Gifts of Grace: Knowledge | John Alderdice

Here's John Alderdice helping us explore the spiritual gift referred to as the “word of knowledge,” that we find in 1 Corinthians 12:1–11.

 

John unpacks the difference between information and real knowledge. How real knowledge goes much deeper than facts. It shows us that some things about God remain beyond us. So as followers of Jesus, we are called to stay curious, open, and willing to learn, rather than acting like we have everything figured out.

 

When it came to the “word of knowledge” itself, John describes it as those moments when God gives someone insight they would not naturally have, whether through a thought, an image, or a strong sense of understanding.  He stresses that any “word” we hear should line up with Scripture, reflect Jesus’ character, and be shared in a way that builds others up. Even when something is challenging, it should still come from a place of love and wisdom.

 

As we listen to what John shares, let's not to shy away from this gift out of fear of getting it wrong. Learning to hear God’s voice involves stepping out and sometimes making mistakes. The key, he says, is to stay open, humble, and grounded in love. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 13, we were reminded that we only ever see in part, but as we grow, we can become more aware of God at work in our lives and more willing to join in with what He is doing

 

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As part of John's talk he used a testimony shared by Simon Ponsonby. The recording of this story was put together by Streams Studio and can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvAT1Xuc01o . No copyright infringement intended. Streams Studio is a crowdfunded non-profit. If you would like to contribute financially towards their work, please visit https://www.streams-studio.com/ for more information.