Members of One Body -Understanding Our Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
The city of Corinth was a beehive of activity. It was a major city in the Roman Empire that had not one, but two major ports. Corinth was built on a land bridge between two separate seas and as a result became an influential city of commerce. But Corinth is not remembered for this particular achievement. Instead, we remember Corinth because of a church that the Apostle Paul planted. The Corinthian church was a church of unparalleled potential. It was planted in one of the most successful and sinful places in all the Roman Empire. In fact, the Corinthian society was so renowned for its debauched behavior that the name was used as a byword –a slanderous accusation, synonymous with sin. When someone behaved in a self-serving and sinful manner, they were said to have been ‘Corinthianized.’ Or someone would give another the advice, “Don’t be a Corinthian” as a means of encouraging them to do right.
This was the culture in which Paul planted this church. As you read this first epistle to the church at Corinth, it becomes obvious that many of the trappings and carnal lusts of the pagan world had crept into that local assembly. God’s plan for this church was to be a lighthouse in a darkened world. God’s plan was that they would be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. God’s plan was that they might be salt and light to a multitude of people who were slaves to sin and bound for hell. That was God’s plan. And God had equipped them for this task!
The Corinthian Church was one of the most gifted churches we read of in the New Testament. It was truly unparalleled in its potential. You see, God always equips His people to accomplish His plan. The believer’s in Corinth were blessed with spiritual gifts. You cannot read this chapter without recognizing that fact. God the Holy Spirit had given to this local church every gift that was needed for them to be effective in reaching and ministering to the multitudes around them. Yet with all that potential –with all that promise –they were failing miserably at the task God had called them to.
*Satan cannot take away your spiritual gifts, but he can fool you into not using them appropriately. Satan cannot rob you of your gifts but he can lie to you and lead you to believe that you do not have any or dismiss the one you do have. This is exactly what was happening in Corinth. Some were completely ignorant that they had gifts. Others did not know how to use them. They still had the gifts, but because they were caught up with pride, ambition and selfishness –their spiritual gifts were being neglected and misused.
But let’s not be too hard on the church at Corinth. The truth is, this same scenario is repeated time and time again today. There are multitudes of local churches that God has strategically placed in a specific area to be salt and light to a dying community. These local churches have been equipped and gifted in such a way that their effectiveness is guaranteed. Yet church after church –Christian after Christian struggles to make any headway in accomplishing God’s plan. Why? This happens for many reasons, but perhaps the most common is because God’s people are not utilizing their unique gifts for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
This was a major problem at Corinth. They did not understand their gifts or the reasons behind them and therefore they were ineffective in both their private and public walk with God. Friend, it is just as true for us today –we will never reach our full potential in Christ until we understand and utilize the gifts God has given to us. Paul understood this and sets out to correct their error. This morning, I want to highlight some of the things Paul highlighted to the believers at Corinth. There are 3 very important themes that we find in every passage that deals with Spiritual Gifts.
Let’s notice them quickly:
1. There is a Diversity of Gifts verse 4
In the New Testament, there are 3 main passages that talk about the Gifts of the Spirit. These are: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-13 and Ephesians 4
1 Corinthians12:5-10
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
As you compare these passages, you will identify at least 19 different Spiritual Gifts that God has given to His people. These are 19 distinct and diverse gifts. But each of them has the same purpose. The ultimate purpose of all Spiritual Gifts is to bring glory to God.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we read, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to glory of God.”
The specific purpose of the Gifts of Spirit is found in Ephesians 4: 12, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
The great news is: EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS AT LEAST ONE SPIRITUAL GIFT. At the moment of salvation, the Lord put in you everything you will ever need to live for Him and to effectively serve Him. It is like your spiritual DNA.
Consider what we read in 2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
God has given to you everything that pertains to life and godliness! You are lacking nothing! Everything that you need to live a victorious and fruitful Christian life –God has already given to you. God has given you a very special gift to better serve Him with.
1. There is a Diversity of Gifts
2. There is Unity of the Body verse 4
Note the emphasis in verses 4, 5, 6, 8, 9,12, and 13 - There is unity in diversity.
Every local church is like a jigsaw puzzle. It is one body made up of many members. Each member, each piece has its own special place that can only be filled by them. Each part combines to make one glorious whole. And when one piece is misplaced or missing, the whole body suffers. It becomes incomplete and weakened.
Friend, you have a unique and special place within this local body. It is a place that only you can fill. God the Holy Spirit has equipped you and gifted you specifically for your place within this local body. When you are not plugged into your spot, not only do you suffer –but the body as a whole suffers as well.
What happens when God people recognizes their Spiritual Gifts and then puts them to use?
a. The Christian is Satisfied -purpose
b. Others are Edified
c. God is Glorified
Discover your Gift and put it to use for the cause of Christ and the Glory of God!
1. There is a Diversity of Gifts
2. There is Unity in the Body
3. There is Maturity in the Believer
Understanding and utilizing your spiritual gifts fosters Christian maturity. In each of the 3 passages that deal with Spiritual Gifts, you find this theme of maturing in Christ. The greatest indication of maturity is directly associated with love. Think about this for a moment, 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is followed by chapter 13 and the famous discourse on love. That is paramount. The context of chapter 13 and the expression of true love is found in chapter 12. In other words, it is impossible for us to love like we ought to if we are not utilizing the Spiritual Gifts God has given to us.
Consider this theme in Ephesians and Romans.
Immediately following the list of gifts in verse 12, we read in Ephesians 4:13-16
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
And again in Romans 12:10, immediately after the Spiritual Gifts are highlighted Paul writes: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
That is no accident. Do you want to grow up in Christ and be a well-balanced, mature Christian? Then find your Spiritual Gift and put it to use. As we find our place in the jigsaw puzzle, we stop being so self-absorbed and our eyes are taken off of ourselves and we love, honor and prefer one another. We grow and mature in Christ.
Paul reminded the Corinthian church that they were Members of One Body.
Equipped with a Diversity of Gifts
Bound together in the Unity of the Body
Growing and Serving in the Maturity of the Believer
