Gifts and their Usage

by David Shannon

As you read the following statements simultaneously consider the verses in the inserted text box.

Excerpts dealing with our gifts:

For in fact the body (church) is not one member but many ( 1 Corinthians 12:14). All the members do not have the same function ( Romans 12:4). As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another ( 1 Peter 4:10). Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel ( 1 Corinthians 14:12). Above all things have fervent love for one another ( 1 Peter 4:8). But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way�(the love chapter)� Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts ( 1 Corinthians 12:31; 13; 14:1). Every part that does its share causes growth of the body ( Ephesians 4:16).

Each person has different abilities which are God given. He gives them to us so we can use them collectively in the church. We are to serve each other, as well as those outside the church. Our life of service should be zealous and motivated through love. A pursuit of love and gifts should be a life-time endeavor. When everyone does this simultaneously, growth and edification of the church are the results.
A Mt. Juliet story taken from ideas in excerpts from 1 Corinthians 12:14 through 1 Corinthians 14:1
For in fact the church is not one member but many. If the jail ministry should say, �Because I am not an outreach ministry, I am not of the church,� is it not of the body?
And if the SAVE ministry should say, �Because I am not an educational program, I am not of the church,� is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole church was an educational ministry, where would be the orphans ministry? If the whole were the orphans ministry, where would be facility maintenance?
But now God has set the members, each one of them in the church, just as He pleased�.
The teen ministry cannot say to the transportation ministry �I have no need of you.� Nor again the missions ministries to the contribution ministry, �I have no need of you.� �.
There should be no division in the church, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and members individually�
And though I am involved in all ministries, but have not love I am nothing. Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts.

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