Spiritual Gifts Lesson 9: Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians, Part 3 1 Corinthians 12:11-20

I. Introduction A.Unity in Diversity 1. John Piper – Buy a pipe organ? 2. For CBC – Christian conference 3. For the Corinthians – differing spiritual gifts B.Where we’ve been (12:1-11)

II.The lay of the land: the structure of the text A.Unity in Diversity – in Principle (12:11-14) B.Unity in Diversity – in (mal)Practice (12:15- 26) 1.You’re important, but I’m not (12:15-20) 2.I’m important, but you’re not (12:21) 3.A new set of values (12:22-26) C.The key to unity in diversity (12:27-31) 1.Uniformity is not unity (12:27-30) 2.There is a better way (12:31)

III.The Principle of Unity in Diversity, 1 Corinthians 12:11-14 A. Not a new subject – see 12:4-11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things (1 Corinthians 12:11, emphasis mine).

B. The analogy of the human body: For just as the [human] body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body – though many – are one body, so too is Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).

C. Our birth into the spiritual body: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

C. Our birth into the spiritual body (unity): For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

C. Our birth into the spiritual body (diversity): For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

IV.When diversity becomes the source of disunity – 12:15-20 The Problem 15 If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 16 And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? (1 Corinthians 12:15-17)

A.Observations 1.Body language is used, not gifts 2.Hand/foot, ear/eye (contra. v. 21) 3.Result? Feeling disconnected 4.Paul does not rebuke, only correct 5.Paul’s words are encouraging 6.A surprise awaits in verses 22-26

B.Paul’s Correction 1.Thinking something untrue doesn’t make it so (vss. 15, 16) 2.A one-member body is defective because it lacks the contributions of all the other members (vs. 17) 3.Thinking wrongly about our gifts is thinking wrongly about the Spirit of God who sovereignly bestowed these gifts (vs. 18)

4.Uniformity undermines body life (v. 19) 5.Conclusion: One body, many members, or unity in diversity (v. 20)

C.Why would this wrong thinking exist? 1.It could be because of those who are described in verse 21 2.Or, because we don’t have the gift that is highly valued 3.Or, because God didn’t give me the gift I want, I quit (arrogance, anger) 4.We are not told why. Thus Paul addresses whatever causes us to feel disconnected and insignificant

V.Conclusion A. Paul’s main message: God has given spiritual gifts to the church in order to facilitate diversity in ministry and also to develop and demonstrate the unity He displays in body life, for His glory and for our good.

B.About Unity in Diversity: a.Two problem areas 1.Compatibility in marriage 2.Homogeneous churches: Unity in diversity is the way God has chosen for us to do church b.As a church we desire for God to demonstrate unity in true diversity

C.About body life: 1.Do you feel unneeded, unnecessary? a)You are mistaken b)You are depriving the body of your gifts c)You are depriving yourself of the health and vitality of the body d)Beware of the danger of “burying your gift” (Matthew 25:14-30)

2.Body life is facilitated by ministry groups 3.Body life is facilitated by the Lord’s Supper and the Meeting of the Church Copyright © 2007 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX This is the edited PowerPoint Presentation in the Spiritual Gifts series prepared by Bob Deffinbaugh for October 28, 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.