1 Corinthians 12

Intro

We sometimes speak of what we don’t properly know:

—>example: Does Tiger Woods still play for the Chicago Cubs? Oh, I’m thinking of Kerry Woods apparently.

We sometimes try to jump around this topic because we understand we know there is controversy, it may feel mystical to some of our “too-stiff” sensibilities, and because in reality, we don’t really know as much as we should.

What are Spiritual gifts?

What is your Spiritual gift(s)? How do you learn what your gift is?

Forward:

“I do not want you to be ignorant/unaware”- introduces something important, we are to pay attention to what follows

Romans 11:25 ESV

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

1 Corinthians 10:1 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

1 Corinthians 10:1 ESV

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

1 Cor. 10

Romans 11:25 NKJV

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

1

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

1 Thes. 4:

“When you were gentiles/pagans you were led astray”- the language here has the idea of being led as a captive or slave, they had no control.

this corresponds to the idea in of being dead in trespass and sin

literally you are enslaved to sin and to the darkness of ignorant unbelief

Therefore, it is only by the Spirit that the truth of Christ is revealed—one who says “Jesus is Lord” in this context reveals the work of the Spirit of God within.

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary 1. The Variety of Gifts (12:1–11)

The Lordship of Christ is not a human discovery. It is a discovery that is made and can be made only when the Spirit is at work in the heart.

-Leon Morris

Spirit-filled and gifted believers were thereby easily distinguishable from the oracles of Delphi & pagan occult ecstatic mystery religions.

What are spiritual gifts?

Do you know what gift(s) you have? How do you know?

Unity and Diversity in the Gifts (v. 4-11)

Gifts, ministries, activities

Gifts, ministries, activities

A few key ideas:

Gifts ministries, activities —i.e. there are different gifts to be used in various service, used in a variety of ways—all of which are Spirit-enabled, Christ honoring, God-empowered.

The gifts are different

prophecy, ministry/service, teaching, exhortation/encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy

words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues

apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps/service, administration, tongues.

(offices) apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor/teacher

speaking (covering multiple gifts) and rendering service (covering multiple gifts)

But they are given by the same Spirit

The Spirit gives a gift to all believers (vs. 7 & 11) and do so as He wills (vs. 11).

What are the implications of the Spirit giving gifts?

they are needed

they are to be used

they are to be stewarded

they are to be developed

How are we doing in these categories?

Life Group question: What is your assessment of your current stewardship of your spiritual gifts and resources?

3. The Spirit gives gifts to individuals for the good of the whole (vs. 7)

Th

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Peter 4:

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans

Unity and Diversity for the Health of the Body (vs. 12-30)

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Paul reveals that the diversity of the members and of their gifts serve both an intended role and a functional role in the body of Christ

Intended- because the diversity of members and gifts reflects the design of God for His church

Intended- because the diversity of members and gifts reflects the design of God for His church

Functional because the body cannot function with the diversity of gifts

We may be different from one another —Jews or Greeks— and we may have a variety of gifts, but we are united in as the body of Christ!

The disaster of the Corinthian church throughout this letter is their division over every conceivable issue!

This behavior is profoundly unchristian.

there can be no petty jealousy

there must be cooperation and service

there must be LOVE

It is both short-sighted and selfish to refuse to use your gifts, especially if you are simply jealous of the gifts of others.

Without the use of our Spiritual gifts, the whole body suffers!

Nor can we function as well without the rest of the body!

How can you more effectively use your gifts to serve the body?