“It’s NOT all about YOU”

Week 11
Main Point and Overview:   

The Corinthians were extremely gifted, and unfortunately, they knew it. What I mean is that they started celebrating certain spiritual gifts over others. It became easy to even compare gifts in immature arrogance. The Apostle Paul made it crystal clear that every disciple of Jesus has spiritual gifts, and each gift is necessary for the betterment of others. In fact, he used the human body as an illustration of how the “parts make up the whole.” In other words, he showed how the foot needs the hand, and how the ear needs the eye, and how the head needs the foot, and so on and so forth. His dramatic point, in almost a humorous way, was that the whole body is not an eye. Can you imagine a six-foot eyeball ?? Each body part has a role that when “lived out” makes the entire body better, stronger, and more effective. The same goes for God’s church. Every person is needed. This was a “punch to the gut” of those who were arrogantly parading their spiritual gifts as if their gifts were better than other people’s gifts. In the 1st century church, “sign-gifts” were a part of the church which consisted of “speaking in tongues,” “prophecy,” and “healings.” These supernatural and very visible gifts were meant to establish and authenticate the power of the Holy Spirit in the beginning of the church age. Other gifts like “knowledge” and “mercy” were less visible and spectacular, therefore, easily dismissed by those who possessed the “sign-gifts.” Paul made it clear that you can have all of the abilities and gifts in the world, but if you do not have sacrificial love attached to them, you have nothing! Think about it. God doesn’t really care how talented you are. He cares that you sacrificially love him and others. How are you demonstrating an attitude of love in what you do for him? Ultimately, it is Biblical love that stands the test of time. Everything else has a duration, but true love will never end. It’s time that we take an evaluation of our role in God’s church. First, are we doing our part to participate in the mission of the Gospel? Second, are we working as a team filled with humility and deference to others on the team? Third, are we investing in what is eternal? Too many Christians make the church about their desires. Are you that kind of person? Don’t be!