Why does the heart behind spiritual gifts matter? While the gifts are powerful and practical tools for ministry, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:12 that their purpose is to build up the Church—not to elevate ourselves. In this second talk, we explore the motivation behind the gifts and how love must be our foundation. Paul encourages us to “eagerly desire spiritual gifts,” but always in the context of pursuing love (1 Corinthians 14:1). Without love, the gifts can lead to pride or misuse. Jesus operated in power, yet always with compassion and humility. Spiritual gifts are not about status—they’re about service, and ultimately about pointing people to Jesus. As we learn to listen to God’s voice, whether through a picture, a word, or a prompting, we grow in our ability to encourage others. Through simple steps of obedience and faith, we become a Spirit-led people, building up the Church and extending His Kingdom.
