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Spiritual Gifts LOVE

August 1, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • Philippians 2:6–7, Luke 7:11–15, Psalm 150:6, John 10:27–28, Philippians 3:10–11

A More Excellent Way

Psalm 150:6: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"


Emphasize the importance of praising the Lord and the calamity when we cannot.


Highlight the transformative power of perfect praise.


1 The Need For Yielding to God's Perfect Will


John 6:38: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”


The importance of yielding to God's will as Jesus did.

God's choice and plan for us surpass our own understanding.


Joel 3:14: "Thousands in the valley of decision."

Highlight the hunger for truth and the desire to know God better.


John 10:27-28

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.

28 And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.


In Yielding Prayer and Asking in Faith

Asking in faith, believing God is on the throne ready to anoint afresh.



Esther 5-7 Esther coming before King Aas-uer-us…


We can Go to God with our requests…


All of your hearts desires He will give you! 


John 14:13: 

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."




Having Humility and Compassion in Ministry


Philippians 3:10-11: "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

Emphasize living with Christ through His resurrection power.


Philippians 2:6-7: Jesus, who "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing.”


Jesus’ humility and compassion.


Luke 7:11-15 The widow of Nain.

Jesus’ compassion moved Him to raise the widow’s son.




2 The Need for Proper Use of Spiritual Gifts


1 Corinthians 13:1: 

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."


The importance of love in the use of spiritual gifts.


1 Corinthians 12:31

"But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."


The more excellent way


The Perfect Way: Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3:

 Love Is the foundation for all spiritual gifts.


Psalm 107:20: "He sent his word and healed them."

True ministry results in glorifying Jesus and lifting others.

Acts 4:13: Peter and John, recognized as having

 "been with Jesus."


Faith and Love


Romans 1:17: The just shall live by faith…


Psalm 25:14: The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him.


The importance of faith intertwined with love.

Sacrifice Without Love


1 Corinthians 13:3: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”


Example of giving sacrificially without love being of no profit.


1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit."

The importance of taking care of our bodies for God's glory.




God’s Provision and Wisdom


Mark 1:35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, 

He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.


Mark 6:30-31: Disciples drawing aside to rest.


Importance of balancing zeal with wisdom and caring for the body.


You Need Sunday To Be Refreshed Renewed and Restored~


Psalm 107:20 "He sent his word and healed them."

God’s continuous provision and enrichment for those serving Him.



John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

Assurance of eternal salvation for those who follow Christ.


1 Corinthians 13:13:

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”



Encourage the congregation to pursue love in all aspects of their spiritual walk.



Pray for God’s anointing, power, and grace to fill His people as they seek to serve Him with humility, compassion, and love.


Psalm 150:6: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"


John 6:38: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."


Mark 6:30-31: "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’"



Romans 10:2: "For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”


It’s not Just Excitement but 

Revelation 3:7: "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."



  Love and the Gifts

Chapter 13 serves as a governor, ensuring the proper use of these gifts.


Gifts are for the power, love, and edification of weary souls.

They must be balanced by divine love to be effective.


1 Corinthians 12:7 (Manifestation of the Spirit is given for the profit of all)



1 Corinthians 14:12 

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.



3 The Need To Yield To the Holy Spirit 


Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


You Have A Blessed Responsibility To Be A Part Of The Church!  

To Be Used By God~ 

To Be Lead By God~ 

In HIS CHURCH ~


Gift of Tongues and Interpretation: 

Opens new vision and avenues 1 Corinthians 14:27


Gift of Healing: Ministering to the needs of the people 1 Corinthians 12:9)

Gift of Wisdom and Knowledge: Provides guidance and inspiration 1 Corinthians 12:8

Gift of Discernment: Deals with evil powers 1 Corinthians 12:10

Gift of Miracles: To see God’s power in action 1 Corinthians 12:10

Gift of Prophecy: Edifies, exhorts, and comforts 1 Corinthians 14:3



Application: Seek these gifts earnestly and use them for the edification of the church.



The Church is God’s REAL Thing! 


Necessity of Love in Exercising Gift


1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (Without love, we are nothing)


Main Idea: Let us present ourselves to the Lord, seeking His gifts and guidance, and ensuring that everything we do is governed by love.

Final Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (Diversities of gifts but the same Spirit)

- **Revelation 3:7:** "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."

- **Matthew 5:8:** "The pure in heart will see God."

- **Ephesians 4:30:** "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit."

- **Hebrews 12:11:** "Chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

- **2 Corinthians 13:5:** "Examine yourselves to be in the faith."