Questions

1. Fill in the blanks from 1 Cor 12:4-7: Now there are varieties of _____, but the same _____; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same ___ who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the _____ for the common good.
2. TRUE or FALSE: Spiritual gifts are given only to certain believers.
3. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
4. Personal recognition
5. The common good
6. Church growth only
7. Leadership roles
8. The Spirit apportions gifts to each one individually as He __________.
9. TRUE or FALSE: The gifts come from the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
10. TRUE or FALSE: Spiritual gifts are given equally in type and measure to all believers.
11. Spiritual gifts are best described as:
12. Learned abilities
13. Earned rewards
14. Manifestations of the Spirit
15. Personality traits
16. What is the PRIMARY danger Paul is addressing regarding spiritual gifts (contextually)?
17. Lack of knowledge
18. Fear of using gifts
19. Using gifts for personal status
20. Ignoring leadership
21. What is the BEST interpretation of “common good” in this passage?
22. Personal spiritual growth
23. Benefit of the entire body of Christ
24. Growth of church leadership
25. Evangelism only

Discussion

1. To prepare to answer this series of questions you can review this section of the message in this link to the video: A humorous (Timestamp: Start to 8:28)
2. Why do many believers feel confused about spiritual gifts?
3. Why is it important that Paul says we should not be “uninformed” about spiritual things (1 Cor. 12:1)?
4. Where are you tempted to avoid something spiritually because it feels confusing or complicated?
5. Discuss the following questions in this link to the video: The Giver (Timestamp 8:29 to 14:16)
6. What three terms does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 to describe God?
7. Why is it significant that spiritual gifts come from the triune God?
8. How does knowing your gifts come from God (not you) affect your pursuit of applying your gifts to ministry?
9. How might your life change if you fully embraced that God has given you a gift to use for the common good?
10. Where have you seen God use someone else’s gift to impact your life? When you serve others, do you experience spiritual growth? Why?
11. To prepare to answer this series of questions you can review this section of the message in this link: The Gift (Timestamp 14:17 to 22:48)
12. What does 1 Peter 4:10 teach about how we should use our gifts?
13. What is wrong with a “consumer mindset” in church?
14. How does the parable of the talents relate to spiritual gifts?
15. What is one step you can take to begin using your gifts more intentionally?
16. What fears or obstacles keep you from using your gifts?
17. What does it truly mean to say, “Jesus is Lord”? As we close (Timestamp 22:49 to End)
18. What does it mean to grow into the “fullness of Christ”?
19. How do spiritual gifts contribute to the mission of the church?
20. How does your use (or non-use) of your gifts affect others?
21. What is one specific way you can contribute to the “orchestra” this week?
22. If your life is meant to “show the Spirit,” what is currently being revealed through you?

Sermon Outline

A humorous (Timestamp: Start to 8:28) and thought-provoking letter made its way around online this week. It likely resurfaces every year, but it stood out more this time. The letter was written about a decade ago by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who reportedly included it with his tax return each year. A portion of it begins like this:

Dear Sir or Madam, I have sent in our federal income tax and gift tax returns, in this case it would have been for the year 2013. As in prior years, it is important for you to know that I have absolutely no idea whether our tax returns and our tax payments are accurate. I say that despite the fact that I am a college graduate, I try hard to make sure our tax returns are accurate. The tax code is so complex and the form so complicated that I know that I cannot have confidence that I know what is being requested... I should add that my wife of 59 years, also a college graduate, has signed our joint tax return, but she also knows she does not have any idea whether or not our tax payments are accurate.

Many people can relate to that sentiment. As I read the letter, I couldn’t help but laugh—here is someone at the highest levels of government expressing the same confusion many feel. And if anything, the tax code hasn’t exactly become simpler since then.

The reason I mention this is that we’re in the middle of a sermon series we began last week called Gifted for a Purpose. As we walk through 1 Corinthians over the next several weeks, our hope is that we won’t find ourselves echoing the same kind of frustration when it comes to spiritual gifts—saying, “I’ve been in church for years, and I still don’t understand it. It just feels too complicated, so I’ll leave it alone.”

Instead, our desire is that together—every one of us—will grow in clarity and confidence. That by the end of this series, we can say with greater understanding what spiritual gifts are, how they function in our lives, and how we can actively use them both within the body of Christ and beyond it. We also want to move beyond theory into practice—to actually engage with the gifts God has given us in the life of the church. Along the way, we’ll provide tools and guidance so that by the time we reach the end of May, we’re not left confused but equipped.

Last week, we began in 1 Corinthians 12, where the Apostle Paul the Apostle speaks broadly about spiritual matters, urging us not to remain uninformed. There, we highlighted what we might call the “capital G” gift that every believer shares—the gift of faith. It is through this gift, given by the Holy Spirit, that we honor Christ, submit our lives to Him, and confess that Jesus is Lord—our King and our God.

This morning, as we continue in 1 Corinthians, Paul moves from the general to the specific. He begins to unpack what spiritual gifts actually are. Our message today is titled Showing the Spirit. Spiritual gifts are the means by which the Holy Spirit, who dwells within every believer, makes His presence known. He distributes these gifts according to His will, and through them, His power is displayed—within the church and through the church—so that the Spirit is made visible in ways that build up the body, advance God’s kingdom, and proclaim the gospel to the world.

So much of what we’ll explore this morning centers on verse 7, which tells us that “to each one is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” From there, we’ll broaden the conversation to understand not only what spiritual gifts are, but how they function in our lives.

To do that, we’ll start with the nature of the giver. If we want to truly understand the gifts, it makes sense to first understand the One who gives them. Then, we’ll look more closely at the nature of the gifts themselves, how they operate and what they are meant to accomplish.

The Giver (Timestamp 8:29 to 14:16)

It’s striking how the Apostle Paul unpacks this for us. It may seem obvious—even a bit rhetorical—but a closer look reveals a much deeper meaning. Yes, the Holy Spirit is the giver of the gifts, but Paul presents this truth in a rich and powerful way in verses 4 through 6.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – ⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

What’s remarkable is that we can read a passage like this and miss what’s happening right in front of us. This is one of the few places in Paul the Apostle’s writings where, in such a tight and parallel way, he identifies God as Spirit, Lord, and God—almost in rapid succession. We might simply say, “Yes, the Holy Spirit gives the gifts,” and that’s true. But Paul is showing us something deeper: the giver of the gifts is the triune God Himself.

These are not only gifts of the Spirit, but they are also gifts of the Lord. And in the New Testament, the title “Lord” most often refers to Jesus. Just a few verses earlier, Paul reminds us that no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. So here, he is saying that the gifts come from the Spirit, but they are also the gifts of Christ. And then he goes even further—they are called the gifts of God. In many New Testament contexts, the word “God” (Greek theos) points to God the Father, the Creator.

So, what we see here is that the gifts flow from the one triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We worship one God who exists eternally in three persons, sharing the same divine nature. This isn’t just a passing detail; it’s a profound truth about who God is and how He works.

One of the early church fathers, Athanasius of Alexandria, who played a key role in shaping the doctrine of the Trinity, recognized this connection. Reflecting on this passage, he wrote:

The gifts which the Spirit divides to each are bestowed from the Father through the Son. For all the things that are of the Father are of the Son also; therefore those things which are given from the Son in the Spirit are gifts of the Father. When the Spirit is in us, the Son also, who gives the Spirit, is in us, and the Son is in the Father. – Saint Athanasius Epistles to Serapion

It’s a beautiful picture of how the early church began to recognize and articulate the doctrine of the Trinity directly from Scripture. And this matters because it reminds us of who God truly is—the God we worship has existed for all eternity as three persons in one nature. From eternity, God has existed in perfect relationship, in community within Himself.

What’s remarkable is that through spiritual gifts, we are drawn into that reality. The gifts are not just abilities; they are a means by which we are brought into deeper participation with the triune God—into the very relationship that has always existed within Him.

And this same triune God is abundantly generous. Throughout the passage, Paul emphasizes again and again that these gifts are given to all believers. As we see, for example, in verse 11,

1 Corinthians 12:11 – ¹¹All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Why does this matter? Because we need to keep reminding ourselves—again and again—that if you are in Christ, you have been given spiritual gifts. If you belong to Christ, then the Spirit has already gifted you. The question is not if you have a gift, but how those gifts are being used.

These gifts are given to build up the body of Christ and to proclaim and advance His kingdom and His gospel. That means every person has a role. Every person has purpose. Each of us has been uniquely equipped to contribute in meaningful ways to the work God is doing in the world. No one is overlooked or left out—and none of this is earned. It is entirely the result of God’s mercy and goodness.

Part of what we’re doing in this series is helping all of us recognize those gifts better and understand how they function. But the foundation is this: every believer has been entrusted with spiritual gifts, and it is both a privilege and an honor to use them for God’s purposes.

The Gift (Timestamp 14:17 to 22:48)

Let’s turn now to the nature of these gifts—what they are, how they function, and how we can begin to understand their purpose in our lives, with a particular focus on verse 7.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – ⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Notice it says to each—not to some. It’s not something you earn through effort or achievement. These gifts are given by the Spirit, to every believer.

Notice their purpose: they are a manifestation of the Spirit. Through these gifts, the Spirit is made visible—working in and through believers so that both the one using the gift and those receiving it are blessed. As the text says, they are given for the common good.

This also helps us distinguish spiritual gifts from natural talents. We all have abilities we’ve developed—skills we’re good at. But not every natural talent is automatically a spiritual gift. Sometimes, God takes a natural ability and anoints it, using it as a channel for spiritual growth—drawing you closer to Him while also blessing others.

Other times, the Spirit gives gifts that are entirely separate from anything you’ve developed naturally. He simply bestows them. Like the wind, the Spirit moves as He wills, distributing gifts according to His purpose.

In every case, the result is the same: as we use our gifts, we are drawn into a deeper relationship with the Lord, and those we serve are also built up and drawn closer to Christ.

As an example in my own life, I’ve spent a lot of time developing musical ability—learning to play the trumpet, piano, and other instruments. I do believe I have a natural talent for it. But I wouldn’t describe that as a spiritual gift. That doesn’t mean God isn’t pleased when I play, or that I don’t enjoy it—I do. I’m not diminishing my ability at all. I’m simply saying that when I play, I don’t experience that deeper sense of being drawn closer to Christ or the sanctifying work of the Spirit in the same way. I’ve also never had someone say, “When you play, I feel closer to God.” I don’t say that with disappointment—it’s just an honest recognition of how God has wired me. I still love playing, and that hasn’t changed.

By contrast, when I look at teaching and preaching, I see something different. Whether others agree or not, I believe that is a spiritual gift in my life. When I’m using it, I sense the Spirit actively at work—growing me, shaping me, and drawing me deeper in my walk with Christ. I can feel that ongoing process of maturity as I exercise the gift. And others are being built up as well—not because of anything in me, but because of the Spirit working through the gift to bless the body. It becomes something that draws all of us into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

What’s striking is that this wasn’t something that naturally stood out earlier in my life. If you had known me in high school, college, or even early in my career, public speaking would not have been identified as a strength. I studied education and took speaking classes, but no one was pointing to me as especially gifted. That’s why I don’t boast in it. At some point—though I can’t name exactly when—the Lord made it clear: “This is a gift I’ve given you.” And just as He gave it, He could take it away. If that day ever comes, my response will simply be, “Lord, what’s next?”

Every one of us has something through which God works—a spiritual gift that blesses us as we use it and also blesses those around us. Sometimes those gifts are visible and public; other times they’re quiet and behind the scenes. In fact, the first person in Scripture described as being filled with the Spirit is a craftsman, gifted to build the tabernacle.

Exodus 31:1-3 – ¹The Lord said to Moses, ²“See, I have called by name Bezalel... ³and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.

Spiritual gifts can look like something dramatic, like prophecy, or something simple, like helping. Think about a time when someone showed up for you right when you needed it—when their help not only met a need but drew you closer to God. That’s a spiritual gift at work.

Yes, these gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit, but they are also given for the common good. They are meant to serve others, and we are called to steward them faithfully as expressions of God’s grace in the life of the body.

1 Peter 4:10 – ¹⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

This becomes especially important when we think about where God is calling us to belong. Often, people approach church with a consumer mindset—asking what they can get out of it. But a better question is this: Is this a place where God is calling me to use my gifts to serve others?

The question isn’t, “Do I like this church?” but “Is this where I’m meant to invest what God has given me so that others are built up and God is glorified?” We come not as consumers, but as servants and stewards, those entrusted with something valuable.

Think of the parable of the talents: each person is given something, but the one thing you’re not meant to do is bury it. Or as Jesus says, don’t hide your light under a basket. Gifts are meant to be used, developed, and grown.

So as you begin to recognize how God has gifted you, step into it. Use those gifts. Develop them. Because as you do, you’ll grow—and the Spirit will work through you more and more to bless others, even as you experience that blessing yourself.

As we close (Timestamp 22:49 to End) , remember that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. That means we are blessed—but it also points to something greater than just ourselves.

Ephesians 4:7-13 – ⁷But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift... for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Grace has been given to each one—and the words grace and gift are closely connected. That’s why spiritual gifts are often called “grace gifts.” Each person receives these gifts according to Christ’s measure, with a clear purpose: to build up the body of Christ. This is the common good—the manifestation of the Spirit—working in us and through us until we grow into the full maturity and stature of Christ.

As each of us uses the gifts we’ve been given—none greater or lesser—we grow together. Individually and collectively, we are being shaped into that fullness. Think of it like the human body: it’s made up of many parts, but it is more than just a collection of organs. You are not simply lungs, heart, and kidneys listed together—you are a living, unified whole. In the same way, the body of Christ is more than the sum of its parts. Through the Spirit’s work, we are joined together into something greater—one living body.

And what is the purpose of that body? It is to glorify God, to continue the mission of Christ, to proclaim His gospel, and to advance His kingdom—a kingdom that will not be overcome. As we serve together, using the gifts God has given, we grow into maturity and become the body of Christ in the world.

It’s like an orchestra. An orchestra wouldn’t be very effective if it only had clarinets. For it to work, you need a variety of instruments, each one different, each one essential. A clarinet sounds quite different from a triangle, a cello, or a violin, but all are needed to create something complete.

And yet, an orchestra is more than just a collection of instruments. There’s something greater happening—the symphony itself. The music being created is bigger than any single part.

In the same way, we are like an orchestra called to perform together. Each of us has a role, and each role matters. We don’t compete with one another; we celebrate the part we’ve been given as we contribute to the greater whole. And we follow the lead of our conductor, the Lord Jesus Christ, as together we play the melody of the gospel.

When that happens, the world hears something beautiful that draws them in. It stirs something within them, and they begin to desire to be part of it as well. And as people respond in faith, there is joy in heaven. But it takes the whole orchestra—each person faithfully playing their part—to bring that music to life.