Joel M Bradshaw

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. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…11All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.–1 Corinthians 12

1. The Holy Spirit has equipped the church with gifts.
2. The Holy Spirit is sovereign and controls individual gifting.
3. So a Christian is gifted according to the sovereign plan of God, the Holy Spirit.
4. There is unity here in a church, because the same Spirit, the same Lord, has gifted them.
5. But there is also variety and diversity in the way that the Holy Spirit has gifted the church.
6. We are told here that the spiritual gifts are for “the common good.” This means that the gifts are for building up and not for standing out.
7. How have you been gifted by God? How are you using that gift to build others up and be a blessing to people through service? How are you glorifying God with how He has equipped you?–JMB