WEEK 6 // DAY 1

JESUS IS LORD

Before Paul begins explaining spiritual gifts, he establishes the center that holds all spiritual life together: Jesus is Lord. The Corinthian church was familiar with spiritual experiences. Many of them had come out of a background where dramatic religious moments, ecstatic speech, and spiritual activity were not unusual. But Paul wants them to understand that not every spiritual experience is automatically from the Spirit of God. The question is not simply, “Was it powerful?” or “Was it emotional?” or “Was it impressive?” The deeper question is, “Does it lead us to honor, trust, and obey Jesus as Lord?”

This matters because spiritual gifts can easily be misunderstood. We can begin to focus on the person who seems gifted rather than the Jesus to whom the gift is meant to point. We can become impressed by visible ability, public ministry, or dramatic expression. But Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always Christ-centered. The Spirit does not draw attention away from Jesus. He reveals Jesus, exalts Jesus, and teaches the people of God to confess that Jesus is Lord.

That confession is more than words. To say “Jesus is Lord” is to recognize His authority, His rule, His worth, and His rightful place over every part of life. The Holy Spirit does not merely help you have spiritual experiences. He leads you into surrendered allegiance to Jesus. He teaches your heart to say, “Jesus, You are Lord over my desires, my decisions, my relationships, my gifts, my service, and my future.”

This gives us a needed foundation for thinking about participation in the church. Before we ask, “What is my gift?” we should ask, “Is Jesus being honored?” Before we ask, “Where do I serve?” we should ask, “Am I surrendered to the Lordship of Christ?” Spiritual gifts are not platforms for self-expression or personal recognition. They are ways the Spirit helps the body of Christ display the lordship, love, and life of Jesus.

Today, let this truth re-center you. Your value is not found in how visible your gift is. Your purpose is not found in being impressive. Life begins with participation when the Spirit leads you to offer yourself under the lordship of Jesus for the good of His people.