8-23-2026: The Gifts That Make Us Nervous

8-23-2026: The Gifts That Make Us Nervous

Sermon Title: The Gifts That Make Us Nervous

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-3; 14:1, 12

Sermon Focus: Some spiritual gifts inspire excitement while others (due to their more obvious “supernatural” nature) create uncertainty, unease, or even fear. In the fourth message of our series, Pastor David addresses the more “charismatic” gifts—including prophecy, healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues—with humility and biblical balance. Rather than avoiding these gifts or pursuing them without wisdom, we should eagerly desire the Spirit's work while exercising discernment, order, and love.

Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion: 

  1. Begin by reading 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:1-13 in context. What are your initial observations and thoughts about what the Spirit has communicated through Paul? Spiritual gifts must be governed by love. How does putting love at the center of our talk and practice of gifts change the way we think about it?
  2. Go back and look at the “Power Gifts” slide that Pastor David used. Some of the gifts—prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, and deliverance—can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Which of these gifts are you most open to, and which makes you most nervous? Why? How might we remain open to the Holy Spirit without feeling pressured to manufacture or pursue a particular experience?
  3. Pastor David mentioned three reasons why these gifts make us nervous. Is there one that jumps out at you the most? Talk about these briefly:
    1. We can’t control them.
    2. We’ve seen abuses.
    3. They confront our Western materialism.
  4. Reflect further on the list of power gifts mentioned in the New Testament. Have you seen or heard about any of these gifts at work today? Do you have any of these gifts? Do you know anyone in our congregation who has any of these gifts?
  5. Paul doesn't tell the Corinthian believers to reject certain spiritual gifts because they were being misused and abused. Instead, he offers these guardrails:
    1. Love Comes First (1 Cor. 13)
    2. Everything Must Build Up the Church (1 Cor. 14:3, 12, 26)
    3. Use Discernment and Be Orderly (1 Cor. 14:29-33, 39-40)What do you think of these guardrails? Also, why do you think it is that we have a bad experience of something and often want to jump to the opposite extreme?
  6. LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION – As you might imagine, those members of the Body of Christ who have “power gifts” are often tempted to keep these gifts and things like dreams, visions, and prophetic insight to themselves. Take time this week to pray for these people. And if you know someone with one of these spiritual gifts, consider encouraging them to freely use their gifts in the church.