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The Body is One and Has Many Members

Text: 1 Corinthians 12
9 August 2015

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1. God gave many spiritual gifts to the church

a) To enrich the church

b) To enhance ministry

c) To reflect His Presence

i) His Power

ii) His authority

iii) His will

d) To create a unique sense of profound oneness

i) That will bring glory to God

ii) That will draw people to consider God’s work in the church

2. The Threat to the Church

a) When gifts are not well-understood

b) When gifts are not well-employed

c) When gifts are abused for wrong reasons

THE ENIGMATIC CORINTHIAN CHURCH

1. Gifted yet carnality threatened schism

2. Gifted yet threatened by the abuse of spiritual gifts

AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE THE CHURCH

1. Vital Knowledge about the Involvement of all Three Persons in the Godhead

a) Diversities of Gifts from the Same Spirit   (1 Corinthians 12:4)

b) Differences of Ministries but the Same Lord   (1 Corinthians 12:5)

c) Diversities of Activities but the same God   (1 Corinthians 12:6)

2. Vital Truths to be borne in mind

a) All three Persons in the Godhead are involved

b) Each may have a different area of focus

c) But they belong to the Same Godhead

i) There is no schism

ii) There is perfect harmony

iii) There is profound oneness

THE FUNDAMENTAL IDEA: THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

1. One Body

a) By one Spirit we were all baptized into One Body   (1 Corinthians 12:13)

b) Jew or Greek (Regardless of racial distinctions)

c) Slave or free (Regardless of social distinctions)

2. Many members

a) Hand and foot

b) Ear and eye   (1 Corinthians 12:15-26)