SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12
BIBLE VERSES:
“there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
“While our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:14-16)
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:27-29″
SPIRITUAL GIFTS (vs. 1-11)
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for common good in many ways:
- Message of wisdom (v. 8a)
- Message of knowledge (v. 8b)
- Faith (v. 9a)
- Healing (v. 9b)
- Miraculous power (v. 10a)
- Prophecy (v. 10b)
- Distinguishing between Spirits (v. 10c)
- Speaking in different kinds of tongues (v. 10d)
- Interpretation of tongues (v. 10e)
ONE BODY, MANY PARTS (vs. 12-31)
A body is composed of many parts. We have feet, hand, ear, eye that has its own function. Similarly, we are all baptized by one Spirit into one Body and were given the one Spirit to drink. God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it so that there should be no division in the body but that its part should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (vs. 24-26)
The church is the body of Christ. God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, gifts of generosity, gifts of administration and speaking in tongues.
THOUGHTS:
- The Spirit has given each one different kinds of gifts to serve Christ and His church for the benefit of all. We should thank God for it and use it under Lordship.
- As member of the same body of Christ, we must love and care for one another without comparing our gifts. We must treat each other with honor and modesty. There should be no division in the body because if one part suffers, every part suffers with it.
- As we share the same confession and baptism that Christ is our Lord, we are serving the same God. Therefore, we have to work together for the growth of the church with our gifts in unity.
- All believers have the responsibility to build the church and strengthen the body. So, every part of the body must make some kind of contribution towards the growth of the church. Although there is no uniformity in the church, but there must be spiritual unity.
- There are four common mistakes that Christians should avoid. (1)-Do not be proud of your abilities. (2)-Do not look down on those who seem unimportant. (3)- Do not think that you have no abilities to give to the body of Christ. Instead, use your different gifts to spread the Gospel. (4)-Do not be jealous of others who have more visible gifts.
- Paul made it clear that one gift is not superior to another. He urges the believers to discover their gifts to serve Christ’s body for the spiritual growth of the church.
- Do you know your gift? Are you serving God with your gift?