Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 12 – Spiritual Gifts – What?

Spirituality and Lordship: 12:1-3

Spiritual _______ …

(gifts, people, things, ideas, attitudes, churches, ministries, activities)

Begin with a Spiritual change …

(leaving pagan idols, practices, and ideals) …

And a Spiritual confession.

(“Jesus is Lord.”)

This post is part of a series. To access the previous and future segments, click on the “1 Corinthians” label on the left.

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Unity and Diversity: 12:4-11

Diversity of …                                From one …

         Gifts  (charismata)                    Spirit

         Services (ministries)                  Lord

         Activities (energies)                   God

Unity of …

         Purpose: “the common good.”

Spectacular gifts have ceased; the principle remains.

Membership: 12:12-13

One body. Many members (working parts).

Rom 12:3-8; Eph 4:11-15; 1 Pet 4:10-11

How to enter? When one is baptized (water and Spirit), the Spirit then brings that one into the body.

Parts work together in the local church body.

1 Cor 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth …

Phil 1:1 To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons …

Belonging – Accountable – Activated – Connected

Working Parts: 12:14-27

You are a part of the whole. 12:14

No one can play your part but you. 12:15-16

Jealousy and friction damage the whole. 12:15-16

No one part can do it all. 12:17

The body’s needs outweigh your own desires. 12:17

You are here because God has a job for you. 12:18

If it’s all about you or me, there is no body! 12:19

You need the body and its other parts; the body and all its other parts need you. 12:21-24

Weaker or unpresentable parts deserve / receive special care and greater modesty. We protect and cover them. 12:22-23

Division in the body destroys it. 12:25

Members have the same care for each other. 12:25

When one members hurts, all hurt. 12:26

When one is honored, all rejoice. 12:26

Health blesses all; friction hurts all.

A healthy body grows as part of its nature.

God’s Assignments: 12:28-31

“God has appointed …” Not, “You have earned …”

First, second, third, … Hierarchy, priority (cf. 12:31).

1 Co 12:28 … first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Why this order, with apostles first, etc.?

Which item is last and least in the list?

Rhetorical questions: “Are all …” “Do all …” No!

What is the more excellent, all-surpassing way?