One of the major themes of 1 Corinthians 12 has to do with the proper understanding and use of the miraculous gifts that God made available to the church in its early days.  And although those days are gone—no one has any miraculous gifts today—there is still great practical value in this chapter.  It is written for the LIFE of the spiritual body of Christ, and we should use this chapter in order to learn the following lessons:
I.   COOPERATION.
When we obey the gospel, we are being baptized into the body (church) of Christ (verse 13).  This implies that as members of this one body, we must learn how to cooperate according to Bible principles of body life in order to function in such a way as to please God and convert others (see Ephesians 4:7-16; Romans 12:4-21).
II. NOURISHMENT.
As we are now “body parts,” we have the same need for proper nourishment as our physical body parts do.  This implies that we must assemble often for worship and work that harmonizes with the Bible plan for our nourishment.
III. ATTACHMENT TO THE HEAD: CHRIST.
Although we are “body parts”—WE ARE NOT THE HEAD!  Christ is the head (Colossians 1:18,24), and we are obligated to follow His directions in all things.  This very simple point is possibly the most often misunderstood part of the whole body illustration in the New Testament.  There would not be any denominations if people would honor Jesus as the head of the body!
IV. ACCEPTING OUR ROLES IN THE BODY.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, uses various body parts as illustrations of the fact that it is good for us to see our talents, and use them appropriately.  There is no use whatsoever in the body for jealousy, bickering, and power struggles over anything—much less over the use of talents in a spiritual way to strengthen the body.
V. THE BODY IS DESIGNED BY GOD.
Since it is designed by God, it does not need to be redesigned.  Most of us like to see some things redesigned, from clothes to appliances to vehicles to buildings...
But there has never been a need for any redesigning of the body of Christ.  The greater need has been for more people to TRY HIS DESIGN!
Let us follow His plan and see how fearfully and wonderfully made it is!
VI. WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY IS SUPPOSED TO WORK APART FROM LEARNING THE BIBLE.
This is the very function of the scriptures that speak of the church as the body (they are in Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and 1 Corinthians).  So, let us study these texts and apply them to the spiritual life of every congregation of the Lord’s body in the world.

(My thanks for the ideas in this article go to Michael Jordan, faithful gospel preacher of Kings, NC, who spoke on the lectureship in Greer, SC, in October, 1999).

       — Skip Andrews
 

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.  Praise the LORD with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.  Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy (vv. 1-3).
This psalm begins with a concentrated statement of praise and joy—an encouragement for all to offer such songs to Jehovah.  This statement was made under the old covenant, so it was proper to even encourage the praise to include the use of the harp and an instrument with ten strings.  Today, we do not have the right to do this, for the New Testament only commands and encourages singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15).  It is not any more reasonable to use any other kind of music today as worship to Go than it is to offer animal sacrifices.  They simply are not part of the New Testament.
After this three-verse introduction, we are given information that demonstrates the wisdom of trusting only in Jehovah (and thus being full of happy, joyful praise).  Here is a brief preview of the rest of Psalm 33:
I.  The things that God SAYS are—
    A.  A standard (vv. 4,5).
    B.  Complete (vv. 6,7).
    C.  Powerful (vv. 8,9).
    D.  Full of good results (vv. 10-12).
II. The things that God SEES are—
    A.  All of our works (vv. 13-15).
    B.  All of our power (vv. 16,17).
    C.  All of our needs (vv. 18,19).
    D. All of our obedient responses (vv. 20-22).
The points that are made by the author of this psalm are sufficient to justify placing all of our trust in Him.  So, let us now take notice of what God SAYS (vv. 4-12) and what God SEES (vv. 13-22).

For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.  By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; he lays up the deep in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.  For He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.  The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance (vv. 4-12).
The word of Jehovah is exalted as a reason for our trust to be placed in Him.  The Bible begins with a lesson on His word (“And God said”; Genesis 1:1-31).  Jesus is spoken of as the Word at the beginning of two books (John; 1 John).  Here, the things that God says are to be studied under four headings:
It is a standard (vv. 4,5).  It is right; it is the basis of His own work (done in truth); He loves things that imply the usefulness of His word as a standard (righteousness, justice), and it can fill the earth with goodness.
It is complete (vv. 6,7).  He used His word (the word of His power; Hebrews 1:3) to create EVERYTHING, and all of it was good (Genesis 1:31).  When He stopped creating, He was finished—because His word of creation was complete (Hebrews 4:1-4).  He can even control all of the waters with it!
He is powerful (vv. 8,9).  The order of these two verses is interesting, for in verse 8, we are told to fear and stand in awe of Jehovah.  Then in verse 9, we are given ONE reason—God’s word is powerful.  It is so powerful that WHATEVER HE TOLD THE UNIVERSE TO DO WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE UNIVERSE DID!  Would to God that all of us would be as submissive to God as the mindless universe is!  Since He can tell “things” what to do—AND THEY DO IT—we ought to do WHATEVER He tells us to do.  After all, that is our all (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).  Now, what about those many people today who teach that we do not have to obey God to please Him?  What about those who say that keeping His commandments is “legalism?”  Can you imagine the sun saying to God, “I’ll shine when I get a convenient time”?  Or, what about a sea saying, “I’d prefer being over there”?  If this sounds silly, then how do you think He views our excuses for not obeying?
It is full of good results (vv. 10-12).  The word of Jehovah is much more than a standard, a complete authority, and a powerful voice—it is WISE COUNSEL that guarantees good results.  It can defeat the wisdom of men, and all of their plans become useless.  It stands at all times and in all places as the one always helpful source.  It is so very useful that a whole nation can profit from it at once and be His chosen ones.

The LORD looks from heaven; he sees all the sons of men.  From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; he considers all their works.  No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.  A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You (vv. 13-22).
The sight of Jehovah is exalted as the other reason for our trust to be placed in Him.  This section allows us to see that God’s interest in us is a very personal thing to Him.  Taking note of the four things that are written in this section should draw us to Him as our trust grows and is rewarded through His lovingkindness.
He sees all of our works (vv. 13-15).  When the Lord looks, He can see whatever and whomever He wants to see.  Let’s contrast that with ourselves—How often can we see what we want to see?  How often can we see everything?  How often does our sight play tricks on us?  He can see it all from where He is; for He is in the perfect place to do so—His dwelling place.  According to verse 15, this same LORD made each one of us with characteristics and the potential to either honor or dishonor Him through our works.
He sees all of our power (vv. 16,17).  Without even referring to God, our poet exposes the futility of mankind to devise methods of power that can save, deliver, give hope, or be strong enough to remedy the situations that are so often a part of our lives.  Since we are so unable so often, we ought to be looking for Someone to trust!
He sees all of our needs (vv. 18,19).  In light of mankind’s long list of inabilities, these verses present the same option that has been presented ever since Eden: fear God and put your hope in Him, for He can deliver and keep you alive (even in famine and even from death!).  The “hoping” of verse 18 is a hope that comes out of trust and causes us to “wait” on the Lord.  As a matter of fact, this Hebrew word is occasionally translated as “trust” or “wait” (Strong’s #3176).
He sees all of our obedient responses (vv. 20-22).  Wait (v. 20), trust (v. 21), and hope (v. 22) are brought together here in a wonderful conclusion.  All of the previous verses, from the exhortations to praise and joy, the emphasis on the word of Jehovah, and the reminder that He looks at all of our works—all of this is brought to this climactic reminder that if we will wait, trust, and hope, He will help, give joy, and be merciful!  This is because He has the ability to be our help and shield.  He has the name that is above every name and has the ability to fulfill our hope.
Let us end this lesson as the psalm begins: since we can trust in Him, let us “Rejoice in the Lord!”
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.

    — Skip Andrews

 

Verse of the Week: 
“Thy word is very pure: 
therefore thy servant loveth it” 
(Psalm 119:140).
 

VOLUME 1:34           OCTOBER 24, 1999