Let's begin this study in prayer...
1 Timothy 3:14-16Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body; was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
In our previous study we saw that the church was not composed of
brick and mortar but composed of the true born again believers in the
Lord Jesus Christ. Lord willing in this study we will find out the
way that the church should operate and behave. Actually, the theme
for this topic is really provided to us in:
Romans 12:1-2
With this instruction in mind, let us begin.
I. INTRODUCTION
Romans 12:3-8
What is being given here is the instruction for the body of
Christ. The helping of each other, the functioning of the
body.
Notice vs 3 Each has a measure of faith.
4 We all do not have the same function.
6 We have gifts that differ.
NOTE: We are to exercise them.
With these points in mind, let us begin our study by reviewing the
Lord's call to us.
II. OUR CALL/LORD'S WILL
So let us begin by reading,
Ephesians 4:1-16
Now let us return and expand upon some key points....OK?
A. THE CALL
Ephesians 4:1-3
B. LAY ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES
Ephesians 4:4-6
C. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN GIFTS
Ephesians 4:7-13
Notice vs 12-13 The purpose: to build up the body of
Christ.
D. THE RESULT
Ephesians 4:14-16
Notice vs 14 not to be carried about with various
doctrines.
15 to mature in Christ.
With this in mind, let us now explore the intended working or
operation of the body of Christ. Hence,
III. OUR INSTRUCTION/GUIDE
A. THE TESTS
Since we are dealing with spiritual matters, the Lord has given us
tests to determine whether or not what is being said or
accomplished is of the Holy Spirit. We are to use them!!! They
are for our protection. So let us begin with a study of our
rulers, the tests.
1. THE SPIRIT MUST BEAR WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST
a. THAT HE (JESUS) IS LORD
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
b. THAT JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH
1 John 4:1-3
c. THAT JESUS CHRIST IS OUR SAVIOUR
1 John 2:22-23
2. THE SPIRIT MUST BEAR WITNESS OF THE GOSPEL
We find this test clearly given to us in,
Galatians 1:6-9
Finally, those operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
3. MUST BEAR FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To see this, let us read what Jesus said about recognizing
the false teacher/prophet.
Matthew 7:15-23
Notice vs 20 by their fruits you will know them.
Namely, if one is operating in the Holy Spirit, the fruits
of the Holy Spirit must also be present in their lives.
Now with these in mind, let us now review some of the spiritual
gifts that have been given to the church.
B. SOME GIFTS
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Observations:
vs 4,5 & 6 various gifts, functions (ministries)
and effects (degrees)
7 Very important: Each one given the manifestation
of the Spirit for the common good.
11 Same Spirit but the distribution is according
to His will.
Even though we all have been given gifts, it is important that we
all recognize that:
1. Each gift is extremely important.
2. The gifts are to be used.
and,
3. All believers belong to the body of Christ.
In order to see this, the Holy Spirit provides us with the
analogy of how each part of our physical body fits together to
form the whole.
C. THE ANALOGY OF THE BODY
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Let us now go back and reread each key element of this
instruction...OK?
1. INTRODUCTION
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
2. FIRST LESSON
This message is to those who do not feel worthy or do not
want to belong, thinking that they have nothing to
contribute.
1 Corinthians 12:14-20
3. SECOND LESSON
This message is to those who feel that they do not need the
rest of the members, thinking that they have it all put
together.
1 Corinthians 12:21-27
4. THIRD LESSON
Now let us continue by reading about some additional gifts
and the instruction that each one of us has our own
place/function within the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:28-31
QUESTION: What is this excellent way? Well, as it turns out,
III. THE EXCELLENT WAY IS LOVE
To see this, let us begin by reading,
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
As we have done before, let us now go back and explore in more depth
each key point. And so let us start with,
A. IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
QUESTION: Can we have spiritual gifts without love?
Well, we already read the answer to this question as part of the
spiritual tests to discern between true and false
teachers/prophets. However, since this issue is so important,
let us review again our Lord Jesus Christ's instruction/warning.
Matthew 7:15-20
Remember that one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is love.
QUESTION: Why is love so important?
Well, because it is one of the ways we know whether or not we
really know God. To see this, let us seriously consider the
following scriptures,
1 John 4:7-8
and again,
1 John 4:20-21
With all this in mind, let us now move on to,
B. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GODLY LOVE
We find these characteristics given to us in,
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
And finally we find that,
C. LOVE NEVER FAILS
To see this, let us now continue with,
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
QUESTION: What does this mean? What is our Lord saying?
I believe what is being said is that while upon this earth we
are mere children and that the revelations we have, languages
(tongues), knowledge, etc., are just glimpses and fragments. For
we only see the Lord in an incomplete way. We just see and
perceive only flashes of what is to come and what is. Thus, the
analogy of being as a child perceives his/her adulthood, what it
will be like and what he/she will be, so we perceive God's
Kingdom. As a child uses their instruments of learning, such as
toys, games, conversations etc., so it is with us and the gifts,
not that they are games and toys, but are instruments of growth
and learning. And what is the most glorious part of all is that
the purpose of our learning is for us to receive and grow in the
Faith, Hope and Love of Jesus Christ. For it is faith, hope and
love that will last from childhood to adulthood and that is what
our Lord cares about the most. And the greatest of these three
is LOVE.
QUESTION: Now that we understand that each one of us have spiritual
gifts and are key elements in the body of Christ, how are we to
function? In other words when we meet together in an assembly, how
are we to operate?
In order to find out, let us now review,
V. THE WAY TO FUNCTION/RULES OF ORDER
We find that the Bible teaches us that when we, the members of the
body of Christ come together it should be in an orderly fashion. To
see this, let us begin by realizing that,
A. OUR GATHERINGS ARE FOR EDIFICATION, i.e. HELP ONE ANOTHER
1 Corinthians 14:26
B. TONGUES WITHOUT INTERPRETATION IS TO BE AVOIDED
1 Corinthians 14:27-28
QUESTION: Why? Why must there be interpretation?
Well, we find our answer to this question by reading,
1 Corinthians 14:2-5
In other words, if I speak in tongues within the gathering without
interpretation, then no one would be able to understand and
hence no one would be edified.
Next we find that,
C. EACH PERSON IS TO TAKE TURNS
1 Corinthians 14:29-31
D. THERE MUST BE CONTROL
1 Corinthians 14:32-33
Namely, there is no excuse for two or more speaking at the same
time.
E. WOMEN ARE TO BE SILENT
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
F. THESE COMMANDS ARE FROM JESUS CHRIST
Now the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul tells us that these
instructions or commands are not the social or cultural issues
of the day or biases of Paul but come from our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ Himself. To see this, let us continue by reading,
1 Corinthians 14:36-38
And now he concludes by stating that,
G. ALL THINGS ARE TO BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
VI. CONCLUSION
And now with all this in mind, let us close with the following words
of exhortation.
Colossians 3:12-17
Let's end this study in prayer...
Jude 20-25But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
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