Every Christian Has Something to Offer

Imagine arriving at a chili cook-off without realizing it was a cook-off. You come expecting dinner and fellowship, but you leave your award-winning chili at home.

Everyone might still have a wonderful time. But something would be missing.

Pastor Spencer uses this picture to help us understand Paul's message to the church in Ephesians. Many Christians may not realize that they have something important to offer the body of Christ.

Paul makes this especially clear when he says that each person has received grace according to Christ's gift.

Not some people. Not only pastors or church leaders. Each of us.

Your place in the church does not depend on your status, connections, experience, or accomplishments. Christ gives grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

That means you have something to offer.

Jesus Gives Gifts to Build Up His Church

Paul lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But these roles are not reserved for a spiritual elite.

Instead, these gifts help equip the saints for the work of ministry. Leaders help the whole church discover that following Jesus is not a spectator sport. Every believer is part of God's mission.

And Paul's list is not exhaustive.

Elsewhere, Scripture describes gifts such as serving, encouraging, giving, leading, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, and discernment. The Spirit's creativity is greater than any single list can capture.

The point is not to determine which gift is most important, but that the Spirit gives gifts to each person for the good of the whole body.

Your Spiritual Gifts Matter to the Church

The church becomes more fully the church when people bring what God has given them.

That is why joining a church involves more than attending worship. It means actively participating in the worship and mission of the church. When people bring their gifts, the body of Christ becomes more complete. We need one another.

Your gift may look different from someone else's. Your role may not be visible from the platform. You may never preach a sermon or lead a ministry. But that does not make your contribution less valuable.

Paul's picture of the church is not a machine where interchangeable parts fill empty positions. It is a living body in which every part works together and contributes to the body's growth.

Stop Sitting on the Sidelines

It can be tempting to think of church as a place where a few people do the work while everyone else watches.

Paul gives us a different vision.

The church is a body. Every part matters. Every person has something to contribute. And the goal is not simply efficiency or filling ministry positions. The goal is to embody and extend the love of Jesus Christ into the world. That means we cannot remain spectators.

We need to show up with what God has placed within us, to learn from one another and encourage one another.

And we need to make room for others to discover and use their gifts.

Spiritual Gifts Help Us Grow in Christ

Paul connects our gifts with another important goal: maturity in Christ.

When every part of the body works together, the church grows toward the full stature of Christ. Instead of being spiritually immature and easily influenced, we become rooted in Christ and grounded in truth and love.

Using your spiritual gifts is part of how God forms us as disciples.

As we serve alongside others, we learn to depend on one another. We grow in love. We become more mature in faith. And together, we become more like Jesus.

What Has the Spirit Given You?

You may already know your spiritual gifts. Or you may still be wondering.

Either way, start paying attention.

What do people often come to you for?

Where do you find yourself serving naturally?

What needs around you consistently move your heart?

What opportunities give you joy while helping others?

You do not have to figure everything out by yourself. Talk with other Christians. Ask trusted leaders where they see God's work in your life. Be willing to try something new.

The Spirit has already given you something.

Bring Your Gift to the Table

Return to the chili cook-off illustration.

The event works because people show up and bring something. Each person contributes something different, and together those contributions create something none of them could create alone.

The same is true of the church.

You are not an interchangeable part.

The Holy Spirit has placed something specific in you, and the church needs you to act on it.

So don't assume you have nothing to offer.

Don't wait until you feel perfectly qualified.

Don't sit on the sidelines.

The Spirit has equipped you. Will you bring your gift to the table?

*summary created with help of ChatGPT
To view other messages in this sermon series, click here.