Only God knows the future. From time to time, the Godhead will reveal it to people who are born again. The apostle Paul called this special occurrence the “word of knowledge.” It only happens when the Holy Spirit reveals a future event.

The first recorded instance of the word of knowledge in the New Testament was when the apostle Peter was given a complete rundown of Ananias and Sapphira’s scheme to defraud the church.

They sold something valuable after the Day of Pentecost but did not want to give all the proceeds to the church. Nevertheless, they wanted the recognition that came with such generous philanthropy and lied about the amount.

When the Ananias approached Peter, the apostle asked him why he was lying to the Holy Spirit? Ananias immediately dropped dead. Some three hours later Sapphira came to Peter, she too lied when questioned about the matter, and also immediately was killed by God. This event caused great fear in the church as they realized lying to the Holy Spirit was a serious offence.

Years later the apostle Paul decided to travel to Jerusalem. The prophet Agabus pleaded with him not to go, going so far as to grab Paul’s belt and warn him that he would be arrested and turned over to the Romans.

Paul knew Agabus; he was a known within the Christian community as a prophet and knew that it was a message from God. Yet, Paul rejected the warning from the Holy Spirit and proceeded to Jerusalem anyway, where he was assaulted by the Jews in the temple and almost killed. He spent the next four years in prison because he deliberately grieved the Holy Spirit.

This gift has worked in my life. I received the word of knowledge in 1967 to attend seminary. I was told to apply for supply preaching. I was told to start a radio ministry. I was told to move to Sacramento in 1975.  I was told to start a webcasting ministry in 2007.

Operating in this gift of the Holy Spirit – or any other for that matter – is exciting because it means you are in God’s will and He is choosing to use you for something particular. It is wonderful knowing that the path you’re on is sanctioned by God and receiving His blessing in the form of one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Print out the sermon outline and let's examine the Scriptures together Sunday morning at 9:00 AM PST.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor John S. Torell