The Holy Spirit Gives Different Gifts to Benefit the Church

May 25, 2015 Year B

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

There is one Holy Spirit who gives a variety of spiritual gifts. One Spirit, different gifts. Each gift is a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The goal of these gifts is to help produce what is beneficial for the church.

As Christians in the church, we work together with a wide variety of spiritual gifts. Some are listed here. I cannot demand to have a certain spiritual. The Holy Spirit gives as He sees fit (1 Corinthians 12:11). I can’t get more spiritual by having certain spiritual gifts. There is no second-class spirituality. All of the gifts are of equal value.

All of these gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are designed to benefit the church by encouraging others. There seems to be a classification of the kinds of encouraging gifts. Some are encouraged by word (1 Corinthians 12:8), some are encouraged by touch (1 Corinthians 12:9), and others are encouraged by spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10).

The gifts don’t turn me into a superhero. They help others become super. The gifts always benefit someone else, not the one who uses the gift. In essence, a Christian becomes a conduit of the Holy Spirit to help other people. This is how God designed His Holy Spirit’s power to be used – to show love for Him and one another.

Prayer: God, thank You that You have given me a special gifts. Please help me use the gift of Your Holy Spirit to benefit other people in the church.