“The Mutual Dependence of Believers on One Another”

1 Corinthians 12:1-30

Big Picture: 1 Corinthians 12 begins a three-chapter unit on tongues, prophecy, and other “grace gifts” (charismata) and their relation to love, which is the most excellent “way” (not a gift) for the Christian. 

• Problem #9 (1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40): Some Corinthian Christians are prioritizing less edifying spiritual gifts and failing to use their gifts to edify the body of Christ in love.
• Gospel Solution: Pursue love (which the gospel embodies) by earnestly desiring and using spiritual gifts that build up the body of Christ.

Sermon Outline: 

1. Participation in the things of the Holy Spirit is attested by all who truly confess Jesus as Lord (12:1-3)
2. The bountiful diversity of the “grace-gifts” (charismata) (12:4-11)
3. The body metaphor: the mutual dependence of believers on one another (12:12-26)
4. Conclusion (12:27-30)

Application: 

1. Christian, be content with the spiritual gifts the Spirit distributes to you and your fellow church members
2. Christian, value the spiritual gifts the Spirit distributes to you and your fellow church members.

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The New Testament epistles lists specific grace-gifts (charismata) in six different passages, Note the mixture of “natural” and “supernatural.”

1. 1 Corinthians 12:8–10: Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues
2. 1 Corinthians 12:28: Apostle, prophet, teacher, miracles, kinds of healings, helps, administration, tongues
3. Ephesians 4:11: Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher
4. Romans 12:6–8: Prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leadership, mercy
5. 1 Corinthians 7:7:  Marriage, celibacy
6. 1 Peter 4:11:  Whoever speaks (covering several gifts); whoever renders service (covering several gifts)

• My sermons on chapters 12-14 owe a debt to “Showing the Spirit” by D.A. Carson; and “1 Corinthians” by Andrew David Naselli.