“I THINK I CAN HELP YOU GUYS”
Noelle McDermott
Today's Scripture: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
Theme: We are called to use our spiritual gifts to meet the needs around us.
“HAVE A HEART”
Having been encouraged by Aunt May, Peter eagerly took on the challenge to cure all the multiverse villains (and even prevented Dr. Strange from stopping his mission). Peter hoped to prevent the villains’ deaths and wanted to give them a second chance. Not only did Peter have his superhero abilities, but he also had the scientific knowledge to create the technology to cure the villains. He leveraged his gifts for good and even freed Dr. Octavius from being controlled. Peter’s unique circumstances and abilities allowed him to help those around him, and in the same way, we have been gifted spiritual gifts meant for the service of those around us.
MANY GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT
Following Jesus’s ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ followers and rested upon them. Believers resting in Jesus’s redemptive work on the cross have been given the Holy Spirit to live within them. Throughout the New Testament, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit has given every believer at least one spiritual gift.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes continually that there are “varieties of gifts…varieties of service…varieties of activities” which all come from “the same Spirit…the same Lord…the same God…the one Spirit.” Every believer has distinct spiritual gifts which can be used uniquely, depending on their circumstances and the people around them. Yet the diversity of all these gifts all come from the Holy Spirit. Conversely, the Holy Spirit has empowered us with the same mission, yet we have received different spiritual gifts in order to accomplish that mission.
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
So, what are we meant to do with our spiritual gifts? 1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV) tells us to “use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” We are not called to waste our spiritual gifts but are instead called to steward them well, and the best way to steward these gifts is through serving others. Our spiritual gifts also aren’t just for “doing good deeds.” With our gifts, we are meant to glorify the Lord and point back to Him in everything.
Depending on your spiritual gift, serving others will likely look a lot different from your friend who has the gift of mercy or the friend who has the gift of wisdom. Again—this is not about comparing ourselves with others and their gifts! God has specifically and intentionally given us our spiritual gifts by His design to best serve the people in our lives, church family, and world. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit and equipped with these gifts. Will you choose to use them?
Make It Personal: Don’t know what your spiritual gift is? Ask the Lord to show you. But don’t stop there! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to serve others. Take note of how you served them and even ask those around you what they think your spiritual gift is. Learning what our spiritual gifts are through a written test or survey can be useful, but spiritual gifts are most clearly seen when they are actually being used to serve others.
Pray: God, thank You that the Holy Spirit lives inside me, and thank You that You have invited me to participate in the mission to love others and point them to Your love through my spiritual gifts. There is so much beauty in how You have designed each member of the body of Christ with distinct gifts. Help me to recognize and utilize my spiritual gifts and steward them well to glorify You in everything. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Acts 1:4-11, Acts 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Weekly Memory Verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34, ESV