Empowered by the Spirit: Gifts for Service and Transformation

The stage looked a little different this morning, but the heart of our gathering remained the same: a family of believers growing deeper in God’s love and reaching out in Christ Jesus. This week, we celebrated the joy of serving together at VBS and the block party, seeing God’s hand at work as we welcomed more children than we prayed for and witnessed the gifts of the Holy Spirit in action—through teaching, helping, encouragement, and simple acts of love. These moments remind us that the Holy Spirit is not confined to dramatic miracles but is present in the everyday acts of service, kindness, and obedience.

Reflecting on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we revisited 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, recognizing that the Spirit equips each of us uniquely. Some are called to teach, others to help, encourage, give, or show mercy. These gifts are not for our own glory but to build up the body of Christ and to serve one another. The Spirit’s gifts are not limited to a list; rather, He gives exactly what is needed, when it is needed, whether that’s wisdom, faith, healing, discernment, or simply the ability to hold our tongue or offer a word of encouragement.

We also explored the promise from Ezekiel that God will give us a new heart and a new spirit, cleansing us from our impurities and idols. Many of us know what it’s like to have a hardened heart, to struggle with shame, guilt, or the wounds of the past. Yet, the Holy Spirit is the one who softens our hearts, motivates us to follow God’s ways, and empowers us to walk in grace and forgiveness—both for ourselves and for others.

The power of the Holy Spirit is not just for the extraordinary; it is for the daily journey of faith. He gives us the strength to serve, to give, to forgive, and to love, even when it’s hard. Conviction, not condemnation, draws us closer to God, inviting us to honest conversations with Him about our struggles and our need for His help. As we recognize and thank God for the Spirit’s work in our lives, we become more aware of His presence and more open to the gifts He wants to give us.

Today, we also celebrated the testimony of Alec, who has experienced transformation through Christ and is preparing for baptism—a living example of the Spirit’s renewing work. As we continue to serve, encourage, and love one another, may we eagerly desire the greater gifts and trust the Spirit to equip us for every good work.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The Holy Spirit’s Gifts Are Diverse and Purposeful God equips each believer with unique gifts—teaching, helping, encouragement, giving, mercy, and more—not for personal recognition, but to build up the church and serve others. These gifts are not static or limited to a list; the Spirit provides exactly what is needed in each moment, often in ways we do not expect. Our willingness to use these gifts, even when we feel unqualified, is itself a sign of the Spirit’s work in us. [12:05]
• 2. Obedience and Generosity Flow from the Spirit’s Guidance True generosity and obedience, such as tithing or serving others, are not burdens but blessings that flow from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. When we step out in faith and follow God’s commands, we experience His provision and joy, learning that God desires our hearts more than our resources. The Spirit empowers us to give, serve, and guide others, sharing from our own experiences of God’s faithfulness. [16:35]
• 3. Encouragement and Mercy Are Powerful Spiritual Gifts Encouragement and mercy are often overlooked but vital gifts of the Spirit. A simple word of affirmation or an act of compassion can break through someone’s feelings of inadequacy or shame, reminding them of their value in Christ. Showing mercy, especially when it is difficult, reflects God’s own grace toward us and requires the Spirit’s strength to do cheerfully and sincerely. [19:43]
• 4. The Spirit Renews Our Hearts and Motivates Obedience God promises to give us a new heart and a new spirit, cleansing us from our past and empowering us to follow His ways. The Holy Spirit softens hardened hearts, heals wounds, and motivates us to desire what pleases God. This transformation is not something we achieve on our own, but a gift we receive as we yield to the Spirit’s work in us. [24:44]
• 5. Conviction Draws Us to God, Not Away from Him The Spirit’s conviction is a gift that leads us to repentance and deeper relationship with God, not to shame or condemnation. Honest conversations with God about our struggles open us to His encouragement and forgiveness. As we recognize the Spirit’s presence and power in our lives, we become more aware of His daily guidance and more willing to receive and share His gifts. [30:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:41] - VBS Reflections and God’s Surprising Callings
• [03:57] - Mission Statement and Church Family
• [04:34] - Church Bulletin Bloopers
• [05:14] - Introducing the Holy Spirit Series
• [07:12] - The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• [08:58] - Discernment, Tongues, and Interpretation
• [12:05] - Additional Gifts: Apostles, Teachers, Helps, Guidance
• [14:38] - The Gift of Helps in Action
• [16:35] - Guidance, Giving, and God’s Provision
• [18:31] - Romans 12: Serving, Encouragement, and Mercy
• [22:51] - Ezekiel’s Promise: A New Heart and Spirit
• [25:23] - The Power and Flexibility of the Spirit’s Gifts
• [28:41] - Grace, Conviction, and Honest Conversations with God
• [33:14] - VBS Block Party Highlights
• [37:48] - Testimony and Upcoming Baptism of Alec

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31 (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. ... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

2. Romans 12:3-8 (ESV)
> For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 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.

3. Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV)
> I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 12, what are some of the different gifts the Holy Spirit gives, and what is their purpose?
2. In Romans 12, what attitude does Paul say we should have about our own gifts and roles in the body of Christ?
3. What does God promise to do for His people in Ezekiel 36:25-27?
4. The sermon described how the Holy Spirit’s gifts are not just for dramatic moments, but for everyday acts of service and kindness. What are some examples from the sermon or your own experience? ([14:38])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God gives different gifts to different people instead of giving everyone the same gifts? How does this help the church function as a body? ([12:05])
2. The sermon said that encouragement and mercy are powerful but often overlooked gifts. Why might these gifts be just as important as more “visible” gifts like teaching or miracles? ([19:43])
3. Ezekiel 36 talks about God giving us a new heart and a new spirit. What does it look like in real life when someone’s heart is softened or changed by the Holy Spirit? ([24:44])
4. The pastor said that conviction from the Holy Spirit draws us closer to God, not away from Him. How is conviction different from condemnation, and why is that important for our relationship with God? ([30:38])

Application Questions

1. The sermon shared stories of people discovering gifts they didn’t know they had, like teaching or helping. Is there a way you might be open to God using you in a new way, even if it feels uncomfortable or unexpected? ([14:00])
2. Think about a recent time when you saw someone use a “quiet” gift like encouragement, mercy, or helping. How did it impact you or others? Is there someone you can encourage or help this week? ([19:43])
3. The pastor talked about how true generosity and obedience flow from a heart changed by the Holy Spirit, not from guilt or pressure. Is there an area where you feel God nudging you to give, serve, or obey out of love rather than obligation? ([16:35])
4. Are there any “idols” or distractions in your life that might be hardening your heart or keeping you from following God fully? What would it look like to ask the Holy Spirit to give you a new heart in that area? ([23:28])
5. The sermon mentioned that conviction leads us to honest conversations with God about our struggles. Is there something you need to talk to God about honestly this week? What might be holding you back? ([31:17])
6. Alec’s testimony was a story of transformation and new life in Christ. Have you experienced a time when God changed your heart or helped you forgive, love, or serve in a way you couldn’t on your own? What happened? ([39:49])
7. The pastor encouraged the church to recognize and thank God for the Spirit’s work in everyday life. What is one way you can be more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and gifts in your daily routine this week? ([29:56])