This past Sunday, Pastor Aaron unpacked 1 Corinthians 12 in a deeply personal and compelling message about spiritual gifts—and what they reveal about both God and the church. At the heart of the teaching was a beautiful reminder: the church is not a loose collection of individuals, but the bride of Christ—being made holy, radiant, and ready for her wedding day. In that preparation, the Holy Spirit plays an active role by distributing gifts to each member of the body, not for personal glory, but for the common good. Spiritual gifts, then, are not flashy accessories for the super-spiritual—they’re evidence of a God who still speaks, moves, and builds through His people.

Aaron emphasized that the spiritual gifts are not uniform, and they’re not random. Each gift is intentionally distributed “just as He wills.” That means the uniqueness of your gifting isn’t a shortcoming—it’s part of the design. Whether you’re a “hand” or a “heel,” God has arranged the parts of the body so that none are expendable and all are essential. Aaron was refreshingly honest about how easy it is to compare gifts—especially when we don’t feel seen or celebrated. But spiritual envy and insecurity are symptoms of a deeper misunderstanding of our place in the body. When we fail to use our gift, it’s not just a missed opportunity for us—it’s a loss to the entire church.

The body needs what you carry. When you stay on the sidelines—whether due to fear, pride, past hurt, or a belief that others are more capable—the church suffers. As Aaron put it bluntly, “When you fail to step into your spiritual gift, I suffer.” That’s because your gift is a manifestation of the Spirit—a way that God’s nature becomes visible and tangible within the church. No one else can reveal God in quite the same way you can. And it’s not about trying harder or being more impressive; it’s about walking in love and obedience, knowing that the Spirit empowers those who take courageous steps of faith.

Aaron also addressed the often-controversial topic of cessationism—the belief that certain spiritual gifts ceased after the early church. While showing respect for those with differing views, he shared why he’s not a cessationist: namely, that the interpretive method (hermeneutic) that excludes spiritual gifts from present-day practice is too inconsistent to be persuasive. The gifts were never meant to be limited to a historical moment. They were—and still are—meant to serve the church as it grows in maturity, unity, and love.

Ultimately, spiritual gifts are an expression of love. That’s where Paul is headed in 1 Corinthians 13, and where Aaron left us this week. Gifts without love are noise. But when love motivates us, even the smallest, most unimpressive gift can become a divine act of grace. So the challenge is this: Do you love Christ? Then love His church. And in loving the church, step into your spiritual gift—even if it feels scary or small. God will show up in your weakness. That’s the promise. And when He does, the bride becomes a little more radiant.

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💬 Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What is one spiritual gift you believe God has given you? How have you seen it benefit the church—or how would you like to?
2. How do you respond when someone else’s gift seems “stronger” than yours? What does Scripture say about this tendency to compare?
3. Aaron mentioned that spiritual gifts are given “for the common good.” How does that challenge the individualistic mindset we often bring to church?
4. Have you ever seen the church dishonor certain gifts or overemphasize others? What might it look like to bring more balance and honor to all parts of the body?
5. What step of faith could you take this week to begin using your gift more boldly in the church community? What’s holding you back—and what might happen if you let God meet you there?