The Many Become 1

Corinthians 12

Spiritual Law

·         God has certain Spiritual Laws that are unchangeable and universal. This chapter in Corinthians is one of them.

·         What other Spiritual Laws are there?

Simple but Complex

·         Things appear simple on the outside but the deeper you research you begin to see just how complex they really are.

·         God is the God of detail. In nature the closer you look at an object the more detail you see. The most powerful microscope can't see the end of detail. The most powerful telescope can't find the end of creation.

·         If God uses such detail in natural creation why wouldn't He also be detailed in creating His church?

·         1Co 12:4 - 1Co 12:7 (NKJV)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

·         This church is made up of complexity people in one body of believers.

·         "The Church" is made up of a complexity of churches all over the world making up the Universal Church.

·         This passage in Corinthians was written to the church in Corinth but addresses "The Church" all believers everywhere. These letters were circulated to all churches at the time was accepted as a universal message.

Many Parts One Body

·         Within our local church we have various gifting. 1Cor. 12:7

·         We each have a job to do. 1Cor.12:12-22

·         How does this affect our church?

·         Should we be envious of others gifting?.......Why?

·         1Co 12:26 - 1Co 12:27 (NLTSE)

If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.

·         1Co 12:31 (NLTSE)

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

What is the Greatest Gifting?

·         1Co 13:1 - 1Co 13:7 (NLTSE)

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

·         No matter what our gifting is it must be done in love.

·         Love IS the greatest gift we can have.

·         What is your gift and how can you operate it in love?