Make Room: Church

Illust: Cleaning out my shed

Why didn’t I have room to walk around? Not because I had too much stuff, but because the stuff that I had wasn’t in its proper place. I believe the same is true for the church. When we don’t operate out of our God given gifts, then ministries seem cluttered and disorganized. People feel frustrated and tired. And ultimately we can become ineffective in our efforts. If we’re going to Make Room in 2019, then we need to take a serious look at God’s Word and examine the calling he’s given to the body of Christ, so that we can have the greatest impact for His glory.

Title: You Have A Place

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-18 CSB

For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

Paul had planted this church on his second missionary journey and is writing this letter near the end of his three year ministry in Ephesus, which was his third missionary journey. Corinth was a major cosmopolitan city, they had an incredible seaport and was known as a major trade center. Unfortunately it was also known for its idolatry and immorality. It would be comparable to the city of Las Vegas, Corinth was the ancient “Sin City”. Many scholars agree that there were four letters written to the church at Corinth, It’s believed that we have letters two and four in our Bibles.

Paul is writing to correct wrong theology and bad behavior. Some in the church were elevating some spiritual gifts over others. Instead of building and edifying the body of Christ, people were misusing and manipulating the gifts and it was causing much division. Here we see Paul lovingly but directly correct their wrong theology.

Main Points:

1. We Are United As One (V12-13)
   1. For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

   2. Question: Do you notice anything that stands out in these few verses? (Pause) ONE!

      1. I think Paul is trying to tell the church at Corinth something. “You need to strive for unity in the body of Christ!”
      2. The people receiving this letter had become arrogant and pious towards others with different or “lesser” gifts. This is the destructive and distracting effects of spiritual arrogance and meaningless comparison.

      3. Paul is saying that we all that have professed Jesus as Lord are a part of One Spirit and One Baptism. This is not speaking of a water baptism, which covers and fills the outside, but an inward filling that fills the inside. At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit comes in and fills, indwells, takes up residence in your life.

         1. Scripture also speaks of a filling of the spirit. Which happens many times throughout your spiritual journey. Spirit fillings are for special purposes which God appoints.
            3. Paul is emphasizing the need for unity in the Body of Christ as one.
         2. We Are Gifted With Diversity (V14-17)
            1. 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
            2. Illust: Chicago Bulls (1991-1998)

      4. 6 championships and 2 three peats. Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, & Phil Jackson.

      5. "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." - Phil Jackson
      6. Let me bring it back and say it this way, the church needs you and you need the church.

      7. When a collective group of believers live out their unique God given gifts in unity, it is an unstoppable force for good and brings glory to God.

         3. In this text, Paul is giving a picture of a physical body in view of the individual functions in the church

      8. God has uniquely gifted you with a role or function in the church where you can serve the church, and the church can serve you.

      9. Illust: *Draw a physical body on the whiteboard and talk about each function as it relates to spiritual gifts and the roles in the church

         4. This chapter is not an exhaustive list of all of the spiritual gifts. For more examples of spiritual gifts see references Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. There are many gifts, and some people have more than one gift, and none of the gifts are superior to the other.

      10. The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up Christ’s body, the church.

          5. At Pinewood we believe that you thrive in your spiritual journey when you serve in alignment with your gifts, personality, and passions.

      11. That’s why we take time during Growth Track Step 2 to help you understand what the Scriptures say concerning Spiritual Gifts and how God has uniquely designed you for a special purpose.

          6. The reason that diversity is such a gift is because God knew, just like we know today, that we are more effective, more efficient, more joyful, and less susceptible to arrogance when diversity is both cultivated and celebrated.

      12. Who wants to serve on a team where everyone is just like you! I hate to tell you this, but you’re just not that good. “What strengths do you have?”... “All of them.” What!? Who would ever say that?

      13. Let’s look at business for a second. I’m a big fan of leadership. I study leadership, I listen to leadership podcasts, and I am an avid reader of leadership literature. Consistently what I hear is how individuals mature and thrive in environments where diversity is cultivated and teamwork is celebrated.
      14. Arguably one of the greatest innovators of the 21st Century is quoted to have said “Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” - Steve Jobs

      15. We Are Different On Purpose (V18)

          1. 18 But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.
          2. We are not different to compete, but to complement. We aren’t diverse for comparing, but completing. Let’s change our perspective on our gifts and see things from God’s perspective.
          3. For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” - Psalm 139:13 CSB

      16. “The Spirit distributes the gifts to each person as He wills”, “God has arranged each on of the parts in the body just as He wanted”, “God has put in the body together”, God has appointed these in the church”.

      17. Since God is in control of the gift giving, do you believe today that God has a purpose for your gift?!
      18. Do you believe that you are gifted on purpose for a purpose? I wish someone here today would thank God for the gift they’ve been given! Thank God that He is working in the details of our lives to build His church!
      19. He has distributed the gifts, he has arranged it together in the body, and he has appointed you to the work of ministry! That’s the love of God! You’re not a secondary player, you are an intricate part with a very special role to play in the Kingdom of God!

      20. The gift giver gets all the glory! Amen?!

          4. Let’s learn from the church at Corinth. There’s two common errors to avoid

      21. Becoming prideful of your gifts

      22. Thinking your gifts are insignificant
      23. Instead of an elitist mentality or apathetic attitude, which both leads to comparison, let’s keep our focus on the mission of God! Executing our gifts from God with excellence! Faithfully showing up! Faithfully giving our best! Faithfully building up the body of Christ!
      24. Somebody should be encouraged today knowing that you aren’t an accident! The thing which you thought was small is huge! The area you serve that seems minor, is actually critical! You have a place, because in God’s sovereign design, He made space.

Closing:

Walking Points

1. What’s your gift?
2. What’s your role in the church?
3. We have a place for you!