These are my answers to the questions found in the study guide for the Superpower series. Join me – share your answers in the comments so I can consider them as I develop the sermons over the next five weeks.
King of glory,
I worship you today. You are the King. You are the Lord. There is none like you. I honor you. I adore you. I seek you. You are my refuge and strength, my tower, my deliverer. You are the Lord of all the earth – this day is yours
What have been Paul’s primary points in this passage? How is he correcting the Corinthians and what does he want them to realize?
Paul convinces us that we are all important parts of the one body of Christ so we must not fall into the ditches of inferiority or superiority, or of independence or comparison, or of self-sufficiency or discouragement. There is no room for an elite class of spiritual people more gifted or important than others. Each part of the body, each person is needed, important, God-designed and God-paced just where he wants us in the body.
What has been your biggest “takeaway” from this passage? How has this passage changed or deepened your understanding of spiritual gifts?
I am challenged by the call to honor those who rarely get honor, that this needs to be our default position, against the grain of the world. Our spotlight needs to shift from the front of the stage to the back of the house, from those in the limelight to those serving behind the scenes.
This passage has sharpened my understanding of the last verse about “desiring the greater gifts.” Commentator Anthony Thieselton helped me understand what Paul is saying, a verse that has confused me. I will share more in my message on Sunday. How can there be greater gifts when all parts are important and the seemingly lesser should have more honor. How should we desire gifts when they are bestowed by God?
How are you growing in your appreciation of your role in the body of Christ and your commitment to use your gifts to help others find and follow Christ?
I am increasingly thankful, grateful, for our body of Christ, that is Christ Fellowship, for you who are the body of Christ that I am part of. Recognizing again that God has shaped me and placed me in this body at this time, I am ever more motivated to play part as well as possible in the power of the Spirit for God’s glory.
How can you use your gifts to build up other Christians? Reach the lost? What steps do you need to take?
This year I am pledging to grow in my loving investment in others. My steps include leading a Financial Peace University group in the fall and using my teaching abilities more often with more groups beyond worship services.
What about you? Comment with your own answers or thoughts.
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