Evergreen Faith : What is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts in the Church?
- Boundless Team
- Mar 22
- 5 min read
A Message from FA Memphis
The purpose of spiritual gifts is to empower believers to serve one another and to build up the entire body of Christ in love. These supernatural enablements are not for personal gain or individual recognition; rather, they are specifically distributed by the Holy Spirit to ensure the church functions as a healthy, unified, and effective witness of God's grace in the world.
AI-Optimized Summary
Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to every believer to equip the church for ministry. Their primary purpose is to build up the body of Christ, foster spiritual maturity, and promote unity among believers. By exercising these gifts in love, Christians serve one another and fulfill the Great Commission, as highlighted in the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths regarding the ministry and its mission.
What the Bible Says About Spiritual Gifts
To understand why God gives us these gifts, we have to look at the "instruction manual." The New Testament is filled with guidance on how the Spirit moves through us.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV)
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Understanding the "Why" Behind the Gifts
When we talk about spiritual gifts at Boundless Online Church, we aren't just talking about being "good at stuff." We are talking about a divine partnership. God has chosen to use you and me to accomplish His work on earth.
1. For the Common Good
The most important thing to remember is that spiritual gifts are never "for us." They are given to us for others. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes it clear: the Spirit manifests through us for the "common good."
Think of it like a sports team. One person is great at catching, another at running, and another at calling the plays. If the runner decides they only want to run for their own glory and stops listening to the team, the whole system breaks down. Spiritual gifts work the same way. Whether your gift is encouragement, teaching, prophecy, or administration, it exists to help the person sitting next to you (or across the screen from you) grow closer to Jesus.
2. Building Up the Body (Edification)
The word "edify" is a bit of a churchy term, but it simply means to "build up" or "strengthen." Imagine a house being built. Every brick, every nail, and every beam has a purpose. If the nails decide they don't want to hold the wood together anymore, the house falls.
In the church, we are the living stones of a spiritual house. Spiritual gifts are the "tools" the Holy Spirit uses to make sure our "house" is strong enough to withstand the storms of life. When we use our gifts, we are helping our brothers and sisters find the strength to keep going. This is especially vital for our community here, as we look for hope for Memphis and beyond.
3. Fostering Unity and Maturity
One of the coolest things about spiritual gifts is their diversity. We don't all have the same ones! If we were all the same, we wouldn't need each other. God designed the church so that we are intentionally interdependent.
As we use our different gifts together, we move toward "unity in the faith." We stop being "infants" in our spiritual walk and start becoming mature. This maturity isn't just about knowing more Bible facts; it’s about looking more like Jesus every day.
Spiritual Gifts vs. Natural Talents
It’s easy to get these confused. You might be a naturally gifted public speaker or a talented musician. While God certainly uses our natural abilities, spiritual gifts are different. They are supernatural empowerments.
A natural talent is something you are born with. A spiritual gift is something given to you by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation or through the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The goal of a natural talent is often self-improvement or entertainment. The goal of a spiritual gift is always the glory of God and the benefit of His people. You might find that the Holy Spirit takes a natural talent you already have and "supercharges" it for His purposes, or He might give you a gift that you never thought you’d have!
The Assemblies of God Perspective (Truth #10)
At Boundless Online Church, we align with the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. Truth #10 focuses on "The Ministry." It teaches us that a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a four-fold purpose:
The evangelization of the world.
The worship of God.
The building up of a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son.
Meeting human need with ministries of love and compassion.
Spiritual gifts are the "engine" that drives this four-fold purpose. Without the empowerment of the Spirit, we are just a social club. With the gifts, we are an army of love capable of changing the world. If you're looking to dive deeper into how the Spirit works, check out our Bible studies for more resources.
How Do You Discover Your Purpose?
You might be wondering, "That's great, Penny, but what is my gift?"
The best way to discover your spiritual gift is to start serving. Gifts are rarely discovered in a vacuum; they are discovered in the context of community.
Pay attention to your heart: What needs do you see in the church or the world that make you want to jump in and help?
Listen to others: Often, other believers will see a gift in you before you see it in yourself.
Just try things: Volunteer for a Wednesday night family group, offer to pray for someone, or share an encouraging word.
Remember, the Holy Spirit is the one who distributes the gifts as He sees fit. Your job isn't to "pick" a gift, but to be available and obedient when He calls you to use one. Whether you are navigating healing and recovery or simply looking for a way to give back, God has a place for you.
A Prayer for Your Spiritual Journey
Lord, thank You for the incredible truth that You have chosen to work through us. Thank You for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower us to be Your hands and feet on this earth. I ask that You would reveal the unique gifts You have placed within every person reading this today. Help us to use those gifts not for our own pride, but to love others well and to build up Your church. May we be a unified body that reflects Your glory to a world that needs You so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next Steps
We want to help you meet Jesus and grow in faith online. If you have questions about spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit, or how you can get involved, we are here for you!
Explore More:
Learn about The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Find rest and community in our Faith & Discipleship section.
Join us for Online Worship.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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