John 3:16 (ESV)
For God So Loved the World
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
James 1:17 (ESV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a]
John 3:17 (ESV)
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)
Spiritual Gifts
12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed.
1. Some assembly required.
1 Timothy 4:14-15 (ESV)
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress.
2. Batteries not included.
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
3. Adult supervision required.
1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
How to make the most of your gift.
A. Family holds accountability.
1 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
B. Maintain our gift in the context of serving.
Acts 4:10 (ESV)
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
John 13:3-5 (ESV)
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
C. Give credit where credit is due.
1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
James 3:16 (ESV)
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)
4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.