Just Show Up

serve
October 25, 2026

KEY POINTS

Paul longed to see the church so he could impart a spiritual gift to strengthen them. The gifts exist so we can mutually encourage one another’s faith.
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights. There is no variation or shadow in Him. He is the Giver.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. The gift is not for you. It is for the body.
The Spirit apportions to each one individually as He wills. The gift is sovereign. He holds it. We minister with it.
God arranged the members in the body, each one of them as He chose. You do not get to pick who is next to you. The weaker parts are indispensable.
Love is the more excellent way. Without love, even the highest gifts are a noisy gong. All of it must be administered through love.
You discover the gift by longing to strengthen someone else and then showing up. The need reveals what He has given you.

DISCUSSION

Paul said he longed to see them so he could strengthen them. Where do you sense a longing to strengthen someone right now?
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” How does that change the way you think about “my gift”?
Pastor Bob said the starting place is offering yourself as a living sacrifice. What is one thing you are still holding back from that offering?
God arranged the members as He chose. Who in the body has God placed near you that you would not have chosen?
“If one member suffers, all suffer together.” Who is suffering right now that the body needs to suffer with?
How is “show up and long to strengthen someone” different from waiting until you know what your gift is?
1 Corinthians 13 says without love the gifts are nothing. Where do you need love to catch up with a gift you already have?