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THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY MEMBERS

Text: 1 Corinthians 12
23 January 2011

(I) DANGER STEMMING FROM IGNORANCE

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1

1. Ignorance of spiritual gifts is dangerous

2. There are imitation spiritual gifts

3. False gifts can inflict great hurt to the Church and to the individual

(II) BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS IS ESSENTIAL

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

1. The Triune God is fully involved

a) The Spirit of God is involved

b) The Lord Jesus Christ is involved

c) God, our Heavenly Father is involved

2. Three different expressions

a) Gifts from the Spirit of God

b) Ministries with reference to the Lord Jesus Christ

c) Different activities with God working alongside

3. Essential Lesson to take note of

a) The Same Spirit… Lord… God

b) Oneness in the Triune Godhead

c) Oneness in the Body of Christ

(III) WONDROUS UNITY IN DIVERSITY

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,To another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues,But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

1. Manifestation of the Spirit

a) In many different gifts

b) But all gifts are given to profit the Body of Christ

2. Ministry of the Spirit

a) He distributes to each one individually

b) He exercises sovereignty

c) He works in and through the gifted individuals

(IV) OUR CHALLENGE

1. To obtain deep knowledge of spiritual gifts

2. To bear in mind that all gifts must promote Oneness in the Church

3. To employ all gifts in compliance with the leading of the Spirit of God