How Are You Spending Your Life?
God gives gifts to every believer for the benefit of the whole church body.
Pastor Brian Long
Part of The Corinthians—Part 1
May 11, 2025

1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Each you have the opportunity

in someone or something that will outlive you.

God gave you

(4-6).

God gave you gifts to use to

(7).

is for ministry!

• Based on Paul’s various gifts lists, any combination of talents, abilities, and endowments would qualify as spiritual gifts if the believer is surrender to God and using them for his glory. [See also Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:10-11]

Spiritual gifts Paul lists:

The message, or literally, “Word” of wisdom or word of knowledge – The ability to perceive, present and apply the truth of God in a timely and helpful fashion.

Faith – (Not referring to salvation-faith) This is the ability to trust God implicitly to perform unusual deeds.

Gifts of healing – Being the vessel of supernatural cures of mental, physical, and emotional maladies.

Miraculous powers – Being able to perform miraculous works of power.

Prophecy – Speaking truth revealed from God (Vast majority of prophecy is forth-telling—reminding people about what God already said and calling them to obedience. Foretelling is the ability to discern and call out the future.)

Discerning of Spirits – The ability to distinguish the power by which a teacher or prophet speaks whether it’s Divine or some counterfeit power.

Tongues – Speaking in a tongue not understood by the speaker.

Interpretation of Tongues – Making tongues understandable.

Imp/Applications:

  1. your gift or gift-mix.
    Each of us must engage in a process of discovery—praying, searching our hearts, trying out ministries and roles, and seeking loving, truthful feedback.

  2. Make yourself

    .
    What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you lived, but how you lived.