Bible Study - Priceless (6) - Used in GOD'S Service - 1 Cor. 12:12-16, 21-22; 1 Peter 4:9-11 - January 10, 2016

Bible Study – Priceless (6) – Used in GOD’S Service – January 10, 2016

This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “Priceless” Finding Your Value in GOD.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians12:12-16, 21-22; 1 Peter 4:9-11.

Let’s consider the Gifts of the Spirit and Fruit of the Spirit?

Gifts of the Spirit come from GOD to minister and benefit others. The fruit of the Spirit is produced through the process of sanctification and being firmly and intimately grafted into the CHRIST the True and Living Vine through which the Gifts of the Spirit can be manifested. Spiritual Fruit is produced through an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST. Yes, through the building of an intimate relationship with CHRIST, GOD can manifest Gifts of the Spirit. 

In last week’s study we focused on the fact that GOD gives Spiritual Gifts to Christians. Christians can desire certain Gifts but it is up to GOD to give them to us. HE will never give us something to us that will harm us.

This lesson focuses on the importance of Spiritual Gifts to the Spiritual body or the true church which may be housed in the brick and mortar church. It is vital and imperative that the Spiritual body function in unity and harmony with the Trinity and with each Gifted Christian within the Spiritual body.

Paul used the human body to make this point clear to us and the Apostle Peter highlighted the importance of Gifted Christians using their Gifts.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:12-16:

12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body-so also is Christ. 

13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 

14 So the body is not one part but many. 

15 If the foot should say, "Because I'm not a hand, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body.

16 And if the ear should say, "Because I'm not an eye, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 

Gifts of the Spirit unify the Spiritual body to minister to each other and to the world. Paul stated again the unity of the Jews and Greeks or slaves or free in CHRIST. All have been born into GOD’S family through the miracle of rebirth through faith in CHRIST. Once born into GOD’S family Christians function in unity and harmony with each other and the leadership of GOD through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Dr. Henry Blackaby has an excellent example of this in the workbook he and Dr. Claude King authored entitled, “Experiencing God” published by LifeWay, Nashville, TN.

He used a stick figure of a person walking down a railroad track. The person who was looking forward clearly saw as far as the eye could see that no train was coming toward him. But the ears told the man, “I hear a train coming.” The eyes said “Oh, no. As far as I can see there is no train coming.” The feet then told the man, “I feel the rumble under my feet which tells me that a train is coming.” The eyes again reiterated “No, as far as I can see there is no train coming toward us.” The problem was that the train was coming from behind the person.

In the Spiritual body, GOD Gifts Christians to know certain things others within the body do not perceive; this fosters the need for unity. Those Gifted alert the Spiritual body of certain things revealed through their Gifts. When there is unity and harmony within the Spiritual body it functions according to the will and purpose of CHRIST, the head of the Spiritual body.

When the Spiritual body ignores the warnings of those Gifted, it is headed for Spiritual trouble.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:17-21:

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 

18 But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted. 

19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 

20 Now there are many parts, yet one body. 

Just as the human body has many parts for it to function properly, so does the Spiritual body have many parts. Each within the Spiritual body has a specific function, Gift, and that function is vital to the health of the Spiritual body.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:21-22:

21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" nor again the head to the feet, "I don't need you!" 

22 On the contrary, all the more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. 

In our human body, we do not realize how much we depend upon a certain part until it becomes incapacitated.

Years ago, we had a neighbor who fell and broke both arms and had casts on both arms for months. He had to depend on his wife for many of his needs. When certain parts of the body go on the blink, we often do not realize its importance until it is impaired. Let’s consider what the Apostle Peter wrote in our next scripture regarding Spiritual Gifts.

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:9-11:

9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 

10 Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 

11 If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Hospitality was very important in the early days. There was not a motel on every corner. They did have some Inns. Hospitality was necessary to family, friends and strangers during those days. The Apostle Peter made it a point those Gifted should use their Gifts, especially the Gift of hospitality.

The Apostle Peter continued to focus on other Gifts – speaking and service – Gifts should always be used to glorify GOD through our relationship with JESUS.

Whatever a Christian does or says should be according to GOD’S plan and purpose, which comes from having an intimate, personal, dynamic relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Again, as we studied in our last study, GOD, the Father, GOD, The Son and GOD, The Holy Spirit all come together to lead, guide and manifest the Gifts of the Spirit within the Christian and the Spiritual body.

Both Apostles emphasized the importance of those Gifted using their Gifts for the good of the Spiritual body. All Christians have at least one Gift and no Gift is insignificant. Any Gift from GOD is of great importance and vital to serve in the function of GOD’S kingdom.

Are you using your Gift or Gifts for the Glory of GOD and to function within the Spiritual body? If not, why not? Blessings!!!