DIVINE DESIGN

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's MASTERPIECE. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do all the good things He planned for us long ago".

(Yahweh, or Jehovah the self-existent one)

creator of the heavens and the earth.

The name Jehovah is used some 6,800 times in the bible. This is the personal covenant name of Israel's God.

The root name means "self-Existing one" who never came into being but has always been and always will be.

Ref. Isaiah 40:3; 10; 1 Samuel 1:20; Exodus 6:1-4; 3:1-22; John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1, 5

He is our Lord and Savior, the One who achieved His purposes of representing God to us in life, then dying on the cross for our sins and redemption.

Hebrew and Aramaic biblical text, taken from the Hebrew

verb, yasha, that means "to deliver, save, or rescue,"

Greek translations have "Yeshua" listed as Yesous, among first century Greeks, of which the name, Jesus, is derived.

C. The HOLY SPIRIT is fully God.

2. The doctrine of the Trinity has been a entire History of the Christian church.

a. While the core aspects of the Trinity are clearly presented in God's word, some things will always remain explicitly unclear.

The father is God, The Son is God, and the Holy spirit is God, But there is only One God.

That is what we believe and beyond that, the issues are to a certain

extent, debatable and a non-essential for salvation.

Rather than attempting to fully define the Trinity with our finite human minds, we would be better served by of God's greatness and infinitely higher nature.

1. Question: "Is the Holy Spirit God?"

a. Answer: The short answer to this question is, yes, the Holy Spirit as described in the Bible is fully God.

Along with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ), God the Spirit is the third member of the Trinity.

b. The Bible describes the Holy Spirit Father and the Son since before time began.

The Spirit is central to all of the things that God is described as doing in the Bible.

The Spirit of God was (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6

The Holy Spirit moved the prophets of God with the words of God.

C. The bodies of those in Christ are described as

the Holy Spirit is in us. (1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus was clear that to be "born again," to become a Christian, one must be (John 3:5

2. One of the most convincing statements in the Bible about the Holy Spirit being God is found in Acts 5.

a. When Ananias lied about the price of a piece of property, Peter said that Satan had filled Ananias's heart to (Acts 5:3) and concluded by saying that Ananias had(verse 4

Peter's words equate the Holy Spirit with God; he spoke as if the Spirit and God

3. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, was different from Himself.

a. The Father would send the Helper, the Spirit of truth, after Christ departed.

The Spirit would speak through them about Jesus (John 15:25; 16:7

All three Persons Jesus mentions are God while being distinct from each other within the Trinity.

4. The three members of the Trinity show up, Jesus' baptism.

a. As Jesus comes up from the water, the Spirit descends on Him like a dove while the voice of the Father is heard from heaven saying that He is pleased with His beloved Son (Mark 1:10-11

5. Finally, the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as a person, not a mere force.

He has a will (1 Corinthians 12:4-7

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 New Living Translation (NLT) 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of 6 them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

how your uniquely designed personality,

Proverbs 25:2 The Passion Translation (TPT) 2 God conceals the revelation of his word in the hiding place of his glory. But the honor of kings is revealed by how they thoroughly search out the deeper meaning of all that God says.

Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

John 14:12 The Passion Translation (TPT) 12 "I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do- even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father!

a. We will teach you about spiritual gifts.

1. To help you understand how to use these gifts.

2. To make opportunities available for you to use and grow in the gifts.

b. Your responsibility will be to learn about these gifts and

2. God would not give you talents, temperaments, spiritual gifts, and all sorts of life experiences and then not use them!

3. Spiritual gifts from God are meant to be used for reaching the lost, raising up disciples and growing the church.

given to all believers in CHRIST, a. A spiritual gift is a who have received the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His mission through

Ephesians 4:4-8 & 11-13 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it

says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

b. We are uniquely created with holy spirit to do good works with

C. Your personality is the way God has wired you to navigate the challenges in life and reach the summit of your unique potential. 1 Corinthians 12:27 "All of you together are the one body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part."

2. WHO GIVES US THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

a. Since the day of Pentecost, more spiritual gifts to each believer and empowered them to be used.

Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on

you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. 5 There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. 6 There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people.

a. The Holy Spirit will use those gifts to testify on His behalf through ministry.

Hebrews 2:4 (NIV) 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

1. So, the purpose of spiritual gifts, is to glorify Jesus and

Ref. Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10; John 16:13-14 and John 15:8.

4. HOW DO I RECEIVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

as Savior and Lord of your life. b.

a. Apostle 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11 b. Tongues 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30 C. Interpretation 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30 d. Miracles 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28 e. Healing 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

a. Faith 1 Corinthians 12:9 b. Discernment 1 Corinthians 12:10 C. Wisdom 1 Corinthians 12:8

d. Knowledge 1 Corinthians 12:8

3. THE TEAM GIFTS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO PROMINENT TYPES

a. Speaking gifts 1 Peter 4:11a. b. Ministering gifts 1 Peter 4:11b.

1Peter 4:10-12 (NIV) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

4. PETER GIVES US TWO GROUPS OF GIFTS.

1) Those who have the speaking gifts are Evangelists, Prophetic,

Teachers, Exhorters, and Pastors.

b. "Ministering" gifts are support gifts.

1) Ministers are people who are happy to work behind the scenes supporting the ones who have the speaking gifts.

2) Ministering gifts include Pastoring, Mercy, Servers, Givers, and Administrators.

a. Evangelism: Leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ, Ephesians 4:11

b. Prophecy: boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God's truth, Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

C. Teaching: Making clear the truth of God's Word with simplicity &

accuracy, Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28

d. Exhortation: Motivating others to action, application, and purpose in Christ. Romans 12:8

e. Pastoral: Overseeing, training, feeding, coaching/leading, in the church. Ephesians 4:11

f. Mercy: Identifying with and comforting those in need. Romans 12:8

g. Serving: Providing practical help both physically and spiritually. Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28

h. Giving: Releasing financial resources to further the work of the

i. Administration: Organizing, administering, promoting, leading. Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28

Romans 12:3 says, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

For the best results, answer each statement below according to who you are, not who you would like to be or think you ought to be. How true are these statements of you? If you tie on any of your top three gifts after taking the test, ask your spouse or leader to help you see which one is more prevalent in your everyday life. What has been your experience? What do others tell you? To what degree do these statements reflect your usual tendencies? Each question is very important, so try not to miss out on any. Your score is calculated at the end of the test.