Thursday, March 21, 2019

2019.03.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Corinthians 12

Questions for Littles: What is this passage “concerning” (1 Corinthians 12:1)? What does the apostle want them not to be? What had they been (1 Corinthians 12:2)? Regardless of how they were led, to what kind of idols had they been carried away? What had some who claimed to be speaking by the Spirit said about Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:3)? What were others saying when they were taken over by the Holy Spirit? By what diverse things did this Spirit-speech come (1 Corinthians 12:4)? What is another name for these gifts (1 Corinthians 12:5)? What is another (1 Corinthians 12:6)? But what is there only one of for this (1 Corinthians 12:4)? And only one of (1 Corinthians 12:5)? And only one of (1 Corinthians 12:6)? For whom were these manifestations being given (1 Corinthians 12:7)? What was one kind of word the Spirit gave (1 Corinthians 12:8a)? And another kind of word the Spirit gave (verse 8b)? And what were different signs that the Spirit gave about these words (1 Corinthians 12:9b1 Corinthians 12:10a, verse 10b, verse 10c, verse 10d, verse 10e)? And what was the Spirit, the Lord, the God who works all in all, working through these words that were being attested by these signs (1 Corinthians 12:9a1 Corinthians 12:11)? How many bodies does Christ have (1 Corinthians 12:12)? What do all members of the body have from the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)? What do all do into the Spirit? How many members does the body have (1 Corinthians 12:14)? What should a member never say about itself (1 Corinthians 12:15-19)? What should a member never say about another member (1 Corinthians 12:20-21)? What should the members of the body be giving to one another according to 1 Corinthians 12:22-24? What should the members of the body be giving to one another according to 1 Corinthians 12:25? What else should we be doing for one another (1 Corinthians 12:26)? What activity (just as with 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) has the central focus in the roles described in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31? What would the “best gifts” be, and who would have them? What kind of way is the next passage going to describe? 
In this week’s Epistle reading, we hear about spiritual life. Notice that I did not write spiritual “gifts.” That is because they, in fact, are not the focus here. 1 Corinthians 12:1 does not mention gifts, but simply spiritual (things/life).

They had had no spiritual life previously, because they followed idols that could not talk. True, demons sometimes talked (and still were—saying that Jesus was still accursed!). But there was no true revelation, and there was no spiritual life through it.

That was a stark contrast with real spirituality, in real Christianity, which was all through the Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word. Naturally, everyone wanted to be one through whom the Word came, or through whom the Word-authenticating signs came.

But that wasn’t a role that was for everyone. What were the roles for everyone? Faith—which came only by the work of God the Holy Spirit!... nothing to sniff at!! And recognizing oneself as part of the body. And recognizing others as part of the body. And honoring those in the body who seemed to be the least. And not having division among the body but caring for every single member. And suffering with one another. And rejoicing over one another’s honors.

These were the real evidences of Holy-Spirit-power!
What 1 Corinthians 12 evidences of Holy Spirit power do you see? Can you be a part of?
Suggested songs: ARP51B “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH392 “Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness”

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