1 Corinthians 12-13
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1 Corinthians 12-13
Plan
Spirit-Fueled Life: calvary.com
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
1 Spiritual gifts:
My story with the Spirit…
We don’t need to look for a jolt in life. We don’t need a hobby, profession, or vice to give us meaning. We have the ministry! It needn’t be huge, but it must be Spirit-fueled.
1 Uninformed: The Corinthians were gifted - you come short in no gift (1:7). Their problem wasn’t giftedness, but ignorance. They didn’t have a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
The modern church has also suffered from ignorance concerning the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
The Holy Spirit is a person.
Not a human - but the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity - God the Spirit.
Biblical Descriptions: He has and is the very intelligence of God (1 Cor 2:10-13). He has a will (1 Cor 12:11, Acts 15:28) and emotion (Eph 4:30 - grieve). He loves (Rom 15:30 - love of the Spirit) and can yearn jealously (Jas 4:5).
Biblical Actions: He was lied to by Ananias (Acts 5). He was resisted by the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:51). He spoke to the church (Acts 13:2, 1 Tim 4:1, Rev 2-3). He taught the Apostles (Jn 14:26). He led Paul to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-7).
He is not an it, essence, force, or power (Ex. Jedi - the Force).
The Holy Spirit is God.
Biblical Descriptions: He is eternal (Heb 9:14), omnipresent (Ps 139:7-8), omnipotent (Lk 1:35), and omniscient (1 Cor 2:11, Jn 14:26).
Biblical Actions: He creates (Gen 1:26, Job 33:4), authors Scripture (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pe 1:20-21), and gives spiritual life to mankind (Rom 8:11).
The Holy Spirit is alive today.
Two extremes: Cessasionists and Sensationalists (charismaniacs).
Sensationalists: They believe in the work of the Holy Spirit, but do not believe he will operate within the confines of Scripture.
Cessasionists: Accuse the Sensationalists of interpreting the Holy Spirit by their experiences, but they often do the same thing based on their lack of experience.
Charismatic: Believe the supernatural God still moves by His Spirit today, but always in step with His revealed word.
2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
3 Jesus is Lord: The Holy Spirit will point to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
He will glorify Me (Jn 16:14).
He will testify of Me (Jn 15:26).
The Holy Spirit will not create divisive, rebellious, or factious people.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
4 Varieties of gifts: There are many different spiritual gifts.
What are the different scriptural spiritual gifts?
Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation (1 Cor. 12:6-10).
Apostles, prophets, teachers, healers, helps, administrations (1 Cor. 12:28-31).
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11).
Prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, mercy (Rom. 12:6-8).
Singleness (1 Cor. 7:7).
5 Varieties of service: There are a variety of ministries or services in the body of Christ.
Our gifts and mix of gifts will all be unique.
Evangelism: Arena, one-on-one, door to door, letter writing.
Teaching: Weekly congregation, personal discipleship, classroom.
6 Varieties of activities: There are various operations and energizing. Different people are charged up by different ministry opportunities. Epaphras had a great zeal for the Collosae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis region (Col. 4:13). Paul had a great heart/calling for Gentiles (Gal. 1:16).
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
7 For the common good: The Spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the body of Christ, not for our personal satisfaction.
8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
8 Utterance of wisdom:
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge.
Knowledge: familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study.
Wisdom: the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
Facts vs. Judgment/Decision
Knowledge: that’s not a cat, but a skunk.
Wisdom: don’t pet that skunk.
The utterance of wisdom is different from regular wisdom.
In Jesus’ life: Taxes — Luke 20:25 (ESV) — 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Peter: Acts 15:10 (ESV) — 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Paul: Acts 23:6 (ESV) — 6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Definition: A wise word that is so right it brings divided factions together and silences critics. It comes when critical issues or important decisions must be made.
As with all gifts, there does not have to be a strange vibe/trance.
Often so natural, there is a danger for pride.
Major decisions.
8 Utterance of knowledge:
The utterance of knowledge is different from regular knowledge.
In Jesus’ life:
Nathanael: John 1:48 (ESV) — 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
Specific knowledge: Not, someone here sat under a tree of some type at some point last month.
Pharisees: Mark 2:8 (ESV) — 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?
Woman at well: John 4:16–18 (ESV) — 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
In Scripture:
Elisha: 2 Kings 5:26 (ESV) — 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
Peter: Acts 5:3 (ESV) — 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
Definition: A word of knowledge that is designed to edify the church. It can be directed corporately, but is often directed towards individuals.
My life:
“Tell me why we’re really here.”
During a sermon.
Matt does not have the key.
The word of knowledge is given so the church may be edified. For many, it is a way of escape, a way to get out of the lifestyle they are stuck in.
9 Faith:
Different types of faith.
Theistic faith: I believe in God.
Saving faith: I believe in the gospel and am saved by it.
Sanctifying faith: I believe the promises of God and will grow by them.
The gift of faith: A supernatural ability to believe God in a particular situation.
There are times it is incredibly helpful to have a supernatural ability to believe in God.
Jesus’ life:
His whole life was a walk of faith.
Garden of Gethsemane: Mark 14:36 (ESV) — 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
In Scripture:
Caleb: Numbers 13:30 (ESV) — 30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Jonathan: 1 Samuel 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”
Peter and John: Acts 3:6 (ESV) — 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
This gift is great at major crossroads of life and ministry.
Marriage.
Witness.
Children.
Giving.
9 Healing:
The idea of medical care is not anti-Christ or unbiblical.
A doctor wrote Acts (Colossians 4:4 - the beloved physician).
Paul gave medical advice to Timothy.
Doctors can only do so much and are fallible.
Ultimately it is always God who heals.
(That’s what is so exciting about being a doctor: joining with God)
There are times God will supernaturally heal.
In Jesus’ life:
Really? He was the great physician.
Various and creative. No two healings were the same.
Created an audience for His message.
Prepared an audience for the Apostles’ message.
In Scripture:
Abimelech and his household: Genesis 20:17 (ESV) — 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.
Church: People were healed in the shadow of Peter (Acts 5:15). Others were healed through Paul’s handkerchiefs or aprons (Acts 19:12).
Today: James 5:13–15 (ESV) — 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Why isn’t everyone healed?
1 — Fellowship of His sufferings.
2 — Fellowship with their sufferings.
3 — They all will be eventually.
4 — I don’t really know.
10 Working of miracles:
There are times God will go outside of the natural realm and miraculously work.
In Jesus’ life:
Fish and loaves.
Walking on water.
Calming the storm.
In Scripture:
Red Sea.
Water from rock.
NT: freed from prison, earthquake, snakebite.
Note the commonality: it was all for the furtherance of the kingdom, not for personal comfort or gain.
Ex: gold dust or diamonds.
Why is there a lack today?
1 — Is there really a lack?
2 — Little faith.
Nazareth: Matthew 13:58 (ESV) — 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
3 — Little corporate prayer.
4 — Wrong motivations.
5 — Wrong need.
Why are there so few, if any, with these spiritual gifts?
1 — Seem reserved for revival periods.
2 — They are tempting gifts to possess.
Culture: fame.
Often abused.
10 Prophecy: A big one…which we will get to more fully in chapter 14.
10 The ability to distinguish between spirits: There are three types of discernment: natural, spiritual, and supernatural.
Supernatural discernment goes above and beyond spiritual discernment.
We often don’t consider the spiritual realm.
War — Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) — 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Transformed looks — 2 Corinthians 11:14–15 (ESV) — 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Disguised — Matthew 7:15 (ESV) — 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
God sees all.
The gift of discerning of spirits enables a person to tap into God’s knowledge.
Definition: “The supernatural ability God gives to read into the heart and motives of a man; or to see into the true spiritual nature of a matter… for the purpose of either advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ or protecting the body of Christ.” (Bill Holdridge)
In Jesus’ life:
Men — John 2:24–25 (ESV) — 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Judas — John 6:64 (ESV) — 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
In Scripture:
Peter — Acts 8:23 (ESV) — 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
Simon had become a sidekick to Philip (Acts 8:9-13). Peter saw that he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity (Acts 8:20-23).
Paul — Acts 13:9–10 (ESV) — 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
In Paphos, Cyprus before Sergius Paulus, Elymas the sorcerer sought to oppose them. Paul had insight.
This is a great gift for leadership to operate in.
We trust our guts too often.
Ushers, deacons, pastors.
I hardly ever get this.
10 Various kinds of tongues / Interpretation of tongues: I will save these two for later, if you don’t mind.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
11 As he wills: Not as you will.
MANY IMPORTANT PARTS 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
12 The body: The church is referred to as a family, a flock, a holy nation, a temple, and a kingdom.
The church is referred to here as a body.
Jesus is the head (1 Cor. 11:3, Eph. 1:22).
The church is the body (Eph. 1:23).
The mystical, spiritual body of Christ is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Ps 139:14 - Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made.
One should be amazed at the diverse complexity of the human body.
We should be amazed at the diverse complexity of the body of Christ.
Paul had some simple lessons for the Corinthian church regarding body-life.
We are unified.
We are diverse.
We need one another.
We are individuals - ordered - who must do our part.
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized [no water] into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
One Spirit / all baptized: Spirit baptizing us into the body (not Jesus into Spirit). All in Christ are ONE.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be?
19 Single member: God’s perfect design, will, and pleasure has made you who you are.
Your membership is intentional.
By focusing on another role you forget about your role.
The body of Christ needs your gifts!
Be yourself.
Be content with yourself.
Be fulfilled by Jesus, not your role.
AND ONE IMPORTANT BODY 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor [clothing], and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
26 Suffer / Rejoice together: The body suffers and is honored together.
Quote, Chrysostom (Golden-mouth, 407AD): "When a thorn enters the heel, the whole body feels it, and is concerned: the back bends, the belly and thighs contract themselves, the hands come forward and draw out the thorn, the head stoops, and the eyes regard the affected member with intense gaze".
Suffer with one another.
Rejoice with one another.
27 Now you are the body of Christ [POINT 2] and individually members of it [POINT 1]
27 Individually: We are unified. We are diverse. We need one another. We are individuals.
Individuals must respond individually to their role within the body of Christ.
2 Tim 1:6 - I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you.
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
28 God has appointed: Paul will run down a partial list of individuals within the church - not exhaustive.
28 God has appointed: His appointment, not of man or an institution.
28 Apostles: The original apostles.
Some people seem to have a gift for going out.
They are pioneers who must be on the move.
28 Prophets: The office and the gift. The gift is for edification, exhortation, and comfort (14:3). We will see this more fully in 1 Corinthians 14.
28 Teachers: Gift of teaching (Rom 12:7).
Jesus: Cut to the heart of the issue (Mt 5-7). Taught with authority (Mt 7:28-29).
The teaching gift is used in a multitude of formats.
28 Helps: The gift to joyfully assist. Literally - to take away and remove.
Jesus: Breakfast (Jn 21). Washed feet (Jn 13).
In the rest of Scripture:
Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18).
Romans 16:3 (ESV) — 3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus...
Phoebe — Romans 16:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
Aaron and Hur helped Moses hold up his rod in the battle against Amalek (Exodus 17:11-12).
They are assistant leaders.
They would be horrified if I mentioned them today.
28 Administrations: Governments - the ability to lead something at the helm - trailblazer vs. helmsman.
Greek: Some translations say governments. Kubernao means to govern, but it also means to steer, to pilot, to direct. It appears to be a gift that relates to leading and guiding others.
There is a gift of leadership, but it appears to be a little less hands-on and more of overseeing. This gift seems to indicate an ability to have your hands involved with actually moving a group of people.
Jesus: The 12, the 3, the 1.
They are able to organize well.
They are able to direct well.
28 Tongues: Mentioned last. We will treat in chapter 14.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way [LOVE].
31 Earnestly desire: Crave the best gifts - the ones needed at that particular moment. Not necessarily for yourself personally, but for the body corporately. Be the best individual you can be!
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Without love there is no real ministry.
Without love there is an annoyance at work.
Without love there is an emptiness of impact.
Paul had been speaking about the life of the body of Christ.
No matter how gifted we are, without love we are a weak body.
Paul is going to define love in this chapter.
We usually use only one word to express different levels of love.
Ex. I love In-N-Out, Adidas, the Dodgers, my wife, and Jesus Christ.
The Greeks had different words for love.
Eros: A sexual love, a craving for sexually.
Phileo: A deep love for friends and family, a mutual love.
Agape: Only known by Holy Spirit, it gives with no expectation of return.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
4 Patient: Puts up with a long time. Peter learned this from Jesus (Mt. 18:21-22).
4 Envy: Jealous and unsatisfied, coveting.
4 Arrogant: Parade. No need to make yourself look good or announce you love.
5 Rude: Unbecoming. The word means to act unsuitable for the situation.
7 Bears / Believes / Hopes / Endures: In the sense of believing the best about a person.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
8 Ends: These things are needed on this earth, but will fail, cease, and vanish away for eternity.
9 In part: Everything we do know is according to a partial revelation.
12 Know: I will know God through and through. This will happen in heaven. We won’t need faith, hope, spiritual gifts, or learning when we arrive in His presence. They will be put away like kid toys.
13 Love: Continue in faith, hope, and love. Love is the most greatest of all of them.