Having Gifts That Differ: What Are Gifts

Scripture Texts:  Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:1-11

Remember last week and who are you and what are you doing here.  Albert Einstein was on a train, when the conductor came by to validate his ticket, he couldn’t find his ticket.  Finally, the conductor told him, “It’s alright Mr. Einstein, I know who you are.”  Mr. Einstein was still concerned, “Yes, I know who I am too, but I don’t know where I am going.”

We talked about the value of knowing who you are and what you are doing here and where you are going, about living a more God-centered meaningful life.  All of this was very clear to Jesus as we read in John 8:12-14:

John 8:12-14 Jesus spoke to [the Pharisees], saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” … 14 Jesus answered, “… I know where I came from and where I am going.

When you know who you are and where you have come from, why you are here and where you are going you experience greater peace, joy, rest; freedom from stress, pride, envy, competition and frustration.  Knowing about spiritual gifts is a key part of this contentment.  They tell us about why God created us and saved us and called us out of the world and into His Church, why we are here now in this place at this time.