Agape’ & Spiritual Gifts

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Acts 2 opens ten days after the Ascension of Jesus, finding The Eleven Apostles, and Disciples of Jesus together on Pentecost, still one in purpose, waiting for the Holy Spirit to come upon them, as Jesus said would happen.

The Holy Spirit came with power, and enabled the group to speak to people from at least sixteen different languages and dialects. As they spoke of Jesus, each person present heard in his native tongue.

This gift of tongues is multifaceted. Speaking in love, ministering, and for lack of a better description, laying aside their own apprehensions and fears (taking up their cross) so they could be witnesses of Jesus Christ to a diverse body of listeners.

1 Corinthians 12 describes several spiritual gifts, and says that none will work as intended unless used in love. “Perfect love casts out fear” (1John 4:18). So when people are emboldened to speak in love then the Fruit of the Spirit is present: “temperance,” which is self-control (Galatians 5:23), among others.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring out in the Believer the Fruit of the Holy Spirit then, keeping us from doing things we should not do, and enabling us to do the things of God’s will and purpose. Remember John 14:26? The Holy Spirit teaches us all things, and brings to our remembrance the things Jesus has said to us. 

Being willing to share with others the things that Jesus has spoken of places us at the crossroads of “me.” If we are Spirit filled, then we will be empowered to lay our lives aside, and empowered to speak about the things Jesus has spoken to us.
“…and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” Acts 1:8

Tell people what you’ve witnessed Jesus do for you.

Today's Audio Message: "Agape' & Spiritual Gifts"

The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we all have the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the first-century church in Acts 2:1-4. This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39).

No matter how much we have been gifted with one gift or another, we are all called upon to develop a number of areas mentioned in the lists of spiritual gifts: to be hospitable, to show acts of mercy, to serve one another, to evangelize, etc. As we seek to serve God out of love for the purpose of building up others for His glory, He will bring glory to His name, grow His church, and reward us (1 Corinthians 3:5-8, 12:31–14:1).