" The Spirit Gives Us His Gifts for the Profit of All" I Corinthians 12:7

" The Spirit Gives Us His Gifts for the Profit of All" I Corinthians 12:7

 

   Today one of our lessons focuses on how the Church works together and how God gives His gifts of grace to each member so that all may profit.  The church at Corinth was known for its problems.  There were divisions among them 1:11 (“ contentions”); they were often focused on the wrong thing in failing to appreciate the gift of love which was the best gift 12:31.  In a culture that valued smooth speech and words of human wisdom, the Apostle reminds them that he was sent “ to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 1:17  He tells them to not build on any certain man …one says , “ I am of Paul; and another , I am of Apollos”  but to build on the the foundation of Jesus Christ.  They had a huge problem in adopting the views of the culture instead of the spiritual ideas and concepts that had been revealed to them through the gospel.  They allowed sexual immorality in the church 5:1 and even contemplated if not actually went to the secular courts to sue other brothers and sisters.  6:1  Their view of marriage was not totally adequate and he talks about that in chapter 7. 

 

   Today we ask what has God given to us in the church that we may see all profit? First, God has given us life and we celebrate God’s gift of life to us. Without life we could not enjoy what God has so richly given to us by His grace.  We celebrate human life and its sacredness in this life.  We know that we as humans are not just like the animals for God said in Genesis 1:26 ,” Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….”  2:7 “ And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Men and women can communicate with their Creator through prayer and appreciating the good things that He has given.

 

  In the church in Corinth , “ the body of Christ” 12:27 the Lord developed it through different gifts of His grace through the Holy Spirit.  “ the word of wisdom” 12:8 , the “ word of knowledge”, “ faith”, “ gifts of healings”, “ the workings of miracles”, to another “ prophecy”…tongues and all these works the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally as He will.”  Interesting that Paul ranks these gifts in the reverse order of how the Corinthians valued them.  Charles Erdman said, “ They may no longer be granted to Christians, but their counterparts are found in the various and differing talents possessed by the followers of Christ.”  We find that in the  early church they were needed.  Are all apostles? prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues?  ….and moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.”  These expect a negative answer in the Greek construct.  In others words the gifts were operative for a time in the church for its formation and its development.  Today we are blessed to have God’s Word which is His will.  We do not have a need for apostles or prophets.  They spoke God’s Word directly and received it from him. 

 

   That being said we can see that God does give various gifts today to His people in the Church.  Some of us are more emotional than others.  Some of us are more withdrawn. God uses each and all.  Some of us have talents that others do not have.   “ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.” 12:7

 

    “ Christianity superior to heathenism in the matter of truth” as one commentator puts it.  “ In heathenism there rules a dark and soul-darkening power by which its devotees are blindly impelled.  There they have no revelation----no Spirit diffusing life and light…There everything tends to keep down the people in a state of childish ignorance …and dependence.  Precisely the opposite of this is seen in Christianity ----the truth and radiance, the light and life of the Divine Spirit: hence also an elevation to maturity and independence; hence the free offer of tokens by which to test the truth.” Christian Kling, I Corinthians.

 

    Today let us celebrate God’s gift of life and His Spirit that we may all grow together into Christ more fully in His Church.  And the greatest of God’s spiritual gifts is love through the Holy Spirit. 13:13  “ Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; where there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man I have put away childish things…But now abides faith, hope , love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”