“Finding My Place”

1 Corinthians 12:1-6
Part 1 of 2

Like a jigsaw puzzle we need to work at finding the right piece for the right
spot.

1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Don’t misunderstand the Holy Spirit
1. The Holy Spirit is real and is needed.
2. Don’t be ignorant of this.

Paul tells us of three things that Christians should be aware of;

1. Don’t be ignorant of God’s plan for Israel. Rom. 11:25
2. Don’t be ignorant of spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 12:1
3. Don’t be ignorant of the seconding coming. 1 Thess. 4:13

Paul gives them a warning.

1. Remember when you worshipped your many gods.
a. Isaiah 44 (burn it to cook, warm up, and make a god)
b. You can not begin to understand the Holy Spirit with the
mind set we had when we was in the world.

Our past teaching and experiences can have an impact on our

understanding and receiving of the Holy Spirit.

We take our teaching and experiences and use it in our understanding of the
Holy Spirit. The problem is now we have our view instead of Gods. Amen!

We need new teaching John 14:26

Discerning the Holy Spirit

1. How do I know when I have never been taught?
2. It all a little too weird for me.
3. How can I be sure it’s of God?

John 16:14
The Holy Spirit’s job is not to promote himself but to glorify and represent
Jesus Christ. Right.

So we are told to look at, judge if you will the matters regarding spiritual
gifts as well as the movement by how it relates to Jesus.

Example: Monday night prayer service.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Diversity and Unity

1. There are many gifts, but the same spirit.
2. There are many ministries, the same Lord.
3. There are many activities, but it is the same God working in all of it.

Paul is telling us that although there are many gifts it comes from the same
God.

Many ministries such as:

1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Pastors and Teachers

All different offices it’s the same Lord that directs it.

God will pour out and display his mighty power in many different ways, but
none the less it is the same God. Amen

Application

Wayne Cordeiro wrote a book called “Doing Church As A Team” A really

awesome book at least I think so, in this book he points out the importance
of us finding were we fit in.

Not any one person will have all the gifts working in his or her life, but
together as a Church we can. We need each other.

Gang every gift big or small seen or unseen is needed so that the Church
will go.
The more we all take ownership of our church the stronger it gets.
Wayne shares in his book that one day at Church he noticed all this activity
going on and realizes that the church was filled with preacher.

1. The ushers were taking care of the people coming in;

2. The greeters were sharing their love as people were entering the
Church doors,
3. Worship team were leading people into the presence of God,
4. The refreshment team had taken care of anyone need of drinks or
something to eat.

The list can go on but church can not if we don’t take our place in the body.
Amen

Wayne ends with this

1. “We were all doing it together!
2. We were all preaching the Gospel the best way we knew how…
through our gifts.”

That is the vision God has for his church that people can see and feel the
power of God today.

Remember the jigsaw puzzle.

The puzzle needs all its pieces, and until you start to participate the puzzle
won’t be complete.

Gang it is the same with the church we need all of you. God has called to
you to this church to work in our gift or gifts that the power of God would
have a mighty impact for the Kingdom of God.