- “For as the body is one and has many members, but all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
- For by One Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
- For in fact the body is not one member but many.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NKJV)
• The body of Christ is one, but with many members
- Every member of Christ’s body is baptized into the body through one Spirit. We were made to drink into one Spirit (Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 3:11).
• Every part of the body has its function
- Members depend on each other for the growth of the body (1 Corinthians 12:15-21).
- Each member of the body must do its part, function well, for the body to work effectively and grow.
“from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies according to the effective working BY WHICH EACH PART DOES ITS SHARE, CAUSE GROWTH OF THE BODY for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:16 (NKJV) - If a part of the body failed to contribute its own part, the growth of the body would be affected negatively.
- Also, if a part is suffering pain, it will affect the whole body (1 Corinthians 12:26).
- We are members of Christ’s body, and individually members of one another (Romans 12:5).
- “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
- Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
1 Corinthians 12:26,27 (NKJV)
• We have different functions
- “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
- If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.
- If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the gift of showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
- Every believer has one or more of the seven motivational gifts mentioned above.
- These motivational gifts are inbuilt, that is, they are built in us at creation by God.
- These gifts characterize how we are motivated. They describe, show, individual’s qualities in a particular way.
- What moves you; what thrills you; what enthuses you; and what excites you.
- They show how individuals react and respond to things in general. How you are motivated about things generally.
- Thus, you need to discover the gifts inherent in you and put them to work.
- The gifts are to be used in building God’s kingdom on earth. They are for the growth of the body of Christ.
• No gift is less important!
- Every gift is important to the building of the church of Christ.
- Some people believe their gifts are not prominent thus they are not important. The fact that a gift is prominent does not mean it is important than other gifts.
• God rewards faithfulness
- It is what you do with your gifts that matters, not how prominent the gifts are.
Remember, you will give an account of your stewardship, how you use the gifts (Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). - Therefore, discover your gifts and put them to work.
- “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
- “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He [the Father] takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”John 15:1,2 (NKJV)
• You will not be unfruitful in Jesus’ name.
Peace!