19/04/2026
GOAL TO BE USEFUL IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
Ptr. Malyn Abergos
1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-5
what is your goal as a Christian in the Church? Do you have a desire to be useful in the Church?
Others would think that usefulness in the Church is only for the pastors, worship leaders or gifted speakers, But according to the Scripture, every believer is called to be useful in the Body of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul discusses that what matters most is what build up the Body of Christ.
“It is not how impressive you are because of your gift but how useful you are in the Church”
GOAL #1 PURSUE LOVE (v1a)
Pursue love for GOD and
pursue love for OTHERS
Paul stresses action. Pursue and desire. we will discuss the action desire in a bit. meantime let's us know the meaning of pursue.
Pursue means to run after, press on, follow after.
Phil 3:14
“Our goal in serving GOD is our love for HIM”
Usefulness begins with love. That's why Paul started the chapter with "Pursue love" in other version "follow the way of love"
Before he talks about the gifts, he talk first about love. LOVE must be the motive behind every ministry, Without LOVE, gifts becomes a prideful display of talents.
Where there is LOVE your ministry becomes useful and effective.
No matter how talented or gifted you are without love your ministry is just a display of pride.
We go out and share the love of GOD to others out of love for GOD and Love for others. We help one another because of love.
The greatest ability is not talents but love.
We sing with Love
We preach with Love
We serve with Love
We correct with Love
We give with Love
Love requires sacrifice.
John 3:16-The FATHER gave
Romans 5:8- JESUS gave
If we are a true followers of the LORD JESUS CHRIST we will love sacrificially
Eph 5:25, Galatians 6:2, Colossians 2:3-5
Pursue Love for GOD first and for others. Our prime motivation is always love. Without love whatever we do is useless. No eternal value. No eternal reward.
See to it that LOVE is behind what we do otherwise nagsasayng lang tayo ng oras.
GOAL #2 EARNESTLY DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS (v1b)
our text as I mentioned stresses 2 actions. Pursue Love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts. Many of us choose one and neglect the other. Some focus on gifts but forget to love. Some talk about the power of the Spirit which is the gifts but our text says we need it both. Pursue love AND earnestly desire spiritual gifts
DESIRE means strong want of something.
Earnestly desire spiritual gifts- meaning gifts are meant to be desired.
We must seek after and be passionate about spiritual gifts. Pray for it. Ask for it.
GOD wants HIS church to be powerful and useful.
Desire Gift with right motives
Desire gift not to be seen but to serve,
not to impress but to bless,
not for title but for the testimony.
GOAL #3 BUILD UP THE CHURCH (v2-5)
Spirtual gifts mentioned in the text
1. Gift of Prophecy
2. Gift of Tongues
What is prophesy?
The purpose of prophesy
The question is: Does the gift of prophesy still function today?
2. The Gift of Tongues
The purpose of the gift of tongues is for self edification
GOALS TO USEFUL IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
GOAL #1 PURSUE LOVE
GOAL #2 EARNESTLY DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
GOAL #3 BUILD UP THE CHURCH THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS
