Empowered Pt. 3

1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8

welcome

recap

We’ve been on a journey:

Week 1: We got Plugged In—Jesus said the Holy Spirit is our Helper, teacher, and source of power (John 14).

Week 2: We got Charged Up—The fruit proves we’re walking in step, in rhythm, and that we are powered up (Galatians 5).

Today: We’re going out Gifted—because the world needs what’s in you.

Look at somebody and say:  “You’ve got what it takes.”

You weren’t just saved to sit. You were empowered to operate.

preach = you've been gifts

(maybe talk about breaking myself from some of the things i learned from growing up)

our passage for today

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 ESV

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

preach

POINT 1: YOU’RE NOT JUST CALLED—YOU’RE CARRYING SOMETHING

look at verse 7

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

debunk this lie right off the bat, lets be myth busters here today…

Let’s shut down the lie that says only pastors are anointed.

If you’ve got the Holy Spirit, you’ve got a gift from the Holy Spirit.

If you are saved and filled—you are sent and gifted.

You don’t need a stage to be powerful. You just need obedience.

preach

Ever get a gift that says: “batteries not included”? It’s disappointing—because it looks good, but it doesn’t do anything.

tell story of Nash = toy couldnt be used to used to its full potential or purpose

But the Holy Spirit came into your life with batteries included.

You’ve got built-in power/gifts. You just need to use it.

POINT 2: THE GIFTS ARE DIVERSE—BUT THE SOURCE IS ONE

preach on how this one is a problem for us humans = comparison

1 Corinthians 12:5 ESV

and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

Not everyone’s gift looks the same.

But they all come from the same Spirit.

Stop trying to copy someone else’s anointing when God gave you your own.

preach

gifts

Romans 12:6–8 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

so now we have a list between these two passages

Prophecy     * Leadership    * Healing     * Apostle    * Service    * Teaching    * Exhortation    * Giving

Mercy   * Wisdom    * Knowledge  * Faith    * Helps    * Administration  * Evangelist   * Pastor

Hospitality   * Intercession  * Miracles    * Discerning of the Spirits   * Tongues     * Interpretation of Tongues

preach = give background and share time growing up.

talk about the supernatural gifts…

Some gifts are seen—some are quiet. But all are supernatural when they come from the Spirit.

The person running slides in the back? Gifted. The greeter who hugs someone who was going to give up? Gifted. The one who brings meals without needing applause? Gifted.

You don’t need a mic to make an impact.

imagine a church fully operating in the gifts of the spirit….

POINT 3: GIFTS ARE FOR OTHERS, NOT FOR YOUR EGO

not for your own ego…

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

God didn’t give you a gift for your personal brand.

He gave it so you could build people, not your platform.

Your gift isn’t a prop for performance—it’s a tool for transformation.

Some of you have been waiting to be discovered… God’s waiting on you to just deliver.

POINT 4: THE SPIRIT CHOOSES—YOU CULTIVATE

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

You don’t pick the gift. But you do develop it.

Maybe you don’t understand what your gift is yet—but it’s in you. God’s not hiding it from you—He’s revealing it through you.

preach

conclude

stand with me

POINT 5: GIFTS WITHOUT FRUIT IS DANGEROUS

This series started with connection (John 14), then walked through character (Galatians 5), and now we’re finishing with contribution.

But here’s the warning: Gifts without love, without fruit—become prideful, even harmful.

That’s why Paul writes 1 Corinthians 13 right after this:

“If I have all the gifts… but don’t have love, I am nothing.”

Your gifting doesn’t prove maturity—fruit does.

Imagine you’re given a firefighter’s hose during a blaze… But you just polish it and post selfies with it.

That’s how some of us treat our spiritual gifts. They’re not for flexing—they’re for fighting fires.

POINT 6: YOUR GIFT IS NEEDED FOR THIS BODY TO FUNCTION

You aren’t an accessory in the church. You’re a necessary part of it.

“The body needs all its parts functioning…” (1 Cor. 12:12–27)

The world doesn’t need more spectators. The world needs Spirit-filled believers who say: “I may not be famous, but I’m faithful.”

CLOSING DECLARATION (Say this with boldness):

“I am gifted. I am chosen. I am empowered by the Holy Spirit. I have what the body needs. I won’t sit on my gift— I will walk in it. I will serve in it. I will grow in it. In Jesus’ name!”

CALL TO ACTION

Discovery: Ask the Spirit to reveal gifts that have been buried or never seen.

Activation: Invite people to take bold steps to use their gift (in church, in life).

Recommitment: For those who feel disqualified, let them know the Spirit didn’t change His mind.

preach it

pray

HOLY SPIRIT PLEASE TAKE OVER!!!!