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 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, 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.
Spiritual gifts are the supernatural ways God’s Spirit works
through God’s children to make God’s Son look right.
(1 Corinthians 12)
The tension of desiring, discovering and developing spiritual gifts:
Jesus’ body works right when its members avoid self-deprecation.
(1 Corinthians 12:14-20)
Do I think, “They don’t need me!”? (1 Corinthians 12:14-17)
Do I think the sovereignty of God is actually an error? (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Do I think unity and diversity are mutually exclusive? (1 Corinthians 12:19-20)
Jesus’ body works right when its members avoid self-exaltation.
(1 Corinthians 12:21-31)
Do I think, “They can’t do without me!”? (1 Corinthians 12:21)
Do I desire to be sensational or beneficial?
(1 Corinthians 12:22-24, 31)
Do I foster factions more than fellowship?
(1 Corinthians 12:25-26)
Do I prefer independence over dependence?
(1 Corinthians 12:27-30; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 18; 1 Peter 4:10)
Do I want the Spirit’s gifts more than His fruit?
(1 Corinthians 12:31; cf. Galatians 5:16-26)
The task of desiring, discovering and developing spiritual gifts:
1. Ask God’s Spirit to guide you on your journey.
2. Stop being concerned with labels and definitions.
3. Explore how God’s wired you to build faith in others. (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-10)
Passions – What lights you up?
Reputation – What do others see in you?
Interests – What intrigues you?
Experience – What have you done?
Success – What have you done fruitfully?
Talents – What abilities do you have?
4. Look for general themes that keep showing up.
5. Do some trial-and-error with related ministries.
Thanks pastor Jim!
No comments:
Post a Comment