BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH SPIRITUAL GIFTS

BUILDING THE CHURCH THROUGH SPIRITUAL GIFTS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 14:12

Key Verse: “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” — 1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31; 13:1-13; 14:1-5, 26; Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Description: Spiritual gifts are divine enablements given to believers for the service and strengthening of the Body of Christ. Their true value is not measured by how spectacular they appear but by how effectively they edify the Church. Every believer has a role to play, and every gift should be exercised in love, humility, order, and faithfulness.

INTRODUCTION

God has designed the Church as a living body in which every member has a function. First Corinthians 12 teaches that the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different believers, while First Corinthians 13 establishes love as the governing principle for their use. In chapter 14, Paul shows how these gifts should operate in the gathered Church so that believers may be strengthened rather than confused or divided.

The Corinthian believers were zealous for spiritual gifts, but their zeal was not always accompanied by spiritual maturity. They were interested in manifestations, but Paul wanted them to understand their responsibility towards the entire congregation. He therefore instructed them to “excel to the edifying of the church.” The goal was not merely to demonstrate what they could do, but to use what God had given them to build others.

The same principle applies to the Church today. God has gifted pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, administrators, worship leaders, intercessors, encouragers, givers, and servants in various ways. When these gifts are exercised in love and submitted to God's purposes, the Church becomes stronger, healthier, and more effective in fulfilling its mission.

1. SPIRITUAL GIFTS COME FROM GOD

Every genuine spiritual gift originates from the Holy Spirit.

a) There Are Different Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4)
God distributes different gifts among His people.

b) There Are Different Ministries (1 Corinthians 12:5)
The same Lord gives believers different areas of service.

c) There Are Different Operations (1 Corinthians 12:6)
God works through His people in diverse ways.

d) The Spirit Gives As He Wills (1 Corinthians 12:11)
No believer can claim personal ownership or superiority because of a spiritual gift.

2. EVERY BELIEVER HAS A PLACE IN THE BODY

The Church is strongest when every member understands his or her importance.

a) One Body Has Many Members (1 Corinthians 12:12)
The Church is united in Christ while containing many different members.

b) Every Member Has A Function (1 Corinthians 12:14-20)
No believer should consider himself useless because his gift differs from another's.

c) Members Need One Another (1 Corinthians 12:21)
Spiritual ministry is not designed to operate in isolation.

d) Every Member Should Contribute (Ephesians 4:16)
The whole body grows as each part performs its God-given function.

3. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE GIVEN FOR THE COMMON GOOD

The purpose of gifting is service.

a) Gifts Profit Others (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

b) Gifts Should Strengthen Believers (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Every contribution in the gathering should have a constructive purpose.

c) Gifts Should Encourage The Church (1 Corinthians 14:3)
God uses spiritual ministry to strengthen and encourage His people.

d) Gifts Should Build The Body (Ephesians 4:12)
Ministry gifts equip believers for effective service.

4. LOVE MUST GOVERN THE USE OF GIFTS

Spiritual gifts become truly fruitful when they operate through love.

a) Love Is The More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31)
The greatest ministry cannot compensate for the absence of love.

b) Gifts Without Love Are Empty (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Spiritual manifestations without love lose their proper purpose.

c) Love Seeks The Good Of Others (1 Corinthians 10:24)
The gifted believer should ask, “How can this help someone else?”

d) Love Builds Up (1 Corinthians 8:1)
The purpose of ministry is to strengthen rather than impress.

5. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD BE USED WITH HUMILITY

Gifting must never become an excuse for pride.

a) Gifts Are Received, Not Earned (1 Corinthians 12:11)
We cannot boast about what God graciously gives.

b) Avoid Self-Exaltation (Philippians 2:3)
Christian ministry must not be driven by ambition.

c) Honour Others (Romans 12:10)
Every believer should recognise the contribution of others.

d) Give God The Glory (1 Peter 4:11)
Whatever ministry we perform should ultimately point people towards God.

6. SPIRITUAL GIFTS REQUIRE FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

God expects us to use what He has entrusted to us.

a) Stir Up Your Gift (2 Timothy 1:6)
Spiritual gifts should not be neglected.

b) Use Your Gift To Serve (1 Peter 4:10)
Every believer is a steward of God's grace.

c) Be Faithful In Ministry (1 Corinthians 4:2)
God values faithfulness, not merely visibility.

d) Develop Your Capacity (Proverbs 18:16)
Faithful development can increase the effectiveness of one's ministry.

7. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD BUILD RATHER THAN COMPETE

There is no place for rivalry in the Body of Christ.

a) Different Gifts Have Different Functions (Romans 12:6-8)
Not every believer will perform the same ministry.

b) No Gift Makes You Superior (1 Corinthians 12:21-24)
Different functions do not establish different levels of value.

c) Avoid Competition (1 Corinthians 3:3-7)
Human jealousy can damage God's work.

d) Celebrate Other People's Gifts (Romans 12:15)
Mature believers rejoice when others are fruitful.

8. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD PRODUCE SPIRITUAL MATURITY

The purpose of ministry is not merely activity but growth.

a) Equip The Saints (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Ministry gifts prepare believers for service.

b) Build Up The Body (Ephesians 4:12)
The Church should become stronger through ministry.

c) Grow Into Christ (Ephesians 4:13-15)
Spiritual maturity means becoming increasingly like Jesus.

d) Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15)
Growth requires both truth and love.

9. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD OPERATE IN ORDER

God's gifts should never be used as an excuse for disorder.

a) Seek Edification (1 Corinthians 14:12)
The question should always be, “Will this build the Church?”

b) Exercise Gifts Wisely (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Every contribution should serve a constructive purpose.

c) Let Things Be Judged (1 Corinthians 14:29)
Prophetic expressions should be discerned responsibly.

d) Let Everything Be Done Decently (1 Corinthians 14:40)
God's work should be carried out with order and wisdom.

10. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Gifting ultimately serves God's kingdom purposes.

a) Gifts Equip The Church (Ephesians 4:12)
Equipped believers become effective servants.

b) Gifts Strengthen The Church (Ephesians 4:16)
A functioning body becomes stronger and more effective.

c) Gifts Help Reach Others (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)
Spiritually meaningful ministry can help unbelievers recognise God's presence.

d) Gifts Should Glorify God (Matthew 5:16)
The ultimate goal is that God receives the glory.

CONCLUSION

Spiritual gifts are not trophies to display; they are tools to use in the service of God's people. The Corinthian believers were zealous for gifts, but Paul challenged them to go beyond enthusiasm and learn how to use those gifts for the edification of the Church. The same challenge confronts the Church today: Do our gifts merely attract attention, or do they genuinely build people?

God has placed something valuable in every believer. Therefore, discover your gift, develop it, dedicate it to God, and deploy it in love. Do not compare your gift with another person's gift. Do not use your gifting to compete, dominate, or seek applause. Use what God has given you to strengthen the weak, encourage the discouraged, equip believers, advance the Gospel, and build the Church of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to discover, understand, and faithfully use every spiritual gift You have given me, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, fill me with divine love so that every gift in my life will operate with the right motive, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from pride, competition, jealousy, and the desire for human recognition in ministry, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, make me a faithful steward of every grace and ability You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let my ministry strengthen, encourage, equip, and build Your Church, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help every member of our church recognise his or her place and function in the Body of Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give us wisdom and maturity to exercise spiritual gifts with order, discernment, and responsibility, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, remove every spirit of rivalry and division from Your Church and establish genuine unity among us, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the operation of spiritual gifts in Your Church produce spiritual maturity and Christlike character, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, use our gifts, talents, ministries, and resources to advance Your kingdom and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. Every spiritual gift deposited in you shall be awakened and effectively deployed for God's purposes.

2. You shall understand your place and function in the Body of Christ.

3. You shall not compare yourself with others or despise the gift God has given you.

4. Your gifting shall operate under the government of divine love and spiritual maturity.

5. You shall become a faithful steward of every grace entrusted to you.

6. Your ministry shall strengthen the weak, encourage the discouraged, equip believers, and build the Church.

7. Every spirit of competition, jealousy, pride, and rivalry shall lose its influence over your ministry.

8. You shall receive wisdom to exercise your spiritual gifts with discernment, order, and excellence.

9. Your service shall produce spiritual growth, unity, maturity, and lasting fruit in the Body of Christ.

10. Through your spiritual gifts, many lives shall be blessed, the Church shall be strengthened, the Gospel shall advance, and Jesus Christ shall be glorified, in Jesus name.