A MORE EXCELLENT WAY

A MORE EXCELLENT WAY

1 Corinthians 12:20-31 (KJV)

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The subject is spiritual gifts.

God gives us each 

·  Differing gifts in

·  Differing proportions for

·  Differing purposes

Some of those purposes are more visible, noticeable and, frankly, pleasing.

But just like the members of our body; some members have a more please function than others, every member is necessary.

I do recognize that the “more excellent way” actually refers to chapter 13 but allow me to use the phrase to finish this chapter with three excellent attitudes. 

*I. HONOR THE FEEBLE FOR THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:20-27 (KJV)

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Note the word schism–

No member of the body ought to consider itself either better than or less than any other member of the body.

Years ago it was pointed out to me that there is almost no difference between the person who is conceited and the person who feels sorry for themselves.

Both are sinfully focused on self.

When I was in high school, I battled terrible shyness. I was afraid of people and because of it I was an introvert.

The thing is, I found out later that most of my classmates just thought I was “stuck up.”

Here’s the thing:

It is sinful to think you are better than other people.

Very few things will hurt the unity of the church more than 

·  Puffing yourself up,

·  Pridefully demanding your get attention

·  Purposefully doing things to keep others from serving

It is just sinful to think you aren’t good enough to serve in the church

Paul admitted he was the chiefest of sinners, but then he praised God for counting him faithful, putting him in the ministry.

Over the years I have met many Christians whose only disqualification from serving is that they didn’t think they were good enough to serve.

If your pastor asks you to serve, trust him and trust the Lord to give you all the grace you need to do what you have been asked to do.

Secondly

*II. HONOR THE CALLED FOR THE ORDER OF THE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:28-30 (KJV)

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

God has set some, not all for positions of leadership.

I doubt that God’s choosing has much if anything to do with natural abilities.

Not many wise, not many mighty, remember…

What happens rather is that God calls and then equips certain ones for certain offices in the church”

·  Apostles

·  Prophets

·  Teachers

After that were the gifts of 

·  Miracles, 

·  Healings, 

·  Helps, 

·  Governments and 

·  Tongues

·  Just as there were only twelve apostles and

·  Just as the gifts of tongues and working miracles have ceased

So there are only so many who will be called to lead a church as the preacher.

Finally

*III. HONOR THE BEST GIFTS FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV)

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

I take this to reference those gifts that are helpful for the furtherance of the church over those spiritual gifts that, as we will soon see, have a limited purpose and, in the Apostle’s day, would soon cease.

1 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Likewise, I think I am safe to say that to desire:

·  The role of a teacher

·  The work of helping others

·  The ministry of organizing people to serve the Lord

·  The ability to raise money to finance the church

This would be better than seeking to speak in tongues or to impress people with your gift of interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV)

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

The Lord willing we will see in the next chapter something better than seeking spiritual gifts at all.