The Gifts of the Spirit
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.” (Romans 12:3-6, ESV)
Pastor Abel’s sermon on this passage is titled, “Church Shopping?”
In our day it is common to view church participation merely as something we do on Sunday. Many people enjoy going to church. Some people go out of obligation or guilt. The common denominator is that it is easy to “go to church” for selfish reasons.
In the above passage, Paul shifts our perspective from a self-centered view of church to an other-centered view. God has placed us within the church as a unique member of the body of Christ. Each believer in the church has a gift, given by the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of blessing others in the body and glorifying God.
Some of the gifts specifically mentioned in the Bible, which God gives to believers, are:
- The gift of wise council (1 Corinthians 12:8)
- The gift of knowledge / teaching (1 Corinthians 12:8)
- The gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
- The gift of evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
- The gift of service (Romans 12:7)
- The gift of encouragement / exhortation (Romans 12:8)
- The gift of generosity (Romans 12:8)
- The gift of leadership (Romans 12:8)
- The gift of acts of mercy (Romans 12:8)
When we look for ways to use the gifts God has given us, we become more fruitful and can bless others around us.
Further Study
- Pray and reflect on what gifts God has given to you. How can you use this gift to bless others?
- Book: Life In The Father’s House by Wayne A. Mack and David Swavely
Questions
- What struck you from the sermon this Sunday? What was most impactful to you?
- How does the reality that we are members of the body of Christ change the way we see church involvement?
- Why will you never find the perfect church?
- How does thinking too highly of yourself hinder your ability to use your gifts in the church?
- What role does gratitude for what God has done for us play in loving others?