Practical Christianity - Two (An Outline by David Frampton)

Practical Christianity: A Place for You

1 Corinthians 12:7-26

Introduction:

1. In this message we will seek to build on some teachings about the Christian and the church that we all should know:

The church is the spiritual body of Christ
Every follower of Christ is a member of his spiritual body
Everyone in Christ’s body shares many blessings: new life, the position of an adult son, the standing of a priest, and the possession of one or more spiritual gifts to equip each one for ministry in the body
These truths have a global and local significance. God has a place for your church in the universal church; God has a place for you in your church

2. I am not going to demonstrate these truths in this message, since the intent of this series is practical, not doctrinal. Instead, let’s talk about your place in this local body of believers.

Exposition:

I. Each of us is given a place in the body by the Holy Spirit

A. No Christian is left out. 12:7

1. Everyone has a significant place to fill. Our Sovereign Lord has formed each of us with a unique combination of personality, genetic material, experiences and spiritual gifts to display his glory in special ways.

2. Each part of the body will be in the process of development or decline. This can be very complex! Surprising as it may sound; you might be improving in some areas and declining in others. What is your spiritual health?

B. This place is for the common good. 12:7

1. We live in a very “me-centered” time. “What is in this church for me?” is the only question many seem to consider. The two basic questions about any church are: Does it delight in God’s truth? Does it delight to love God and people? All other matters are secondary.

Illustration: Do I dare illustrate this point?

2. However, the Holy Spirit wants us to understand that he places us in a local church “for the common good”. Yes, we all are needy people in various ways. But we cannot look at a church from the standpoint of “what is this church doing for me?” That attitude has crippled churches for years. I dare to ask, “What are you doing for the good of the church?”

C. The Spirit equips each one for his/her place in the body. 12:8-11

1. The Spirit of God does not thrust Christ’s people into positions unprepared. He gives each person special abilities to minister in the body for the common good. Compare Rm 12:6-8; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Pt 4:10-11.

2. Every member has a function to fulfill. For example, those gifted with the gift of showing mercy need to step in and do the job when there is a need for mercy.

Point: If you see a need in our fellowship of believers and think that you know how to meet that need, the Lord might be calling you to serve and to meet that need.

D. The Spirit determines what place each one has. 12:11

1. There is no reason to “seek the gifts”, as many use the term, since the Spirit gives according to God’s own pleasure. The church as a whole needs the greater gifts of the ministry of the word (which I think is the meaning of 12:31). We can be sure that the Lord has very good reasons for giving people the gifts that he does.

2. This ought to cause us to appreciate and admire the Spirit’s will. However, there are times when Christians do not like the way the Spirit has given gifts. They desire a particular gift or are distressed about the way that the Lord has put his body together. I think it is wise to avoid such conflicts with the Sovereign Spirit. Beware of grieving the Spirit in the name of seeking a religious experience.

Apply: Are you fulfilling a function of this local church? This is your responsibility.

II. There are a variety of functions in the body. 12:14

A. This is illustrated by hands, feet, eyes, ears and noses. 12:15-18

1. We should see that there are clearly defined bodily functions and parts of the body to fulfill those functions.

2. People with spiritual gifts perform a spiritual function in the local church. Your position in the church is an adult son; you have authority to minister because you are a priest; the place of your ministry is determined by God. To use the illustration, God makes you, a priest and an adult son, a hand, a foot, an eye, an ear or a nose.

B. Many parts are necessary in the body for all spiritual functions to be fulfilled. 12:17

1. A few people cannot possibly do everything. God does not intend them to!

2. The tragedy is that people gifted by the Spirit are not fulfilling their function. This means that some parts of body ministry are left unfulfilled and other parts are weakly done by members unequipped to do them.

Illustration: Try lifting your fork to your mouth with your ear! I don’t think the job will be done very well. If you are thinking, “That’s ridiculous! You can’t pick up a fork with your ear!” then you might be able to understand the weakness of the contemporary church.

C. In every local church, God arranges the parts as he intended. 12:18-20

1. If God has saved you and brought you here, he clearly has a purpose for you to fulfill here. God wants you to experience the joy of fulfilling his purpose for you.

2. You find your purpose by learning the needs of the body and your desires and abilities in reference to those needs. Others should notice your gifts. But you can’t wait for others to push you to do it. I don’t want to tell my liver every morning, “Please do your liver thing, whatever it is.”

III. Every part of the body is needed. 12:21-26

A. We must accept each other in the body and value the contribution of each person. 12:21

1. I might not be able to approve of everything you do. You might not particularly want me as your close friend. But for Christ’s sake we must accept one another in love and spur one another on to love and good works.

2. There is a place for “other-esteem” in the church. We must see each other with the Lord’s eyes. Yes, we will see failures and weaknesses, but we should also see the grace of the Lord, and seeing that, prize each other highly.

B. Everyone in the body must have a concern for everyone else. 12:25

1. What about special friends? They are not a problem as long as the friendship is holy, and then they become very beneficial to the whole body. But do not neglect the whole for the sake of the few.

2. The local church is a spiritual body, and it only develops as the parts of the body enjoy spiritual fellowship with each other.

Comment: Local churches grow for many reasons: a good location, enthusiastic inviters, an upbeat, contemporary music program, a watered down message that offends no one, for being large enough so that those attending can do nothing but attend and enjoy the big crowd, because they promise healing and prosperity to the faithful, etc. Some actually grow because they are faithful to the Lord, according to the light they have! But we need to ask: what is growing—a church or a new kind of social club?

C. The spiritual health of each part affects the spiritual health of the whole body. 12:26

1. Your holiness and sinfulness affect more than you. They affect all of us.

2. The best course of action is to walk with the Lord in holiness, love, joy and peace and share these blessings with others. If you are taking steps toward heaven with the Lord, why not share that with others?