Church Family,

This past Sunday, we wrapped up our series titled "This Is Us," focusing on the Church as the Body of Christ. In his message, Paul addressed the divisions within the church regarding spiritual gifts. The Corinthian church was comparing their gifts to those of others, leading some to become prideful and look down on others, while others wished for more impressive gifts in their own lives. Paul illustrates his point by comparing the church to the human body; just as the body consists of many parts yet remains one cohesive unit, all parts work together for the overall health of the body.

Paul states in verse 12 —

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

— 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NKJV

The sermon also shared the spiritual gifts that Paul lists in this passage.

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

— 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 NKJV

Paul concludes his letter on spiritual gifts by reminding the church that these gifts are meant to edify and strengthen the community, emphasizing that they should be rooted in love.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

—1 Corinthians 13:1–3 NKJV

Application

•   Do you know your spiritual gifts?

•  Are you using your gifts to serve others? Or are you keeping them to yourself?

•  Are you honoring the gifts in others? Or are you comparing, competing, and judging?

Blessings in Christ, 

Pastor Brandon