GIFTS THAT BUILD THE CHURCH

GIFTS THAT BUILD THE CHURCH

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7

Key Verse: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” — 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)

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

Description: Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit not for personal glory but for the strengthening, edification, unity, and growth of the church. Every believer has a contribution to make. When spiritual gifts are exercised in love, humility, order, and faithfulness, the entire body of Christ is strengthened and equipped for effective ministry.

INTRODUCTION

God has designed His church as a living body in which every member has a function. He has not called every believer to do the same thing, nor has He given everyone the same gift. Instead, the Holy Spirit distributes different gifts according to His will so that the various needs of the body can be met. Diversity of gifts is therefore not a weakness but part of God's wisdom.

Paul makes the purpose of spiritual gifts clear in 1 Corinthians 12:7: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” The word "profit" points to the benefit of others. A spiritual gift becomes truly meaningful when it strengthens another believer, equips the church, advances the Gospel, and brings glory to God.

The church does not need gifted people who are merely seeking recognition; it needs faithful servants who understand why they have been gifted. Whether the gift involves teaching, encouragement, leadership, giving, mercy, administration, evangelism, or another ministry, it should be used to build God's house. A gift that does not build others has not been used according to its divine purpose.

1. SPIRITUAL GIFTS COME FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

The source of spiritual gifts determines how they should be used.

a) There Are Diversities Of Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4)
God gives different gifts to different believers.

b) The Same Spirit Gives Them (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11)
The Holy Spirit is the source and distributor of spiritual gifts.

c) Gifts Are Given By Grace (Romans 12:6)
We should never boast as though we produced our gifts ourselves.

d) Christ Gives Gifts To His Body (Ephesians 4:7-8)
Spiritual gifts are part of God's provision for His church.

Biblical Example: Bezalel received supernatural wisdom, knowledge, and craftsmanship to help construct the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5).

2. GIFTS ARE GIVEN FOR THE COMMON GOOD

The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is to bless others.

a) Given To Profit Others (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The gift is meant to produce benefit beyond the person who possesses it.

b) Given For Edification (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Spiritual gifts should strengthen the church.

c) Given For Ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
Gifts equip God's people for service.

d) Given To Glorify God (1 Peter 4:11)
The ultimate purpose of every ministry is God's glory.

Biblical Example: Stephen used his Spirit-given wisdom to serve the church and proclaim Christ powerfully (Acts 6:8-10).

3. TEACHING GIFTS BUILD SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING

The church needs believers who can communicate God's truth faithfully.

a) Teaching Explains God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Sound teaching equips believers for godly living.

b) Teachers Strengthen Believers (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Teaching helps God's people mature.

c) Truth Protects Against Error (Ephesians 4:14)
Biblical knowledge helps believers resist false doctrine.

d) Teachers Must Be Faithful (2 Timothy 2:15)
Those who teach must handle God's Word accurately.

Biblical Example: Apollos was instructed more accurately in the way of God and became a powerful teacher of the Gospel (Acts 18:24-28).

4. GIFTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT BUILD WEARY BELIEVERS

Many people remain strong because someone encouraged them at the right time.

a) Encourage One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Encouragement strengthens believers in difficult seasons.

b) Strengthen The Weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Godly encouragement helps struggling people remain steadfast.

c) Speak Words That Build (Ephesians 4:29)
Our words should impart grace to those who hear.

d) Encourage Faithfulness (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Believers should motivate one another towards love and good works.

Biblical Example: Barnabas was known as a son of encouragement and strengthened believers in Antioch (Acts 11:22-24).

5. GIFTS OF SERVICE MEET PRACTICAL NEEDS

Practical service is spiritual ministry.

a) Serve With Diligence (Romans 12:7)
Those gifted in service should serve faithfully.

b) Serve One Another (Galatians 5:13)
Christian leadership includes humble service.

c) Meet Genuine Needs (Titus 3:14)
Believers should learn to devote themselves to good works.

d) Serve Without Seeking Applause (Matthew 6:3-4)
God sees what people may not see.

Biblical Example: Dorcas demonstrated the power of practical service through her care for widows and the needy (Acts 9:36-39).

6. GIFTS OF GIVING AND MERCY BUILD A CARING CHURCH

God uses generous and compassionate believers to demonstrate His love.

a) Give With Simplicity (Romans 12:8)
Generosity should flow from a willing heart.

b) Show Mercy Cheerfully (Romans 12:8)
Compassion should not be expressed reluctantly.

c) Remember The Needy (Galatians 2:10)
The church has a responsibility towards people in need.

d) Demonstrate Christ's Love (1 John 3:17-18)
Genuine love is demonstrated through practical action.

Biblical Example: The believers in Macedonia gave generously despite their own difficulties (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

7. GIFTS OF LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION BRING ORDER

The church needs godly leadership and wise organisation.

a) Lead With Diligence (Romans 12:8)
Those entrusted with leadership should take their responsibility seriously.

b) God Is A God Of Order (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Ministry should be conducted decently and orderly.

c) Administration Supports Ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28)
Organisation helps the church function effectively.

d) Leaders Must Serve Humbly (Mark 10:43-45)
Biblical leadership is servant leadership.

Biblical Example: The apostles appointed qualified servants to handle practical needs so that the ministry of prayer and the Word could continue effectively (Acts 6:1-7).

8. GIFTS MUST OPERATE IN LOVE AND FOR EDIFICATION

The power of a gift must never be separated from Christian character.

a) Without Love, Gifts Lose Their Value (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Giftedness without love can become spiritually empty.

b) Seek To Excel In Edification (1 Corinthians 14:12)
The desire should be to build the church.

c) Do All Things In Love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Love must govern every ministry activity.

d) Use Gifts As Good Stewards (1 Peter 4:10)
We are accountable for how we use God's grace.

Biblical Example: Jesus used His power to heal, teach, feed, restore, and serve people, demonstrating that divine power should be exercised for the blessing of others (Matthew 9:35-36).

CONCLUSION

God has placed gifts within His church because He desires His people to be equipped, strengthened, encouraged, and built up. No gift should be regarded as insignificant when it is being used according to God's purpose. Teaching builds understanding, encouragement strengthens the discouraged, service meets practical needs, giving supports the work, mercy expresses compassion, and leadership provides direction and order.

Therefore, discover your gift and use it faithfully. Do not use spiritual gifts to gain applause, establish superiority, or compete with other believers. Use them in humility, love, and obedience to Christ. The greatest evidence that a spiritual gift is being properly exercised is not how much attention it attracts, but how much it builds the body of Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the spiritual gifts You have graciously placed within Your church, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to discover the spiritual gifts You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to develop and faithfully exercise every gift You have given me, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let my gifts become instruments for strengthening, encouraging, and building up Your people, in Jesus name.

5. Father, make me a faithful servant who uses every spiritual gift for Your glory rather than personal recognition, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, raise godly teachers, encouragers, servants, givers, leaders, and compassionate believers in Your church, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let every gift operating in Your church function in love, humility, wisdom, and spiritual order, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, remove every spirit of pride, competition, jealousy, and misuse of spiritual gifts from Your church, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the proper functioning of spiritual gifts bring growth, maturity, unity, and strength to Your church, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, use every gift in Your body to advance the Gospel, win souls, transform lives, and glorify Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The spiritual gifts God has placed within you shall become increasingly active and fruitful.

2. You shall discover, develop, and faithfully use your God-given gifts.

3. Your gifts shall become instruments of blessing and encouragement to many.

4. You shall not use your spiritual gifts for pride, competition, or personal glory.

5. Your ministry shall strengthen the weak, encourage the discouraged, and build up the saints.

6. The grace for teaching, serving, giving, leading, encouraging, and showing mercy shall increase in the body of Christ.

7. Every spiritual gift operating through you shall function with love, wisdom, humility, and order.

8. Your contribution shall help strengthen the unity, maturity, and effectiveness of Christ's church.

9. Through the proper use of your spiritual gifts, lives shall be transformed and the Gospel shall advance.

10. Your gifts shall fulfil their divine purpose, your service shall bear lasting fruit, and Jesus Christ shall receive all the glory, in Jesus name.