All Nations Community Church
It’s not enough to just show up at church. Our hearts long for more than that. We want to be needed. We want to be known. We want to have purpose and know that we make a difference. It's so important to the health of the Church that we are people who are plugged into God and community.
Big Idea of the Message: Getting plugged in reveals that you are an invaluable part of the Body of Christ!.
“Spiritual greatness has nothing to do with being greater than others. It has everything to do with being as great as each of us can be.” Henri Nouwen
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 ESV
If it doesn't point to Jesus, it's not a gift (1 Cor. 12:1-3)
The Corinthian Church was divided into three groups over the issue of spiritual gifts.
· The believers who possessed only the gift of tongues.
· The believers who possessed other gifts but not tongues.
· The believers who thought they don’t have any gifts at all.
The divisions were mainly caused by those who possessed the gift of tongues
“Where divisions exist, the Spirit does not!!!” Pastor Steve
v. 3 distinguishes those in the Spirit and those who are not… those not in the Spirit have experience in idolatry! Idol worshipers say, “Jesus is accursed.”
Those in the Spirit say, “Jesus is Lord (of all at all times).”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ESV
If it doesn't benefit the body, it's not a gift (1 Cor. 12:4-11)
Verses 4-7 Paul shows that in the church there are different gifts. But these gifts are for the benefit of the whole church not just for the benefit of the person who has the gift.
Verse 7 tells us the purpose of spiritual gifts: they are manifestations of the Spirit for the common good. What is the common good? cf. 1 Peter 4:10-11
vv. 8-10 Paul gives a list of the spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28-30; Romans 12:6-8).
v. 11 Paul emphasizes that these gifts are by and through the same Spirit!
Next steps:
· Take the spiritual gifts assessment
· Attend the Ministry Fair next Sunday to "Get Plugged In"
· Start doing! Commit to a step and live it out this week!
Talk it over:
1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. You matter. Your story, voice, and gifts are all important. Do you believe this? Why or why not?
3. What is your part in the body of Christ? What were you uniquely created to do?
4. Every part is important. How can your part in the church make a difference in this world?