Rediscovering the Church: Spiritual Gifts- Treasuring Diversity

1 Corinthians 12:12–30 ESV

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 12:12–31 ESV

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Be Discerning

Embrace Diversity

Pursue Edification

Acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s Work

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Cor

Romans 6:5 ESV

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

“Jews, Greeks, Slaves, Free” - Dividing Lines - differences that would ordinarily separate people

At conversion the Holy Spirit unites the individual regardless of ethnicity, social class, etc - to Christ and to his body, the church!

Side Point: So why is 11:00 on Sunday morning still the most segregated hour of the week?

Why when the Holy Spirit has united us to Christ and to each other do we choose to not reflect that “one spirit” across all dividing lines? Why do we choose to remain separate, gravitate toward division instead of gravitating toward unity within diversity?

The one thing we have in common that actually matters is our union with Christ through the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit!!!

We’re off to a good start by having racial diversity in our leadership. Most churches even those who look more diverse then us won’t allow that!

This morning I trust the that Spirit of God will challenge you to “Treasure Diversity within the body”.

Nose & Hand Parable “What is a Healthy Church”

We don’t treasure spiritual gifts that God gives others

The Dilemma - We’re...

Proud or Insecure

Competitive & defensive

Insecure - feeling like you don’t fit in

Judgmental

Cliquish

Imbalance

Abandoning the church altogether

Church hopping

Division

Imbalance

I’ve been in a lot of lopsided churches

Imbalance

All heady theologians and no servants

Imbalance

All holy and no love

1 Corinthians 12:14–16 ESV

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

1 Corinthians 12:14–17 ESV

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?

1 Cor 12:1

1 Corinthians 12:14–16 ESV

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

1 Cor 12:14

All grace and love but no holiness

“Foot & Ear” - Non-public/forefront,

All service and no knowledge & discernment

Quick take-away: Don’t by the lie, and don’t let anyone convince you that what you have to offer (your spiritual gift) is not needed in the church!

1 Corinthians 12:14–16 ESV

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

“Foot & Ear” - Non-public/forefront, less honored. Easy to feel insignificant.

I’ve been in a lot of lopsided churches

All heady theologians and no servants

All holy and no love

All grace and love but no holiness

All service and no knowledge & discernment

Quick take-away: Don’t by the lie, and don’t let anyone convince you that what you have to offer (your spiritual gift) is not needed in the church!

*Don’t be so quick to assume you don’t fit it in, get out get involved, try out several different opportunities to serve (inside/outside your comfort zone) and see what spiritual gift God has given you!*

1 Corinthians 12:17–26 ESV

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Cor 12:17-26

Remember God chose to give you your gift according to his will. You wouldn’t be able to exercise your gift effectively if it weren’t for those whom God equipped with some of those supporting gifts!

If God has given you a more public or prominent gift, don’t get on your high horse! You weren’t special, and you aren’t special, but God made you special according to his will!

Remember God chose to give you your gift according to his will. You wouldn’t be able to exercise your gift effectively if it weren’t for those whom God equipped with some of those supporting gifts!

Remember everyone is indispensible. Vs 22 “the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable” - Every single genuinely born-again believer at Highland Community Church is invaluable! Not one of you is dispensable!

Remember are in everything together. Vs 26 “if one member suffers, all suffer together (e.g. sin, tribulation, persecution, etc.); if one member is honored, all rejoice together (e.g. deliverance, growth)”

1 Corinthians 12:27–30 ESV

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

All of the attention tends to go toward the public, visible gifts but you must remember every spiritual gift is (including yours) is God appointed!

He does not intend for you to simply be a sit in the pew as a spectator or recipient of the blessings of the body of Christ, but to be an active, contributing participant!

If you know the church is dwindling and not thriving that way it should, and you’ve been disengaged, content to just attend a service on Sunday or show up for an event here or there- you’re part of reason the church is not thriving.

The church doesn’t simply need your money, or your body to sit in a pew to make up attendance numbers. The church needs to be strengthened/edified by your spiritual gift and you need to be strengthened/edified by the spiritual gifts of others!

Find balance

Stay humble

Use your gift

Share your spiritual passions with God

Ask for his guidance

share your desires with trustworthy believer’s who have seen your walk and will honestly affirm or deny how they’ve seen or foresee God using you!

They should be able to affirm your passion & the fruitfulness of your ministry.

with your elders (fill-out information card, call, or approach in person).

make a formal commitment to the church family

agreement with statement of faith

Why?

maintain unity

prevent division

commitment to spiritual accountability

Why?

edification

commitment to be discipled by an elder or another mature member (completed within 6mo-1yr)

Why?

to equip you to disciple others

ensure sound teaching

Discover needs/opportunities in the church (don’t be afraid to try different things until you find your fit).

2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Rediscovering the Church: Spiritual Gifts- Treasuring Diversity

Scripture Reading

Pray

Review

Paul reiterates this principle in as he transitions into emphasizing the value of the diversity of the body of Christ, the church.

Key theme of is Unity within Diversity - unity within diversity of ethnicities, social class, spiritual giftedness.

Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to engage people of all backgrounds in order to see the power of the gospel transcend all dividing lines!?

The Contemporary Dilemma

The Contemporary Trends

Imalance

Closing Reflections

3 Essentials to Treasuring Diversity

We must find balance

We must stay humble

We must use our gifts

Summary

Where the rubber meets the Road

Pray

Seek Affirmation

Connect

Plug-in

Closing Prayer

Benediction