•I Corinthians 12:27-31
•Congregational Purpose
•27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 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. 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.
(I Corinthians 12:27-31, ESV)
•Main Point
•Paul concludes the “body” imagery he has used when it comes to the congregation
•It isn’t that one gift is greater than another, but to recognize that through the diversity there is unity when we are under the Lordship of Jesus
•We all need to walk in humility remembering God has placed each of us where we are for His purpose
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose
•Paul has shown the necessity of many parts for the whole
•Oftentimes we are so individually focused we completely ignore the ramifications of what Paul is saying
•There is an incredible temptation to simply give up on the congregation
•Those who believe…it would be far easier for them spiritually to separate
•Sometimes it is necessary to separate from a congregation because of unfaithful leadership
•Especially if the congregation as a whole shows no desire for discipline, but simply allows the leadership to continue
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (2)
•Most people do not leave because of abject moral failures
•It is often the subjective which causes individuals to leave
•There have been times when I would like to see things done differently
•It requires humility, recognizing I may be wrong
•If I were to leave…what good would it do in the end?
•Each gift is given not for the individual person but for the betterment of the congregation
•I would be lacking more by walking away
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (3)
•If I remain humble, then if things do not go exactly my way then I will be alright
•I can be faithful in my calling to lead in the way God has called
•It is true that the Lord may give each of us wisdom and knowledge
•Any knowledge which encourages us to separate from the congregation for anything more than complete unfaithfulness should be questioned
•Does this mean being part of the congregation is necessary for salvation?
•If you are not gifted with teaching, knowledge, wisdom
•Do you see how much you’d be lacking?
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (4)
•Paul recognizes that all are given gifts by God for His purposes
•It is for God’s glory for us to be mutually submissive to each other in regards to the different gifts we have been given
•Even if the apostles were gifted in everything they did not utilize them all simultaneously
•They saw where they were called to be most faithful and focused on that
•For me it is preaching/teaching for you it might be something else
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (5)
•You do not want me to build things!
•Does this mean that I am less?
•No. It just means I am called to deal with a particular need
•Let’s say you are in need of something being built
•You do not need a theological exposition on the Trinity and the way each person of the Trinity relates to time
•You need someone who can lead the project for this need
•Leadership is not just teaching and preaching
•Some say we are in desperate need of good preachers and teachers
•Preachers and teachers are just as in need of others to lead as well!
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (6)
•Preachers and teachers are not the end all be all
•You might be called to something more specific
•Leading a prayer group, small group, worship, discipleship, helping others with a need
•The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be faithful to the calling God has given me, and be thankful for the calling God has given everyone else!
•Instead of being jealous, instead of allowing the belief that pastors are dictators, pastors are in need of faithful people around them as well
•Application Points
•Congregational Purpose (7)
•Where are you called to serve?
•Are you called to help others spiritually? Physically?
•Where are you called to be most faithful?
•“Lord how can I be used for Your congregation?”
•“How can I be used to better Your body?”
•“Lord, how can I be humble before You, seeing the perfect design You have made with imperfect people such as myself?”
•Together we are the body of Christ
•Be willing to serve one another for the sake of the Lord, knowing that when we bless each other in faithfulness, He receives the blessing and the glory as well
•Application Points
•The Gospel of Christ
•Origins
•Where it begins
•Fall
•What went wrong
•Redemption
•How it is fixed
•Glorification
•Where it at leads
