1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (New International Version)
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 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. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 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 stop being part of the body. 16 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 stop being part of the body. 17 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? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 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!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 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. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
I. We need to be baptized into united diversity (vv. 12-14)
• Diversity of
• Our
• Jesus redeems and serves people through gifts in
• There are 9
• Water baptism is when we
II. We need what we don’t want (vv. 15-26)
• Some people are primarily
• Some people are primarily
• Frustration with differences is the sign of spiritual
• There is God-inspired value in
• Being dissatisfied with your gift or personality is to
• Having contempt for a different personality or gift is
III. We need order in a more excellent way (vv. 27-31)
• Authority is essential for
• Order is within an economy of
• Apostles and prophets are
• The office of a gift sets the
• The greater gifts are the ones a person or church
TAKE OFF
What is one personality trait/characteristic you admire in others?
TEXT
1. What thoughts or feelings did you have during this week’s sermon?
2. What do we learn about the relationship between the human body and its parts in verses 12-14? How do these verses demonstrate the value/equality of each person within the local church body?
3. In first-century Greek culture, the human body was viewed as an expression of one’s personality. Why does the apostle Paul compare a foot to a hand (v. 15) and then an eye to an ear and nose (v. 17)? At what point in the apostle’s argument does he shift from comparing a hand and foot to comparing the eye and hand? Why is this shift important?
4. Discuss how God has shaped your personality and how your personality has impacted your gifts. How can Christians’ “honor” one another’s personalities and giftings by desiring the “greater gifts?”
TAKE AWAY
What are some practical things you can do this week to better understand/value a Christian who is different than you?