God's Dream By Tim Badal (1 Corinthians 12)
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that God has uniquely designed the church to function as a unified body, each member playing a vital role. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 12, we delved into the metaphor of the church as a body, emphasizing that just as a body has many parts, each with its own function, so does the church. This unity in diversity is crucial for the church to fulfill its mission effectively.
We began by acknowledging the challenges of disunity that plagued the Corinthian church, which are not unlike those we face today. Division, whether based on ethnicity, economic status, or personal preferences, can hinder the church's mission. Paul reminds us that we are all baptized into one body, regardless of our backgrounds, and we share in the same Spirit. This unity is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should be evident in our interactions and ministry.
The analogy of the church as a team was further illustrated by comparing it to historical sports teams known for their teamwork rather than individual stardom. Just as these teams achieved greatness through unity and collaboration, the church is called to work together, each member contributing their unique gifts for the common good and the glory of God.
We also discussed the importance of recognizing and valuing every member's contribution, whether visible or behind the scenes. Spiritual superiority and inferiority have no place in the body of Christ. Every role, from preaching to nursery care, is indispensable. The church thrives when all members, regardless of their perceived prominence, are honored and encouraged to use their gifts.
Finally, we were challenged to earnestly desire the "higher gifts," not in terms of ranking but in their impact for the kingdom. The true measure of a gift's greatness lies in its use for others and its saturation with love. As we continue our journey through 1 Corinthians, let us commit to being a church that embodies unity, diversity, and love, working together as God's dream team to make His wisdom known to the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Diversity: The church is a body with many parts, each uniquely gifted by God. Our unity is rooted in our shared baptism and participation in the Spirit, transcending divisions of ethnicity, economics, and personal preferences. This unity is essential for fulfilling our mission. [13:26]
2. The Value of Every Member: Every member of the church, regardless of their role, is indispensable. Spiritual superiority and inferiority have no place in the body of Christ. We must honor and encourage each member to use their gifts for the common good. [27:09]
3. The Church as a Team: Like historical sports teams known for their teamwork, the church is called to work together, each member contributing their unique gifts. This collaboration is crucial for achieving greatness in our mission. [08:27]
4. The Importance of Hidden Roles: Many vital roles in the church are unseen, yet they are crucial for its functioning. We must recognize and appreciate these roles, understanding that the church's success depends on the faithful service of all its members. [34:55]
5. Desiring the Higher Gifts: The true greatness of a gift lies in its use for others and its saturation with love. We are called to use our gifts in a way that brings mega good and glory to God, focusing on others rather than ourselves. [38:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:28] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 12
- [08:27] - The Church as a Team
- [13:26] - Unity in Diversity
- [18:10] - Baptism and Communion as Symbols of Unity
- [23:47] - Embracing Our Unique Roles
- [27:09] - The Value of Every Member
- [30:42] - Spiritual Superiority and Inferiority
- [34:55] - The Importance of Hidden Roles
- [38:16] - Desiring the Higher Gifts
- [42:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
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Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 12 to describe the church, and how does it illustrate the concept of unity in diversity? [08:27]
2. According to the sermon, what were some of the divisions present in the Corinthian church, and how did they affect the church's mission? [13:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of baptism and communion in promoting unity within the church? [18:10]
4. What examples from historical sports teams were used in the sermon to illustrate the importance of teamwork in the church? [08:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 help us understand the importance of each member's unique role within the church? [23:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual superiority and inferiority can harm the church's unity and mission? [30:42]
3. How does the sermon challenge the common perception of "important" and "hidden" roles within the church? [34:55]
4. What does it mean to desire the "higher gifts" as described in the sermon, and how does this relate to the concept of love? [38:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own role within the church. Are there ways you can better use your unique gifts to contribute to the church's mission? How can you start doing this? [23:47]
2. Have you ever felt spiritually superior or inferior to others in the church? How can you address these feelings to promote unity? [30:42]
3. Think about a time when you witnessed or experienced division within the church. What steps can you take to help bridge such divisions in the future? [13:26]
4. How can you actively recognize and appreciate the "hidden" roles within your church community? What specific actions can you take to show appreciation this week? [34:55]
5. Consider the sermon’s challenge to desire the "higher gifts" for the benefit of others. What is one way you can use your gifts to serve others with love this week? [38:16]
6. Reflect on the analogy of the church as a team. How can you encourage collaboration and teamwork in your small group or church community? [08:27]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can focus more on Jesus and less on personal preferences or divisions. What practical steps can you take to make this change? [18:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
The church is a body with many parts, each uniquely gifted by God. Our unity is rooted in our shared baptism and participation in the Spirit, transcending divisions of ethnicity, economics, and personal preferences. This unity is essential for fulfilling our mission. The metaphor of the church as a body, as described in 1 Corinthians 12, highlights the importance of each member's unique role. Just as a body cannot function properly without all its parts, the church cannot fulfill its mission without the diverse contributions of its members. This unity in diversity is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should be evident in our interactions and ministry. [13:26]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person in your church community who is different from you in background or perspective. How can you reach out to them this week to foster unity and understanding?
Day 2: The Value of Every Member
Every member of the church, regardless of their role, is indispensable. Spiritual superiority and inferiority have no place in the body of Christ. We must honor and encourage each member to use their gifts for the common good. The church thrives when all members, regardless of their perceived prominence, are honored and encouraged to use their gifts. This means recognizing the value of every role, from preaching to nursery care, and understanding that each contribution is vital to the church's mission. [27:09]
"On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty." (1 Corinthians 12:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a role in your church that is often overlooked or undervalued. How can you show appreciation and support to someone serving in that role this week?
Day 3: The Church as a Team
Like historical sports teams known for their teamwork, the church is called to work together, each member contributing their unique gifts. This collaboration is crucial for achieving greatness in our mission. The analogy of the church as a team emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mutual support. Just as successful sports teams achieve greatness through unity and teamwork, the church is called to work together, each member contributing their unique gifts for the common good and the glory of God. [08:27]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you worked as part of a team. How can you apply those principles of teamwork to your involvement in the church community?
Day 4: The Importance of Hidden Roles
Many vital roles in the church are unseen, yet they are crucial for its functioning. We must recognize and appreciate these roles, understanding that the church's success depends on the faithful service of all its members. Often, the most important contributions are made by those who serve behind the scenes. These hidden roles are essential for the church's functioning and success. Recognizing and appreciating these roles helps to foster a culture of gratitude and mutual respect within the church community. [34:55]
"And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable." (1 Corinthians 12:21-22, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a behind-the-scenes role in your church that you may have taken for granted. How can you express gratitude to someone serving in that capacity this week?
Day 5: Desiring the Higher Gifts
The true greatness of a gift lies in its use for others and its saturation with love. We are called to use our gifts in a way that brings mega good and glory to God, focusing on others rather than ourselves. The call to desire the "higher gifts" is not about seeking prominence but about seeking to serve others with love and humility. The true measure of a gift's greatness lies in its impact for the kingdom and its saturation with love. As we use our gifts, we should focus on how they can benefit others and bring glory to God. [38:16]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the gifts God has given you. How can you use one of these gifts this week to serve someone in your community with love and humility?
Quotes
"To that end, we find ourselves in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and we are gonna be in a study of spiritual gifts that we started last week through chapters 12, 13, and 14. And we're gonna learn all of what our giftings that God has given us to live out within the church and in the world are to be used for the good of those around us and for the glory of God." [00:04:40] (24 seconds)
"You see, what God has done is he's created a team here. He didn't plan it to be done by a superstar. Within the church, there's one superstar, and his name is Jesus Christ. And so we are the team that is surrounded by him, that we're following his modeling, and this team is filled with role players." [00:05:37] (23 seconds)
"And so God has placed Village Bible Church in this place and in this moment for unique opportunity for us to work together and to use our gifts to make known the things of God to the world around us. We're going to do that in our close community where we live and where we do life, but we're also going to put people on planes and we're going to send them to the other most parts of the world to use their gifts to make much of Jesus throughout the world." [00:09:07] (30 seconds)
"And so here's this church, it's divided. It's dividing itself into preferences and categories and as a result of that, the church is ineffective in the calling that God has given. But what was true in the first century is true in the 21st century. As long as the devil has us in disunity, we will never be the dream team God wants us to be. It will never happen." [00:13:10] (26 seconds)
"And so he says, what unites us together? We are united together because God is our creator. And notice he says, we are one body. Well, who created that body? It's God. And God not only created the body, but God has welcomed into that body all of the people that you see here today. You don't get to say who gets to be here. You don't get to define who gets in and who doesn't." [00:15:09] (28 seconds)
"And so as we are baptized, and as we eat the bread and drink the cup, those two moments are the most specific moments where we take our eyes off of ourselves and we turn our eyes on to Jesus you see when we sing a song you can sing a song here and be thinking about yourself and your issues and your struggles and all of that it can become very individual you can do that while we pray you can do that as I preach a sermon but it is very hard to do as someone is being baptized it's very hard to do as we partake in communion." [00:19:38] (37 seconds)
"And so notice Paul now moves and he's gonna say this. We all have a part. He uses the word melos. Melos means members in the English. We're different parts. It was used in the body to speak of different limbs and different organs. That the body of Christ is made up of unique members with different functions. But each part, though different, is essential. Now, why is it essential? Because God, the creator, made it such." [00:22:50] (35 seconds)
"And what God is saying is, listen. I'm creating a picture and to do so, I'm doing it with lots of different pieces. And each piece has its unique shape to it. Some of the pieces in one part have a part that protrudes out of them. This is a strength. This is the part of them that is used to fill the area lacking in other pieces." [00:23:46] (30 seconds)
"This church, listen to me very carefully, is not built on its preaching or its worship team. It is built on countless, countless, countless people that are serving the body of Christ in the good times and the bad, when it's clean and pretty and when it's messy and gross. And that is why God is blessing this place." [00:38:54] (24 seconds)
"And the church of Corinth said, yeah, this gift was a mega gift, this gift wasn't. That's not what Paul is saying. What Paul is communicating is, whatever gift you have, if you wanna make it mega, two things need to be a reality. Make it about others, and saturate it with love. Make it about others, not about yourself, and in chapter 13 he's gonna say, I'm gonna show you a more excellent way that I'm using my gift for others, and I'm doing so out of a heart of love." [00:43:21] (32 seconds)