How can we identify and utilize our spiritual gifts within the church today? The Bigger Picture: God’s Design for a Gifted Church • 1 Corinthians 12 lays out a living portrait of the church as one body with many members. Every believer holds a Spirit-given assignment. • “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) • No gift is incidental; each one advances Christ’s mission on earth. Foundational Verse “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then those with gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28) Key observations • God Himself does the appointing. • The list is diverse—leadership, teaching, supernatural power, compassionate help, administrative guidance, and tongues. • Order highlights function, not value; all belong. Recognizing the Source • “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4) • Gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit, not personal achievements. • Since they originate with God, they remain trustworthy, relevant, and active today. Identifying Your God-Given Gifts 1. Scripture immersion – Study gift passages: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11. – Measure personal experiences against the biblical descriptions. 2. Prayerful surrender – Ask the Spirit to bring clarity and desire that aligns with His purpose. 3. Affirmation from mature believers – Leaders and friends often recognize fruit you overlook. 4. Faithful experimentation – Serve in varied ministries; gifting shines when put to work. – “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:10) 5. Interior confirmation – Genuine gifts bring joy, endurance, and evident spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Putting Gifts to Work in the Local Church • Apostolic gifting: pioneer new ministries, plant churches, mobilize outreach teams. • Prophetic gifting: speak timely, Scripture-rooted encouragement and correction, guarding doctrine. • Teaching gifting: craft lessons, lead classes, disciple believers with clarity. • Working of miracles and healing: pray boldly for the sick, demonstrating Christ’s compassion. • Helping (service): organize meals, practical aid, and behind-the-scenes support that stabilizes ministries. • Guidance (administration): structure budgets, plan events, develop systems that free others to serve. • Tongues and interpretation: enrich corporate worship, intercession, and mission when practiced in biblical order (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). Guardrails for Faithful Use • Love is non-negotiable. Gifts minus love equal nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). • Order matters. “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) • Humility keeps comparisons at bay. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’ ” (1 Corinthians 12:21) • Accountability protects purity. Gifts flourish under biblical leadership and mutual submission. Long-Term Impact • Properly exercised gifts equip saints, build unity, and mature the church “to the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) • The world encounters a living Christ when every believer embraces and deploys his or her assigned grace. |
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