The Nine Gifts of the Spirit

​Recently I taught about the gifts of the Spirit, I was very methodical and I took several weeks.  Every church without exception needs the Holy Ghost in their church.  Without the Holy Spirit the house of God is a natural church.  In some cases there is not enough power to get people saved.  The Holy Spirit comes with nine ministry gifts:
 
1.Tongues  2. Interpretation of tongues  3. Prophecy  4. Word of knowledge  5. Word of wisdom  6. Faith  7. Gift of healing  8. Working of miracles  9. Discerning of spirits
 
Having presented to the people the nine gifts, I asked them what they believed was the most important gift.  Some said working of miracles, some said faith, while others said prophecy.  They listed all nine gifts but none of them were right.
 
Acts 2:38 Be baptized into the Name of Jesus for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
 
The most important gift of the Spirit is the Spirit!  I have known people who studied the gifts of the Spirit for years, but there was no manifestation of any of them.  If a person has not connected with the Holy Spirit, His gifts mean nothing.  Every gift of the Spirit is a manifestation of the Spirit.  If a person has a desire to flow in the gifts, they must learn the voice and the ways of the Spirit.  No one in the world and most Christians do not believe that God still talks to His people.  The first step in hearing the voice of the Spirit, is to overcome the unbelief of others. 
 
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide (lead) you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that is what He will speak.
 
I take this Scripture personal.  The Holy Spirit has come and He is speaking to me just like He said he would.  So are we going to believe God’s Word or the word of unbelieving believers?  I’m amazed at how some Christians are affected by the unbelief of others.  In order to be used of the Spirit, the truth must be a priority.  If we would give the Holy Spirit some of the time we give to unproductive people, we would know more about God’s business.
 
Philippians 2:1 If there be any closeness in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any communion, any social intercourse, if any affection or tender mercy.
 
Paul is describing to the church, the kind of relationship we should have with our Lord and Savior.  Most Christians have never been assured that they could be close to God.  When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, how did the prayer begin?  Our Father who art in heaven.  Most folks key in on God being in heaven, not in our heart.  All the fathers I know want to be close to their children.  It’s never too late to make the connection.