PHYSIOLOGY 101:HOW THE BODY WORKS
1 Corinthians 12
Each of these people was called to serve God in a different way–
None of them felt they were WORTHY or qualified.
But each of them WAS called to serve Him!
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us that God has called each of US
to serve Him in different ways.
If you’ve been following our progress through 1 Corinthians,
you’ve probably noticed that we jumped over the last half of 1 Corinthians 11.
We’ll go back to that next week when we celebrate communion together.
Today we want to consider how the body of Christ–the church–functions.
When you start college, you’re required to take “101" Courses—basic introductory courses in major fields of study: English 101; Math 101; Physical Science 101; Biology 101, etc.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul introduces “Spiritual Physiology 101:"
An Introduction to HOW THE BODY WORKS
At least, how the body is supposed to work!
–the Maker’s design for the body of Christ.
“When all else fails, read the instructions!”–and FOLLOW them.
What happens when a church has everything except love?
The church at Corinth had everything --EXCEPT LOVE!
When you look carefully at it’s characteristics, it wasn’t pretty!
It wasn’t a church you’d want to go to!
They fought about everything!
Divisions and personality cults Indifference to sin Legal feuds
Cheating each other Fights over rights Legalism
Women’s rights Hoarding food at potlucks Pride over spiritual gifts
Self-centered relationships Little interest in giving
The last major issue which caused difficulty at Corinth was WORSHIP.
How could anyone ever get upset about WORSHIP?!!
Satan uses the one thing that OUGHT to draw God’s people together to pull us apart!
Paul addresses several worship-related issues.
The final problem in their worship was their use of spiritual gifts.
Some people were placing inappropriate emphasis on one particular gift: tongues.
Some decided this is the gift of the Spirit—everyone ought to have.
It’s the one that proves you have the Spirit.
If you don't have THIS gift, you don't have the Spirit!
“Have you received the Holy Spirit? . . . the baptism of the Holy Spirit?”
They have concluded that if YOU don’t have the same gift I have,
there’s something wrong with YOU. Why can’t YOU be like ME?
[In response to this misconception Paul wants to help us understand the . . . ]
DIVERSITY OF GIFTS 12:1-31a
Tongues is only one of the gifts; not the most important one at that.
NO spiritual gift is the most important thing we should go after.
[He begins this discussion with an . . . ]
ARGUMENT FROM EXPERIENCE 12:1-3
[He uses their own experience to help them understand that . . . ]
ALL BELIEVERS ARE BAPTIZED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD to become members of the body of Christ 13
[Therefore, . . . ] ALL TRUE BELIEVERS GIVE SOME EVIDENCE
OF THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR LIFE!
Paul wants us to understand that all who confess Jesus as Lord do so because we are led by the Spirit of God. 1-2
Pagan people, follow man-made religions and man-made idols!
What turned you around? What changed you? 3
The presence of God’s Spirit in our life brings us to this conclusion.
No one but a true believer led by the Spirit turns from idols to serve the true God.
No one but a true believer acknowledges Christ as their Lord.
Anyone who recognizes Jesus as Lord is led to that conclusion by the Spirit of God who is in them.
Every true believer recognizes who Jesus is
and demonstrates that he has the Spirit because the Spirit reveals JESUS.
The best evidence that we have the Spirit is NOT an external sign,
but our profession of faith in Christ–our recognition of who Jesus is.
Among those who trust Jesus and receive the Spirit,
some give evidence of His presence by speaking in tongues.
That is one evidence that God’s Spirit is in a person.
BUT, it isn't the only one, nor even the most important one.
Other people demonstrate the Spirit’s presence in their life in other ways.
Public acknowledgment of Jesus is better proof-AND it's universal.
DIVERSITY OF GIFTS EXPLAINED 12:4-11
[ Other ways H.S. demonstrates His presence in our life: ] 4-6
There are different gifts.
There are different ways to serve
There are different activities.
BUT there’s only ONE GOD! One Spirit; One Lord
No matter where you fit, you demonstrate the presence of God’s Spirit through your service for God and His body. 7-11
ALL TRUE BELIEVERS GIVE SOME EVIDENCE
OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES!
Spiritual gifts are given to all believers by the Spirit of God.
THE SPIRIT DECIDES WHAT GIFTS ARE NEEDED in the church.
HE DISTRIBUTES THEM ACCORDING TO HIS PLAN—NOT OURS! 11b
HE’S THE HEAD! HE CALLS THE SHOTS--NOT US!
DIVERSITY OF GIFTS ILLUSTRATED 12:12-31a
The illustration: the church is THE BODY of Christ 12
All genuine believers in Christ are members of His body 13
• It doesn't matter what your social status is.
• It doesn't matter how old you are!
• It doesn't matter what your function is.
[ When we trust in Christ, . . . ]
We all receive the same Spirit.
We all become part of His body.
[ Just like our physical bodies, . . . ]
The church is made up of many different members 14-26
All the gifts are necessary for the body to be complete.
NO PLACE FOR INFERIORITY NOR SUPERIORITY!14
[ Confusion concerning gifts causes two problems: ]
TWO KINDS OF FALSE CONCEPT:
[ First, it produces a . . . ]
1)False concept about myself 15-2015-16
[Jealousy] I consider myself unimportant or insignificant.
Because I can’t speak like Ralph, . . .or sing like Mike . . .
or play like Sharon or Erika . . .I’m not important to the Body
My old friend Charlie
Charlie was a business executive for years.
When I met him he was about to retire.
He was crippled.
One day after we’d been talking about spiritual gifts, Charlie turned to me, “You know, Ralph, I don’t have a spiritual gift.”
Now, either Charlie was wrong; or God’s a liar!
Which do you suppose is true?
I know lots of young people who think like Charlie–like the guy in the drama.
When you’re young, it’s hard to imagine “what you’ll be when you grow up!”
You ask yourself, how could God ever use ME?!!!
God didn’t make YOU to preach like ME!
He made each of us to do what He wired US to do!
Solution: [to a false concept about myself ]
(1) Recognize the need for diversity 17
(2) Recognize God's sovereignty 18
(3) Recognize that all members are necessary for the body to function 19-20
[Second way confusion about gifts shows up at church: ]
2) False concept about others 21-26 21
I consider myself MORE important than others.
Pride—think of ourselves as better than somebody else.
–think that if others don’t do what I do, something’s wrong with them.
–“if YOU don’t function the way I function, YOU need to change!
God didn’t call us to look alike.
He didn’t equip us to do everything the same way.
Meeting of the tools. It was the result of all their abilities,
it was the result of each one being placed in the master's hands and used by HIM!
Tongues is important; but it’s not the only gift.
Other gifts and abilities are valuable too, but we aren’t all the same!
Solution: [to a false concept about others ]
(1) Recognize the value of each member
• . . . those that seem weak 22
• . . . those that seem unworthy 23a
• . . . those that seem less attractive 23b-24a
God hides important parts where no one can see them.
It’s not parts you see up front that are most important!
The parts you see and hear are the parts of the body you can most easily live without!
No one wants to see my liver.
But when the liver goes bad, see how long you function without that. Or the kidney!
Those are the parts God has hidden away, well-protected, where no one can see them!
(2) Recognize God's sovereignty 24b
(3) Recognize mutual responsibility (to each other) 25-26
God made each of us different—
He made —some to use their brains —some to use their voice
—some to use their hands —some to pray for others!
We are all valuable in God’s sight—just the way He made us!
But He made each of us to DO SOMETHING in His church!
Conclusion 27-31
IF YOU MUST SEEK A GIFT,
GO FOR AN IMPORTANT ONE
NOT THE SPECTACULAR!
We are one body 27a
We are all different 27b
God has given each of us different gifts 28-30
There is order (NOT chronological, has to be order of importance)
There are differences—Not ALL have the same gifts!
Negative answers: [NAS] “All are not _____, are they? [Of course not!]”
Emphasize the more important gifts 31a
Follow the most excellent way 12:31b-13:13 31b
“And now I will show you the MOST excellent way.”
=> SUPERIORITY OF LOVE 12:31b-13:13 13:1-3
SPIRITUAL FRUIT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPIRITUAL GIFTS!
Love comes first!
Don't get hung up on the secondary!
Character is of greater value than ministry.
Any spiritual gift used without love is just NOISE!!!
"PURSUE LOVE . . . ." 14:1
LESSONS FROM PHYSIOLOGY 101-
1) A body has many parts, with different functions,
all of which are essential 12, 14
God never intended that we should all be the same!
That we should all function the same way!
2) My usefulness isn’t determined by my view of my value. 15-16
3) My usefulness isn’t determined by others' view of my value. 21
4) Less attractive, more delicate (sensitive, fragile) members of the body are of greater value 22-24a
5) No part can accomplish anything without the support of the whole body. 24b-25
6) When one member hurts, the whole body suffers. 26a
7) When one member triumphs, the whole body triumphs. 26b
WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH US?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO as a member of His body?
This is the time of year when people start thinking about NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS.
It’s at least a good time to consider our priorities.
AND to consider how God wants us to use our time during the coming year!
(Actually any time of the year is a good time to ask that question!)
Dysfunctional Members—Some parts of the body are dysfunctional—
They’re not doing anything to contribute to the growth and development of the body.
This is NOT intended to send some who are already too busy, on a guilt trip!
Some people ought to back out of a few ministries!
But God wants every member of the body to be a functioning member!
Evangelism team visits newcomers and shares the Good News of Christ with them.
People who greet people at the door and in the Welcome Center each week
Some people have made a commitment to be a committee of one to seek out at least one new person each week and make them feel welcome.
How has God wired you?
In the bulletin for weeks we’ve had a list of children’s ministry needs.
You might want to try one of these ministries to see what God designed YOU to do.
One neglected area is that of “helper” gifts:
Deacons helping widows and single parents.
Other opportunities for “people-helpers” :
Ushers Food preparers and servers Sound crew
Maintenance helpers
You’d think some of these guys were P.T. employees.
Decorators Set builders
Office Volunteers
Bulletin folders and stuffers.
Get the idea? And that’s just one small area.
There are many other areas of ministry–some behind the scenes; some up front!
We haven’t even mentioned those God has enabled to serve through giving,
or prayer; through administration, or leadership.
Many of you have already found your niche!
But there’s room for others
God has designed His body so that every part of the body would have a function.
How about you? Where do you fit?
3 Commitments:
1. Commitment to Sunday morning participation
2. Commitment to a small group
3. Commitment to participate in some form of ministry,
as a functioning member of the body.