Discovering Your Spiritual Gift

We've been gifted with salvation through the Spirit. With that salvation comes something incredibly practical: spiritual gifts. These gifts are not just symbolic or abstract. They are meant to carry on the work of Christ through His people. Let’s talk about something foundational but often overlooked: every single follower of Jesus has a gift. In fact, probably more than one.

One Body, Many Parts
In 1 Corinthians 12:14-26, Paul paints a vivid picture of what this means. He reminds us that the body of Christ is made up of many members. We are all different. Some of us are feet, others are ears, eyebrows, eyelashes, or even toenails. And every part is significant.

You may not think something as small as a toenail matters, but I learned otherwise a couple of years ago. I was walking into my house, possibly mid-disagreement with my wife, and clipped my toenail on the base of the step. It bent all the way back. It was awful. I discovered very quickly how essential even the smallest part of the body is.

This is exactly Paul's point. Every part of the body is important. Every member matters.
So, say it with me: everyone has a gift. If you follow Jesus, you’ve been empowered by the Spirit to serve in a specific way that builds up the church and continues the mission of Christ.

We Were Made for Interdependence
Paul begins the chapter by saying in verse 1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” This isn’t optional knowledge. This is something we all need to understand.

We live in a culture that leans toward independence. But the church is called to something different. We are called to interdependence. We are not meant to walk alone. The church functions best when we are all connected, committed, and serving alongside each other.

Everyone has a gift. Everyone has a role. Everyone is needed.

The Lists Aren’t Exhaustive, But the Gifts Are Real
Throughout 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists around nine or ten spiritual gifts. If you zoom out and look across the New Testament, you'll find six different lists of spiritual gifts. None of them are the same.

That tells us something important. These lists aren't exhaustive. Paul isn't trying to capture every possible gift. Instead, he’s showing us examples, just a few of the many ways God empowers His people to serve.

Some scholars say there are about 22 specifically mentioned gifts in the Bible. But that doesn’t mean that’s all there is. God’s creativity in equipping His people goes far beyond our categories.

Real-Life Examples of Spiritual Gifting
Let me give you a personal example. My wife, Sonya, often sits alone during worship because I’m up front or engaged elsewhere. But instead of just filling that seat, she pays attention to who’s around her. She notices people sitting alone, especially those who are visiting or walking through something hard.

She’ll scoot over and sit with them. Just this past week, someone who was in town for treatment called and asked, “Are you going to church today?” They remembered the kindness Sonya had shown them.

That kind of ministry isn’t listed by name in Scripture, but it’s a Spirit-empowered act of hospitality, and it builds up the body of Christ. God gives specific gifts and also stirs up unique ways for us to use them. Some are formal. Others are deeply relational and personal. But all of them matter.

Two Categories: Speaking and Serving
JD Greer points out that the Apostle Peter essentially divides all spiritual gifts into two big categories: those who speak for Jesus and those who serve for Jesus.

Some of you love to speak, teach, lead discussions, or communicate truth. Others would say, “Please don’t hand me a microphone,” but you serve faithfully, joyfully, and humbly in ways that keep the church moving.

Ask yourself: Am I wired to speak for Jesus or serve for Jesus? You probably fall into one of those categories.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Gifting
Another helpful distinction is that some gifts are short-term, while others are long-term.

We see an example of a short-term gift in Acts 2. When the city of Jerusalem was packed for Passover, God gave the disciples the ability to speak in languages they’d never studied. Why? Because people needed to hear the wonders of God in their own tongue. It was temporary. It met the needs of the moment.

God may give you a gift like that, something unexpected and timely. Or He may give you a long-term gift, one that stays with you for years and grows deeper as you use it. You may already know what your long-standing gift is. Or you may still be discovering it. Either way, your role in the body matters.

All Gifts Are God-Given and God-Arranged
Paul makes this incredibly clear. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

Then in verse 18, he emphasizes it again: “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

You didn’t earn your gift. You didn’t choose it. God did. He arranged it on purpose. That’s a supernatural reality. Our job is to recognize that and step into it with faith.

All Gifts Are Valued
There is great diversity in the gifts of the Spirit. Some are more visible. Some are quieter. Some happen in front of crowds. Others happen one-on-one. But every single one is God-valued.

Paul says in verses 24–26 that we shouldn’t wish we had a different gift or feel like our contribution is less valuable. If you’re a hand, don’t wish to be a foot. If you’re a foot, don’t try to be an eye. Whatever your gift is, it’s necessary. It’s needed. It matters.

Every follower of Jesus has been empowered to serve in a specific way. That includes you.

A Word to Our CityRise Family
Here’s the simple truth: CityRise is stronger when we all serve. CityRise is weaker when only some of us serve.

We are one body. When every member is active and engaged, there’s a supernatural strength in our ministry, both to one another and to those outside these walls.

So many of you are already serving, and you’re doing it with humility and faithfulness. Thank you.

But there may be some who haven’t taken that step yet. Maybe this is your on-ramp. This could be your invitation to go deeper into your spiritual journey.

Because here’s what we know: you grow when you serve.

Interdependence Over Independence
Paul’s heart is clear. He wants the Corinthians, and us, to understand that interdependence is greater than independence.

In verse 12, he writes, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

And again in verse 14: “For the body does not consist of one member but of many.”

When we all say yes to serving, there is beauty in that unity. There is strength in the church and a supernatural impact in our community.

So here’s the challenge: you’re not here by accident. You’re here on assignment. God has gifted you. He’s placed you here.

Now step into your gift and carry on the work of Christ.


This blog is based on the message shared by Campus Pastor Chris DeArman at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Check out the full message below!