belonging : we are the body of Christ

Finding our place in the Community of faith

These are not natural talents merely, but gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to fit the believer for his place in the body of Christ. They are like pipes on a great organ, permitting the musician wide scope and ranged to produce music of the finest quality. But they are, I repeat, more than talents. They are spiritual gifts.  [A W Tozer]

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1 Corinthians 12  [NIV]

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^[b] 

¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ 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. 

¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

 ¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ 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. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[d]? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way

Questions

Context

1. The Corinthian church were confused over how they were to function. Find 3 or 4 things that were disturbing Paul about them? (12 verses 1-3)  How might these traits impact their times of worship together?

Observation

2. Paul punctuates this chapter with three statements about God and the origin and purpose of spiritual gifts. He shows us God’s intention for their use in verse 13, 18 and 24-26.  Rewrite the statements in your own words and choose one word to summarise each.
   1. verse 13
   2. verse 18
   3. verses 24-26

Meaning

Origins

3. Who appoints members of the body to their positions? Why is this significant? (12 verses 28-29)

4. Why do we need one another at Carrubbers (12 verse 13)? How would you describe what Paul is getting at here?

Purpose

5. In 12 verse 7 and more in Ephesians 4 verses 11-16, Paul spends time looking at the reason for the gifts. What is their purpose?

6. Why shouldn’t all Christians perform the same function? (12 verse 19)

Application

7. How can we encourage one other to discover and use our gifts?

8. Kelly has been told she’s gifted in teaching but people are struggling to stay awake. But when she comes alongside someone who is hurting, her faith in prayer for them is life-giving and transformational. What do you do if you see who is not gifted for the work they are doing?  What do you do for Kelly?  (Are there Bible passages that inform your actions?)

9. What could you do to ensure that you are using your gift for the building up of the body?

Plan of action

What can you do this week to help yourself or a close friend grow in/discover her spiritual gift?

Without love even the most radical devotion to God is of no value to Him.  Let me make sure that sinks in … You can gain all the spiritual gifts in the world.  You can take the most radical steps of obedience.  You can share every meal with the homeless in your city.  You can memorise the book of Leviticus.  You can pray each morning for 4 hours like Martin Luther.  But if what you do does not flow out of a heart of love – a heart that does those things because it genuinely desires to do them – it is ultimately worthless to God.     J D Greear

The Benefits of God’s Gifts: You will be satisfied (you understand your unique ministry/purpose & are better able to discern the will of God at various points in your life).  Others will be edified.  God will be glorified

Kenneth Boa

Digging Deeper

• Passages on the gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4v10

• Roundtable discussion: Spiritual Gifts in the Church, Josh Patterson and Matt Chandler

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg25e5fojrc

• There are numerous spiritual gift surveys online

• The Pursuit of God – A W Tozer (available free online)

• Conformed to His Image – Kenneth Boa