We thought we had wrapped it up, but we're taking one more look at some important things in regards to using the gifts of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives gifts, but does not take control of us to use them. We need to learn to use the gifts. And more importantly, we need to learn to use them the right way, out of God's great love for us, expressed to each other as the body of Christ. The point isn't the gifts, the point is to be an encouragement to others and point us to God.

As we wrap up this series on the spiritual gifts talked about in scripture, we are asking a few questions about what we do now. How do we live in this? What do we do in regards to these gifts? How do we ensure they are used and not just talked about? And maybe we don't know just yet how it's all going to look, but that's ok, because like the gifts are meant to work together, the body of Christ must come together to learn and grow!

Some gifts seem more natural. Some seem more supernatural. But all are Spiritual. Meaning, it is by and through the Holy Spirit working in and through us that the gifts serve their purpose. These are gifts of the Spirit. And some have incredible power to help, serve and encourage the body of Christ. This week we look at the power of the Holy Spirit working through faith, healing and miracles.

As much as there is planning, organizing and leading, there is also doing. And God has gifted people to do certain things really well. This week we look at the serving and helping gifts that often times make things run smoothly and efficiently. The backbone of any great organization is people working really well together in roles that they are equipped to engage with.

We're looking at what scripture calls the "spiritual gifts". These are gifts God has gifted to the body of Christ to aid and help each other. To help build and grow what God is wanting to do in and through each of us, and as a community. But it is more than just a natural or supernatural talent, it is being led by the Spirit of God. And as we focus on God's leading we see opportunity to help and offer these gifts to others.

Our words are important. They have the power to give life to those we are talking to. They also have the power to tear down, break apart and hurt people. The bible says life and death are in the power of the tongue. So, when it comes to the spiritual gifts that involve communication, we need to value the incredible honor that they really are!

As we jump into looking at some of the spiritual gifts that God gives us as the Church, we have to ask the question, How important are the Spiritual Gifts? Do we need them? Does everyone actually have one, or two, or more? What should we expect? How do we figure all of this out? And what are the gifts? What do they mean, and what do they do?

One of the ways we are able to encourage the body of Christ is to use what scripture calls our "Spiritual Gifts". The bible says that each or us have been spiritual gifts to help, serve and equip each other. But being given a gift doesn't mean we know how to use it. We need to learn about our gifts, and learn how to use them.

As we continue our series on being Encouraged to Encourage, we are going to talk about how important the words are that come out of our mouths. Scripture tells us over and over again on how to watch what we say, think about what we say, and use our words in the right way.

In our new series, E2E: Encouraged to Encourage, we are going to be looking at our role in the church. What does it mean to be a part of Christ's body? What does it mean to be someone who both needs to be encouraged, but also, is meant to encourage others? You are unique, gifted, and needed for the church to flourish!

All of this was leading up to this moment. The promise of Jesus fulfilled, the Holy Spirit WILL come! And He will fill you, and you experience the love of God and His presence and be empowered to live in and preach the Good News of the gospel!

After all the preparation Jesus did with the disciples, even sending them out to go preach the kingdom of God and make disciples, Jesus says, "WAIT!..." Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit fills you with power. How do we handle waiting seasons? Especially when we don't know how long they will be. What the apostles do between the ascension and pentecost gives us some great insight into how we can wait patiently for the Lord to move in our livs.

There comes a point in all of our training and schooling that our instructor says, "You can't stay here!" It's time to go into the world and use what you have learned. Jesus did the same thing. We call it the Great Commission, and it was the last thing He told the disciples to do when he ascended into heaven. So, what's that mean for us?

What's in a name? A famous question posed in a famous play. But the answer for them might not be the answer we have when we begin to look at the name of Jesus. It's entirely and wholly different than any other name! His name is the name above all names, and by no other name can we be saved!

This week, as we continue our series on Life After the Cross, we are looking at what it means to live in the finished work of the cross. Are we believing for something to come, or are we believing to experience what has already happened?

In our series, Life After the Cross, we are looking at what the disciples, and through their lives and examples, ourselves, need to learn between the time of Easter, Christ resurrected, and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit is given to the church! Today we look at the important need to leave our past behind, so we can embrace our future!

In our New Series: Life After the Cross, we will look at what the early church needed to learn to live in the new way of life in Christ, and not fall back into the law! Jesus made a way once and for all.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate that not only did Jesus give his life for us, which he said was the greatest act of love, to lay down your life for others, but also, that He did not stay dead, proving he is Messiah, and He is God the Son, the savior of the world!

On what we call Palm Sunday we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, as the crowds of people cheered - praising the Son of David, the King who would come to rescue Israel. What they didn't realize was that he was there to lay down his life, and had a much bigger plan than they could ever imagine!

Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Love of God is expressed to humanity! Jesus knew he was on a mission and nothing would stop him from fulfilling that mission. And that mission was because of God's love for you! Jesus, knowing what he would endure, set his face toward Jerusalem and went toward the fulfillment of why He came to earth!