On Wrightsboro Baptist Church’s 117th Homecoming Sunday, Pastor Eddie Eaton continues the verse-by-verse Corinthians series with “Spiritual Gifts — Part 1” from 1 Corinthians 12:1 and 7–9. Spiritual gifts are not trophies for personal status; they are Spirit-given abilities through which God works in believers for the good of others and the building up of the church. This message examines the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the gift of faith.

The word of wisdom applies God’s truth and supplies the right word at the right moment. Biblical examples include Jesus answering the tax question, Stephen’s Spirit-given witness, the Jerusalem Council, and Paul before the Sanhedrin. The word of knowledge is Spirit-given insight into truth or circumstances beyond ordinary observation, always tested by and consistent with Scripture. Examples include Jesus and Nathanael, Peter’s confession of Christ, Ananias and Sapphira, and Paul recognizing the lame man’s faith. The gift of faith is extraordinary Spirit-given confidence that God can accomplish His purposes even when circumstances appear impossible.

Pastor Eddie emphasizes that gifts are empowerment, not job descriptions. They do not pigeonhole believers into one ministry; they equip the whole church for mutual edification. The central question is not “What gift makes me special?” but “How has the Holy Spirit equipped me to serve someone else?” The invitation calls unbelievers to salvation by grace through faith and believers to discover, develop, and use what God has given them for the good of others and the glory of Jesus Christ.

This complete Homecoming service includes congregational worship and special music from the WBC Worship Choir, WBC Senior Choir, Men’s Ensemble, Angela Woodcock, and Meredith McKeithan, followed by the sermon, invitation, dismissal, and postlude.

Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7–9.

Supporting Scripture: James 1:5; Matthew 22:15–22; Acts 6:8–10; Acts 15:10–21; Acts 23:6–10; John 1:43–51; Matthew 16:13–17; Acts 5:1–11; Acts 14:8–10; Ephesians 2:8–9.

Recording timeline:

00:08 – Welcome and 117th Homecoming recognition

01:52 – Opening prayer and offering prayer

04:06 – Piano offertory

08:28 – “O Worship the King”

11:39 – Children’s offering

12:19 – “10,000 Reasons”

18:47 – “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

25:15 – “Standing on the Promises”

32:09 – “The Love of God”

34:25 – “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” — WBC Senior Choir

38:44 – “That’s My King” — WBC Worship Choir with Angela Woodcock

43:30 – “Deep in My Heart” — Men’s Ensemble

46:00 – “For All He’s Done” — WBC Worship Choir with Meredith McKeithan

51:06 – Sermon: “Spiritual Gifts — Part 1”

52:18 – Spiritual gifts serve the common good

55:34 – The word of wisdom

59:44 – Wisdom in Jesus’ answer about taxes

1:05:55 – Stephen’s Spirit-given wisdom

1:07:58 – Wisdom at the Jerusalem Council

1:11:43 – Paul before the Sanhedrin

1:18:19 – The word of knowledge

1:22:46 – Jesus and Nathanael

1:24:48 – Peter’s confession of Christ

1:26:02 – Ananias and Sapphira

1:30:27 – Paul and the lame man at Lystra

1:35:43 – The gift of faith

1:39:04 – Biblical examples of extraordinary faith

1:43:01 – Application to Wrightsboro’s next chapter

1:45:43 – Gifts are empowerment, not job descriptions

1:46:36 – Conclusion: “You were gifted for us”

1:47:57 – Gospel invitation and call to serve

1:53:00 – “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

1:55:56 – Dismissal and announcements

1:57:18 – Closing prayer

1:57:59 – Postlude

Songs: O Worship the King; 10,000 Reasons; Great Is Thy Faithfulness; Standing on the Promises; The Love of God; Sweet, Sweet Spirit; That’s My King; Deep in My Heart; For All He’s Done; ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

Topics: Spiritual Gifts, Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Holy Spirit, Church, Christian Service, Spiritual Growth, Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Service