MESSAGE THEME : THE BENEFITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-14

INTRODUCTION The city of Corinth was at the heart of an important trade route in the ancient world. Like many cities that thrives on trade, Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption. The church that Paul planted there floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues. First Corinthians addresses many practical questions dividing the church. One of such questions was concerning such things as spiritual gifts- one of the benefits of the Holy Spirit

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?  The Holy Spirit is the manifestation of God who works in and through Christians in this dispensation of time in order to accomplish the work of God on earth.  The Holy Spirit is Lord-1Corinthians 3:16-18

WHERE IS THE HOLYSPIRIT?  Ezekiel 36:27 – The Holy Spirit is within us  Daniel 4: Daniel had the Holy Spirit  1Corinthians 6:19-20 – we are the temple of the Holy Spirit  Isaiah 63:10- We can grieved the Holy Spirit  Romans 14:17- The Kingdom of God is about joy and peace in the Holy Ghost

There are so many benefits of the Holy Spirit but just to name few:  Acts 1:8 – Power  John 14:26- Comforter/Helper, Teacher  Romans 15:13- Hope  Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control  EPH. 4:7-8, 11-13, Romans 12:6-8 – Gifts (talents and Ministries- Eg. Serving, Giving and Leading) for the equipping of the Church. For example the fivefold ministries ( Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) BENEFITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 1Corinthians 12:7-10 – Nine (9) Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit A.3 Revelation gifts: Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discernment of spirits B.3 Miraculous gifts: Gift of Faith, Gift of Healing, Gift of working of Miracles C.3 Speaking gifts: Prophecy, Speaking in differ kinds of tongues and Interpretation of tongues This benefit of the Holy Spirit led to a serious question in the Corinthians Church that was dividing the church instead of equipping. So Paul wrote in Chapter 12 these points I want to close with today as we talk about the benefits of the Holy Spirit. BENEFITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Paul Advice The Church  1Corinthians 12:1 – Do not be ignorant about Spiritual gifts (It is a benefit)  1Corinthians 12:3 – It is only the Holy Spirit that can empower anyone to manifest these gifts ( It is not learn, it is not a talents)  1Corinthians 12:4-7- Differences of gifts, manifestation and function but all is given by one God and for the benefits of the Church. Close with this story, a man traveling from far away country to the USA. A 20hours flights on a very expensive flight with a Business Class ticket (Class 1 service ticket). He refuse all the meal and services on the flight with fear of being ask to pay upon his arrival since infact he spend all his money for the flight ticket. He did not know he was entitle to all of the services and benefit on the flight.