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Paul wrote, "In every way you have been enriched in Him, in speech and knowledge of every kind . . . so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:5-7).

I believe this message is for each local church, and it goes like this. This church lacks no gift that the Holy Spirit could give for its leadership and the fulfillment of God’s plan for it. Whatever God’s plan is for this church, He has given this church what it needs to do the plan. We have in our midst the people gifted by the Holy Spirit to develop this church into what God wants it to be. When key people move away, or when someone gets hurt and stops participating, there is even then, here in our church, whatever God needs here at this time.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church further advice by which we may learn and grow. Paul's advice in the first section of his letter could be summarized, "In your differences, don't fight." His advice in the second section of his letter could be summarized, "Give no offense to the church." His advice in the third section of his letter could be summarized, "You have all the gifts you need."

"In your differences, don't fight" means to me that we will hear our differences, we may have very different sermons or music from week to week for awhile, we will listen to someone who is overworked and perhaps reduce our expectations for awhile, of that person, maybe of the whole church. In all our differences, we won't fight.

"Give no offense to the church" means to me that we will purge ourselves and guard our congregation from any willingness to purposely offend someone. Arrogance is out. We will give no offense to our fellow church members.

"You have all the gifts you need" means to me that, when we're doing the first two pieces of Paul's advice, we will see something brilliant emerge here because God has placed within us all the gifts we need to be the church He desires in this place at this time.

Paul wrote, "In every way you have been enriched in Him, in speech and knowledge of every kind . . . so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:5-7).