holy spirit Archives | Core Church LA

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!

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

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

We Are Not Alone

Life can feel scary sometimes. There are moments when it seems like everything is falling apart. But in John 14-16, Jesus gives us a promise that changes everything—we are not alone. Right before He went to the cross, Jesus told His disciples something they didn’t want to hear: “I’m going away.” That hurt. The disciples had walked with Him for three years. They had laughed with Him, cried with Him, and seen miracles. So, when He said He was leaving, they felt afraid and confused.

But Jesus didn’t stop there. He followed that hard truth with something powerful. He said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever” (John 14:16). Let’s slow down and look at that word: Helper.

We Are Not Alone Because We Have a Helper

The word “Helper” comes from the Greek word Parakletos. It means someone who is called to your side. Someone who sticks with you, helps you, encourages you, comforts you, and even defends you. That’s what Jesus promised to send—the Holy Spirit.

Jesus could only be in one place at one time because He had taken on a human body. But the Holy Spirit isn’t limited by a body. He can be everywhere at the same time. That means He can be with you, with your friend, and with someone across the world—all at once! And He doesn’t just visit. He stays. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer. That’s why we can say with confidence: we are not alone.

In John 14:26, Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.” The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible. He reminds us of what Jesus said. He gives us peace, boldness, and strength when we feel weak. He prays for us when we don’t know what to say. He even gives us the power to say no to sin.

We Are Not Alone Because the Holy Spirit Works in Us

In John 15, Jesus tells us to stay connected to Him, like a branch stays connected to the vine. How do we do that if He’s not here? Through the Holy Spirit. The Helper makes that connection real every single day. He brings the presence of Jesus into our lives. He is the reason we can bear fruit—like love, joy, peace, and kindness.

Then in John 16, Jesus says something amazing. He says it’s better for us that He goes away because if He didn’t, the Helper wouldn’t come (John 16:7). That tells us just how important the Holy Spirit is in our walk with God. Jesus knew we would face hard days. He knew we’d need courage, comfort, and guidance. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit.

The disciples were sad when Jesus said He was going away. But Jesus knew something they didn’t—God wasn’t leaving them. He was making a way to be with them even more closely than before. The Holy Spirit isn’t just near you. He’s in you. He is the Helper, and He never takes a break.

So next time you feel afraid or alone, remember the truth of John 14-16:

We are not alone.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to walk with us every step of the way.

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

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

How God Uses Oil

When the prophet Samuel anointed David’s head with oil, something powerful happened. The oil wasn’t just a symbol; it represented the Holy Spirit coming upon David. The moment that oil touched his head, God’s Spirit filled him with power and wisdom, setting him apart for a great purpose. In this Bible study, we’ll take a closer look at how God uses oil and what this means for us today.

1. The Anointing of David: Oil Represents the Holy Spirit

In 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anointed David with oil, and from that moment, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. Oil, in the Bible, often symbolizes the Holy Spirit. When God uses oil to anoint someone, He’s saying that person is chosen and set apart for His work. In David’s case, the Holy Spirit filled him with strength and wisdom to become Israel’s greatest king.

Without the Holy Spirit, David would have never accomplished all that he did. He faced giants like Goliath, overcame countless enemies, and led his people with great courage. God uses oil to show that His Spirit is present, guiding and empowering His people.

2. The Holy Spirit Poured Out Like Oil

Just as oil was poured on David, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is poured out into our hearts. Romans 5:5 says, “the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us.” This means the same Spirit that filled David is also given to us. God uses oil in a symbolic way to show how His Spirit fills us and guides us.

Without the Holy Spirit, how could any of us follow the Lord? We need the Spirit’s wisdom, guidance, and direction every day. In these last days, when the world is full of distractions and challenges, the Holy Spirit is what keeps us awake and diligent in our walk with God. Just like oil lights a lamp, the Holy Spirit lights our hearts to keep us on the right path.

3. Walking in the Power of the Holy Spirit

David’s anointing wasn’t just for a moment. The Holy Spirit stayed with him throughout his life, helping him through trials, victories, and even his failures. The same is true for us. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. God uses oil to represent His presence in us, but the real power is in the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.

In today’s world, we need the Holy Spirit more than ever. The worries of life can easily distract us, but just as David relied on the Spirit to lead Israel, we need the Spirit’s help to stay close to God. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to live for God, resist temptation, and share His love with others.

Conclusion: How God Uses Oil

God uses oil in the Bible to symbolize His Holy Spirit. When Samuel anointed David with oil, it wasn’t just a ritual. It was a powerful moment where the Holy Spirit came upon David, equipping him for his future as king. Today, God pours out His Spirit on us through the Holy Spirit, just like oil is poured out. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power in our lives to stay strong in our walk with God.

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

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.