Dig In:
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-11 - It's easy to think that Spiritual Gifts are reserved for the 'super Christians,' not ordinary folks like us.
But if you can truthfully say the words...
JESUS - The only person to be fully man and fully God, who lived a perfect life and died to pay for our sins. He rose victorious from the dead and now reigns in heaven until He returns to make all things new.
IS - Not was or will be Lord, but has been, is now and always will be Lord.
LORD - The creator and sovereign ruler of all that is.
...then
you have the Holy Spirit living in you,
and therefore you have Spiritual Gifts.
There are all sorts of Spiritual Gifts (click the link for an brief catalog of gifts. Can't find one that seems to describe you? Let me know, and we'll find it together).
The sovereignty (control) of God is evident in the gifts He gives us.
Gifting is the work of the Spirit
He distributes the gifts we've been given;
According to His determination,
He gives gifts for the common good.
v12-26 - The analogy shifts a bit from referring to that which the Spirit has equipped you with as gifts and instead comparing it to the many members of one body.
If you have a very visible, seemingly more important gift, remember that you are just one component of the overall body.
If you have a gift that seems more humble or isn't noticed so much, remember that the body cannot function properly without you.
All of our goals ought to be building up and seeking the good of the body, not us as individuals.
v27-30 - You have been placed in the body of the Church to build up Christ, and it's only as you contribute to that goal that you'll be lifted up yourself.
v31 - Paul throws down some awesome tension in this final verse. After an entire passage focused on how you must know your gift, and use it contentedly, you're told to:
Eagerly desire the greater gifts
Literally be zealous that God will use you more and more.
As you train and develop yourself to use the gift you have, you will begin to notice new and improved areas of gifting.
It's only in the context of eagerly desiring greater gifts that you will understand "the most excellent way" which we'll read about tomorrow.
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:
Read the first 7 verses of Psalm 95 and see how many ways you can use your Spiritual Gift to worship God.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: Which of these body parts is not named in this chapter: ear, eye, nose, mouth, hand, foot, head, shoulder?
From what you read in this chapter, how would you describe a Spiritually healthy Christian?
Questions taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Jesus is Lord (v3)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will eagerly fulfill the role God has placed you in and be zealous to grow in your ability to serve Him.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Comments