Dear Christian friends:

Yesterday we went to a wedding and saw the many beautiful gifts which the newly married couple received. Some of these gifts were very precious or valuable. Often at a wedding a couple receive very valuable gifts. One father gave his son a key for his wedding gift, yes a key. It was for a new home that cost $30,000.

We are surprised and happy when we receive a gift like that. We did not earn it. But someone loved us and gave it us to us to make us happy. God also loves us and wants to make us happy and useful. He has gifts for us that are more valuable than a $30,000 house. In our text St. Paul calls these "gifts of the Spirit."

So let us attend to our text and see about these wonderful gifts from God:


The first and best gift that God gives us is faith in Jesus Christ. Paul says before that the people believed in dumb idols that can't talk then he adds but now you are urged by God's Spirit and only if you are urged by God's Spirit can you say, "Jesus is the Lord."

Like the rich father who gave his son a key to a beautiful home, God our heavenly Father has given us a key to a mansion above in heaven. That key is faith in Jesus Christ. When you hear God's Word that He loves sinners and that He gave His Son to suffer and pay for our sins on the cross and then rise again from the dead.

When you hear that the Holy Spirit works faith in your heart; helps you to be sorry and confess; helps you to trust in Jesus and find comfort and hope in Him.

The best gift of the Spirit is faith, the key to a heavenly home. But faith is not the only gift of the Spirit. God is very kind and generous and prepares many gifts for His people that we need and use here on earth before we go to our home above.

God has work for us to do here on earth first. That work is to show His love and salvation to others. Chiefly the work of preaching and teaching. Paul lists some of these gifts. The ability to speak wisely so others understand faith and do not give up when hard work comes or progress is slow or enemies hinder us. The ability to heal through prayer. The ability to speak God's Word (teachers & preachers). The ability to tell the difference between true and false teachings (spirit).

Others receive the gift to learn and speak foreign languages. They become missionaries. But the thing I want to impress upon to you today is that God has a gift for each one of us. He wants each one of us to be useful. In verse 11 of our text it says, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

Often we are afraid and shy to accept duties and work in the Church. Afraid to join the choir and sing. Afraid to tell someone about Jesus, the Savior. We say we can't or we are deaf and too ignorant. But here it says the Spirit shows Himself to each one to make him useful.

God has a spiritual gift for you. God wants to make you a useful member of His Church or family. And really you and I are not happy if we are not useful. One of man's chief needs in life is to feel important, needed and useful.

You do not feel satisfied or happy if no body needs you or wants to use your talents. Some retire and are not happy. In church some are crabby and not happy. Why? They feel unneeded and not useful. Maybe the pastor doesn't ask them to help. Maybe they themselves close their hearts to God's Word and do not let His Spirit come in and lead them and give them His wonderful gift.

So let the Holy Spirit come into your heart and give His gifts and hear His Word. Think about it. Study it! Through that the Spirit brings His gifts (talents) to you.

Another thing Paul reminds us here about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is that we should not be jealous if one member receives more gifts than the other one. (read verses 4-6) "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

Sometimes choir members are jealous of one another. Or those who do not sing are jealous of those who do. Jealous if I ask someone to teach Bible class. You say we want the pastor only. But God has given some of our members a gift (talent) for understanding the Bible and teaching. But I can't use them because others are jealous and refuse to accept them.

Don't be jealous if God's Spirit gives someone a better talent than you have. He has one for you too. Think of how these gifts can help and improve the Church for a blessing on the whole church.

Those of you who have large gifts from the Spirit, don't brag. It is a gift. You did not earn it. God in mercy and kindness gave it to you so He could use you to bless His whole church.

Let us all be humble and receive and use His gifts for His praise and for a blessing on the whole church.

Amen.