Book of 1 Corinthians Archives

The Three Gifts of God

God is a giver. He doesn’t just give us life—He gives us gifts to help us live for Him and serve others. In the Bible, we see that there are three gifts of God that every believer can receive and use. Obviously, these aren’t gifts to keep to ourselves. They’re meant to help build the church, help others, and glorify the Lord.

Let’s walk through three powerful passages—Galatians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and Ephesians 4:12—and break down these amazing gifts: grace gifts, ministry gifts, and active gifts.

The Three Gifts of God Begin with Grace

First, let’s talk about grace gifts. These are mentioned clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Paul writes that there are many kinds of gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, and more.

These gifts are not something we earn. That’s why they’re called grace gifts. God gives them because He loves us. He gives us the power and the tools we need to do His work. The Greek word here for “gifts” is charismata, which comes from charis, meaning grace. That means these gifts flow from God’s kindness and not from our goodness.

You can’t work hard enough to get them. You don’t need a Bible degree. If you’re a Christian, the Holy Spirit can give you what you need, when you need it, to help someone else. That’s amazing!

The Three Gifts of God Include Ministry

Next comes ministry gifts. You’ll find these in Ephesians 4:12, where Paul says that God gave some to be pastors, teachers, evangelists, and more—not to do all the work—but to help equip everyone for ministry.

The Greek word for ministry is diakonia, which means service. That means ministry isn’t just preaching. It’s doing anything that helps others grow in their faith. Helping with kids’ church? That’s ministry. Encouraging someone going through a hard time? That’s ministry too.

The three gifts of God are not just for pastors or leaders. Every believer has been given something to use to help the church grow strong and full of love.

The Three Gifts of God Must Be Activated

Last, let’s go to Galatians 6:9-10, where Paul encourages us to not grow tired of doing good. This is where we see active gifts. God gives you gifts, but He expects you to use them. That means you have to show up, step out, and get going.

If you never speak up, serve, or take a step of faith, your gift sits on a shelf. But when you obey, God energizes your gift. He uses it to bless people around you and bring them closer to Him.

God doesn’t give us gifts so we can look special. He gives them so we can point people to Him. It’s not about spotlight. It’s about serving.

So let’s recap the three gifts of God:

1. Grace gifts – God gives them by His Spirit.

2. Ministry gifts – God uses them to build His church.

3. Active gifts – God calls us to use them in action.

Don’t let your gift sit idle. You’ve been gifted for a reason—go use it for God’s glory!

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Why God Gives Gifts

When you become a follower of Jesus, you don’t just get saved—you get gifted. The Bible tells us that God gives spiritual gifts to every believer. These gifts aren’t random. They’re part of His perfect plan. He gives them for a reason, and that reason isn’t to make us look good. It’s to make the whole church stronger.

Let’s look at three key places in the Bible where we see this truth clearly—Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 and 27-31, and Ephesians 4:11-16.

Why God Gives Gifts: So the Body of Christ Works Right

In Romans 12:3-8, Paul says we’re all part of one body, and each part matters. He tells us not to think too highly of ourselves, but to remember that God gives different gifts to different people. Some teach, while others encourage. There are leaders, and there are servers, while others have a gift of giving. All of it is important.

Think about your own body. If your foot stops working, your whole body feels it. It’s the same in the church. God gives gifts so that every believer can play their part. If even one person chooses not to use their gift, something important gets left out.

You may think, “I’m not a preacher,” or “I’m not as bold as that person,” but that doesn’t mean your gift doesn’t matter. God knows what He’s doing. He gives you the gift you need to do the job He wants you to do.

Why God Gives Gifts: To Bring Unity and Growth

Now check out 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 and 27-31. Paul explains that the same Spirit gives different gifts to different people. He says the church is like a body with many parts—hands, feet, eyes, ears. Each part is different, but they all work together. No part can say, “I don’t need you.”

This tells us something powerful. God gives gifts not to make one person better than another, but to make all of us work together. We need each other. God didn’t call you to do everything. He called you to do your part—and trust others to do theirs.

Then in verses 27-31, Paul talks about how some are apostles, some are prophets, some are teachers. He asks, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets?” The answer is no. That’s the point. God spreads out His gifts on purpose.

Why God Gives Gifts: To Build Up the Church in Love

Last, let’s look at Ephesians 4:11-16. Paul says God gave some to be pastors, some to be evangelists, and some to teach—not to show off—but to help the rest of the church grow. These leaders aren’t supposed to do all the work. They’re supposed to equip you to do ministry.

As each person uses their gift, the whole church grows stronger in love. It becomes healthy, unified, and mature. This is the goal: a church full of people using their God-given gifts to make Jesus known.

So let’s get real. If you’re not using your gift, the church misses out. That’s why the question isn’t “Do I have a gift?” It’s “What has God gifted me to do—and am I doing it?”

You matter to God. Your gift matters to the church. And why God gives gifts is simple: so the whole body can grow, love, and shine for Jesus. Let’s step into that calling together.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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Burned Up In Heaven?

Burned Up in Heaven?

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul paints a picture of what happens to our actions when we get to heaven. True believers in Jesus won’t face judgment for our salvation—Jesus paid that in full on the cross. Instead, we’ll be judged on what we did with our lives here on earth. So, what does Paul mean when he talks about things like gold, silver, wood, hay, and stubble? In this study, we’ll look at why every action will be judged, how it will be tested by fire, and what will last.

1. Why Does God Judge Our Works?

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul explains that everything we do will be tested by God. Burned up in heaven? Yes! God will evaluate every choice, every act of kindness, every time we shared the gospel, and every moment we spent helping others. The Bible says God loves us and knows that what we do on earth has an eternal impact.

Think of it like building a house. Some materials are strong, like brick and steel, and others are weak, like wood and straw. When tested by fire, only the strong materials will stand. In the same way, when we live our lives out of love for God, those actions will survive God’s fire, like gold, silver, and precious stones. But if we only live for ourselves, those works are like wood, hay, and stubble—they’ll burn up and leave nothing behind.

2. God’s Fire Reveals Our True Intentions

Paul explains that God’s fire will test the quality of our work, not the quantity. So, what will be burned up in heaven? If our actions were done with pure hearts, to serve others and glorify God, they will stand the test. Think about someone who volunteers or gives generously, not for attention but because they truly want to help. God sees that heart, and those actions have lasting value in His eyes.

However, if we’re only doing good things for praise or to make ourselves look good, those actions will burn up. Wood, hay, and stubble represent things done out of selfishness or pride. When we live only for ourselves, none of it will last. The Bible says God’s fire will burn away all these selfish motives, showing what was truly valuable.

3. Living for What Will Last

Paul’s message isn’t to scare us but to remind us to live for what matters. Jesus taught us to love others, be generous, and share His gospel. When we make choices that honor God, our actions have eternal worth. They won’t be burned up in heaven but will endure like gold, silver, and precious stones.

One day, every believer will stand before God and see their life’s work tested. Imagine what it will feel like to see God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Knowing that God values even our smallest act of kindness should inspire us to live for Him.

Conclusion: Will Your Works Stand the Test?

Burned up in heaven? That’s exactly what happens to works done out of selfishness or pride. When we choose to live for God, our lives build something eternal. So let’s strive for actions that glorify Him, serve others, and share the gospel—these are the things that last, and these are the things that bring God joy.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.