We all have a longing to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
To truly belong to a group. To have a place and purpose in a group of people who love us.
Today, we’re going to talk about where this greater purpose and fulfillment can be found.

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The Holy Spirit gives gifts. We call them gifts of the Spirit.
When you become a follower of Jesus, he’s got a gift for you.

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Zoom Out
Gifts are for building up the church.
What is the church? –> Body of Christ

Simplified Purpose of the Church
1. Glorify God
2. Nurture/Grow followers of Jesus/Saints
3. Evangelize/Reach the Lost

What is God doing?
God is at work, glorifying himself, rescuing the world, and restoring us as sons and daughters.

The Church is a collection of kingdom outposts – putting on display the kingdom of heaven here and now – introducing people to Jesus, the reigning king.

When you become a follower of Jesus you become part of the church.
The Church is the most exciting thing happening on the planet today.

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When we talk about gifts of the Spirit, we’re talking about gifts the Spirit gives so that we can be the church that God envisions.

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1 Corinthians 12:7:11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

For the common good – elsewhere Paul emphasizes "to build up the church"

To each one – everybody gets one - given not earned

Just as he determines. Spirit decides who gets what and when.

A few places we get other lists of the gifts.
Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Cor 12 (2 lists)

Most counts of the gifts ranges between 18-22

Administration
Being an apostle
Discernment
Evangelism
Exhortation
Faith
Giving
Healing
Helps
Hospitality
Knowledge
Leadership
Mercy
Prophecy
Serving
Speaking in tongues
Teaching (sometimes known as shepherding)
Wisdom

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1 Corinthians 12:1 – "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed."
Only one other place where Paul talks like this – Could read it as this makes Paul’s top list of what the church needs to know.

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What about the miraculous gifts?

Sometimes these are known as the supernatural or sign gifts. It's important to note that all gifts are supernatural.

Some Christians do not believe that the miraculous gifts (healing, prophecy, tongues etc.) are still normative today. They are called Cessationists. While they wouldn't deny that miracles do happen, they wouldn't see them as gifts we should desire or expect to see regularly.
**Creekside is not a Cessationist church.

Every gift needs coaching and maturing. Sometimes the abuses and misuses of gifts comes from a lack of maturity and coaching.

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How do I find my Spiritual gift?

Look at the list. Are you drawn to some?
Try different things. God can't steer a parked car.
Pray.
Ask others what they see in you.

Don’t get hung up on defining your gift from the list.
The mix of your gifts and your personality and talents makes you unique.
So many ways to express your gift. Don't become narrow minded in how your gift will find expression or be used.

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What’s it like to use my Spiritual gift?

Like having a "Pro-Controller"
Feels like you've got the cheat codes. Like it's not always you doing it.
Like you have a helper...because you do!

"I was made for this."
"I feel alive."
"I got more than I gave."
"Can't believe I get to be a part of this."

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When we are all operating in our gifts it's beautiful.
We become greater than the sum of our parts.

Avengers – Takes all of them to beat Thanos

Like an Orchestra – everyone playing their part – beautiful symphony emerges.

Baptisms next week. Think of all the parts of the body of Jesus that were at work to lead people to Baptism.

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May you eagerly desire the spiritual gifts.
May you find your place to use them within the church.
May you be a part of building up Creekside, to glorify God, help people become more like Jesus, and reach those who are far from God.