May 10, 2015
Morning Service

I Cor. 12

 

            As we study I Corinthians, we see the Apostle Paul explaining a lot of things to this young church that they had questions about.  Many of these topics were related to Paul through the household of Chloe (ICor. 1-11).

            In chapter 10, and 11, Paul showed the wrong way to take the Lord’s Supper, or Communion service.  He went on to say, that he had received from the Lord, the instructions concerning the communion service.  He encouraged the church not to consider the bread, and the fruit of the vine as common food, but that It was the Body, and Blood of Christ.  He taught the church to examine itself, and make sure they were taking it in a worthy manner.

            This morning we will look at some other issues that the Apostle will address.  THE GIFTS.

 

1Co 12:1-31  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 

·         You see how God does not want us ignorant of the things He has chosen to reveal.

(2)  Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.  (3)  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 

·         Jesus said one time, “why call ye Me Lord, and do not the things I ask?”

·         So you see there is faithfulness involved, when we call Jesus Lord, and we can only have this faithfulness if we allow the Holy Ghost to have His way in our lives.

(4)  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

·         Different gifts but one Spirit.  Paul said in the letter to the Ephesians ----Eph 4:4-6  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  (5)  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  Eph 4:7-8  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  (8)  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 

·         Different administrations?   of ministries or offices, but all are in the service of the same Lord.

(6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

·         Different operations?  The inward workings of the Spirit are not always the same, but it is God, one God, the same God, who causes them all. The object of this Scripture is to show that one divine source accounts for spiritual gifts diverse in their manifestations.

(7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 

·         Paul will now show how that the gifts are for edification of the church, not just for individuals to be puffed up.  Withal = With the rest; together with;

(8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;

·         The ability to reveal divine truth, such as possessed by the apostles.

to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 

·         the word of knowledge. The aptitude to teach unerringly what had been revealed to the apostles and prophets.

(9)  To another faith by the same Spirit;

·         the faith that can move mountains.

to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 

·         we see examples of this in the Scriptures. 

(10)  To another the working of miracles;

·         Miracles, deeds, and works, that are not of the ordinary.

to another prophecy;

·         The prophet was one who, under divine impulse, spoke words given by the Holy Spirit.

to another discerning of spirits;

·         One of the most important gifts, and much needed today, and always in the church.

The power of reading hearts and determining whether men spoke by the divine spirit, or some other impulse.

Hopefully we can see the importance of this gift.  Line all actions up with the Bible teachings.

to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 

·         He who spoke with tongues, spoke languages that he had never learned. See Act_2:6-8. Sometimes their utterances were not understood by the audience. Hence another gift was the interpretation of tongues, the ability to explain the meaning of those who spoke with tongues.

(11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

·         This verse says it all!   There are nine special gifts mentioned here to edify the church, and it is God Almighty that gives these gifts to whomever He chooses.  Notice how Paul explains it.

(12)  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  (13)  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

·         Unbelievers, or seekers are baptized by the Spirit into one body, the church, that being Christ.  You are not voted into the church, but added by God upon your obedience to His Word.

(14)  For the body is not one member, but many.  (15)  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (16)  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  (18)  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

·         Isn’t that explanatory?  It’s up to God what gifts He gives me to edify the church.

(19)  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  (20)  But now are they many members, yet but one body.  (21)  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  (22)  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  (23)  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  (24)  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:  (25)  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  (26)  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  (27)  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 

·         And now he explains that he was referring to the gifts given to different individuals in the church.

(28)  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  (29)  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  (30)  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 

·         And of course, Paul’s way of teaching is to ask a question to which the answer is obvious.  No!  Everyone is not an Apostle, or prophets, or teachers, or workers of miracles, or gifts of healing, nor speaking in tongues, or interpreting the tongues.

(31)  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

·         COVET =To desire or wish for, with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess; in a good sense.

So, if there is a particular gift you would like to possess, go after it.  Seek God for this gift, and if it is in His will, He will give it to you.  Remembering that all the gifts are given to responsible, faithful people, to edify the body of Christ, the church.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, WE KNOW YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DISTRIBUTES THESE WONDERFUL GIFTS TO YOUR CHURCH, USE US FOR YOUR GLORY, AND GIVE US THE GIFTS THAT YOU SEE WE NEED.  AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY.  AMEN.