The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New
Course:
The Gifts of the Spirit (10 Lessons)
Lesson
Two
Lesson Title: The Word of Wisdom
Text: '... to one is given by the Spirit the
word of wisdom.' 1 Corinthians 12:8.
Introduction: What is the Word of Wisdom?
The list of the gifts of the Spirit begins with a Word of Wisdom.
The fact that a Word of Wisdom is listed first reveals the important character of the gift.
A Word of Wisdom is not natural wisdom that can be derived from knowledge and experience.
A Word of Wisdom is supernaturally imparted wisdom from the Spirit of God that can only be known through the omniscience of God.
1) A Word of Wisdom may reveal the outworking of God’s eternal plan and purpose of God.
2) A Word of Wisdom may reveal what is going to happen in the future so that God’s people can act accordingly.
3) A Word of Wisdom may reveal an action that must be to taken because of an event yet to happen.
Comparison between a
Word of Wisdom and a Word of Knowledge.
A Word of Wisdom is a revelation relating to what will happen. It concerns things in the future.
A Word of Knowledge is a revelation of what is happening or has happened. It concerns things present and things past.
A Word of Wisdom provides information concerning the plan and purpose of God so that a person can act with confidence and assurance.
A Word of Knowledge provides information to guide and to break down barriers.
A Word of Wisdom provides information concerning an action that needs to be taken because of a future event, or information about a future event allowing the person to decide what to do.
A Word of Knowledge provides information regarding current events so a person can decide what should be done.
Examples of a Word of Wisdom:
A Word of
Wisdom can be:
1)
…a warning of a future disaster like 9/11
2)
…a warning of danger such as avoiding a car accident.
3)
…an encouragement concerning the future, for instance, an end to a time of
trial.
4) …an encouragement regarding the character
of a persons ministry
5)
…a revelation of what God will do concerning a persons ministry.
6)
…a word of guidance regarding whether to do something or not to do
something.
7) …a word giving information regarding the
future so that we are not surprised by what happens.
A Word of Wisdom from experience:
The Holy Spirit may give a Word of Wisdom to warn us so that we will not…
1) …enter into a wrong association – people can appear honest when they are not.
2) …enter into a business deal that will be disastrous – we do not know future events that may happen.
3) …take a particular person with us on a particular trip – a wrong person can cause big problems especially in regard to the gospel.
We do not have to know why; we must trust the Holy Spirit.
Similarly, the Holy Spirit can lead us through a Word of Wisdom to…
1) …associate with the right person;
2) …do a particular business transaction;
3) …take someone with us on a particular trip.
Personal Testimony: A Word of Wisdom can be a word to do something because of what will happen.
In 1985 the Holy Spirit led me to
On my way home, when I was waiting for the plane at
It seemed strange, but I did it.
Then, when I walked out to the bus a man looked at me and said ‘Are you travelling alone?' He took my boarding pass and gave me a business class boarding pass. It was a wonderful journey home.
Obedience to the Word of Wisdom brought great personal blessing.
Main Points
1.
A Word of Wisdom in Scripture.
The Book of Acts.
a) Ananias - Revealing the plan and purpose of God in regard to ministry.
Paul was known for his hatred of the Church.
No Christian would have approached him without supernatural revelation.
Acts 9:15-16. Word of Wisdom came through Ananias to Paul.
Chosen vessel.
Will face persecution.
- Gifts operating
together.
Ananias received a Word of Knowledge concerning Paul’s location – He is at the Street
called Straight.
Acts
Then Ananias was sent by the Holy Spirit with a Word of Wisdom.
Also gifts of healing – Paul received his
sight. Acts
b) Agabus
Agabus was a prophet.
A prophet will operate the gifts of a Word of Wisdom and a Word of Knowledge.
- Revealing a future
catastrophe. Famine. Acts
Church took action and made provision for
poor in
Word of Wisdom did not tell Church what to do. Church decided.
Combination of divine revelation and human reasoning.
- Revealing Paul’s
future imprisonment. Acts
Holy Spirit reveals what will happen.
Church wrongly tried to persuade Paul not to go.
Paul ignored their pleas.
Word of Wisdom was confirmed to Paul in every city by the believers.
Discussion: A Word of Wisdom must be used rightly.
It is
possible to receive a Word of Wisdom and make wrong decisions because we
misunderstand what the Holy Spirit is saying.
Knowledge and experience are necessary in understanding what the Holy Spirit is saying.
It is easy to move from a Word of Wisdom to give our own advise or thoughts.
This does not make a person a false prophet.
But it can bring discouragement when something does not happen - the misuse of this gift can also produce scepticism.
We must be careful not to mistake an emotional response to a particular situation or problem as a Word of Wisdom .
2.
Testimonies concerning a Word of Wisdom.
a)
Examples from Church History
We find the Word of Wisdom in operation in Church history especially during times of revival.
The 16th century Reformation was a time of great revival.
Personal Story: English Reformation
I once went on a tour with a group who believed the manifestations of the Spirit ceased when the whole canon of scripture had been written.
When we were at
The next day Queen Mary known as ‘Bloody Mary’ died and the prisoners were released.
It is ironic that the tour group who spoke about these events in Church History also teach that the gifts of the Spirit ceased after the full canon of scripture was written.
The martyrs were operating in the gift of a Word of Wisdom.
b)
Examples from Personal experience
Personal testimony
A Word of Wisdom is a revelation concerning the plan and purpose of God.
Early in my Christian experience a preacher telephoned me and asked if he could come to see me. I was at work and so I told him that I would come to him during my lunchtime.
He told me things concerning the ministry God had given me. The things he told me were a confirmation of what was already on my heart. This word of wisdom was a great encouragement to me.
When God uses a believer in a Word of Wisdom it does not mean he or she has the ministry of a prophet. God uses many believers to give a Word of Wisdom to the Church.
3.
Why is the Word of Wisdom necessary today?
It is as necessary today as it was in the days of the book of Acts.
The Word
of Wisdom enables the Body of Christ to know the plan and purpose of God.
a)
A Word of Wisdom will build up ministries.
This was
seen in the Book of Acts when Ananias came to Saul of
Tarsus (Acts
A Word of
Wisdom will…
•
Provide direction by revealing God’s plan and purpose.
•
Recognise developing ministry gifts.
•
Show what the Holy Spirit will do in the lives of others.
Produce boldness so that the believer can be fearless in the face of trials, persecution and danger.
Bring encouragement in the face of difficulties and trials.
b)
A Word of Wisdom gives warning to the body of Christ so that the church
can be prepared.
The Word
of Wisdom enables the Church to take appropriate action before hand.
This was
seen in the book of Acts when Agabus revealed by a
Word of Wisdom that there would be a famine.
Acts
The
action the Church took brought great blessing to the poor believers in
A Word of Wisdom will…
- Reveal future events so preventative or supportive measures can be taken.
- Reveal times of difficulty and trials so the church will not be shaken by what is happening
- Reveal future attacks of the enemy so the church can be diligent in fulfilling its mission.
c)
A Word of Wisdom can save lives, and prevent a tragedy or loss.
The Word
of Wisdom enables believers to take preventative action.
This is
seen in the Book of Acts when Paul was shipwrecked. Acts 27:31-32.
A Word of
Wisdom will save lives by…
•
Preventing an accident
•
Preventing a crime
Prevent a person doing something that will have bad consequences.
If the
Word of Wisdom is disobeyed the consequences may be disastrous.
It is important to recognise when God speaks by a Word of Wisdom and act accordingly.
Summary:
A Word of Wisdom
1) Was needed in the Acts of the Apostles to guide, warn, prepare and encourage the church.
2) Has been seen in operation throughout Church history.
3) Is necessary today to encourage the church especially during times of trial or persecution.