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Jun 02, 2019

Redigging the Wells

Redigging the Wells

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: The Holy Spirit

Category: Sunday Morning

There is a beautiful synthesis between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.

There will never be a more important piece of the church's heritage than the promised Holy Spirit. It is especially important now for the younger generation to not give in or give up on living an abundant, spirit-filled life - A Spirit Empowered Life. As we remain faithful to Jesus and His Word, no matter the strife, struggle and stupidity you see around you, the promises and blessing of God will always follow. 

Isaac was the son of a great father and the ordinary father of a great son. His life was commonplace. Isaac dug 2 wells out of strife and another that became a blessing. Let's learn some lessons from Isaac and his digging of wells.

Genesis 26:18 Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them.

  • Lesson #1  The enemy will always try to steal away the heritage that we gain.
  • Lesson #2  Strife, at times, is a part of life. Don’t give up and don’t give in.
  • Lesson #3  Struggle and even loss have a way of pointing us in the direction that we should go. And the promise and the blessing of God will always follow.

Be willing to go back and re-dig those wells of heritage. Put up with the contentious so see God’s blessing.

Ephesians 4:8 Therefore, it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.”

Some of the gifts of the Spirit are: 

I Corinthians 12:7-10 wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues.

Romans 12:6-8 prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy. 

I Peter 4:11 speaking God's word, serving God's people.

These gifts the Lord has given to each of us is so that we can be a blessing to both one another and to the church. These wonderful gifts when submitted to the Holy Spirit are given a divinely charged power that brings life to all around.

I Cor 12:14-25

-- It is the sure word of the Lord that the power source of the church is the unity of the believers.

-- The unity of the believers is the proper use of the wonderful and extravagant gifts of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

-- The proper use of the gifts begins with the recognition of God's anointing and empowerment on every believer - not just the singers and preachers. 

-- God's anointing and empowerment begin when each of us opens our eyes to see what is the hope of his calling and the riches (the gifts) of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18

I Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

There is a beautiful synthesis between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is to be pursued. (Like a farmer that tills the soil, removes all obstacles, creates a water source, plants the seed, pulls the weeds . . . cultivates a harvest.) The gifts of the Spirit are to be desired and be desired with a passion. Often those that are determined to use their gifts spend more time desiring than pursuing. 

Two of Isaac's three wells were born of strife but Isaac continued to believe that God would sustain Him. The third well became a blessing - Genesis 26:22 At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land. Finally, there was a place of safety - a place of refreshment.

We should all put down roots into the living water and dig again the wells of heritage in the Holy Spirit and become a blessing to the next generation. 

The gifts need to be used for blessing. Romans 12:4-8 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The fruit of the Spirit needs to undergird the gifts. Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 

When gifts are empowered by The Holy Spirit, then eternal change can be made. Gifts, when submitted to The Holy Spirit, are given a divinely charged power to bring life.

What gifts do you have? 

What is the power source for your gift? Ask the Lord to empower your gift through the Holy Spirit.

What fruit do you need or are you pursuing? He is so gracious and will not refuse you today!

Discuss differences in pursuing and desiring.