July 2, 2012
SHARE YOUR GIFTS
1 Corinthians 12
Warren Wright
Central Truth
God gifts every Christian to serve the body of Christ.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 12:4–7
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
1 Corinthians 12
Spiritual Gifts
1 Now concerning 1 12:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1 spiritual gifts, 2 12:1 Or spiritual persons brothers, 3 12:1 Or brothers and sisters I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
One Body with Many Members
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 4 12:13 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface 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, 5 12:20 Or members; also verse 22 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.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 12
You may not be able to tell from this devotional, but God has gifted me with the ability to speak well, organize people towards a common goal, and see both sides of conflicts that arise in the business world and in daily life.
Unfortunately, for over five years, I marshaled those gifts for my own personal interests. I spoke well, but on matters related to computer games. I led well, but to accomplish goals in World of Warcraft. I dealt with conflict well, but to make sure my "guild" stayed together in our game.
Was I using my gifts appropriately? Scripture conspires against my selfishness, asking me to "[d]o nothing from selfishness or empty conceit" (Philippians 2:3a) and to utilize my God-given gifts "for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7) While I was seeking my own ends, I was separating myself from my wife, family, and friends (Proverbs 18:1).
In August of last year, I confessed hidden doubts about my faith, and through the mercies of God, He changed my life. I did not quit my gaming addiction through my own hard work, but God changed my heart in less than two months to put knowing Him as my highest aim.
The Spirit gives each of us gifts. They come in all flavors, and no member of the body of Christ is less relevant than another. How wonderful is our Savior, that He not only "rescued us from the domain of darkness" (Colossians 1:13a), but that He also gifts us and leads us to use those gifts to care for His people!
As I strive to use my gifts to lead in community and on behalf of Christ, how much more joy is in my life now!
Discussion Questions
1. How has God gifted you?
2. Do you use your gifts to serve the needs of others? (Philippians 2:3-4)
3. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul seems to be addressing a church whose members elevated folks with certain gifts. Can you think of anyone you run into at church that you either look down on or put on a pedestal? Take a moment to pray for them and to thank God that He has gifted them uniquely as part of the body of Christ!
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
1 Corinthians 12-16 (July 2-6)
Read 1 Corinthians 12.
• What does the Spirit give each person?
• Does every person have the same gifts?
• Why is it important for each believer in Christ to use the gifts that God has given each of us?
• What example does chapter 12 use to show why we each need to use our gifts for God's glory?
Paste this link in your browser (http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com/page_/3912) to review some of the various spiritual gifts, as well as examples of the ways in which those gifts are manifested. As you look over the list of spiritual gifts, which ones do you feel are specifically gifts that you have?
Activity: Do this activity one night at dinner. On slips of paper, write: cover eyes, tie hands behind back, can't walk, can't talk (if you have more than four people, write some of them more than once). Have each person draw one of the slips of paper. This is what that person will do or not be able to do throughout the entire meal. To show the need for everyone to use their gifts, everyone will have to work together so that everyone can eat and get the food and drink they need.
After dinner, talk about what it meant for others to use what they had to help you. What a great picture of why God used the body working together as an example of what it means to bring Him great glory!