Lesson 13. The Gospel and the Holy Spirit

Day 5

Today we complete our study in 1 Corinthians 12 by seeing a practical aspect of living and growing in the gospel - the intimate connection each church body member has with every other member. Let’s read it:
“But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts”
1 Corinthians 12:24-31
Question 1. According to 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, what is the purpose that God put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
David described the intricate detail of how God created him in Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Note how David spoke of God creating him by knitting him together in His mother's womb. The image is of a needleworker who has a plan for a finished product and carefully weaves together every piece until it is complete.
God put the human body together purposefully, thoughtfully, carefully. He placed appendages (arms, legs, feet, etc.) on the outside of our bodies for us to use in working and moving around, and He put our organs (brain, lungs, heart, etc.) inside of our bodies to keep us alive and operating. The hidden members of our body are "more honorable" as they sustain life, while the outside members are more functional as they enable work.
Similarly, God has placed each member of the body of Christ in precisely the role He determined. There are some reasons for this:
“So that there would be no division in the body!” (verse 25). What would you think if your left leg wanted to walk to the left and your right leg wanted to walk to the right? The division would be disastrous and painful. God desires complete harmony and unity among the diverse members of His body, and He accomplishes this by giving one message, “the cross,” one Spirit who leads us, and one Lord to whom we all submit.
“...that its parts should have equal concern for each other” (verse 25). God has placed each member in the body in exactly the right spot to be engaged with and show compassion for the other members. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (verse 26).
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most unifying (Ephesians 4:8-13) and stabilizing (Ephesians 4:14-16) message in the world. It speaks of Jesus’ sacrificial love in giving Himself for us on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, completing His successful rescue mission. In this role, Jesus removed all sicknesses from the body of Christ that it might function with no division and with great harmony and compassion for each member.
If we learn to focus on this message, if we see it in every part of God’s Word and in our imagination, and if we start speaking it to each other and living it out together, our local body will be healthy and secure, growing and stable.
Question 2. How do you personally see the gospel of Jesus Christ enabling the body of Christ to be healthy and functioning well together?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.