Spiritual Gifts: The PURPOSE of gifts

How do we win the game?

Again we are not playing a solo sport but a team sport. We win, not by entering into our own glory by kicking goals but by getting the team across the line. Some people play our game as though it were a solo sport. They think that winning the game means being popular, being influential, being authentic, being noticed, and beating others. But we play our game for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and getting each player over the finished line.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  (1 Pet 4:10–11)

[This series on Spiritual Gifts belongs to the sermon titled 'Charisma (1 Peter 4:10)' which I preached at St Philips, York Street on Sunday night. You can downloaded it here or on the resource page.]