One Body, Many Parts

Introduction

Key Verse: 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.

Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible, Second Edition. (Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019), 1 Co 12:27.

Symphony as an illustration of One Body, Many Parts—sweet symphony!

Problem: the church can feel more like a bittersweet symphony

The verve 1997 we hear the singer crying out I can change I can change I can change but I’m here in my mold, yes i’m here in my mold. The artist is seeing the sweet symphony of life play out all around him, but he is stuck down the only road he’s ever been down—one of bitterness. Thus, the bitter sweet symphony.

Conclusion: If we are a part of the church as God intends it, we should not be tasting anything bitter—although some—do (church hurt).—which is what many in the church in Corinth were experiencing.

Perhaps no other doctrine has more tangible impact on Christians than the doctrine of the church.—Clowney

So, this morning we are going to look together as the apostle Paul spends a chapter 1 Cor 12, clarifying collaborative, creative, Christ-centered, church community.

Clarifies

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

12 With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Clarity eliminates confusion. Confusion if left unchecked causes division.

1 & 2 Corinthians (12:1–3)

Paul believed it is vital for Christians to have the right knowledge of spiritual gifts, understanding how they are to function in the lives of each believer and, more importantly, in the life of the church community.—Swindoll

Chap Park “upper room” waiting on HS

Kristen and I walked away that night, and others left the fellowship (division), not because anything having to do with the HS was wrong, but because it was not clear to the entire church body. It was confusing.

Which is why Paul provides clarity. He tells us

Source

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone

The source of all Spiritual Gifts is same God. (how do we know. How did Abraham know—self validating—when something is of God, you know)

You also know it is from God if it is producing…collaboration

Collaborative

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.

Given to benefit the church community. This is the opposite of division.

Creative

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

This is a testament to the creativity of our God. He created the heaven’s and the earth, and look around, no two anything are the same. Mountains beautiful because they are unique. Trinity. Same way he created the world and humans, he created the church—one God, many, many different expressions.

Identity

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

Golf Scramble

one person, through the spirit, and different one to another. You serve in a different way than I do—golf scramble.

Distribution

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

Distributed for a reason—your gift is not random or accidental, but purpose.

Christ-centered

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body—though many—are one body, so too is Christ.

1 & 2 Corinthians (12:15–27)

In short, by overcoming self and embracing others through acknowledging our own neediness in the body of Christ and through contributing to the needs of others, we demonstrate to all that we are “Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). —Swindoll

Church Community

The NET Bible (Second Edition) Chapter 12

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.

Think about a time you were apart of a great community. Think about it? What was true about it?