I Corinthians 12:1-21

DO YOU KNOW – THAT YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH? DO YOU KNOW – JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE TO GOD AND HIS CHURCH? DO YOU KNOW?

KNOWING JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOU REALLY ARE TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH - YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT – THAT GOD PERSONALLY GAVE SPECIAL ABILITIES TO YOU SO YOU COULD SERVE IN HIS CHURCH! “For to each one is given gifts…distributed to each one individually, just as He wills…” I Corinthians 12:7,11

KNOWING JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOU REALLY ARE TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH - YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT – THAT GOD PERSONALLY PLACED YOU IN HIS BODY, (the church) right where He wanted you to be! “But now, God has placed the members, each one of them in the body (the church), just where He desired.” I Cor. 12:18

KNOWING JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOU REALLY ARE TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH- YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT – THAT GOD IS PERSONALLY COUNTING ON YOU TO BE ACTIVE AND PARTICIPATE IN HIS BODY (THE CHURCH) WITH THE GIFTS AND ABILITIES HE HAS GIVEN TO YOU! “For the body (the church) is not one member, but many. And if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body’ it is still a part of the body…” I Corinthians 12:14-17

KNOWING JUST HOW IMPORTANT YOU REALLY ARE TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH- YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT – THAT GOD PERSONALLY SAYS THIS ABOUT YOU: “Now, if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. And if one member is honored all members rejoice with it. Now, you are Christ’s body, (the church) and individually members of it.” I Corinthians 12:26,27 “ “

II. KNOWING JUST EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH ONE OF US! GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH OF US THAT: WE VALUE OUR INDIVIDUALITY AS PERSONS AND THAT WE VALUE OUR UNITY AS A CHURCH “Now, you are Christ’s body (the church) and individually members of it.” I Corinthians 12:27

KNOWING JUST EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH ONE OF US – GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH ONE OF US THAT – WE SERVE IN HIS BODY (the church) USING THE GIFTS AND ABILITIES THAT HE HAS GIVEN TO EACH ONE OF US! “But to each one was given gifts of the Spirit for the common good, of the church.” I Corinthians 12:7

KNOWING JUST EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH ONE OF US - GOD HAS IN MIND FOR EACH ONE OF US THAT – BY USING OUR GIFTS AND ABILITIES, WE MAKE HIS CHURCH A DYNAMIC INFLUENCE IN A WORLD THAT DESPARATELY NEEDS GOD AND DOESN’T KNOW IT! “…to the building up of the Body (the church) to attain the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature believer, measuring up to Christ Himself.” Eph. 4:12,13

III. KNOWING JUST EXACTLY WHERE I FIT AND HOW I CAN SERVE

The Body BRAIN EYES EARS NOSE TEETH CHEEK JAW LIPS TONGUE SHOULDERS ARMS ELBOWS WRISTS HANDS FINGERS LEGS KNEES ANKLES FEET TOES

The Church APOSTLES PROPHETS WISDOM KNOWLEDGE FAITH HEALING MIRACLES TONGUES INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES EVANGELISTS PASTOR/TEACHER TEACHERS SERVICE ENCOURAGEMENT GIVING LEADERSHIP ADMINISTRATION MERCY

TRUTH TO LIVE BY #1. GOD MADE YOU UNIQUE AND SPECIAL WITH YOUR OWN PERSONALITY, ABILITIES, BACKGROUND, INTERESTS AND DESIRES – AND GOD WANTS TO USE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE! THERE IS NO ONE QUITE LIKE YOU!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY #2. GOD HAS EQUIPPED YOU AND GIFTED YOU FOR A PURPOSE – TO SERVE HIM AND TO BRING GLORY TO HIM THROUGH YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY #3. GOD HAS PLACED YOU INTO HIS BODY (the church) TO USE YOUR GOD- GIVEN ABILITIES TO ENABLE THE CHURCH TO FUNCTION PROPERLY!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY #4. GOD USES ALL OF US FOR WHO WE ARE AND WHO HE MADE US TO BE – NOT FOR WHO WE ARE NOT! (GOD NEVER EXPECTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING YOU WERE NOT MADE TO DO)

TRUTH TO LIVE BY #5. QUESTION: WHERE DO I FIT AND WHAT IS MY PART IN THE CHURCH?

I Corinthians 12:1-21