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individual members and the body of christ Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship 1 Corinthians 12 August 28th, 2011
1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV (1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. (2) You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. (3) Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. (4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; (6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (7) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (8) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (12) For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (14) For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (15) If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? (18) But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (19) If all were a single member, where would the body be? (20) As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (22) On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (23) and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, (24) which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, (25) that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (26) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (27) Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (28) And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? (30) Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (31) But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:3-6 ESV (3) Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. (4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; (6) and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. Summary: We are each individuals saved by the same spirit but a wide variety of gifts are given to believers. Christ’s will is not to have cookie-cutter Christians. When God sends a snow storm, each snowflake is unique. He does not use factory shortcuts. As a church we all have different gifts. We are wired differently. This is not only acceptable, this is great! We are Trinitarians. The nature of God in the Trinity is the pattern for all relationships. He is One God and three distinct persons. You cannot say God is One and not three and you cannot say He is Three and not One. We are one and many. Many and one. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV (8) For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Summary: We are each given different gifts for a purpose. This purpose is outward focused. We are given gives to bless others—“for the common good.” We each have a responsibility to be stewards of our gifts for others. The gifts given to us are not ours to chose how to use. The very nature of God is love in relationship. The Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father and the Spirit is the love between the two. He made us for relationships that we would love (bless) others. All that we have as gifts are meant to be for the good of others.
1 Corinthians 12:11-13 ESV (11) All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (12) For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit. Summary: The gifts given to us are from the Holy Spirit. He equips us and unites individuals into one body. You are not here by accident but by God’s Holy Spirit. One Body and Many Members One God and Three Persons Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
1 Corinthians 12:14-20 ESV (14) For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (15) If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? (18) But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (19) If all were a single member, where would the body be? (20) As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. Summary: Because we are now members of the body, this is our identity that we do not have the ability to change. We cannot opt out of the body. No matter what, we are part of the body and we have an inescapable membership that is always influencing the body. Our absence or presence impacts the body of Christ. Our love and selfishness always impact the body. There is an inescapability of influence/membership of within the body.
1 Corinthians 12:21-23 ESV (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (22) On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (23) and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, Summary: As members of the body, we are absolutely dependent on one another. I need you and you need me. The “most gifted” or mature members will not think that they can make it alone. The more maturity, the greater the understanding of our dependence on each other. There is a interdependence that God has designed that is not the same as codependency.
1 Corinthians 12:24-26 ESV (24) which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, (25) that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (26) If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Summary: God’s design us that we are unified in such a way that we feel each other’s pain and joy. The more gifted are to honor the less gifted, knowing that it is all from God. 1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Ephesians 4:2-4 ESV with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (3) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--
1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV (27) Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Summary: We are not just part of a body, we are the body of Christ. We are united to Christ and we are His body in this world. This is an amazing, supernatural reality. Romans 12:4-18 ESV For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, (5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; (7) if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; (8) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (11) Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (12) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (13) Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Conclusion The ministry of presence The ministry of service (faithful in little things) The ministry of care and prayer The ministry of encouragement The ministry of peacemaking The ministry of giving
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