GIFTED TO SERVE

July 21

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:7, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 have to do with the practice of spiritual gifts.  It is apparent, from Paul’s response to the Corinthians, that some were misusing their gifts.  Emphasis was being placed on the virtue of some gifts. Those lacking those gifts were deemed to be less important members of the body.  Gifts were also being misused for selfish reasons, hence the instruction regarding the preeminence of love in chapter 13.

Every believer in Christ has at least one spiritual gift.  Various terms are used to describe them.  The phrase “spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1) translates the Greek “pneumatika” and emphasizes the source and nature of the gifts.  “Gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:4) translates the Greek “charisma” which is related to the Greek word for grace (Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term as “a gift of grace).  A diversity of gifts has been graciously provided to the members of the body by the triune God (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).  

Spiritual gifts are not the same as talents.  A talent is the ability to do a thing in the natural realm.  A spiritual gift is the God-given supernatural ability to do a thing in the spiritual—in contributing to the health and growth of the body of Christ.  For example: everyone is to show mercy (Colossians 3:12), but some have the gift of mercy (Romans 12:8).  Those having the gift of mercy have a unique, supernatural desire and ability to recognize and respond to needs.

There are four main passages in the New Testament which speak to the nature and practice of spiritual gifts.  1 Peter 4:10-11 speaks of two broad categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts.  Ephesians 4:11-12 gives a list of various gifted men.  Romans 12:6-8 provides a list of the various gifts.  Two lists of gifts are provided in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 (12:8-10 and 12:28-30).

Spiritual gifts have been distributed amongst the members of the body such that there might be mutual dependence upon one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).  The analogy of the human body is used by Paul to describe the proper functioning of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).  The human body, being fearfully and wonderfully made, is made up of many complimentary members.  Each part of the body, “presentable” or not, is important.  It is the same with the body of Christ—each gifted member serves an important function.  W. A. Criswell, “Each gift is needed and is not to be neglected.  Every member is essential to the body.  No great church became that way on a one-man ministry.  All, each, everyone, great, small, rich, poor, old, young, have essential parts.”

The “mutual dependence,” nature of the distribution of the spiritual gifts can be illustrated by the specific response of each gift to a particular need.  Imagine a family gathered together for a meal when someone drops the dessert to the floor.  One with the gift of mercy might say, “Don’t feel bad, it could have happened to anyone.”  Serving? “Oh, let me help you clean it up.”  Teaching? “The reason that fell is that it was too heavy on the one side.”  Exhortation? “Next time, let’s serve the dessert with the meal.”  Giving? “I’ll be happy to buy a new dessert.”  Administration? “Jim, would you get the mop?  Sue, please help pick it up and Mary, help me fix another dessert.”  Faith? “Maybe God didn’t want us to have that pudding.  If He does, He’ll supply something better by the end of the meal.”  Evangelist? “Say, that’s just like our lives before we trusted in Christ.  God has provided a way to clean up the mess.”

It is important that spiritual gifts be practiced in the right way and for the right reasons.  Spiritual gifts are to be exercised in love in serving others (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Peter 4:10), for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7), for the building up of the body (1 Corinthians 14:12), and unto the glory of God (1 Peter 4:11).

You can know what your spiritual gifts are.  Here are some questions that might help: 1) What is it that you most enjoy doing in serving the body of Christ?  2) What is it that you are best equipped to do?; and 3) In what kind of activity are you most effective in serving?  The key concern is that you endeavor to serve Jesus by serving others.  The Holy Spirit can lead you to serve in roles that are in keeping with your particular area of giftedness.  But it’s useless to steer a vehicle that is not moving.  You’ve been gifted to serve.  The body of Christ needs your gifts.  God is glorified when your gifts are well used (1 Peter 4:10-11). You’ve been gifted to serve.

God blesses every believer with spiritual gifts through which to serve Him. The body is healthy and growing to the extent all use their gifts and use them for the right reasons.

We are the Body of which the Lord is Head,
Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead;
He wills us be a family,
Diverse yet truly one:
O let us give our gifts to God,
And so shall his work on earth be done.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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