Building this new community, the church, is at the heart of the gospel. First, Jesus came to inaugurate a new community of God. Second, he died for us, not only to reconcile us to God, but also to one another, so that we can become a new community. Third, he is coming back to complete this new community into perfection. Last Sunday, we said that the vision is to become a new community that loves one another and loves our neighbors.

This week, we expand that vision of a new community to a community that serves the community and the mission of the community with their spiritual gifts. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. He gives some of us miraculous gifts and some of us mundane gifts; but, they are all important and honorable. We need one another to build this new community. We need everyone. No one is a spectator. We are all in the game. If we ignore the gifts of the Spirit, we will not able to effectively build this new community. Something will be off. What are your spiritual gifts? How are you serving the community?