I Corinthians 12:28-31 Status Update: Our Identity is in Christ not Gifts

Proposition: A firm grasp of who we are in Christ helps us better understand the gift of the Holy Spirit and the variety of ways He works through us everyday. 

Here's a problem we have:

We have a limited view of God's works because we typically reject what we don't see or understand. Most of us are only comfortable with things we've experienced. We'll even come up with all kinds of reasons to discredit whatever is outside our comfort zone. This just tells me we're too focused on self and would rather have a God Who fits in a box.

“27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way.”

Our focus must be the Holy Spirit…not gifts! It can be easy to overlook Paul's main point in this chapter and we often do.  Why? Because most of the verses are illustrations of his point and discuss the various body parts.

Yet there's a far more crucial question at the root of this chapter. It is NOT... “Which gift do I have?” or “What is my role?” or “What should I do?” In fact, this is often our struggle in Bible reading...we try to apply before we understand the point.  Let’s keep a couple things in mind:  The Bible is first about God before it's about anything else. The Bible is a revelation of HIM.

So what is the point of chapter 12? The real clue is found in 12:7... “How is God's Spirit displaying himself?”  Paul wants us to consider the manifestation of the Spirit, not the manifestation of the gifts. Therefore the “gifts” are not really our works, rather the “gift” is the Spirit of God (John 16:7-15).  This gift of God's Spirit in us then manifests itself in all kinds of ways every single day.

Thinking about “What is my gift?” can cause us to miss opportunities for God to work through us. If I think, “My gift is preaching to crowds” then I'm relatively useless 6 days per week but if I think, “God will display Himself through me every day” won't that make me more useful? (Rom 12:1-2) I don't need a label I just need to serve…presenting myself daily God's service.

The whole point comes back to your identity (vs. 1-3).  What you do is always rooted in who you are BECAUSE who you are in Christ never changes even if your role/gift does.      The more we're sure of who we are, the more open to the Spirit we can be.         This can also help prevent having an identity crisis regardless of how things change.    

Challenges:

Am I defining myself by my role or by my relationship with Christ?
Is my focus on MY works or on GOD'S “gift/work” within me?
How is God's Spirit displaying Himself through me at this moment?
Do I see myself as part of the whole body & responsible to build it?

Songs With This Sermon:

First Noel
Hark The Herald
What Child
Son of God Came Down
Emmanuel