Call to Unity and Repentance: Believers should celebrate differences among denominations and repent for speaking negatively about other churches.
Purpose of Spiritual Gifts: Understanding and utilizing spiritual gifts is a form of worship, helping to build one another up within the church.
The Nature of God: God is perfect, all-knowing, and His wisdom and ways are beyond human comprehension (Romans 11:33-36). True worship involves praising God simply for who He is, not for what we can gain from Him.
Living Sacrifice: In view of God's mercy, believers are urged to offer their bodies as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2). This requires daily renewal of the mind and not conforming to worldly patterns.
Romans 11:33-35 - “33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 35 Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 - “8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Importance of Spiritual Gifts
God has uniquely gifted every believer to build His Kingdom.
Ignoring these gifts is wasteful; using them is an act of obedience and worship (Romans 12:3-5).
The church functions as one body with many members, each with a distinct, God-given function.
Three Categories of Spiritual Gifts:
Equipping Gifts (Ephesians 4): For leadership and training (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers).
Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12): For demonstrating God's power (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues, Interpretation).
Motivational Gifts (Romans 12): Shape how we view life and invest in people, building others up and motivating godliness.
The Seven Motivational Gifts (Romans 12:6-8):
The Perceiver (Prophecy): Sees God's potential in others, speaks truth directly, strong sense of right and wrong, loyal.
The Server (Service): Meets practical and physical needs, quick to help, shows love through actions, task-oriented.
The Teacher (Teaching): Loves truth and knowledge, analytical, enjoys research, provides wisdom.
The Encourager (Exhortation): Lifts people up, inspires, offers practical advice, warm-hearted and outgoing.
The Giver (Giving): Generous and charitable, gives joyfully and often anonymously, manages resources wisely.
The Ruler (Leadership): Sees the big picture, organizes, guides others toward goals, sets good examples.
Mercy (Showing Mercy): Deep compassion, listens, offers comfort to those suffering, brings joy to difficult situations.
Conclusion: The church needs all its members to function together, using their diverse gifts as living sacrifices to further God's Kingdom. Service should flow from love and overflow, not expectation of reward or obligation, as God sees the heart. Believers are encouraged to identify their spiritual gifts and use them for God's glory.
