BelieverWorshipperGiverFollowerBelongerReconciler

1Corinthians 12:4-31 (TNIV) “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

1Corinthians 12:4-31 (TNIV) “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

1Corinthians 12:4-31 (TNIV) “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”

1Corinthians 12:4-31 (TNIV) “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.”

1Corinthians 12:4-31 (TNIV) Different gifts, different service, different working Types of gifts mentioned and the reason for them Gifts and ministries – hierarchy? Specific spiritual gift for each of us How the Holy Spirit distributes these gifts Weaker parts and equality

Belonging to each other Common GoodCommon Good – v7 We’re in this together We’re dependent on one another We’re better off when we work together IndependenceIndependence Contributed to original sin RelationshipRelationship How God wants us to live Double-whammyDouble-whammy Our lives displaying God’s glory God’s glory revealed in our lives Body MinistryBody Ministry Teamwork

Two Issues Nothing to contributeNothing to contribute –Don’t know what we have to offer –Others can do it better –An issue of self-confidence born out of comparison Not neededNot needed –“You don't need me” –“I don't need you” –An issue of self-sufficiency born out of independence

What the Bible says Everyone has something to offer (v7)Everyone has something to offer (v7) –Everyone is gifted Equal importance and value (vs15-16)Equal importance and value (vs15-16) –Feet people need hand people –Listeners complement Visionaries Comparison aren’t valid (v18)Comparison aren’t valid (v18) –Uniquely created It all works together (v21)It all works together (v21) –Visionaries need hands-on people –Thinkers need those willing to run with the vision

Two key principles The body is not one member yet every member completes the bodyThe body is not one member yet every member completes the body Diversity brings unityDiversity brings unity Negative and positive (v25)Negative and positive (v25) …that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another Member = “a constituent part having a function of its own”

Commitment “Today’s culture of independent individualism has created many spiritual orphans—“bunny believers” who hop around from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment. Many believe it is possible to be a “good Christian” without joining (or even attending) a local church, but God would strongly disagree. “Christ loved the church and gave his life for it” The church is so significant that Jesus died on the cross for it: “Christ loved the church and gave his life for it” (Ephesians 5:25 GWT). Except for a few important exceptions referring to all believers throughout history, almost every time the word "church" is used in the Bible it refers to a local, visible congregation. The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation. The only Christians not members of a local fellowship were those under church discipline who had been removed from the fellowship because of gross public sin (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1-5)” – Rick Warren

What the Bible says Each otherEach other  love  pray for  encourage  admonish  greet  serve  teach  accept  honour  bear with  carry burdens for  forgive  sing to  submit to  confess our sins to  agree with  be devoted to –not to grumble against –hurt –cause to sin –not pay back wrongs against –lie to –provoke –envy one another TogetherTogether  put together  built together  members together  heirs together  held together  fitted together  joined together  caught up together  be together forever

Challenge For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others - Romans 12:4-5 (NIVUK) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers - Galatians 6:10 (NIVUK) So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God - Romans 7:4 (NIVUK) If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord - Romans 14:8 (NIVUK)