"The Power of Presence" | Power to Save: Same Spirit, Different Gifts

Focus: “Power to Save: Same Spirit, Different Gifts”

Primary Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:8–11; Psalm 139:7–8 Supporting: Romans 1:16; Psalm 139:7–10; Matthew 28:20

Opening (2–3 minutes): Power That Actually Helps

Church, when we hear the word power, many of us think of force, control, influence, or strength. In our world, power is often about who wins, who speaks loudest, who gets their way, who stays in charge.

But in Scripture, God’s power is different. God’s power is not a performance. It is not a show. It is not ego-driven.

God’s power is purpose-driven—and one of God’s greatest purposes is this: God uses His power to save.

Paul says it plainly: “The gospel is the power of God for salvation.” - Romans 1:16

That means God’s power is not abstract. It is not just theory. God’s power is meant to meet real lives, in real need, with real grace.

And today, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us what God’s saving power looks like in the church:

Same Spirit… different gifts. One presence… many expressions. One saving power… shared for the good of all.

1) God’s Saving Power Is Never Far Away (Psalm 139:7–8) (4 minutes)

Before Paul talks about gifts, we need to remember something foundational about God: God is present.

Psalm 139 says: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol (grave), you are there!” - Psalm 139:7–8

That’s omnipresence. God is not only present in church. - present in the good times. - present when you feel strong.

God is present in the hospital room. - In the quiet house after loss. - In the anxious mind at 2 a.m. -In the season where the future feels uncertain.

And here is the good news: If God is present everywhere, then God’s saving power is never out of reach.

You don’t have to climb up to God. You don’t have to earn access to God. You don’t have to become impressive before God comes near.

God is already near.

2) God’s Saving Power Doesn’t Just Rescue Individuals It Creates a Body (1 Cor 12) (4 minutes)

Now Paul begins to show us what God does with saving power.

In 1 Corinthians 12 he’s not simply addressing spiritual gifts. He’s addressing a deeper issue: a church tempted to treat spirituality like a competition.

Who is most gifted?; Who is most visible? ; Who is most important?

But Apostle Paul says the Holy Spirit does something radically different:

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” — 1 Corinthians 12:7

Notice two words: to each and common good.

That means salvation doesn’t end at “me and Jesus.” Salvation creates a new community.

God reconciles you to Himself—and then reintegrates you into a body.

So salvation is not only forgiveness. It is belonging. It is restoration. It is participation.

3) “Same Spirit, Different Gifts” (1 Cor 12:8–11) (8 minutes)

Now listen to Paul’s list:

“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge… to another faith… to another gifts of healing… 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.” — 1 Corinthians 12:8–10

And then Paul gives the key summary:

“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” — 1 Corinthians 12:11

Here is what Paul is saying:

The Spirit of God is not limited. The Spirit of God is not scarce. The Spirit of God is not reserved for a few.

The Spirit distributes grace throughout the body. like the heart that pumps body throughout the body

Which means God’s saving presence becomes visible in many forms.

A. Wisdom and knowledge

Sometimes God’s saving power shows up through a word of wisdom—someone who helps you take the next right step when you feel stuck.

Not flashy or Not loud. But timely, Clear, and Grounded. That’s God saving.

B. Faith

Sometimes God’s saving power shows up through someone else’s faith when yours is tired.

There are seasons when your own faith feels thin. And God’s mercy is that someone else can hold hope near you. That’s God saving.

C. Healing and miracles

Sometimes God’s saving power shows up in healing. | Sometimes immediately | Sometimes over time. | Sometimes through medical care. Sometimes through peace that makes no sense. Healing does not only mean physical healing—it includes emotional and spiritual restoration.

That’s God saving.

D. Discernment

Sometimes God’s saving power shows up through discernment—clarity in confusion, protection from what is harmful, wisdom when the path is uncertain.

That is God saving.

These gifts are not given for spiritual trophies. They are given because God intends His people to be cared for.

4) Omnipresence and Gifts: God Makes His Nearness Tangible (5 minutes)

Now here’s the connection that matters deeply.

Psalm 139 says God is everywhere God is near. But 1 Corinthians 12 tells us something even more personal:

God doesn’t only want you to believe He is near. God wants you to experience His nearness.

And one of the ways He does that is through the gifts of the Spirit expressed through the Body of Christ.

Sometimes the way God is near is through a person who:

calls you at the right time

visits you when you’re lonely

prays with you when you’re afraid

drives you to an appointment

sits quietly with you in grief

shares wisdom when you feel lost

Church, that is not merely human kindness.

That is the Spirit of God making the presence of God real among His people.

God’s omnipresence becomes pastoral presence through the church.

That’s why Jesus promises:

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20

Jesus doesn’t say, “I will be with you when you are strong.” He says, “I am with you always.” And often, He is with us through one another.

5) Why No One Gets Every Gift (and why that’s grace) (2–3 minutes)

There’s one more important truth in 1 Corinthians 12:

No one receives every gift. And that is not a problem. It’s protection.

Because if one person had everything, the church becomes a stage. But God did not save us to perform. God saved us to belong.

Different gifts create interdependence.

We need each other. We learn humility. We share strength. We carry burdens.

So when you feel weak, the Spirit has already placed strength somewhere else in the body for you.

And when someone else is weak, the Spirit has placed something in you that can serve them.

Conclusion (2 minutes): Saving Power Restores Us to Function

Main point of today:

God’s power to save is not only rescue from sin. It is restoration to function. Restoration to belonging. Restoration to purpose.

The gospel is the power of God for salvation and that saving power lives among us through the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit gives different gifts not so we compare ourselves, but so we care for one another.

And because God is omnipresent, there is no moment when God is absent. There is no season when God is far. There is no valley where God has stepped away.

If you ascend to the heights, He is there. If you make your bed in the depths, He is there.

And in the church, God’s presence becomes visible in the shared grace of the Spirit:

Same Spirit. Different gifts. One saving God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

NEXT WEEK: THE THIRD PURPOSE OF GOD AND HOW GOD USES POWER TO “SUSTAIN”

Optional Closing Prayer (30–45 seconds)

Lord, thank You that You are near and that You have not left us alone. Thank You for the Spirit who gives grace for the common good. Make us a church where Your saving presence is experienced—not only spoken. Strengthen the weary, comfort the grieving, heal the broken, and unite us as one body in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.