let THAT one interpret. There is no such thing as one speaking in
tongues and another interpreting, period.28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself,
and to God.
If you don’t know how to speak in tongues AND interpret then you should sit there and be quite.
You can always speak in tongues quietly praying perfect prayers.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
If there are men/women with a gift ministry let them speak, in course, first, second, third and let
the others in the congregation weigh their words.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
That is right! God is at work, by revelation, with in the gift ministries. One prophet may receive
revelation from God and not the other. So, the one that did not receive revelation is to sit there
and be quiet.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
“Ye,” ye who? Ye, the prophets, ye the ones ordained of God, may all prophesy, if God reveals
things to you, but it has to be one by one so that the whole congregation is edified and
comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Let me shout this so that you understand THE SPIRIT OF THE PROPHETS IS SUBJECT TO
THE PROPHETS. That means that there is NONE of this stuff of God using or taking over the
person. No gibberish, no crazy antics only harmony and order! Any time you cannot control the
spirit qwithin it is not holy spirit, it is from the devil.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but
they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
Verse 34 has been used to literally oppress women. People have used this to say women have no
place for leadership or speaking in the Church. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The body
of Christ is made up of both Jews and Gentiles as well as Men and Women! We have ALL
become a member of the body of Christ and as such have inalienable rights within the body. That
includes the operation of ALL of the manifestations of holy spirit as well as God prerogative to
call any one of us, man or woman, to the ministry.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for
women to speak in the church.36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
What are verses 34 through 36 saying? Who are they speaking to? In the Church at Corinth men
of God would bring their families to Church. These men of God, prophets, would get revelation
from God and they would start to speak and their wives would interrupt them and try to correct
or ask them something. Could you imagine Moses or Joshua or Elijah standing before the
Children of Israel and laying it on the line as God had told them and right in the middle their
wife interrupts them?? That wouldn’t have lasted more than five seconds. However, it was
happening in the Church at Corinth. God says, you wives be quiet! If you want to talk to your
husbands do it at home!
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that
I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Amen to that! Thousand maybe millions of born again Christians with all the latent abilities that
God put in every Christian and, yet, they refuse to operate, they refuse to listen and they fight
against the commandments of God.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
And the sum of this whole chapter is LET ALL THINGS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH,
BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER!
What a wonderful God and what a wonderful opportunity we have to bless the Church when we
know HOW to speak in tongues and interpret AND prophesy

A Study of I Corinthians 14 (part one)

Without an understanding of the connection between I Corinthians chapter twelve, thirteen and
fourteen you will not get the great understanding of I Corinthians chapter fourteen. As we saw, in
previous articles, chapter twelve deals with the gift of holy spirit and the operations of that gift.
Chapter thirteen teaches us that there is a better way than needing gift ministries of apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and that is for each member of the body of Christ to
operate the love of in the renewed mind in manifestation. Therefore, each one of us builds up the
body of believers. Now in chapter fourteen God is explaining how to conduct ourselves within a
group of Christians.
In studying I Corinthians chapter fourteen we have to, as we go through it, use the principles of
Biblical research that I have taught in previous articles, namely 1) when using the King James
Version of the Bible the italicized words were man added and could be correct or they could be
way off base. Howbeit, they have no authority and we can keep them or delete them as the
scripture dictates. 2) we have to use the Greek to see if the words were translated correctly. 3)
We must understand the context.
1 Corinthians 14:1-22 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Charity is the love of God that we as Christians manifest when we study the Bible and practice
the principals directly given to the Christians.
The word “gifts” is in italics and is wrongly supplied. The Greek word is pheumaticos and means
things of the spirit or spiritual matters. But, more so, that you may prophesy. Where? Why?
We are talking about “HOW” to conduct ourselves in the Church. So, when we are in a body of
believers we are to Pursue a walk of love and covet the things of the spirit, but, more than that, in
the Church seek to prophesy.
There are two types of prophesying. Did you know that? Yup, there is! The first is “fore” telling
much like we think about in the Old Testament where men of God told what was going to
happen in the future. But, most of the prophesy is not that but is “forth” telling.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man
understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
The word “unknown” could be removed or could be left. However, the word “him” has to be
deleted because there were, on the Day of Pentecost, men that understood what the Apostles
were saying. When a person speaks in tongues the only one guaranteed not to understand is the
person speaking. Otherwise, it would be a known language to that individual.
Understand that the word “he” is an inclusive noun and implies both men and women and
children too.3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort
.
So here it is. The REASON that we are to desire to prophesy IN THE CHURCH, is so that we
can edify (build up) the body of believers, exhort them to a more worthy endeavor and to
comfort them.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the
church.
Delete the word “unknown” it is too confusing. Once you get rid of the confusing word
“unknown” this verse is very simple.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying.
Why, why, why? Why would a person be greater? As you will see, Paul is explaining in verses
6-25 that we are to build up the Church and you can not do that if people don’t understand what
you are saying. That is why he that prophesies is greater than he that doesn’t or that only speaks
in tongues.
Let me, also, explain that prophesy and speaking in tongues with interpretation are similar. They
both edify the body.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I
shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction
in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be
known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without
signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a
barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the
edifying of the church.
Scratch out the word “gifts” it should be spiritual matters.
Bingo! In the Body of Believers the whole purpose is for people to be blessed and you can’t do
that by using the manifestation of speaking in tongues wrongly.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.Scratch out the word “unknown.” Let him that speaketh in a tongue BELIEVE to interpret as
well. You don’t have to pray and then wait for an answer from God! You have to believe to
operate what God has already given you.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Scratch out the word “unkown.”
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, in my personal prayer life, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit in my personal prayer life, and I will sing with the
understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
Otherwise, when you speak in tongues and don’t interpret in a fellowship no one will understand
what you are saying.
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Do you see what is going on? In my personal prayer life I can speak in tongues all I want, but, in
the Church nobody will understand me unless I interpret. That way everyone gets blessed.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
This is the great Apostle Paul who says that he spoke in tongues more than the whole Corinthian
Church put together. Now if he spoke in tongues wouldn’t it behoove us to follow his lead?
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I
might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
How simple this is. How Paul loved the Church and how he wanted to bless them. But, speaking
in tongues in a fellowship without interpretation is wrong! Speaking in tongues is of God,
speaking in tongues is perfect prayer, but, speaking in tongues in a fellowship without
interpretation only leads to confusion.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in
understanding be men.
What the Corinthians were doing was speaking in tongues in a fellowship and causing confusion.
Paul says, stop it and grow up.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people;
and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: butprophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
That is right! Speaking in tongues in a fellowship, done correctly which is to speak in tongues
WITH the interpretation is a sign to them that are unlearned that there is power, the power of
God, at work in the Church. Not only that, they hear the message from God, a message of
edification, exhortation and comfort.
Prophesy is specifically for those that are more mature believers, they aren’t neophytes. They
know the difference between a person talking and one bring forth a message from God. A
message of edification, exhortation and comfort

The Worth of a Soul

Have you ever asked yourself “what am I worth.” No, not what is in your bank account, but, how
precious, how important are YOU in the eyes of God? How important is your life? The answer is
simple. To God, you are worth more than the whole World. This is not a group thing, but, as an
individual you and your life are more precious to God than all the wealth of the World.
To start to see this great love God has for you let’s look at John 3:16.
John 3:15-17 (KJV)
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
God allowed His son to pay the ultimate price to allow each person to, by free will, believe to
eternal life. You see, when Adam ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil he
committed high treason against God. What he did was transfer the power and authority that God
had given him to the Devil. Before the transgression of Adam he had dominion over the world.
Genesis 1:27-28 (KJV)
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created
he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and
subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living
thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 2:18-20 (KJV)
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for
him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and
brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living
creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for
Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
However, in Matthew chapter four the Devil, when tempting Jesus Christ, said he, the Devil, had
the dominion, the authority.
Matthew 4:8-10 (KJV)
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of
the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy
God, and him only shalt thou serve.
If the Devil didn’t have that dominion then Jesus Christ would have called him on this. Jesus
Christ was really good at seeing through lies. But, even though the Devil is the father of lies he
wasn’t lying about this.
Notice Jesus Christ’s response to this. Jesus Christ could have ruled the World, but he chose to
fulfill his mission here on Earth. And what was that mission?
Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he
hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
His mission here on Earth was to help people! He could have had all the riches of the World! He could
have had all the praise and glory of men. But, instead, he chose to help mankind and redeem mankind.
Jesus Christ, never sinned, never broke fellowship with God. He had sinless blood. Not since Adam had a
man sinless blood, but, Jesus Christ did (Matt. 27:4.) So, because the Devil killed Jesus Christ (Hebrews
2:14), which he had no right to do, Jesus Christ was able to make a way whereby anyone that comes
unto him will be saved (Romans 10:910.)
So how important are you to God? He knows how many hairs you have on your head. This is a figure of
speech that means He knows everything about you and He cares for you (I Peter 5:7.)
Luke 12:7 (KJV)
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.
Ye are OF God. Just think about that! You who were dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1) NOW you are
Of GOD. You are His child!
We place too much emphasis on what mankind thinks of us rather than on what God thinks of us. We
strive for the accolades of men and, yet, God says He loves us and He cares for us. How much easier
would life be if we focus on God’s opinion of us!
Isaiah 49:15-16 (KJV)
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
One of the most tender sensitive parts of the body are the palms of our hands. No one tattoos the palms
of their hands because it is too painful, but, God says He has tattooed your name on the palms of His
hands AND His palms, with your name written on them, is continually before Him. This again is a figure
of speech as to how much God loves you.
The World will tell you that you are no good. The World will tell you that you aren’t worth anything. But,
God is always there with you. God never leaves you or forsakes you and you are the apple of God’s eye

I Corinthians 13

To get the understanding of I Corinthians chapters twelve, thirteen and fourteen you must read
them as a whole, together. People have taken one or the other of the three chapters and lauded
them to the sky without regard to the other two chapters.
What these chapters are dealing with is the operation of the spirit. Chapter twelve shows us the
operations within the gift of holy spirit namely speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues,
prophesy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith miracles and gifts of
healing.
Chapter 13 shows us the more excellent way. The “way” is the operation of ministries and
leadership within the body. The “more excellent way” is that of love.
Chapter fourteen rounds this all out by explaining how the manifestations are to be operated in
the Church with everything being done decently and in order.
Below, I have given you chapter thirteen in from the King James version of the Bible. After that
I have expanded chapter thirteen so that you can get a better understanding.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed
up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.1 Although I speak with the tongues of men or of angels (speaking in tongues is always the
language of men or of angels) and don’t have the love of God in operation (evidence) in my life,
I will either be as a noisy gong or a crashing cymbal, loud and noisy but of no benefit.
2 And though I have the ability to prophesy and to understand all mysteries and to understand all
knowledge and have so trained myself to believe big enough that I can say to a mountain “be
thou removed and cast into the sea” and it goes lfying into the sea and don’t have the love of God
in operation in my life, I am nothing.
3 And though I give all of my worldly possessions to feed the hungry and though I work myself
to the bone to help others, it doesn’t benefit me one little bit if I don’t do it with the love of God.
4 When you operate love of God in the renewed mind you are long on patience, you are kind,
you don’t envy, you don’t boast, you are not a braggard or haughty.
5 When you are operating the love of God according to the Word of God you will not act in an
inappropriate manner, you won’t seek your own glory or benefit, you won’t be easily provoked,
when you are operating the love of God in the renewed mind you will think no evil!
6 When you are operating the love of God according to the Word of God you will not rejoice in
wrong but you will rejoice in truth.
7 You will cover the faults of others with silence, you can believe for God’s deliverance in all
situations, you will look forward in anticipation to the promises of God and you will be able to
endure anything.
8 The love of God in the renewed mind in operation will never fail! But, at the end of the age
prophesies shall be done away with, there won’t be a need for speaking in tongues and the
manifestation of word of knowledge will cease because we will know even as we are known.
9 For God gives us pieces of knowledge by revelation and prophesy when needed
10 But, when Christ comes for his Church (I Thess.4:13-17) then the manifestations of holy
spirit, as we know them, will be done away with.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I
became a man, I put away childish things. So, it will be at the coming of Christ. The tools God
has given us to use will be put away and we will have the fullness of God.
12 For now we can’t see things clearly, but rather, as if we were looking at the world in a
reflection from polished brass,
13 And now these three – believing, hope and the love of God in the renewed mind in operation
will continue even after the gathering together of the Christians; but the greatest of these is God’s
love that you can manifest in this day and in this time.So, how do you get this love of God into operation?? Look at Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We study the Bible written to us in the New Testament and apply it in our lives

God Loves You and Will Deliver

Sickness and disease have been a bane to the existence of Christians and God’s people since Genesis.
This has been troublesome for Christians because of wrong teaching by the Christian leadership. The
main line doctrine of these so-called leaders is that “everything happens for a purpose” and “God uses
sickness to test you or to make you stronger.” What they are implying is that God makes a person sick
for a reason or that God causes a person to be sick. Just the thought of such blasphemous teaching hurts
me to the core. It makes me want to shout from the tallest buildings and highest mountain tops “THIS IS
A LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL! GOD LOVES YOU AND WILL DELIVER YOU!
That is right! You heard me! God will deliver you.
Let me start out by saying that God NEVER causes sickness, disease or death!
James 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God only knows how to give good AND it says that in God there is no variableness nor shadow of
turning. That means that God does not change his mind. That, also, means that what God does for one
person He has to do for anyone that meet the same criteria. If God healed one Christian ever, which we
know he did by the bucket full in the Book of Acts, He has too for YOU! And, just in case you think you
are not good enough or that God has higher regard for some look at Acts 10:34.
Acts 10:34 (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons:
1 John 1:5 (KJV)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
God is not only the Father of lights, He IS light and there is no evil,no darkness, no ill will to the
Christian!
So, we have established that God wouldn’t cause sickness, so, let’s look at Jesus Christ.
Luke 4:17-19 (KJV)
17 And there was delivered unto him (Jesus Christ) the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had
opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he
hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight tothe blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
John 4:34 (KJV)
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 6:38-40 (KJV)
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose
nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may
have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU?
3 John 1:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.
Neither God nor Jesus Christ want you to be sick. As a matter of fact even Jesus Christ’s Apostles were
told to deliver people from sickness.
Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
We have established that neither God or Jesus Christ ever brought sickness upon anybody. As a matter
of fact, God loves you with a deep and ever abiding love. Why would he ever want to harm any of His
children? That is what you are! When you are a Christian you are God’s child (I John 3:2.) He doesn’t!
What God gives, as I mentioned before, is GOOD.
So, who does cause sickness. Notice I say “who” and not “what.” Who causes the captivity that Jesus
Christ came to deliver people from? He is the fallen angel of Isaiah fourteen, the Serpent of Genesis
chapter three, the Anti-Christ of I John two and father of lies in John 8:44. He is the Devil.
To say that God causes sickness is a great lie and those who propound it are messengers of the Devil!
Sickness is death in part or in whole and the Devil, not God, has the power of death.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus Christ) also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil;
Wow,, wow, wow! What are we going to do now! The lines of demarcation are set! God is
voting FOR you and the Devil, our adversary, is voting against you! How you vote will
determine the outcome! That is right, what you decide to believe will be your deliverance or it
will be your continued suffering!Listen, I know as a minister of reconciliation that when a person is sick they need love more than
anything. But, I am not there to put my arms around you and to comfort you. I can’t speak tender
words of comfort. So, I am doing the best I know how and that is to give you the TRUTH and let
you, for once in your life, make that decision. “Do I believe the purity of God’s matchless divine
Word or what the World has to say. Do I want to be whole or not!”
The first step in your deliverance is found in Romans 10:9,10.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
This is the key that unlocks the door to all of God’s promises. Over eight hundred promises to
the believer! Promises of health, children, long life and so much more are yours for the taking.
The word “saved” in verse nine is the Greek word “sozo” which means to be made whole,
complete in every aspect of your life! At the time of the new birth, the spiritual birth, at the time
you do what it says in Romans 10:9,10 God gives us EVERYTHING, that we will ever need. It
is up to us to so change our minds so that we will get our deliverance in the physical realm. We
do this by literally believing the promises in God’s Word. You must so renew your mind that you
literally believe God’s Word.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God will deliver each and every one of us just like He did in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts
if we believe. Oh, you say, but, I have _________ how is God going to deliver me? That is
God’s choice your choice is to believe Him when He says he will heal you when He says he will
deliver you.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
John 15:16 (KJV)
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you.
John 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let
us hold fast our confession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Matthew 9:20-22 (KJV)
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith
hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Notice that this woman never gave up! Discouragement is sin. Get the promise that you want to
claim and repeat it over and over again until you start to believe it. Keep the image of your
deliverance formost in your mind and don’t let anything take precedence over it.
James 1:6-8 (KJV)
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
I leave you with two records of people who have believed and gotten their deliverance.
Acts 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth
hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate
of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones
received strength.8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God.
Matthew 15:30-31 (KJV)
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed,
and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole,
the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:22-28 (KJV)
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have
mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for
she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour

Commitment

I am, again, going to interrupt our series on I Corinthians. I want to share with you a conversation I had
with a gentleman, yesterday. But, first, let me give you the background.
The man used to be a contractor in Florida and he had crews working for him. One crew was Haitian.
One of the men from another crew stole some of the Haitians’ equipment.
The contractor told him to give it back and that “you don’t want to mess with the Haitians.” The man
didn’t give the equipment back. So, the next day, the Haitians told the contractor that they “shook the
chicken foot.” That meant that they used voodoo to curse the man. Shortly there after the man that
stole the equipment got into a car accident. Was it coincidence or was it dark power?
The point that I want to make is not about the power of darkness, but, about our conviction to the
power of light! It is amazing to me that people are more committed to lesser things than Christians are
to the greatness of the power of God in their lives! The Haitians were serious! They expected results.
Do you, when you pray, have the same conviction as these people do, or do you pray and then don’t
follow through with expectation, enthusiasm and belief? Do you believe that GOD will give you the
desires of you heart?
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
How often do you come to God’s great throne and EXPECT him to grant you your petition and how often
do you stand firm on that belief without wavering until you get your deliverance.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou
cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
Our conviction, our stand, our commitment to what we believe should be GREATER than any unbeliever
to their cause.
When God says to cast your cares on him for He cares for you, DO YOU? Not only to cast your cares on
God, BUT, to leave them there and go on your merry way rejoicing.
When God says you are a SUPER CONQUEROR (Rom. 8:37) do you walk into every situation with that
mind set?
This works with every aspect of God’s Word. Stop pussy footing around and expect to get results. It
won’t work. God demands believing and believing is an action verb! To believe you must act!Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Psalm 37:5-6 (KJV)
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
It is time to stop toying with God and His Word and to walk as a son or daughter of God and to shine as
lights in this crooked and perverse world and the only way to do this is to commit and BELIEVE!

I Corinthians 12: 12-31

I CORITHIANS 12:12-31
In I Corinthians 12:12-31 we have a unique example or a parallel of the human body and the
spiritual body of Christ. Although it is an example it is, in actuality, true!
1 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV)
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being
many, are one body: so also is Christ.
This is absolutely amazing to me that something as magnificent as this is explained here in
Corinthians, an epistle of correction and not in Ephesians which is a doctrinal epistle. The
Epistles are full of this information and, yet, we haven’t seen it or if some of the more learned
folks out there have seen it it was to big to believe. Let me expound upon this.
In Ephesians and in Colossians we see that the head of the body is Christ. We have taken that to
mean that Christ is the head much like a CEO is the head of the organization. NO, no, no. It is
much more than that! Christ is the head like my head is “head” of my body and your head is the
“head” of your body. I know that seems a little obvious, but, stick with me and hear me out.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (KJV)
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished here on Earth he is not just the head, BUT, he is part
of the body! He is no more a part of the body than we are and he is no less a part of the body
than we are. That is why in Romans chapter eight it says that we are joint heirs with Christ. Do
you know what joint heirship means? It means that each and every Christian enjoys every benefit
that Christ has as a son of God. Let me give you an example. When a parent makes out a will and
he has three children. He may say to my son Bobby I give $20,000.00, to Mary I give $25,000.00
and my car and to Joan I give my house and $50,000.00. They are all heirs, but, they are not
“joint heirs.” To be a “joint heir” all the money, cars, houses, etc. go into one big pot and the
three children, Bobby, Mary and Joan all share what is in the pot. An even easier understanding
is a bowl full of M&M’s.
If Dad had an endless supply of M&M’s and he made all three children “joint heirs” then they
could take as many M&M’s as they want because they share fully everything that was made
available. That is the joint heirship that we have with Jesus Christ, but, our inheritance is much,
much more than an endless bowl of M&M’s.
Romans 8:15-17 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.Because of what Christ accomplished and because he became the head of the Body Jesus Christ
could say to the Apostles and every Christian ever born:
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished and because he became the head of the Body you are
already seated in the heavenlies.
Ephesians 2:6-8 (KJV)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished and because he became the head of the Body no
Christian will go through the great tribulation or suffer the wrath to come. WHY? Because we
are the body of Christ and members in particular!
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV)
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us
from the wrath to come.
This is the Great Mystery that had been kept secret from before the foundations of the World
1 Corinthians 2:7-9 (KJV)
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the
world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the
Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Here is another great truth! The whole of the Old Testament is about God’s favor and covenants
being on and to Israel. It is not until the Day of Pentecost that the Gentiles are allowed into the
fold.1 Corinthians 12:14-26 (KJV)
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the
body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of
the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I
have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow
more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given
more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care
one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured,
all the members rejoice with it.
I wish Christians would believe this! When one member hurts we all hurt! The greatest healing
salve, the greatest glue of fellowship is LOVE.
Colossians 2:1-3 (KJV)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for
as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full
assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father,
and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Verses 27-31 explain how the ministries in the Body, the Church, work.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (KJV)
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
A literal translation of verse 28 is: And God has set (placed) in the Church (the Body of Christ)
some having the ministry of apostles, prophets and teachers. He has placed some in the Church
that minister more effectively as miracle workers, some minister most effectively ministeringhealing. Some are very capable as helps and governments and some minister most effectively
with a diversity of tongues.
The word “diversities” in the Greek is the word “genos” or genus in English. This means that
that person brings forth a variety of different tongues.
Ephesians 4:7-18 sheds more light on this subject.
Ephesians 4:7-18 (KJV)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the
earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill
all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind
of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 (KJV)
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Verses 29 and 30 are rhetorical questions. “Are all apostles?” Of course not! Neither are they all
prophets or teachers. Not everybody is adept at ministering miracles etc.. Why? Because,, even
though we are all members of the Body of Christ we all have differing strong suits or in some
cases ministries.1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV)
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Remember, there are only six gifts, charismata, the gift of holy spirit and the five gift ministries apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. What we are to “covet” or to earnestly desire are the
ministries that the body of believers, in our particular areas, need most.
In the last half of verse 31 it says there is a “more excellent way” and that is to be found in chapter
thirteen.

I Corinthians 12:7-11

We are, again, dealing with pnuematicos, things of the spirit. Specifically, we are looking at the
operation of God’s gift of holy spirit. We continue our study with verses seven through eleven in chapter
twelve of I Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
The word “but” changes the train of thought. We were talking about this BUT now we are going to talk
about something else. In the previous verses the Bible was talking about diversities of gifts but the same
God, differences of administrations but the same God and differences of operations but the same God.
But, But, But, Now the Bible is talking about manifestations, operations, exhibitions of the gift of holy
spirit.
Remember there is The Holy Spirit, which is God, and there is the holy spirit, which was first given to the
Apostles on the day of Pentecost and has been available to every person regardless of the stature, color,
nationality or religious background who confesses Jesus as lord and believes in his heart that God has
raised him from the dead. Romans (10:9,10) Therefore what is the Bible talking about when it says
“manifestation of the Spirit?” Is it talking about operating God? No, no, no. It is talking about God’s gift
to the believer. The word “Spirit” should be lower case “spirit.”
The word “manifestation is the Greek word phanerosis which means “exhibition.” What are the
manifestations or exhibitions of holy spirit? There are nine: speaking in tongues, interpretation of
tongues, prophesy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and gifts of
healings.
The word “to” is the Greek word “pros” which means “with a view to immediate and long term.” So the
words “to profit withal” means that it profits the individual immediately as well as long term.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (KJV)
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same
Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healings by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another
divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The words “For to one” in verse eight are the Greek words “gar ho” which should be interpreted “For
one.” For one what? “For” sets verse eight in conjunction with verse seven. So, the profit, not prophet,is given for benefit. Therefore vs.8 is better understood “For a word of wisdom is given by the Spirit for
profit or benefit;
A word of knowledge is given by the same Spirit (God) for another (allos) profit;
Faith (believing) by the same Spirit for another (heteros) profit;
Gifts of healings are given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
The working of miracles is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit
Prophesy is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
Discerning of spirits is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
Kinds of tongues are given by the same Spirit for another (heteros) profit.
Interpretation of tongues are given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
The words allos and heteros are used with unerring accuracy. The word allos is used when there may be
more than two involved. For example, when the manifestation of prophesy is operated then it is a
benefit, it is profitable to the person operating as well as all others listening. So, the ones who are
involved are God, the individual and other(s) listening.
However, the Greek word heteros is use when only two are involved. In this case only two
manifestations have the word “heteros” associated with them, faith and speaking in tongues. These two
manifestations are between God and the man operating them. Others may benefit from the result of
the operation, but, not from the direct application.
What must be understood here is that even though the individual believer has the gift of holy spirit he
cannot, of himself, without God, manifest/exhibit holy spirit in the senses World. The individual is not an
“island unto himself.” WHY? Because who gives that person the knowledge, the wisdom etc. GOD does!
The individual has the gift, but, the operation the exhibition of that holy spirit, in the senses world, is in
conjunction and unison with God. God gives, God energizes. The gift IS holy spirit, but, the manifestation
IS God and the individual working together.
So, that brings us to the next issue. Who chooses? Who makes the decision of what is to be exhibited?
1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The word “worketh” is the Greek word “energeo” which means energized. Look, I build houses for a
living. In the winter time we have no heat in the house, but, we have to heat the house while we are
drywalling and painting the inside. So, I get a long extension cord and a big electric heater, I plug the
extension cord into the power pole and unravel it. I bring the other end into the house and plug the
heater into the cord. When I do this the heater starts running. The heater was energized!The word severally is the Greek word “idios” it is translated “his own” 48 times, it is translated “their
own” 13 times, it is translated “severally” once! The word idios should be, must be translated “his own.”
A more accurate translation is “But, all these manifestations are energized, by God, dividing to every
man his own as he, the man wills. Who chooses the manifestation? The individual! Who energizes that
manifestation? God does! If it were any other way it would be possession and God is not in the business
of possession!
What an opportunity the born-again believer has to walk the walk of power and of love knowing that
God is with him and energizes the Christ within as he the man wills

OUR IDENTITY

We received a “Happy Holiday” card from a lady this past week and it saddened me. It was a picture of
this woman and her little boy. What saddened me is that the focus of this picture was not the little boy
or the mom holding the lad, but the focus was on the tattoo that ran from the woman’s shoulder down
to her wrist. It wasn’t a tattoo of flowers or birds, but, of black markings that to me were nondescript.
This brings me to why I am sharing this with you. The reason this woman had this tattoo was to help her
identify herself and to belong!
The identification was not for others, but, for her! People today are lost. They have no anchor. They
have no identity, no reason for why they are here, no answer to the question “who am I?”
The World will give cheap answers, plastic diamonds that will not stand the test of time, but, will leave
the individual’s heart empty and alone.
People will gather to themselves philosophies, religious concepts and thought patterns that are built on
shifting sands. In Jeremiah these are called broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13 (KJV)
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and
hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
This poor woman thought that her tattoo would give her identity and give her a sense of belonging, but,
it won’t. This is like a ship without a rudder being tossed to and fro by the waves of life. You don’t have
to go through life in a boat without a rudder because when you were born again, Romans 10:9,10 you
became a member of the Royal Household of God. Your identity is WITH and IN Christ Jesus our lord.
This membership is not only life long, but, everlasting.
Ephesians 2:19 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the
household of God;
You are OF, OF, OF the household of God. We are members one of another. You’re not just an “empty”
floating by, you are royalty!
1 John 3:1 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Now, Now, Now are you sons and daughters of God Almighty. And look at the rest of that verse,
the world doesn’t know you as what you really are. It looks at you just like it did Jesus Christ! It
saw the man. It could not see what was inside. When the world looks at you it is blind to the
reality of who you are and the Christ within.
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that,
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.Ephesians 1:4 (KJV)
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before him in love:
It is time to stand up, throw your shoulders back and proclaim “I AM a child of God and I AM a member
of the Royal Household of God!”
The world will try to tell you that you’re no good or that you can’t make a difference. Don’t listen! Look,
God doesn’t condemn you (Romans 8:1,) God loves you! (John 3:16) Jesus Christ doesn’t condemn you
so why would you condemn yourself? DON’T!
Romans 8:31-39 (KJV)
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter.
37 Nay,( AND NAY MEANS NO!) in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are children of God. We are free from condemnation. So, now, we can walk with enthusiasm and
boldness because it is God that walks with us every step of the way. It is God in Christ in YOU!
Colossians 1:25-27 (KJV)
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation (administration)of God which is given to
me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:We don’t need tattoos or material objects to identify us because we are SEALED with the holy spirit of
promise.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the
praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Not only are we sealed and sealed means no one can take us out of the loving hands of God. We are
KEPT, until Christ returns for us. But in God’s eyes we are already seated with him in heaven. It’s not a
matter of “if” it is a matter of “when”!
Ephesians 2:4-7 (KJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus.
You have so much as a child of God and a member of the Royal Household of God that you can love
others with a love that the World is devoid of. A love that will warm anyone that gets near it. This is the
love that heals, this is the love that binds, this is the love that passes all understanding! This is the love
that builds the Church.
1 Peter 1:22 (KJV)
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the
brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
It is not our haircut or clothes or tattoos or piercings. It is not the material things that we own that mark
us out as part of the Royal Household of God. It is love