Gifted With Purpose (part 3) - 12:20-31

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

We function best when we function together!

We need the gifts, talents, and abilities that God has given to one another in order to complete the task He has assigned us.

We are dependent on one another as well as on God Himself.

Paul reveals in these verses two realities about dependence.

Reality #1…

a. Every part needs other parts vv. 20-21

1 Corinthians 12:20–21 NKJV

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And 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.”

The statement Paul makes here is one of reality.

There are many members. There is one body.

Though composed of many parts, there is only one body.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are part of the body.

We are many members made into one body.

What does that mean?

Paul tells us in v. 21.

We are dependent on one another.

Each part needs other parts!

Our eyes need our hands to grasp the things we see.

Our head needs the feet to take us where we want to go.

In the body of Christ it is no different!

Each part is dependent on all the other parts to function well.

We need one another.

None of us can look at another part of the body and say it isn’t necessary!

Here is what else it means.

Pride in our spiritual gifting is just as ridiculous as pride at physical characteristics over which we have no control.

Repeat - read aloud

God made each of us what we are.

He gave us the gifts we have.

None of us can function independently of one another.

This means we have nothing to be proud of!

We had no choice in our gifting and we have no ability to use our gift apart from the support of other members in the body.

Here’s our lesson.

I need my spiritual siblings.

Repeat - read aloud

You and I cannot do this on our own!

We need the other parts of the body in order to accomplish the task we have been given.

The spiritual growth, maturity, and effectiveness of the body of Christ depends on all of us doing our part, using our gifts to the glory of Christ and the good of the church.

Two realities about dependence.

Reality #1. Every part needs other parts.

Reality #2…

b. Every part is needed v. 22

1 Corinthians 12:22 NKJV

22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

First, Paul agrees with himself.

He agrees that the eye needs the hand and the head needs the feet and the feet need the eye and hands need the head.

We need one another!

More than that, beyond just needing one another, each part is necessary.

In the human body there are some parts that seem to be less important.

In fact, for years students were taught that we had some vestigial or “left over” organs that we didn’t need.

Science has now discovered the purpose for each of those organs.

A kidney may not be as durable as a foot, but it is no less important and necessary.

If I put my liver where my hand is, it probably wouldn’t turn out so well.

But that doesn’t mean my liver is unimportant!

The parts of our body that seem weaker are just as essential as the parts that are strong!

There are some parts that are unseen and would seem to some to be less important than the more visible parts.

Those parts are still necessary.

Again, this same reality applies to the body of Christ.

Some Spiritual gifts function in the background.

There are people who serve the Lord here at Grace Church and you may never even realize what they do.

However, that doesn’t mean they are unimportant!

Every single part of the body is necessary.

In the physical realm, missing some invisible body parts leads to death.

We need all of our parts!

While we can learn to function without some of them, we will never be as effective if we lack parts.

The body of Christ needs all of its parts.

We cannot be effective without them.

Here is our lesson.

I am a necessary part of the body.

Repeat - read aloud

We need you!

We need you here, using your gifts, talents, and abilities, in the local church.

If you doubt your usefulness or the necessity of your presence and service here at Grace Church, take that lesson we just read home and repeat it every single day.

You are a necessary part of the body.

Three requirements to enable the support and maturity of the body of Christ.

Requirement #1: The Body Must Be Dependent.

Requirement #2…

2. The Body Must Be Connected vv. 23-26

Using a body to illustrate our structure as believers comes with so much application.

That’s probably why the holy Spirit chose it.

One of the applications we can take from this illustration is that of connection.

Here is what Paul says in Ephesians 4:16.

Ephesians 4:16

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Verse 15 described Christ as the head of the body.

Everything we need comes from our head.

However, Paul points out here that we are joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.

The implication is that the connection we enjoy in the body of Christ is dependent on us!

We are connected.

However, our experience and enjoyment of that connection depends on our activity.

Each part must do its share.

As we are connected, supporting one another and doing our part, the body grows!

The body is built up by the love that we have for one another!

Here’s the bottom line.

Growth and effectiveness in the body of Christ depends on connection.

Paul gives us three benefits of connection here.

Benefit #1…

a. Connected for honor vv. 23-24a

1 Corinthians 12:23–24 (NKJV)

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

24 but our presentable parts have no need.

This is similar to a point already made, but with a different emphasis.

There are parts of our physical bodies that we think of as less important or less worthy of visible honor.

Yet these parts are vital to the function of the body.

There is an intentionality to Paul’s words.

We choose to give greater honor to parts that have less.

We cover up unpresentable parts.

However, there are other parts we emphasize, like our faces.

We cover up parts of our body to preserve their honor.

Other parts don’t have that same need to preserve their honor.

Some parts were made to be seen, some were not.

This remains true in the body of Christ.

Some parts of the body do not need special recognition because they are highly visible and recognized.

Other parts of the body need to have special recognition.

For us here, that’s our ladies who decorate, our design and updating team, our coffee bar servants, our cleaners, and those who do the livestream and sound.

CLAP

Our connection in the body of Christ should lead us to honor those who don’t normally receive honor.

Here is our lesson.

Every part of the body deserves honor.

Repeat - read aloud

We need to honor each member of the body of Christ. Especially those who don’t normally get honored.

This is a benefit of the connection we enjoy.

Paul gives us three benefits of connection here.

Benefit #1: Connected for honor.

Benefit #2…

b. Connected for support vv. 24b-25

1 Corinthians 12:24–25 (NKJV)

24 But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

There are several important things given to us in these verses.

First is this fact.

God is the one who composes the body.

Composed – συγκεράννυμι (synkerannymi) compose; unite. to compound v. — to assemble a unified whole by mixing or combining different parts. Finite verb, aorist, active, indicative, third person, singular.

Composed – συγκεράννυμι (synkerannymi)

God has taken the various parts and forged from them a unified whole!

He has mixed and blended until He got what He wanted.

This is what a music composer does.

A composer takes various instruments and combines them to create a masterpiece of music.

God has woven us together and made us a masterpiece.

Our God gives honor to those who lack.

Whether in this life or the next, every part of Christ’s body will receive honor.

You may have labored long and hard and never felt that you received honor for your work.

Your labor is not forgotten.

Your master sees and He keeps record.

In Revelation 22:12 Jesus Himself declares

Revelation 22:12

Revelation 22:12 NKJV

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Any honor we could receive in this life will pale in comparison to the honor given by our God in eternity.

God gives honor to the part that lacks.

He does this to bring unity to the body.

Schism = division. Specifically into opposing factions.

There should be no division in the body of Christ!

We are not in competition!

We are co-laborers!

We toil side-by-side for the glory of Jesus Christ!

This understanding eliminates division.

We are not here to make sure everything happens they way we think it should.

My ideas and opinions do not reign supreme.

We are not competing for honor.

God does not want there to be division in the body.

What does He want?

The opposite of division is a care for one another.

God gives honor where honor is due to preserve unity and gives us the same level of care one for another.

God’s placement is about unity and mutual care.

Interestingly enough, this word translated care is the same Greek word translated anxious in Philippians 4:6.

We are not to be anxious for ourselves.

We are, however, to have a high level of concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

We must support and care for one another.

In the body of Christ there is no division, only care for the well-being of others.

Here is our lesson.

Every part of the body is mutually supportive.

Repeat - read aloud

Let me say it again.

We are not in competition.

We are co-laborers for the cause of Christ.

We are on the same team working toward the same goal.

We must support one another.

Paul gives us three benefits of connection here.

Benefit #1: Connected for honor.

Benefit #2: Connected for support.

Benefit #3…

c. Connected for community v. 26

1 Corinthians 12:26 NKJV

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

This is a beautiful picture of what the body of Christ is intended to be.

We all suffer, are honored, and rejoice together.

Suffer

This is the same word our Lord used to describe what He would face on the Cross.

When part of the body is suffering, we suffer together.

Using Paul’s illustration of the body, this point becomes really clear.

Last Saturday as we were setting up our booth for the Christmas tree lighting here in town, I cut my finger.

It was a tiny cut and I honestly didn’t even notice.

Here’s how I found it.

We were eating popcorn and suddenly the tip of my first finger starts stinging and burning like crazy!

I finally examined it in the light and discovered I had a cut.

Being the highly intelligent individual that I am, I did nothing about it.

So last Sunday it was REALLY hurting. Everything I did, everything I touched caused pain to shoot through my finger, across my hand, up my arm, and directly into my brain. :)

I couldn’t type on Monday until I got a band-aid for the tip of my finger.

Here’s the point. I had a tiny little cut on only one finger, yet my whole body felt it.

That’s how the body of Christ was meant to function.

Here’s the catch.

We can only suffer with you if we know that you are suffering.

This means two things.

1 - We need to find out when people are suffering.

2 - Those suffering need to let the body of Christ know.

Galatians 6:2

Galatians 6:2 NKJV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I have said this over and over again, but I have no problem repeating it.

We cannot bear what you do not share.

Share your burdens! Let the body of Christ help you carry them.

That might be easier for some of us than what Paul says next in v. 26.

We rejoice with those who are honored.

This requires that we share our victories with one another.

That can be hard to do.

Share when things are going well!

Share when you have a blessing!

Share when you have a win!

We cannot rejoice with you if we do not know what is going on.

Here’s what Paul wrote to the church in Rome.

Romans 12:15

Romans 12:15 NKJV

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

This is a command.

The other side of this is that when we hear of someone who has had a victory, when we hear of a brother or sister in Christ who has had a win, rejoice with them!

There is no place for jealousy in the body of Christ.

We serve the same God who has a unique plan and purpose for each of us.

Suffer with those who are suffering and rejoice with those who are honored.

This is what community looks like.

Believers living in community grieve and celebrate with one another.

Let’s be sure that we are doing that here at Grace Church.

Here’s our lesson.

Every part of the body needs to feel connected.

Repeat - read aloud

We make people feel connected when we grieve with them, rejoice with them, and show them that we care.

We need to pray that God will grow within us a care for our brothers and sisters.

Three requirements to enable the support and maturity of the body of Christ.

Requirement #1: The Body Must Be Dependent.

Requirement #2: The Body Must Be Connected.

Requirement #3…

3. The Body Must Be Diverse vv. 27-31

Tools.

In my garage I have a chest full of tools.

I also have a bench full of tools.

And I have a shelf full of tools.

Why do I have so many tools?

Because different tools do different jobs!

They have different functions.

They were designed by their creator to accomplish different tasks.

If every single tool that I owned was the same, I wouldn’t need them.

I also would be unable to complete most tasks.

God has not made the body of Christ out of identical parts.

We are different.

Paul started this theme all the way back in chapter 4.

1 Corinthians 4:7

1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

God has made us different!

God has given us different gifts!

We have nothing to boast about because everything comes from God.

The body of Christ is diverse.

This passage presents three areas of diversity.

Area #1. We are…

a. Diverse in gifting vv. 27-28

1 Corinthians 12:27–28 NKJV

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Verse 27 is similar to verse 20 but with one key difference.

Paul is now addressing the Corinthian church directly.

He is moving from an idea or concept, to how they operate in the local church.

We, in the local church, are the body of Christ.

Each of us is a member of that body.

We are one body composed of individual members.

Together we make up the body of Christ.

Part of the point here is the equality in the body.

We do not have a body without all the parts.

All the parts are equally necessary.

Also necessary is the diversity.

That’s where Paul goes in v. 28.

The first thing we must note is this.

God is the one who appoints.

Like the tools in my garage, our designer determines our role and function.

God gives the gifts and they are all different.

Notice the sphere in which God intends our gifts to be used.

In the church.

The first three gifts Paul lists are given a number.

While every member of the body of Christ is important, their role and function means that some serve in a more crucial role.

Apostles and prophets were used by God to establish the church.

Through them God brought forth His authoritative revelation to mankind.

As Daryl noted in His message and as we will discuss further in ch. 13, those gifts ceased with the completion of Scripture and the death of the apostles.

Teachers were vital in the maturity and growth of the church.

They still serve in this role today.

Most of these were mentioned earlier in the passage and we defined them then. We won’t do that again.

However, teachers was not one of those words.

A teacher is one who instructs the body of Christ explaining doctrine and practice.

These three gifts are primary gifts.

Gifts necessary for the establishment and growth of the church.

Someone with the gift of helps is essential for the function of the church, but would not be able to establish a church.

Does that distinction make sense?

Paul uses two words that indicate his list is still by order of importance.

He says “after that” and “then”.

This means that while important, these other gifts are different than apostle, prophet, and teacher.

We have previously defined miracles, healing, and tongues.

Let’s define helps and administrations.

Helps is the idea of service.

It is working with others.

The gift of helps is the ability to come alongside someone and assist them in a time of need or difficulty.

Administrations is the same word used of a ships captain steering the vessel.

An administrator is someone who knows the destination and can organize people and things to achieve it.

Therefore…

The gift of administration is the ability to “mobilize, motivate, and manage” others toward a goal.

All of these gifts are different.

Yet all of them are necessary if we want to do what God has called us to do as a church.

What we must remember is that God is the one who appointed these gifts.

They come from Him.

He is the source.

He has given us these gifts for the good of the body.

We are diverse in our gifting.

Here’s our lesson.

Diverse gifts are needed to serve a diverse body.

Repeat - read aloud

We cannot expect to all have the same gifts because we are not the same.

Our gifts are given to build up the body of Christ, and like building a house, that requires different tools.

This passage presents three areas of diversity.

Area #1. We are diverse in gifting.

Area #2. We are…

b. Diverse in purpose vv. 29-30

1 Corinthians 12:29–30 NKJV

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

These verses are a series of rhetorical questions.

The implied answer is no.

The NASB actually adds a little bit of clarity here.

1 Corinthians 12:29–30 NASB95

29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?

Here is Paul’s point.

Every member doesn’t have the same gift because we are all different.

The gifts given are different because they have different and distinct purposes.

The problem with some modern teaching on Spiritual gifts is that some suggest that every believer should manifest the same gift.

This is particularly true of speaking in tongues.

In these verses Paul makes it crystal clear that not everyone should speak in tongues.

To say they should is to deliberately violate Scripture.

As members of the body of Christ we are all different.

We are all gifted differently because our gifts serve different purposes.

The purpose of Spiritual gifts is just as diverse as the gifts themselves.

The reality is that experience within the body of Christ demonstrates that our gifts are diverse.

In verse 11 we learned that Spiritual gifts are given at the will of God.

In verse 24 we learned that it is God who composes the body.

In verse 28 Paul stated that God is the one who appointed the gifts.

Our responsibility is to submit to the gift God has given and use it for the good of the body and the glory of Christ.

We don’t envy the gifts of others and we don’t sit still and let our gifts go unused.

Here is our lesson.

Diverse gifts must be used in diverse ways.

Repeat - read aloud

That is why our gifts were given!

We are to use them to serve the church body!

This passage presents three areas of diversity.

Area #1. We are diverse in gifting.

Area #2. We are diverse in purpose.

Area #3. We are…

c. Diverse in focus v. 31

1 Corinthians 12:31 NKJV

31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

This verse is a little bit difficult.

There are two primary ways it has been understood through the years.

First, there are those who believe Paul is calling the Corinthians to desire certain gifts.

Second, there are those who believe Paul is correcting the desire of the Corinthians for certain gifts.

I fall into the latter camp.

I believe this should be translated, not as an imperative, but as an indicative.

What that means is that Paul was saying this.

You desire gifts you think are better, I will show you a more excellent way.

I think that understanding better fits with the tone of the epistle in general and of this passage specifically.

In chapter 14 Paul is going to address exactly what gift all the Corinthians were seeking.

They all wanted the gift of tongues because it was showy and flashy.

It made them look, sound, and feel more spiritual.

Paul dismantles that idea by explaining that it isn’t what gift you have that matters most.

What matters most is how we use the gift we have.

We desire gifts.

And yet there is a better way.

Having a gift and using it is not the be-all and end-all of spiritual gifts.

It matters how we use our gifts.

Our gifts are to have a specific focus.

If we spend all our time desiring a gift we don’t have, we have lost our focus and will be ineffective in our service.

Here’s our lesson.

Gifts must be used with care.

Repeat - read aloud

Attitude matters.

We must use our gifts, but we must use them in the right way.

Conclusion

We are the body of Christ.

The body is made of many parts.

You and I are different, yet we have been designed by God to function together for His glory and the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Are we using our gifts?

Are we using them to support and encourage one another?

Are we using them as God has called us to?

Personal:

I am a necessary part of the body. It is imperative that each of us determine what our Spiritual gifting is and get busy using it. Personal growth as well as the growth of the body depend on each of us using our gifts. I will use my gift for the good of the body and the glory of Christ.

Relationships:

Each part of the body needs the other parts. We are connected. We must be supporting and honoring one another. We must also function in community. We suffer with the suffering and rejoice with the victorious! I will pursue connection with the body of Christ.

Parenting:

As parents we all want our children to grow up with the ability to make an impact for Christ. This cannot and will not happen if we are not equipping them with knowledge of their Spiritual gift and how to use it. This requires intentionally providing opportunities for them to serve in the Church. I will help my children discover and use their spiritual gifts.

Marriage:

Husbands and wives do not often have the same Spiritual gift. It takes work to understand the gifting of our spouse. Once we know it, we need to support and encourage one another. The body of Christ is to be a community of growth and strength, this must begin in the marriage relationship. We must support, encourage, strengthen, and build one another up. I will be a source of strength and encouragement to my spouse.

COMMITMENT:

_________________________________________________________

We cannot function alone.

Each part of the body is necessary and needs the other parts.

The more connected the body, the greater its effectiveness.

When we are lifting one another up, providing support and encouragement, we can accomplish incredible things.

Diversity makes us better equipped to serve.

Tools that are all the same are redundant and useless. We are made different and need to embrace and function in those differences.

Our gifts must be used carefully.

Never exercise a spiritual gift at the expense of others.

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