Listen to last week’s sermon Empowered for Impact: Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge – 1 Corinthians 12

Last Sunday at New Beginning Church in Rockland, Pastor Eric delivered a message to mark Pentecost, celebrated as the day the church was born—recorded in Acts 2. On that transformative day, the Holy Spirit descended upon 120 believers, empowering them to change the world. This pivotal moment set the stage for what God envisioned His church to be: not just a collection of buildings or people but a thriving, impactful force in the world. As part of a new sermon series titled Empowered for Impact, Pastor Eric encouraged the congregation to reflect on their calling as Christians and the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. He reminded everyone that God doesn’t want His church to just survive or exist but to make a transformative impact. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be agents of change, equipped with spiritual gifts to build up the church and influence the world around them.

Christians are Thermostats, Not Thermometers

Pastor Eric began his sermon with a powerful analogy: Christians are called to be thermostats rather than thermometers. While thermometers merely reflect the temperature of their surroundings, thermostats actively change the climate. Similarly, many believers today act as thermometers—they are quick to identify problems in the world or the church but fail to contribute to solutions. They point out the darkness but don’t bring the light. Thermostats, on the other hand, set the temperature. They influence their surroundings instead of being influenced by them. They bring light to dark places, hope to hopeless situations, and solutions to broken systems. Pastor Eric urged the congregation to embrace their role as thermostats, empowered by the Holy Spirit to change the spiritual climate of their communities.

Pastor Eric emphasized that the key to being impactful is the Holy Spirit, who equips believers with spiritual gifts. These gifts are supernatural abilities given by God to serve the common good and build up the church. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, he explained that these gifts are not meant to boost our egos or elevate individual status but to serve others and fulfill God’s purposes.

A Call to Understanding Spiritual Gifts

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:1, encouraged believers not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts:

“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.”

It is critical for Christians to understand their gifts—what they are, how they function, and their purpose in the church. Without this knowledge, it’s impossible to steward or operate in these gifts effectively.

Different Kinds of Spiritual Gifts

The sermon focused on the nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, including the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. Pastor Eric began by unpacking the first two gifts: the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge.

What is The Word of Wisdom?

The gift of the word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation from the Holy Spirit, giving insight into the proper course of action in complex situations. It’s not the same as general wisdom, which is cultivated through life experiences, study, and prayer. Instead, the word of wisdom is a specific, Spirit-given message for a particular moment. It provides divine direction and helps resolve challenges that human reasoning cannot. Pastor Eric illustrated this gift through biblical examples:

• In Matthew 22:17-22, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees with a question designed to trap Him about paying taxes to Caesar. His response, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” silenced His critics and demonstrated the power of divine wisdom.
• In John 8, when the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, He replied, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” This wise response diffused the situation and revealed the hearts of the accusers.
• In Acts 15, the early church faced a major conflict over whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish laws. James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, offered a balanced solution that brought unity and clarity.

What Is The Word of Knowledge?

The word of knowledge is another supernatural gift, involving a revelation of information that could not be known naturally. This gift often uncovers details about a person’s past or present circumstances, providing insight that glorifies God and edifies others. Pastor Eric highlighted these biblical examples:

• In John 4, Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman at the well that she had five husbands, a fact He could not have known naturally. This encounter led her to recognize Him as the Messiah.
• In Acts 5, Peter, through the word of knowledge, discerned that Ananias and Sapphira were lying about their offering, exposing their deceit.

The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Pastor Eric emphasized that the ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church and serve others. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7:

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

These gifts are not for self-promotion or personal gain but are tools for ministry, healing, and guidance. They reflect God’s love and power, enabling believers to fulfill their calling and advance His kingdom.

Practical Lessons for Believers

1. Seek the Holy Spirit’s Empowerment
   Pastor Eric encouraged believers to actively seek the Holy Spirit’s empowerment in their lives. Spiritual gifts are not reserved for a select few—they are available to all who are willing to be used by God.

2. Understand Your Gifts
   Ignorance of spiritual gifts can hinder their use. Pastor Eric urged the congregation to study the Scriptures, pray for revelation, and seek guidance to identify and operate in their God-given gifts.

3. Be a Thermostat
   Christians are called to influence the world, not be influenced by it. By operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can bring light to dark places, solve problems, and transform lives.

4. Trust in God’s Wisdom
   The gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge serve as reminders that God’s wisdom far surpasses human understanding. Trusting in His guidance can lead to solutions that glorify Him and bless others.

Watch the sermon here: