Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

Lesson 10: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians, Part 4

1 Corinthians 12:21-31

A. A Woman feels that her gender, and thus her silence in the Meeting of the Church, renders her useless

B. A preacher will not let others speak from “his pulpit.” He tells his audience that if they do not know Hebrew and Greek they cannot possibly be a student of the Scriptures

I.I. IntroductionIntroduction

C. Our goals for this lesson:1. Walk through the argument of chapter 122. Focus on verses 21-313. Carefully consider Paul’s inverted value

system in verses 22-264. Explore the implications and applications

of Paul’s teaching for us

II.II. The Outer Limits of Spirituality – 12:1-3The Outer Limits of Spirituality – 12:1-3A. 1 Corinthians 12-14 is all about spiritual

matters (see 12:1)B. Paul is going to broaden their horizons

with regard to spiritual gifts and the ministry of the Holy Spirit

C. But he must first establish the boundaries within which the Spirit operates

D. There is much that is spiritual that is not Christian (of the Holy Spirit)

E. Thus, the test: “Jesus is Lord” (12:3)

III.III. Diversity, yet unity (12:4-11)Diversity, yet unity (12:4-11)

A. A Trinitarian view of gifts (12:4-6)1. Variety of gifts, one Spirit2. Variety of ministries, one Lord3. Variety of results, one God

B. Examples of this diversity of spiritual gifts (12:7-11)1. Word of knowledge2. Word of wisdom3. Faith4. Gifts of healing 5. Performing miracles6. Prophecy7. Discerning spirits8. Tongues9. Interpretation of tongues

IV.IV. Body life (12:12-14)Body life (12:12-14)A. The human body: one body, many

members (12:12)B. The body of Christ

1. Its origins and composition (12:13)2. Its nature: one body, many members

(12:14)

V.V. Thinking that is detrimental to body Thinking that is detrimental to body life (12:15-20)life (12:15-20)A. My gift doesn’t really matter (12:15-

20)1. The argument: Since I don’t possess a

gift of status I have nothing of value to contribute (v. 15)

2. Paul’s response (vss. 16-20):a. Saying so doesn’t make it so (vss. 15-16)b. A body needs the diversity of many parts

(vss. 17, 19)c. God assigns the members, as He desires

(v. 18)d. Review: many parts, one body (v. 20)

B. Your gift doesn’t really matter – I don’t need you (or anyone else) (12:21)

VI.VI. A whole new way of thinking about A whole new way of thinking about spiritual gifts (12:22-26spiritual gifts (12:22-26)

22 On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, 23 and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity, 24 but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:22-26).

A. Your values are upside-downB. A new appraisal of “weaker” members –

they are more than necessary; they are essential

C. “Weaker” members are in good company:

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 26 Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. 27 But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:25-27, emphasis mine).

10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in

Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored (1 Corinthians 4:10)!

D. Consider how we deal with the weaker members of our body:

23 and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor,

and our

unpresentable members are clothed with dignity,

24 but our presentable members do not need this (1Corinthians 12:22-24a).

E. Consider the basis on which we determine that a member is stronger

1. Visibility2. Prominence, especially in church3. Preeminence – puts us ahead of others4. Appearance: what makes us look good

F. What really makes a member more important?

1. Vital to the body’s life2. Vital to the body’s health3. Vital to the body’s activities

G. Consider how God has designed the body to work:

Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it (1 Corinthians 12:24b-26).

1. God compensates for the sake of equity2. The parts that are lacking get the greater

honor3. The goal is mutual care for one another.4. The manifestation of this kind of unity is

empathizing with the hurts and joys of others in the body. What happens to them is happening to us, because we are a body

VII.VII. Summing it up (12:27-31)Summing it up (12:27-31) A. We are the body of Christ (verse 27)

B. God has appointed various gifts in the church (verse 28)

C. Everyone does not have the same gift (verses 29-30)

D. The church should desire the best gifts, which is probably a different set of gifts than they have sought before (verse 31)

VIII.VIII. ConclusionConclusion

A. What if the best gifts are not spectacular, and not highly visible to others?

B. What if the more visible and prominent gifts are not the best gifts?

C. What if spiritual gifts are to equip the church to minister outside of church?

D. What if what you see on Sunday is not all that there is to spiritual gifts?

E. What if the most significant ministry is not visible (apparent to all)?a. The work of the Holy Spirit is often

invisible (John 3:8)b. The ministry of Jesus, who left His

glory, took form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8)

c. The Father is invisible (John 1:18)

F. What an encouragement to those whose ministry is not visible

a. Women, who do not have a visible, verbal role in the meeting of the church

b. Those whose ministry is prayerc. Men, whose ministry is not out front

Copyright © 2007 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX 75081. This is the edited PowerPoint Presentation in the Spiritual Gifts series prepared by Bob Deffinbaugh for November 5, 2007. Anyone is at liberty to use this presentation for educational purposes only, with or without credit. The Chapel believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel.