Synergism: Opening The Door to God’s Indwelling Power

Chapter Four
The Spiritual Dynamic of the Empowerment of a Local Church
(Review Tripartite of Power)

“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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:12-31).


Modern Bible believing Christianity has become preoccupied with what we are supposed to separate from. What we separate from is certainly important. However, being separate from sin and worldliness is not all that is involved in the believer’s practical sanctification. The believer must also realized that there is Someone and something that he is separated unto. As the Church (“body of Christ”) has progressively become more worldly and carnal over the years, we have seen two phenomena take place within Evangelical Christianity (Liberalism completely abandoned practical sanctification in most part almost a century ago):

1. First, because believers have become so worldly and carnal in their preoccupations with Neo-hedonism (pleasure seeking), Church leaders have become preoccupied with dealing with worldliness and carnality as almost an end in itself. This has led the Church into legalism (erecting external controls of the “flesh,” Gal. 3:1-5); i.e., the false notion that a person is spiritual if he keeps away from certain taboo sins or practices.
2. Second, there is almost a complete failure to teach WHY believers are to be separate from sin and worldliness; i.e., because this keeps them from being undefiled before God and provides the power of God in their lives to engage the forces of evil in the battle for souls, lives, and “fruit” to the glory of God. Until the believer is separated from sin and worldliness, there is really no reason to teach that person what he is separated unto; i.e., to service of God in doing the “work of the ministry.”


“19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Timothy 2:19-21).

I Corinthians 12:12-31 is not a text that is filled with truths that are difficult to comprehend. Like the human body, a local church has numerous body parts that all serve different purposes. Although there are many different body parts that all serve different purposes, they are all under the direction and sovereignty of one head. Because these many body parts have one head, they do not function independent of one another. Because these many body parts naturally obey the one head, they work together in a partnership of unity and harmony, each supplying to the body the uniqueness and individuality that each body part possesses as a gift from God. Why is it then that so few local churches appear to grasp these truths and put them into practice? The answer is equally simple. Each body part must recognize it has a unique function and fulfill that function in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God (in grace). Each body part must be totally yielded to the Head before the harmony of the body can be created. This harmony too is a supernatural work of grace in the ministry of the Holy Spirit’s enabling.

I once visited a man in the hospital who was comatose. He sat in his chair and stared blankly. I was told they believed he heard people, that his eyes worked fine, and that every part of his body functioned adequately. However, he could not (or did not) feed himself. He could not (or did not) dress himself or clean himself.

Although everything about him physically was fine, he needed someone to do just about everything for him except the automatic functions of his body. There was a living soul trapped within that body, but his brain was disconnected from this world, which in turn disconnected him from being able to accomplish even the simplest of tasks.

Many local churches are comatose. What I mean by that is that many local churches are characterized by lethargic inertness and unresponsiveness to spiritual stimulation. There are people attending the church’s services. They seem to be breathing and moving around. They appear to be growing spiritually, but they just never, ever produce any fruit. When this is the characteristic of a local church, it is really a symptom of a much more serious spiritual problem. When this is descriptive of a local church or an individual Christian, one of the three aspects in the Tripartite of Power is missing or disconnected. One or more of three failures exists in the majority of the members of such a local church.

1. There is ignorance of the Word of God, and therefore the will of God, so that the believer is either living in sin or disobedience (any degree of disobedience, commission or omission, is sin).
2. The believer is not yielded to and “filled with” (supernaturally and spiritually empowered by) the indwelling Holy Spirit.
3. The believer is not involved in doing the “work of the ministry,” prayer, and aggressively seeking to win the lost to Christ (even God cannot bless something you do not do).

Any one of these three failures (or combination of any) within the membership of a local church will result in a spiritually dysfunctional local church. What this means practically, regarding a local church or individual, is that no lasting fruit can be produced until this problem is corrected.

According to a number of statements by the Lord Jesus, He has very little tolerance for fruitless local churches and/or fruitless Christians. It is clear from the statements of the Lord Jesus that being fruitless is a major and unacceptable abnormality.

Before the spiritual fruit of souls can be produced, the Seed of the Word of God MUST BE SOWN. That means Spirit filled believers must tell people about the condemnation God has put upon mankind. Spirit filled believers must tell lost sinners about the details of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Spirit filled believers must direct souls to repent of sin and “dead works,” to trust in Jesus, and call upon His Name to be saved. If Spirit filled believers do not sow the Seed, the Seed will not be sown.


“11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:11-15).

Yes, much Seed will fall upon unfruitful ground and unproductive Soil ending the hope of spiritual fruit. However, that is not due to any failure or weakness of the Seed. A good farmer understands that the preparation of the soil PRIOR to sowing the seed is extremely important to how much fruit, if any, will be produced.


Why does Christ give this parable? He gives this parable because He wants us to understand the believer’s responsibility in warning the hearers about these situations. In most part, the hearers determine what kind of ground their lives are going to be. Therefore, they need to be warned about Satan’s tactics regarding keeping the Seed from taking root and bearing “fruit to perfection.”

Secondly, the warning is about faithful believers “having heard the word, keep it” (Luke 8:15). The idea of the word “keep” is to retain, possess, or hold onto. This would appear to be a contradiction. How can we sow the Seed if we are holding onto it? This is not talking just about keeping the Truth of God’s Word in our minds, but about living the Truth of God’s Word in our everyday lives. The Word of God must become as much a part of us as an arm or a leg. Keeping the Word of God is doing exactly and everything the Word of God directs us to do. It is ridiculous to think that anyone will give us any credibility in our teaching them the Word of God if we do not love the Word of God enough to live it and do it ourselves.


Although a fruitless Christian and a fruitless local church is an anomaly that cannot be allowed to continue to exist, Christ is patient with Christians and local churches allowing for time to correct their fruitlessness.

“6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard {referring to the Pastor or Disciple Maker} , Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he {the dresser} answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9).

“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:4-8).

Because the vast majority of Christians live under the false belief that the “work of the ministry” (in leading souls to Christ, teaching them to know the Word of God and live the Word of God, and become evangelists themselves) is delegated to Pastors, professional Evangelists, and certain specially gifted people, they will spend the 1,000 years of the Kingdom Age on the Sidelines of Shame because of disobedience to the Great Commission. To profess to be a Christian and not be actively, boldly, and aggressively involved in bringing souls to Christ and making disciples of Christ is an absolute contradiction, paradox of truth, and an anomaly of everything that defines Christianity. It is a complete contradiction against everything that defines the priesthood of all believers who are part of the body of Christ. In that Christ died in our stead, with the free gift of salvation comes an overwhelming obligation to live in “Christ’s stead” (II Cor. 5:20).

“14 For the love of Christ constraineth {presses or compels} us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (II Corinthians 5:14-15).

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

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Synergism: Opening The Door to God’s Indwelling Power

Chapter Three

The Essential of Knowing God’s Word to the Potential of God’s Power

“⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: ⁹ Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹ It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: ¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³ If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. ¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. ¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; ¹⁸ Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. ²¹ If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. ²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (II Timothy 2:8-26).

We live in the day of Biblical ignorance. Sadly, the ignorance of God’s word is not limited to the lost of the world. Today, most evangelicals have very little interest in the meat of doctrine in the study of Scriptures. Many are just not willing to invest the time and effort in knowing the details of God’s instruction book for living to His glory.

Sometimes, the word if is one of the largest words in the Bible. The word if is usually a word of both condition and potential or possibility. The word if proposes a hypothetical situation and details the conditions necessary to the realization of a hypothetical possibility. The word if is used six (6) different times in II Timothy 2:8-16 detailing six different hypothetical possibilities based upon a different condition for each of those possibilities.

1. “For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him” (II Timothy 2:11; refers to the surety of glorification to the regenerated).

2. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (II Timothy 2:12; refers to rewards in the Kingdom Age).

3. “[I]f we deny him, he also will deny us” (II Timothy 2:12; refers to the loss of rewards in the Kingdom Age).

4. “If we believe not {are not faithful}, yet he abideth faithful {to His promises}: he cannot deny himself” (II Timothy 2:13).

5. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Timothy 2:21; conditions for, and promises of, Christ’s present blessings upon our ministries and lives).

6. “²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26; refers to the potential of God’s supernatural workings through the lives of Spirit filled believers).

Within the context of these six hypothetical possibilities, we find a command to Timothy regarding his responsibility to all believers within the sound of his voice or within the realm of his influence. This command lies equally at the feet of every believer’s responsibilities regarding his stewardship of God’s indwelling grace; “¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. ¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:14-15).

The enablement of the Holy Spirit that provides us with the understanding of God’s Word is called illumination. Illumination means enlightenment (see Ephesians 1:18). The idea of illumination describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit as He aides the believer in understanding what the Bible is saying.

“¹⁵ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith {the practice or living of what is believed} in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge {epignosis} of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened {photizo;to shine light onto something to accurately reveals its details to those living in spiritual darkness, i.e., ignorance of God} that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power . . .” (Ephesians 1:15-18).

The word “study” in II Timothy 2:15 is translated from the Greek word spoudazo (spoo-dad'-zo). It actually means to give diligence or make the necessary effort. The reason spoudazo is translated “study” is its use in the context of the statement “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Therefore, the diligence is directed to the intimate knowledge and detailed application of the Word of God in the everyday practices of a person’s life (not in his head). The implication is that a person cannot make the hundreds and thousands of right decisions that are part of each day’s spiritual struggle if that person does not have an intricate knowledge of God’s Word and the will of God revealed by God’s Word.

The word “study” in II Timothy 2:15 takes the human responsibility far beyond the mere reading of the Word of God. The believer is responsible to study and know the intimate details of the Word of God so that his life can be lived shamelessly before God. This intimate knowledge of the Word of God is very much connected to the possibility of power with God. We can never live in the light of God’s revealed will if we do not know the details of the Word of God. Unless we live in the light of God’s revealed will, we can never live our lives in the power of God’s indwelling Spirit. This is a huge if. Living in the center of God’s will is the central condition for “fellowship” with God and for the enabling power of God in our lives.

Look at what God’s Word says regarding this in I John 1:5-10 and noticed the ifs in this text.

“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. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (I John 1:5-10).

The word “fellowship” in I John 1:7 is from the Greek word koinonia (koy-nohn-ee'-ah), better translated partnership. The idea is in the communion of shared assets with each partner in the communion contributing something. This does not mean that each partner necessarily contributes equally to the partnership. Obviously, the Lord is the major and primary contributor in this relational partnership in the “work of the ministry.” In fact, about all the believer has that he can contribute to this partnership is a yielded body and a yielded will (spirit). The key word to this partnership is yield.

“¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin {your fallen sin nature}, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹² Let not sin {your fallen sin nature} therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin {your fallen sin nature}: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin {your fallen sin nature} shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under {the responsibilities of the stewardship of} grace” (Romans 6:11-14).

There are three reasons given in II Timothy 2:15 for why we should be extremely motivated to study the Word of God.

1. To show that our new lives “in Christ” are “approved” (dokimos; tested/tried and proved genuine) by God trying of our faith

2. So we can do the work of the ministry (“workmen”) and not end up being “ashamed” of what we have done before God presently and at the Judgment Seat of Christ (“ashamed” means not accusable by the “accuser of the brethren,” Rev. 12:10) because there is nothing to accuse us of)

3. So we can correctly apply (“rightly dividing” or dissect into the multitude of necessary applications) the truth of God’s Word to daily situations of life

We must never forget that the faithfulness is always measured by obedience to what God’s Word reveals. Simply because we do not know what God’s Word reveals does not in any way minimize our responsibility for obedience or our culpability for disobedience. In other words, we are going to be held accountable for both knowing and living every “jot and tittle” of the Word of God. This certainly defines the intricacy of the knowledge of the Word of God that God expects from everyone of His children. There is no excuse for ignorance of God’s Word and continuing throughout your lifetime as a “babe.”

“¹⁰ {Jesus} Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. ¹¹ Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered {difficult to explain and hard to understand}, seeing ye are dull {sluggish, slothful, or lazy} of hearing. ¹² For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles {elementary or rudimentary} of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat {solid foods}. ¹³ For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:10-14).

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Synergism: Opening The Door to God’s Indwelling Power

Chapter Two
Concerning Spirituals Brethren

As we said in the last chapter, the baptism with the Holy Spirit puts the believer into a new existence and a new position in the “body of Christ” (I Corinthians 12:13). This is not the same as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is instantaneous and synchronous with a decision to trust in Christ. The baptism with the Holy Spirit provides the potential for all that is involved in the life of Jesus Christ; “11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:11-12).

Although this eternal life “in Christ” is already our possession, the power of this eternal life lies in the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. The power of this eternal life is the Holy Spirit. When the believer is “filled” with Holy Spirit through practical sanctification, consecration, and yielding his will to God’s will, the eternal life that is in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit is released (“multiplied,” II Peter 1:2) through the believer’s life. This releasing of power (the eternal life of God) is manifested through the supernatural enabling/empowering of the yielded believer. In looking at this Scripturally, we must be careful to distinguish between temporary sign gifts and continuing service gifts.

“1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 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 healing 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. 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. 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” (I Corinthians 12:1-13).

As I have said, the word pneumatikos, translated “spiritual gifts” in I Corinthians 12:1, refers to something far beyond the normal. It refers to something supernatural or ethereal. The word pneumatikos refers to things, works, or actions that cannot be produced by human wisdom, great talents, or abilities. No matter how good, talented, intelligent, or great a person might be, he cannot produce “spirituals” through his life apart from an intimate knowledge/relationship with God. The word “spirituals” describes a supernatural act of creation through the believer’s life.

What is a spiritual gift (I Corinthians 12:1)? A spiritual gift is the divine energizing (empowering) of a believer’s life by the Holy Spirit. The gift is the empowering. Therefore, when the Spirit of God gives a spiritual, it refers to the divine energizing of a believer’s knowledge, talents, or abilities that he already has for some special task or purpose.

This spiritual empowering is the supernatural working of God in the life of all Spirit filled (controlled) believers. This spiritual empowering is that which is intended to be common to all believers and is what defines the Age of Grace (Church Age Dispensation). This spiritual empowering of a believer’s knowledge, talents, or abilities is intended to be the common, normal, and everyday experience of every Spirit filled believer.

There are two Greek words that define spiritual gifts. The first is pneumatikos (pnyoo-mat-ik-os') as used in I Corinthians 12:1 that is best translated by the word “spirituals.” The idea in the word pneumatikos is that the baptism with the Holy Spirit forms the “body of Christ,” which “body” is empowered (given life and abilities) by the Holy Spirit. It is not the baptism with the Holy Spirit that empowers. It is the “filling.” The baptism with the Spirit merely places the believer in the position of power. The position provides the potential. The “filling” results from bringing the human body and its desires under the control of the Spirit and is a matter of yielding the will (Romans 6:11-13).

The second Greek word that defines spiritual gifts is the word charisma (khar'-is-mah) that is made up from the Greek word charis (khar'-ece), which is usually translated “grace.” Therefore, charisma refers to the divine empowering of the yielded believer by the indwelling Holy Spirit for some specific task. Anything any believer seeks to do for the Lord in this life must be done by the empowering of the Holy Spirit or it cannot be blessed of God; i.e., is not the result of God’s power and therefore is not lasting/eternal in its duration. Charismata (gifts of empowering grace) denotes extraordinary and supernatural powers that distinguish certain Christians for special areas of ministry and enables them to serve the church of Christ (the body metaphor).

There “are diversities of gifts” (charisma, or grace empowering I Corinthians 12:4).
“Diversities” is from the Greek word diairesis (dee-ah'-ee-res-is), referring to a distinction arising from a different distribution to different persons. Not everyone had the same spiritual gift.

“29b are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret” (I Corinthians 12:29b-30)?

There “are differences of administrations.” (I Corinthians 12:5; “differences” is from the same Greek word as “diversities” above.) “Administrations” is from the Greek word diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee'-ah), which can be translated services or ministries. Not everyone has the same knowledge, talents, or abilities, so everyone does not have the same ministry in the local church.

“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” (I Corinthians 12:14-20).

The idea of I Corinthians 12:14-20 is that not everyone has the same job/ministry (although there are some things everyone is commanded to do). Everyone is not an Apostle. Everyone is not a preacher (“prophet”). Everyone is not a Pastor/Teacher.

“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers” (I Corinthians 12:29a)?

There “are diversities of operations” (I Corinthians 12:6). “Operations” is from the Greek word energema (en-erg'-ay-mah), which means to display one’s activity or work. Although God never changes (character, nature, and attributes), His operations do change. These changes are called Dispensations.

“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation {stewardship} of the gospel is committed unto me” (I Corinthians 9:17).

“That in the dispensation {stewardship} of the fulness of times {in the New Heaven/Earth} he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” (Ephesians 1:10).

“If ye have heard of the dispensation {stewardship} of the grace of God {Church Age of Grace} which is given me to you-ward:” (Ephesians 3:2).

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation {stewardship} of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;” (Colossians 1:25).

The word “dispensation” in each of the above verses is from the Greek word oikonomia (oy-kon-om-ee'-ah), which refers to the management, oversight and administration of a household or of household affairs. How God manages His household has changed down through the ages. The word dispensations refers mainly to the stewardship of delegated responsibilities by God to believers.

The empowering by the Spirit is visible in every believer’s life for “profit” (bringing forth spiritual fruit, I Corinthians 12:7). When the believer produces spiritual fruit, the empowering of the Holy Spirit becomes visible.

“Manifestation” is from the Greek word phanerosis (fan-er'-o-sis), which means to make manifest (visible or known) what has been hidden or unknown. The idea here is that, as the Holy Spirit spiritually empowers the believer and that believer begins to bear fruit, the invisible Holy Spirit is made visible in that believer’s life by that fruit.

This leads us to Peter’s statement in verse 3 of II Peter chapter 1; “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” This verse speaks of spiritual power potential.

The empowerment cannot take place until the Tripartite of Power exists within the believer’s life:

1. The Spirit: the supernatural empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit
2. The Word: the knowledge of the will of God as revealed by the Word of God
3. The Spirit filled believer: as the believer yields to the indwelling Spirit AND begins to live the Word of God, becoming a “doer of the Word” (James 1:22)


Streaming Audio and Down Loadable MP3 available at link below:
http://www.disciplemakerministries.org/Pages/AudioSermons/Revival/RevivalMessages16.htm

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Synergism: Opening The Door to God’s Indwelling Power

Chapter One

God’s Distribution of Power to Us in the Indwelling Holy Spirit

“¹ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. ¹⁰ Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: ¹¹ For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1-11).

I have known many people in my life time that the world would consider to be great Christians. Yet, in all of those many souls, I believe only a handful of them manifested the power of God in their lives. I am talking about great prayer warriors, great soul winners, and people who really lived and walked in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. These were people that the Devil knew their names and trembled in fear when they got on their knees before God. These were people who lived their lives in the center of the spiritual storms and battles of this life. Spiritual difficulties were constant in their lives because they were in the center of the will of God and they daily fought in a warfare most Christians try to avoid at any cost. They experienced the warfare of satanic opposition, but most importantly, they knew the power of the presence of God in their lives and lived in fellowship with Him.

When the believing sinner is “born again” of the Spirit of God “by grace through faith,” he is removed from the cursed family of Adam and baptized into the family of God. This baptism is referred to theologically as the baptism with the Spirit. This once-for-all act of the Spirit of God happens instantaneously and synchronously with a decision of faith to trust in Christ. The believer is baptized with the Spirit of God into the body of Christ. This body of Christ is “the regeneration” (Matthew 19:28) and is what gives the believer a position of both great power with God and responsibility “in Christ.”

Peter says in II Peter 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” God’s grace is the greatest treasure of the Christian life given to us freely and without reservation or limitation. The word “grace” is translated from the Greek word charis (khar'-ece). Grace refers to the divine influence upon the heart, and the reflection of that divine influence in a person’s life.

This is a very basic definition of God’s grace. Scripturally and theologically, grace is best defined by the manifestations of God’s power in and through the lives of His people throughout Old Testament books such as Exodus, Joshua, and Judges. Grace is manifested and defined by the miracles of God in the lives of men like Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel. These men were shown to have power with God. They spoke and God acted in response to their words because they lived in such a union with God, their wills and God’s will were almost identical. This is what is necessary to see the power of God in anyone’s life. This is what defines revival. Power with God (synergism) is nothing more than the manifestation of a right relationship with God. If you do not see the power, you do not have a right relationship with God. Since God does not change, the conditions for power with God do not change.

The word “grace” refers to this supernatural empowering or working of God in and through the lives of believers. The word “multiplied” in II Peter 1:2 is from the Greek word plethuno (play-thoo'-no). The Greek word pletho (play'-tho) means to fill. The Greek word plethos (play'-thos ) means fullness or multitude. In Ephesians 5:18, where Paul says, “ . . . be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit,” the word “filled” is the Greek word pleroo (play-ro'-o), which means to cram full. Whatever God fills, He fills to abundance. Whatever God fills, He fills to overflowing. King David knew and experienced this multiplied grace of God in his life.

“⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:4-5).

Notice that this overflowing, multiplied grace of God is “multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” The word “knowledge” is not mere intellectual knowledge of facts or theology. The failure to understand the meaning of this word is why so many people fail to ever see the power of God in their lives. “Knowledge” here is from the Greek word epignosis (ep-ig'-no-sis). Gnosis is the word used for mere intellectual knowledge. For instance, I know the formula E=MC^2. However, to know it and understand the depth of its meaning and significance in the realm of Physics and Quantum Mechanics is another kind of knowledge altogether. Epignosis refers to a full, complete, intimate knowledge of something or someone. In regards to people, it is used of the most intimate of relationships. It is this intimate relationship with God that defines the source of empowering knowledge.

Here is why few Christians ever have this overflowing, multiplied grace of God in their lives manifested by power with God in answers to prayer, power with God in producing the fruit of the Spirit, and power with God in seeing souls brought to Christ and discipled to His glory. They are just not yielded to God’s will in the way that produces this intimate union where the power of the Spirit of God simply overflows through their lives. Notice how Paul speaks of this supernatural power of God in I Corinthians 12:1-13.

“¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. ² Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. ³ Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. ⁴ Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 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 healing 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. 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. 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” (I Corinthians 12:1-13).

The word “spiritual” in I Corinthians 12:1 is from the Greek word pneumatikos (pnyoo-mat-ik-os'). The word “gifts” is italicized in our KJV, meaning it is not in the original Greek text, but is added for clarification. A literal translation would be “concerning spirituals.” The word pneumatikos refers to something far beyond the normal. It refers to something supernatural or ethereal. The word pneumatikos refers to things, works, or actions that cannot be produced by human wisdom, great talents, or abilities. No matter how good, talented, intelligent, or great a person might be, he cannot produce “spirituals” through his life apart from an intimate knowledge/relationship with God.

Streaming Audio and Down Loadable MP3 available at link below:
http://www.disciplemakerministries.org/Pages/AudioSermons/Revival/RevivalMessages13.htm

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Mideast History of Conflict in Israel

Mideast History of Conflict in Israel

פלאש סרטונים |סרטון שחובה לראות , בעיקר עכשיו כשיש מלחמה
I am amazed at both the Biblical and the historical ignorance of the world regarding what is going on in the Mideast with the nation of Israel. Watch the presentation at the link above and pass it on to all your Friends.

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