Each Member is a Dynamic Component of the Local Church/Practical Illustration and Application
Our Blueprint for a New Testament Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Today marks our arrival at the end of I Corinthians 12. What have we learned in this chapter?
If you haven’t picked up on it, this chapter’s theme is not spiritual gifts. The true theme is this. Each member of a local church is a dynamic component of that local church. Spiritual gifts play an essential part.
The Holy Spirit started this chapter by warning us about certain dangers surrounding spiritual gifts in verses 1-3
He then pointed out that spiritual gifts are uniquely different and Divinely given in verses 4-6.
From there, the Holy Spirit detailed some of the different spiritual gifts He gives believers in verses 7-11.
In verses 12 and 13, an analogy was drawn between the local church and a human body, noting that we are the physical representation of Christ today.
We then learned four significant facts about the local church in verses 14-20.
• Each member is necessary.
• Each member has a purpose.
• Each member is a part of Christ’s body.
• Each member is different.
The Holy Spirit then emphasized how vital the “feeble” members were to the body and how they were to be treated in verses 21 and 23.
Then, last week, we considered how God has “perfectly blended” us, making us Calvary Baptist Church.
In these last few verses, the Holy Spirit reiterates the underlying message of this entire chapter and finishes with a practical illustration and application of all that we have learned.
We are Special People
We are Special People
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Verse 27 refers to something the Holy Spirit has repeatedly said throughout this chapter. It is a point that He is trying to drive home. A fact that I hope you are beginning to accept and understand. You, as a believer, are extremely important to Him. Think about it this way. The God of the Universe, Creator of all things, states we, Calvary Baptist Church, is His body and that you, as a believer, are a particular member of this body. In fact, you are not just a part but a vital part of His body, this church.
As I stated last week, we become part of Christ’s body when we accept He is the world’s Savior. Every one of us is born already in sin. It is an easy point to illustrate. Every person born into the world already has within them the knowledge and desire to commit sin. We often refer to this as a sinful nature. As parents, we do not spend time teaching our kids how to lie, cheat, or steal. Due to their sinful nature, they already know how to do those things. Instead, we teach them to speak the truth and be honest. Those are qualities they do not possess. Why is that?
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
It is also the reason why we need a Savior. There is a significant penalty that comes with having a sinful nature. A sentence that comes by us not knowing God. We are born already estranged from Him. God is righteous and holy. By His very character, He cannot look upon or fellowship with those who have the stain of sin. In fact, His righteous character demands that He judge sin. Thus, we are already born under God’s condemnation. If we continue to live without acknowledging our sin and turning to Him as our Savior, we die in our sin, separated from Him, destined to live eternity in Hell.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Here though, is the wonderful news! God is righteous and demands righteousness. He cannot look upon sin. Yet, God, Himself took up the responsibility of creating a way by which we can be righteous and accepted by Him. That is the Gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ came to this earth, took on human flesh, and lived sinlessly. Christ himself said...
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
If you recall Romans 6:23, which we read a moment ago, sin requires payment. Remember, it said...
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The payment for sin is death. It was Christ who gave Himself as payment for our sins. He shed His blood and died in our place. As the perfect Lamb of God, He became the sacrifice needed for us to be redeemed (repurchased). In doing so, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection earned Him the gift of God, which is eternal life. Now, Christ offers that gift to all who will believe they are sinners and accept all that Christ did for them.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Now here is where we come back to this first point. The moment a person accepts Christ as Savior, they are saved from eternity of awful judgment and become a vital part of God’s body. Salvation not only brings eternal life, but it places you in God’s family (brothers and sisters in Christ), establishes your body as the Holy Spirit’s temple (He indwells you), and imparts a spiritual gift to you by which you are necessary part of Christ’s body (His physical representation of earth aka the local church).
Returning to our text, note that the following 3 verses are a practical illustration and application of the fact stated in verse 27.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Now read with me the following three verses and note that...
We are Specifically Gifted
We are Specifically Gifted
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
You find several vital points as you read these verses listing several spiritual gifts.
The first is this! There is always an order by which God establishes things. In fact, the summation of chapters 12-14 is these verses in chapter 14.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
As you read and study Scripture, you find God always acts orderly. When it comes to the local church, nothing changes. In fact, our text reveals an order in which He gave the local church spiritual gifts. Note the order.
First, there were apostles. Second, there were prophets. Then there were teachers, miracles, and several other gifts.
Apostles were those people who sat with Christ, shared a meal with Him, and sat at His feet, learning directly from Him. They were men like Matthew, James, John, Peter, and many others who find in the Gospel accounts following Christ. We know from the book of Acts that 120 people had walked and talked with Him shortly after Christ’s ascension into Heaven. Yet, not all of them were apostles. Apostles were specially chosen by Christ as His mouthpiece to all believers. It was through them that all of the New Testament was given to us. Paul was the last of the apostles. There are no apostles today. God’s Word is complete.
Later, as the Gospel spread throughout the Romans Empire, churches were established as people were saved and began to follow Christ. As churches were established, God ordained men in those churches who became prophets (or, as we know them today, preachers). The only difference between the prophets of early church days and today’s preachers is the completion of Scripture. In fact, in this list are several gifts that no longer exist or exist entirely differently. You see, in the early days of local churches, the New Testament was not finished or compiled as we have it today. Thus, God enabled men and women with particular “miraculous” gifts (prophecy, healing, speaking tongues) as signs that He was with these people, and they were His spokesmen verifying their message was from Him. Today, we have the complete Word of God, Old and New Testament. There is no need for verification because it is complete and stands independently. The prophets of the New Testament evolved into the preachers of today. Both speak God’s Word, warning people of its truth and the judgment that will come by not accepting it as truth.
As God’s Word spread and compiled, the demand for teachers increased. Teachers can teach other believers how to practically live out God’s Word each day. An ability needed in early churches as well as in churches today.
As you continue down the list of spiritual gifts listed in our text, we find miracles. Miracles are simply supernatural manifestations of God’s power designed to give credibility to God’s Word. Again, we must remember the context. 1 Corinthians was written before the New Testament books were written and compiled as we have them today. If you carefully study the New Testament, you will find that many of them are letters, such as 1 Corinthians. They were letters written by an apostle to a local congregation or a group of local churches. For instance, the apostle Paul wrote this letter as the Holy Spirit inspired Him to do so. It was sent then to the local church at Corinth. We know from historical accounts that the local church that received the letter would then make copies of the letter and circulate them around to other local churches to read and study. Eventually, there were many copies of letters circulating around. God then enabled people with supernatural abilities so that others would know what they were teaching was directly from God. Later, as the New Testament books were completed and compiled, the necessity of God using miracles to authenticate His Word was no longer needed. Thus, miracles do not happen today as frequently as they did in the early first and second centuries after Christ’s ascension. Do miracles still occur? Yes, God still manifests His work in people’s lives through events that cannot be explained. Most of these miracles are simply God’s intervention in a believer’s life, extending their physical life so that He can continue to use them. However, the supernatural manifestations of instant healing and speaking other languages no longer exist because God’s Word is complete.
Many other gifts are as much of today as they were then. For example, in our text, the Holy Spirit notes the gifts of helps and government. The spiritual gift of helps is what we would call service today. Those with this gift often recognize practical needs within the local church and joyfully give assistance in meeting those needs. As for the gift of government, we would say administration today. Believers with the gift of government (administration) are very good at helping a local church remain on task. They are organizers and planners. A person with this gift understands God’s purpose for the local church and helps a church with short and long-term goals to accomplish God’s purpose.
The last gift noted in these verses is the gift of tongues. We see a strong emphasis on this gift in verse 30.
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
I am not going to dive into that gift this morning. I believe that the Holy Spirit mentions this gift here, setting it up for a much deeper discussion of this gift in chapter 14. So, with that in mind, I will wait until we are in chapter 14 before getting into the gift of tongues. We will spend considerable time since the Holy Spirit gives much information about it in that chapter.
The first important point from these verses is that God has a plan, purpose, and procedure for spiritual gifts.
However, there is another critical point found in these verses.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
This series of questions are really statements of truth. What they reveal is simply this.
Not everyone is an apostle, prophet, teacher, or miracle worker. Not everyone possesses the same gift.
In fact, as we have already noted, the spiritually gifted office of an apostle no longer exists. They no longer exist because none of them are living today. Apostleship died out when the last remaining apostle died. The prophets of today are preachers, missionaries, and evangelists, as they are called by God and commissioned by Him. It is important to note that God has also given some rigorous protocols for pastors, missionaries, and evangelists. You can find those protocols in 1 Timothy and Titus. As for teachers, there are more of them. Teachers are needed all across the board. We need teachers to teach our children, our teenagers, and us as adults. Yet, as we know, not everyone feels gifted as a teacher. Some are comfortable with teaching compared to others who have no desire to teach. Even with teachers, some feel more comfortable teaching children versus adults or vice versa. We could plug in any spiritual gift here and note the same things.
It all comes down to this one point. God gifts each person differently. We all do not have the same gift or gifts. However, whatever gift God has given you, He desires that you use it.
This thought brings us to the last verse of our text and the entire twelfth chapter.
We Must Set Our Hearts on Serving the Lord
We Must Set Our Hearts on Serving the Lord
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
There are several terms we need to define in this verse.
The first is the word “covet.” In Greek, this is not the same Word by which we understand coveting as an outcropping of our lusts. Instead, this Word implies a “deep desire.” This particular desire is a desire that emanates from the Holy Spirit’s work within us. As believers, we are to set aside our desires and our wishes. We are to seek God’s desire or will for our lives. Thus, any desire for the “best gifts” must come from Him. Since this is not the word for lustful covetousness, we must not interpret this as lusting for someone else’s gift. Nor should we interpret it as lusting after more impressive gifts such as performing miracles or speaking in tongues. No, the best way to understand “covet” is to spiritually desire to please the Lord with our gifts.
Another critical term used here is the term “best gifts.” Again, since Scripture never contradicts itself, we must be careful not to misinterpret this verse. God never tempts us to sin. Thus, He is not tempting us to lust for something we don’t have. No, instead, God is saying that you desire to make whatever gift you are given the best or most important gift. In other words, cherish that gift by studying, understanding, learning, and utilizing it. It is as if He saying set your heart on the gift that I have given you and go after it. Covet what you are given and work at increasing it. Make it the best gift ever.
Interestingly, the Holy Spirit threw in there the word “earnestly.” Combining the words “covet earnestly” now gives us this implication. We must be overly zealous about making our gift the best gift. Our zeal to use and increase our gift should be marked by our active interest, passion, and enthusiasm.
Here is a simple illustration! How do I know that someone is passionate about a hobby or sport? For instance, how do I know that someone loves deer hunting? I know because when I am around them, all they talk about is deer and how excited they are to hunt. They spend time watching game cameras. When it comes to spending money, they will save and spend to buy the best equipment, from hunting apparel to cover scents to rifles and ammo. When you mention hunting, their eyes light up, and they become very interested. People who are passionate about something learn everything they can about it. They search for the latest news and can’t wait for the latest products. We might say they live, eat, and sleep deer hunting.
Here is the question? Are you that passionate about your spiritual gift? Would you say that others know by your interest, passion, and enthusiasm your spiritual gift? If not, we are not covetting earnestedly the best gifts. Shouldn’t we be more into what God has spiritually gifted us than what the world has to offer?
One last thought comes to my mind as I think about this last verse.
When Christ was here, He gave us an incredible story about servants and the talents given to those servants. That story is recorded in Matthew 25. In the story, a wealthy man is about to embark on a long journey. Before leaving, he calls his servants and delivers unto them his good. He gave to the first servant five talents. Then, to the second servant, he gave two talents. He then provided to the last servant only one talent. The story specifically states that the rich man gives to each servant “according to his several ability.” Then, the rich man left, taking his journey. During his absence, the first and second servants sprung into action. They took the talents given to them, and they went to work. However, the last servant did nothing. He took the talent given to him, buried it in the dirt, and left it there. The first two were passionate about turning their talents into more talents. In fact, the story noted they did just that. The five talent servant gained five more, a total of ten. In the same manner, the two talent servant ended up with four. After some time, their master, the rich man, returned home. Upon his arrival, he inquires about the talents that he entrusted to his servants. The first two enthusiastically report they have made a profit doubling the talents given to them. To each of them, the master happily says...
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
However, when the last servant turns over nothing more than the same talent with which he started, the rich man is not pleased. In fact, the servant’s excuse for not gaining more talents was fear.
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
What was the master’s reaction?
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Who exhibited more interest or passion for the gifts given to them? Was it not the first two servants? How do we know? They took the talents given to them and set about turning them into a profit. For them to do so meant they passionately invested their time, treasure, and abilities into making more. You might say they lived, breathed, and slept, increasing their talents. In the end, the master was pleased and rewarded them. As for the last servant, there was no interest and no passion. He buried it and did nothing. He claimed he was afraid; perhaps he was. However, the master was not concerned with his fear but with what profit he gained.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Let me conclude by reminding you the master is away on a journey. Our master, the Lord Jesus Christ, is away in Heaven. However, there is coming a day when He will return. When He does, will He find that you were passionate about your spiritual gift? Will He say to you, “Well done!” or will it be, “Thou wicked and slothful servant?” The answer to that question depends on you. Curiously, one servant blamed fear. What is the one thing that overcomes fear? It is Biblical love. Look again at 1 Corinthians 12:31
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
The more “excellent way” begins chapter 13. What is that chapter known for? It is the chapter on Biblical love. What is God saying? Be passionate about your gift and use it. Don’t let fear overcome you. Instead, utilize your spiritual gift in God’s way by being a person of love and not fear.