Session 4: The Body at Work - Deploying Our Gifts for God's Kingdom

Part 1: The Body = Deployed Spiritual Gifts

Opening Statement:

When the Bible talks about “the body of Christ,” it is almost always in relation to spiritual gifts and their purpose in the church.

The church is not just a group of people who believe the same things—it is a living, functioning body, where every part has a role to play.

But we often misunderstand this idea in two key ways:

1️⃣ The gifts listed in biblical writings are neither exhaustive nor exclusive.

Paul gives lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, but these lists are not identical, which suggests that they are examples, not limits.

God may equip His people with gifts beyond those Paul lists, according to the needs of the church and the mission of the Gospel.

God may equip His people with different gifts according to the demands of the season into which they are being called.

2️⃣ Spiritual gifts are not given to us for us—they are given to us for the church and the world.

We often think of spiritual gifts as personal possessions, something to be discovered, developed, and enjoyed—but they are not ultimately for personal benefit.

Every gift is given for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7) and for serving others (1 Peter 4:10).

Illustration: We Are Package Handlers

We often think of spiritual gifts like personal presents, assuming that when we receive a gift, it is for us. But we are not the final recipients—we are more like package handlers in God’s distribution system.

✅ Personal Story: I worked as a package handler twice in my adult life. We always referred to our assigned packages with possessive language—

"My packages"

"My load"

"My shift"

But here’s the truth: If a package handler starts to really think that the packages belong to him, he is headed for big trouble.

💡 The Connection to Spiritual Gifts:

Gifts are entrusted to us, but they are not ultimately intended for us.

We are stewards, not owners—our job is to deliver the gifts where God intends them to go.

If we hoard or misuse our gifts, we fail in our role as servants of Christ’s mission.

📖 Scriptures for Meditation: ➡ "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7) ➡ "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

Handling Gifts Wisely: Knowing What’s Inside Matters

Now, while the package handler is not the final recipient, he still needs to know something about what’s inside—because…

Packages must be handled differently based on their contents.

A fragile item requires careful handling.

A time-sensitive package needs to move quickly.

A hazardous package has specific safety protocols.

In the same way, knowing our spiritual gifts matters because:

✅ Different gifts serve different purposes in the church and in the world. ✅ A misunderstanding of what we carry can lead to mishandling—either using a gift in the wrong context or failing to use it at all.

*7 minute spiritual gifts exercise

🔥 Transition to Next Section: Now that we understand that our gifts belong to Jesus’ body and Jesus’ mission, we need to ask: ✅ How do we actually use our gifts in the church? ✅ How do we move from merely knowing about gifts to actively deploying them in the world?

Push for Kingdom Impact: Deploying Our Gifts with Supernatural Purpose

All Gifts Come from God—But Not All Gifts Are the Same

Everyone—believer or unbeliever—has gifts that ultimately come from God.

📖 James 1:17 – "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights."

God, in His common grace, has gifted all people with abilities, talents, and intelligence. That’s why:

An atheist surgeon can have the skill to save lives.

A secular artist can create beauty that inspires millions.

A business leader can lead with wisdom and fairness.

💡 BUT… there is a difference between natural gifts and supernatural empowerment.

Natural vs. Supernatural Gifting

✔️ Natural gifts (talents, intelligence, skills) are given to all people by God’s common grace. ✔️ Spiritual gifts (supernatural empowerments by the Holy Spirit) are given to believers to build up the church and advance God’s Kingdom.

📖 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them… Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

🚨 The danger: Many believers settle for using their supernatural gifts in completely natural ways.

Nobel is Still Natural. Do Not Settle for “Noble” Deployment of Your Gifts

The 4 Ways People Use Their Gifts: Which One Are You?

Let’s look at how people choose to use their gifts in the world.

1️⃣ Exploitative – "Use People" (I Win / You Lose)

Mindset: "I will use my gifts and influence to advance myself, even if it harms others."

The Cost: The powerless pay so that the powerful can benefit.

Biblical Example: Pharaoh (Exodus 1:8-14) – Enslaved the Israelites to build his empire.

Modern Example: Greedy CEOs, corrupt leaders, or manipulative influencers who prioritize self-interest over people.

🚨 Warning: Some believers spiritually exploit others—using their gifts for attention, influence, or self-glory rather than for the Kingdom.

2️⃣ Ethical – "Do No Harm" (I Win / You Win)

Mindset: "I will use my gifts fairly and ethically, ensuring I do not harm others."

The Cost: Everyone pays some so that everyone can benefit some.

Biblical Example: Boaz (Ruth 2) – Treated Ruth with fairness and integrity but did not go beyond cultural expectations.

Modern Example: Ethical business owners, fair employers, and community leaders who operate justly but may not sacrifice for transformation.

💡This is good—but it’s still playing it safe. Ethical people avoid harm, but they also avoid stepping into risk for transformation.

3️⃣ Charitable – "Help People" (I Lose / You Win)

Mindset: "I will use my gifts to serve and uplift others, even at personal cost."

The Cost: The helpers pay so that the helped can benefit.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) – Went beyond "do no harm" and sacrificed time and resources to care for a stranger.

Modern Example: Generous donors, social workers, volunteers—people who prioritize serving others over personal gain.

💡 This is honorable—but even this can be done without supernatural power. Many people give generously but never see Kingdom transformation.

4️⃣ Redemptive – "Expand the Kingdom" (God Wins / We Join God’s Team)

Mindset: "I will use my gifts not just to help people, but to bring about Kingdom renewal—restoring what is broken and pointing people to Christ."

The Cost: Jesus pays so that the world can benefit.

Biblical Example: Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11) – Sacrificed all to redeem creation and reconcile people to God (Colossians 1:19-20).

Modern Example:

Justice-oriented entrepreneurs who create businesses that lift up the oppressed.

Disciple-makers who invest in people, not just for their well-being, but for Gospel transformation.

Church planters & community restorers who rebuild neighborhoods through faith-driven action.

🔥 This is the level we are called to. We don’t just help people—we partner with God’s mission to bring Heaven’s reality to Earth.

Which category are you currently in? Where is God calling you to grow?

🔥 Food For Thought:

God has given you gifts. The question is, how will you use them?

Will you use them for yourself?

Will you use them for others?

Or will you let God use them through you to bring Heaven to Earth?*

Don't Go It Alone

Just as the New Testament connects “the body” to spiritual gifts, it also rarely discusses spiritual gifts apart from the body.

💡 Simply put: The gifts are meant to function within the body.

📖 1 Corinthians 12:12 – "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ."

🚨 The quickest way to corrupt the use of your gifts is to believe they are meant to function in isolation.

A teacher without a community drifts toward pride or frustration—either believing they have all the answers or feeling unheard and ineffective.

A servant working alone burns out quickly—losing sight of the joy that comes from mutual encouragement.

A leader operating without accountability can become controlling or reckless—leading without wisdom or humility.

Gifts thrive in community. We sharpen one another. We balance one another. We heighten each other’s impact.

📖 Romans 12:5-6 – "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given to us."

🔥 Key Takeaway: If you want to grow in your gifting, stay connected to the body. If you want to use your gifts for maximum Kingdom impact, don’t go it alone.

➡ Who are you walking with? Who helps refine and encourage your gifts? If you don’t have an answer, it’s time to find your people. 💡

Commissioning: Sent to Serve, Empowered to Build

Jesus did not His disciples gifts just to keep them inside—He gave them to build up the church and to advance His mission in the world.

📖 John 20:21 – "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

🔥 You have been gifted. You have been called. Now, you are being sent.

Today, we commission you—not just as members of Ambassador Church, but as ambassadors of Christ:

📖 2 Corinthians 5:20 – "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

✅ Three Commitments of an Ambassador: 1️⃣ Live the Gospel – Represent Christ in daily life. 2️⃣ Serve the Body – Use your gifts in the church. 3️⃣ Engage the World – Be a witness in your workplace, community, and relationships.

🔹 Take a moment to reflect—Where is God calling you to deploy your gifts right now? What step do you need to take to fully step into your calling?

📖 1 Peter 4:10 – "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

Final Charge & Prayer:

🔹 Stand and receive this commissioning prayer. 🔹 Pray over the group, asking for the Holy Spirit to empower, lead, and sustain them as they go.

💡

You are not leaving this course just as participants—you are leaving as active contributors to God’s Kingdom. Go and make an impact.

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