Sabbath School Lesson 6 Summary – Spiritual Gifts | Q3 2026

SPEAKER A 00:00:01 - 00:00:59 Hello, I'm Rod Butler. Welcome to Let God Speak. The Sabbath School lesson this week deals with the important subject of spiritual gifts. Why does God give different abilities and talents to different believers? Why do churches sometimes become divided over gifts and ministries? And what did the Apostle Paul mean when he said that love is a more excellent way? Stay with us As our panel digs into this life-giving truth that transforms churches today. On our panel today we have Gayl Fong and Harold Harker. Welcome. SPEAKER B 00:00:59 - 00:01:00 Thank you. SPEAKER C 00:01:00 - 00:01:01 Thank you. SPEAKER A 00:01:01 - 00:01:53 Before we commence our discussion, let's have prayer. Gracious Father, we thank you that you give your church, your members, your people spiritual gifts. As we discuss this topic today, we ask for the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding, and may the viewers have a better understanding of what this means at the end of this program. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, the church is made up of different backgrounds, personalities, cultures, and experiences. Yet God calls His church to function in unity. The church is compared to a human body, where every member has an important role to play. Some gifts may appear more visible than others, but all are necessary for the health and mission of the church. So to start our discussion today, Gayl, I'm going to you with the first question. What does Paul emphasize when he first introduces the topic of spiritual gifts? SPEAKER C 00:01:56 - 00:02:30 Well, here Paul, he's reminding the Corinthians of their pagan past and the work of the Spirit. And they're right there in 1 Corinthians 12:3, he mentions that no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. So this confession, it was costly in the Roman world. And it was a public confession. And he stresses variety in gifts, services, and activities, yet all come from the same Spirit and the same God. SPEAKER A 00:02:30 - 00:02:31 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:02:31 - 00:03:14 And yes, the repetition of varieties shows God delights in diversity. And we read in 1 Corinthians 12:11, but one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually As he wills. And there is those variety of gifts mentioned there before that. There's wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, works of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. So all gifts are necessary and God ordained for this for the church's health. SPEAKER A 00:03:14 - 00:03:50 Yeah, it's very, very powerful. Let's just keep reading. I'm gonna read 1 Corinthians 12 and verses 12 to 13. It says, for as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. So Harold, you know, when you read this, why is this analogy of the human body so appropriate For understanding the church and spiritual gifts? SPEAKER B 00:03:50 - 00:05:18 Well, Rod, you mentioned the analogy of the body, and that perfectly captures both the unity and the diversity that there is. The foot can't say, I don't, I don't belong because the hand does, or whatever it is, or the ear or the mouth. We're all part. Every part of the body is needed. And it's interdependent as a body. You know, Paul shows that the weaker and less honorable parts, they get just as much honor again. And there's no division, whether it's an eye or a toe or whatever. Let me read to you Ephesians 4 and the last part of 15 and 16. Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto Him who is the Head, Christ. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. This is the Bible answer to a healthy life. Jesus is the head. No person is the head, But we're all part, interdependent, I think is the word that you've used. And so we grow together in love. SPEAKER A 00:05:18 - 00:06:05 Yeah. Powerful. Now, look, speaking of love, I'm going to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. And I've got a question for you, Gayl. It says, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gifts of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my gifts, all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it produces it nothing, profits it nothing. So I've got a question for you, Gayl, on this. You know, what is the central role of love in the exercise of these spiritual gifts from what we've just read? SPEAKER C 00:06:05 - 00:06:56 Yes. So love is not just another gift. It is the essential context and motive for all gifts. And without love, tongues become just noise and prophecy and knowledge becomes empty. And even mountain-moving faith profits nothing. That's what the Bible says. So love is active. And so it will be, it will show patience. It will show kindness. It will not be envious. It does not boast. It won't be rude. It's not self-seeking. And 1 Peter 4:8-7 says— SPEAKER A 00:06:56 - 00:06:58 8-10, would that be? SPEAKER C 00:06:58 - 00:07:37 1 Peter 4:8-10. Yes. Sorry. And above all things, have fervent Love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. So love enables us to use gifts to serve one another. As stewards of God's varied grace. SPEAKER A 00:07:37 - 00:07:48 Well, let's, let's dig a bit more into this, the aspect of love, because it's so important. Harold, does genuine love among believers confirm the healthy use of those gifts? SPEAKER B 00:07:48 - 00:08:35 Absolutely, yes. True love is always known by actions. It shows patience and kindness and humility. And when people genuinely care for each other, beyond their gifts. It shows the Spirit's work that Paul has placed the love chapter then of 1 Corinthians 13 between chapter 12 and chapter 14. Love has to work through these gifts. Love is the test of authenticity. Gifts are tools. But love is the character of Christ formed in us. Love is not an emotion. It is a principle of life. SPEAKER A 00:08:35 - 00:08:44 So if we see someone manifesting gifts in the church, but their, their life is definitely not a life of love, we would need to question where that gift— SPEAKER B 00:08:44 - 00:08:45 Correct. SPEAKER A 00:08:45 - 00:08:46 Is coming from. SPEAKER B 00:08:46 - 00:08:46 Correct. SPEAKER A 00:08:46 - 00:08:53 Okay. I'm going to read now about a specific gift. SPEAKER B 00:08:53 - 00:08:53 gift. SPEAKER A 00:08:54 - 00:09:50 And I've got a question for you, Gayl. We're going to read 1 Corinthians 14:1-5. It says, pursue love. We've just been discussing that. And desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied, for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Now, Gayl, from this, there's a differentiation here. What is the proper use of the gift of tongues according to this? SPEAKER C 00:09:51 - 00:10:14 We saw the gift of tongues in action in Jerusalem at Pentecost. So if we turn back to Acts chapter 2 and just reading verse 4 there, the Bible says, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. SPEAKER B 00:10:14 - 00:10:15 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:10:15 - 00:11:11 So there were many different nationalities and languages present at Pentecost. And the Bible reads on further. If you read through that chapter, you can read actually from, I think it's verse 8 through to 10 and 11, you can see there were many different nationalities present and languages. But just reading Acts chapter 2 there, it says, Cretans and Arabs, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. So it was a means of communicating the gospel to all these present at Pentecost. The gift of tongues, as you read before there, Rod, it must edify the church. It's got to build up the church. It's got to bring understanding. So when used publicly, tongues need interpretation so others can understand and be built up. SPEAKER B 00:11:11 - 00:11:12 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:11:12 - 00:11:39 As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, verses 27 and 28. And the Bible reads, if anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be 2, or at the most 3, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. SPEAKER A 00:11:39 - 00:11:47 Hmm. We can really see how in the Book of Acts how that tongues miracle edified the church. SPEAKER B 00:11:47 - 00:11:47 Absolutely. SPEAKER A 00:11:47 - 00:12:01 Because people could hear the Word of God being preached, the gospel. So Harold, just diving into this again, these verses 1 to 4, 1 to 5 in 1 Corinthians chapter 14. Why does Paul rate prophecy more highly than tongues? SPEAKER B 00:12:01 - 00:13:04 Well, he prefers prophecy because it speaks to people for their upbuilding, for their encouragement and even consolation. You know, verse 3 mentioned that speaking another language where people don't hear it in their language, it edifies no one. And the speaker himself might think, I've given a message, but interpreted language blesses all. The goal is orderly, intelligible, worship, and that glorifies God. It strengthens believers. Let me read a verse here later in the chapter, in verse 26. And it says, how is it then, brethren, whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation? Let all things be done for edification. That's for the general edification there. SPEAKER A 00:13:04 - 00:13:14 Hmm. Yeah, that's very good. Excuse me. Gayle, let's spend a bit more time talking about prophecy. What is the purpose of the gift of prophecy? SPEAKER C 00:13:14 - 00:13:48 Yes. Just following on from what Pastor Harold was saying there, in, it says from 1 Corinthians 14:3 there that the gift of prophecy is given to strengthen, to encourage, and comfort God's people. So prophecy, it's not only about predicting future events, but it's also about speaking God's message faithfully. And the teachings of Jesus, they do encourage your heart. SPEAKER A 00:13:48 - 00:14:12 Amen. Yeah, that's very important. Well, let me just read. I want to read from the Old Testament now. Again, the importance of prophecy and significance. Amos chapter 3 and verse 7, it says, surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servant the prophets. Now what does that tell you about God, Harold? SPEAKER B 00:14:12 - 00:14:46 Well, it tells me firstly that God wants to communicate with His people, and so He uses prophets And He uses right throughout Scripture, He, God has raised up prophets, given the prophets to guide, to warn, and to encourage His church. He loves it. Prophecy really is the evidence of God's care and involvement in human history from the beginning right to the end. He uses prophets to tell us. SPEAKER A 00:14:49 - 00:14:52 Now you can see how the devil could use— SPEAKER B 00:14:52 - 00:14:52 Oh yes. SPEAKER A 00:14:52 - 00:15:01 Prophets to spread his message, to deceive people. How can believers, Gayle, tell that a prophet is genuine? SPEAKER C 00:15:02 - 00:15:53 Well, the Bible gives clear tests for evaluating prophets, so we can go to God's Word, and their teachings must agree with the Scripture. Their predictions must prove true 100% of the time, and their lives must reflect Christlike fruit. So the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures, and God, He's never going to contradict His Word. And a wonderful verse to go to is in Isaiah 8:20, and the Bible says, to the law and to the testimony. If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. So it's wonderful counsel and direction right there. SPEAKER A 00:15:53 - 00:15:57 So if anyone says anything which contradicts what the Bible says, we know that they're a false prophet. SPEAKER B 00:15:57 - 00:15:58 Correct. SPEAKER C 00:15:58 - 00:15:59 Correct, yes. SPEAKER A 00:15:59 - 00:16:38 I just wanna read Ephesians 4:11-13. Harold, the question I've got with this is, what is the ultimate purpose of all spiritual gifts? But it says here, Ephesians 4:11-13, And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. So what does that tell us about the ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts? SPEAKER B 00:16:38 - 00:17:24 Well, these verses themselves make it very clear. It says the purpose is for the equipping of the saints. That's to give gifts to help the church build up the Body of Christ. It's to reach maturity. And it also has unity in the faith. These bring us together in Christ. Gifts exist for mission and for maturity. That's what verse 13 said. And they reflect God's collaborative work. Diversity of gifts, and there are so many, under one Spirit produces harmony. And it glorifies God. And it draws the world to Christ. Love remains the guiding principle that makes all of this possible. SPEAKER A 00:17:24 - 00:17:39 Amen. Now, when you read some of these, these spiritual gifts, they're quite impressive, some of these gifts. Gayle, is there a danger for a church to focus on the more spectacular spiritual gifts and give them prominence? SPEAKER C 00:17:39 - 00:17:54 Well, yes. And in, and in doing so, it can create division and neglect. So, Yes, of the quieter and more essential gifts, because every gift is needed in the Body of Christ. SPEAKER D 00:17:54 - 00:17:55 Yeah. SPEAKER C 00:17:55 - 00:18:23 So focusing on gifts results in comparisons and can lead to pride and division. Some may feel superior while others may feel useless or overlooked. But love, as has been emphasized keeps every gift grounded in service because we are all serving God. And balance and love prevent distortion. SPEAKER A 00:18:23 - 00:18:49 Amen. Yeah, very good. Unfortunately, when people keep getting praised because they've got some gift, it's hard for it not to go to their head and pride comes in, which is a very important thing to watch out for. Speaking of the gifts which are not as spectacular, how does Paul address the human tendency to value gifts more than others? SPEAKER B 00:18:49 - 00:19:10 Well, Paul confronts the Corinthian error in that church of ranking gifts by pointing to the more excellent way of love in chapter 13. He reminds them that even spectacular gifts exist for the good of the church. The body, remember that analogy? SPEAKER D 00:19:10 - 00:19:10 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:19:10 - 00:19:44 The body reinforces that suffering and rejoicing are all shared. And 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 26 reads, and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. This is is an end for pride and it builds empathy. That's great. And true spirituality is in mutual care and not in claiming superiority. SPEAKER A 00:19:44 - 00:19:50 If one member suffers, I mean, if you use the body analogy, if I kick my little toe, the whole body is in pain. SPEAKER B 00:19:50 - 00:19:51 That's right. SPEAKER A 00:19:51 - 00:19:59 You notice it. What encouragement would you give, Gayl, would you give, Gayl, to someone What would you say to a person who felt that their gift was insignificant? SPEAKER C 00:19:59 - 00:20:25 Well, if we realize where the gift came from in the first place, so explaining to them that they have a gift that's been given by God and why their gift is needed in the church can remind them that it's not only those that are visible but those that are not as visible are so needed. SPEAKER B 00:20:25 - 00:20:26 prayer intercessors. SPEAKER A 00:20:26 - 00:20:27 Amen. SPEAKER C 00:20:27 - 00:21:09 Our deacons, our deaconesses, our people that are behind the cameras, the people that actually clean our church and make it nice and presentable, those that serve in children's divisions that we don't see, but they're there serving weekly, growing young Christians for Christ. Those that just sit in the pews and are unable to do perhaps what others may do, but they're welcoming and being friendly to those around them. So encouraging whatever one can do, we are all able to serve and we're all vital and we're all vital in serving in God's family. SPEAKER D 00:21:09 - 00:21:09 Yes. SPEAKER C 00:21:09 - 00:21:41 So the Bible reads in 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor. And our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it. SPEAKER A 00:21:41 - 00:21:42 Right. SPEAKER C 00:21:43 - 00:21:54 That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. Everyone is of immense value to God. SPEAKER A 00:21:54 - 00:22:05 Yeah, well, speaking of that, Harold, in our churches in practice, how do we maintain unity while giving honor to the gifts, all the gifts, the diversity of gifts? SPEAKER B 00:22:05 - 00:22:31 Well, we value every contribution there is. And we encourage the participation. So we provide training. It's really having the body together, going together and forward in that. And when it grows through the different ministries, it gives the atmosphere and these, these gifts that God gives can flourish. And that's what we want in every church. Okay. SPEAKER A 00:22:31 - 00:23:02 I just want to read now 1 Corinthians 12. If I go to 1 Corinthians 12, and I wanna read verses 4 to 6, it says, now there are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works in all. Now from that, what do those 3 verses tell us, Gale, about the Godhead? And the church. SPEAKER C 00:23:02 - 00:23:54 Yes, well, verse 4 there refers to the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and verse 5 to the Lord, which is God the Son, and verse 6 to, to God, which is actually referring to the Father. So it shows the Godhead working in harmony, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just a little in the other direction, the Spirit The Son and the Father. So as a model and source of unity in diversity. So the church should reflect this divine oneness and gifts, services, and activities all originate from God for his purposes. And this truth humbles us and lifts us to serve one another and serve together. Unity in Christ Respect is the antidote to schisms. SPEAKER A 00:23:54 - 00:24:09 It is indeed. Now, Gayl, I'm gonna stay with you because how do we actually discover and use our own spiritual gifts? It's all right to say we have spiritual gifts, but how do we know what they are? How do we work out what our spiritual gifts are? SPEAKER C 00:24:09 - 00:25:01 Yes, well, we discover our God-given talents and abilities through prayer, studying the Scriptures, serving in the church and receiving feedback perhaps from mature believers and by participating in various activities, we discover that we feel very comfortable in that role and it's blessing others at the same time. And gifts are confirmed as we see God's blessings in our efforts to build up others. We're use them humbly for the good of the church. And as Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:10, he says, as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. SPEAKER B 00:25:01 - 00:25:02 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:25:02 - 00:25:10 And there's nothing better than actually being able to bless someone else and see that they are growing. Closer to Jesus. SPEAKER A 00:25:10 - 00:25:11 Amen. SPEAKER B 00:25:11 - 00:25:11 Amen. SPEAKER A 00:25:12 - 00:25:33 Now, Harold, I'm just gonna, with time with us at the moment, what message would you like viewers to, to take away from this discussion on spiritual gifts? Because spiritual gifts are so important for the edification of the church. What message would you give to our viewers out there who are wondering about what spiritual gifts I have and can I contribute? Or what would you say to them? SPEAKER B 00:25:33 - 00:26:20 Well, spiritual gifts are not about personal status. In the world, everyone ranks everybody. But about serving Jesus Christ and to bless others. You know, every believer in God's church is valuable and has a role to fulfill. Remember, parts of the body. When gifts are surrendered to God by love, the church becomes a powerful witness. Let me read to you the first verse of this chapter, in chapter 14. Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. So we're working together. Love is the answer to all of this humility and kindness. And we're working together. SPEAKER A 00:26:20 - 00:26:36 Amen. Amen. Gayle, just in closing, why is love greater than faith and hope? Because 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, and now I'm Abide faith, hope, love, these 3, but the greatest of these is love. Why is that? Why is love the greatest? SPEAKER C 00:26:36 - 00:26:42 Love is eternal and is the very nature of God. SPEAKER B 00:26:42 - 00:26:43 Amen. SPEAKER C 00:26:43 - 00:26:55 So faith and hope will be fulfilled in eternity, but love continues forever. And it is the character of God and the bond that holds everything together. SPEAKER A 00:26:55 - 00:26:57 What a great place to close. SPEAKER B 00:26:57 - 00:26:57 Amen. SPEAKER A 00:26:57 - 00:27:59 The bond that holds everything together. Thank you, Gayl. Thank you, Harold. Well, what, what a powerful reminder that we are one body with many gifts. Now, whether you feel your gifts are prominent or hidden, every believer has a vital role in building up the body of Christ. When love governs our use of spiritual gifts, the church becomes a living testimony of God's wisdom and grace. God is calling you to become part of his body and Dedicate your gifts to His service. I encourage you to prayerfully identify how God has gifted you and begin using that gift to bless others this week. Now there's a challenge for you. Now thank you for joining us on Let God Speak. All our past programs plus teachers' notes are available on our website threeabnaustralia.org.au, or you can email us on lgs. at 3abnaustralia.org.au. Tell your friends about the program, and until next time, let God speak to your heart through his word, and God bless. SPEAKER B You have been listening to let God speak, a production of 3ABN Australia television. To catch up on past programmes, please visit 3abnaustralia.org.au. Call us in Australia on 02 4973 3456. Or email [email protected]. we'd love to hear from you.