Why Do You Want a Spiritual Gift?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes that spiritual gifts are not the ultimate goal of our faith, but rather a means to an end. We are called to use these gifts for the benefit of others and to demonstrate love. Without love, even the most impressive gifts will only bring division and chaos. The apostle Paul reminds us that true spirituality is not about being spectacular or attention-grabbing, but about serving others with humility and compassion.

Key Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - In this passage, Paul lists various spiritual gifts such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing. However, he makes it clear that these gifts are not for individual glory or self-promotion, but rather to benefit the entire body of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 12:31 - Paul asks a rhetorical question, "But earnestly desire the higher gifts." This is often misunderstood as a call to pursue spiritual gifts at all costs. However, in context, it's clear that Paul is saying we should desire these gifts only if they are used for love and the benefit of others.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - This famous passage on love reminds us that even the most impressive spiritual feats without love are nothing. Paul says, "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." Without love, our gifts will only bring noise and distraction.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Paul goes on to describe what love looks like in action. He says it's patient, kind, humble, and not self-seeking. This is the standard by which we should measure our pursuit of spiritual gifts.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3 - In this passage, Paul emphasizes that speaking in tongues should be done for edification, or building up others. If it's not used to benefit others, then it's better to remain silent.
• 1 Corinthians 14:12-13 - Paul warns us against using spiritual gifts as a means of personal expression or self-promotion. He says we should seek to prophesy in such a way that we edify the church and build each other up, rather than seeking our own glory.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26 - In this passage, Paul encourages believers to use their gifts for mutual encouragement and edification. He says we should seek to prophesy in such a way that we help others grow in faith and love.

Key Takeaways

• The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not personal gain or self-expression, but rather serving others with humility and compassion. We must use our gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ, rather than seeking to draw attention to ourselves.
• Loving others is not just a feeling or an emotion, but a choice we make every day. It's a decision to put others before ourselves and seek their good above our own. This is the standard by which we should measure our pursuit of spiritual gifts.
• True spirituality is not about being spectacular or attention-grabbing, but about serving others with humility and compassion. We must be careful not to confuse spiritual gifts with personal ambition or self-promotion.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take time to reflect on your motivations for pursuing spiritual gifts. Ask yourself if you're seeking to use these gifts for love and the benefit of others, or if you're seeking personal glory or attention. Pray that God would give you a heart of humility and compassion, and that you would seek to serve others with your gifts.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in my life where I'm more focused on self-expression than serving others? How can I shift my focus towards loving and serving others?
• Think about a time when you saw someone use their spiritual gift for the benefit of others. What made it so effective, and how can we apply that to our own lives?
• Reflect on your daily interactions with others. Are there opportunities for you to serve them with humility and compassion? How can you use your gifts in a way that builds up others and edifies the body of Christ?