1 Corinthians 12 : 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

Anyone who has accepted Jesus as their savior has a measure of faith because that is what it took to make that decision. As we grow as Christians our faith should grow as well and this is a persevering faith which all Christians should have. Faith grows even more as we exercise persistent prayer and endurance in intercession and a strong trust in God in the midst of difficult circumstances. This faith is that faith that it takes to move a mountain. The gift of healing also comes with this measure of faith. We do not see today many people who singly pray for and heal  people but we do know that prayer coupled with faith by a body of Christ has been responsible for many to be healed. We know that Christ and the apostles healed people and even Peter’s shadow healed. Healing is still present today though prayer and faith to God our Father where when He answers these prayers He gets the glory and not man. We just need always be ready to pray for anyone who needs healing because it could be our prayer and our faith that God answers.

1 Corinthians 12 : 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

The two gifts mention hear kind of work together. Wisdom being a gift that comes straight from God and knowledge being a gift that comes from what we learn while God gives us the to acquire knowledge. Wisdom in one since helps us to understand and apply the knowledge we have gained and likewise knowledge can sometimes help us to understand the wisdom God has given us. There have been many preachers who did not have a formal education , and possibly not even graduate from grammar school, but could preach better than some of the most highly educated preachers because of the wisdom God had instilled in them. Wisdom again is a gift from God that you earn and accumulate while knowledge is accumulated learning.  The gift of knowledge could be explained by someone who studies his Bible regularly and the Holy Spirit helps him understand what it is saying. The gift of wisdom is the ability to understand God’s Word and His will, and to skillfully apply that understanding to life.

1 Corinthians 12 : 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For us to be more effective ministers of the Gospel we need the gifts of the spirit. Just like you cannot build a house without a hammer you have to the gifts of the spirit to build your ministry, they are a very present help. If something is made manifest it is made real. we should be so full of the Lord Jesus that when people look on us they do see us but but see Christ in us. The world cannot see God with their eyes but they can see the followers of Jesus. A person once  explained Jesus in us, this way. He says, we are the glove, and Jesus is the Hand in the glove.  We are better workers when we have the Holy Spirit inside of us guiding us and teaching us as we minister. Whatever gift , ministry, or effect we have on people , all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit. All who receive their ministry will make Jesus known, understood, and evident in the church and in the world.

1 Corinthians 12 : 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

As Paul begins the teaching here he lays the groundwork for where the gifts come from and who they come from. First we see there are diversities of gifts, which means they are many different gifts that one can have. We are not limited to just one gift but if we desire we can have them all We just need to understand they are supplied by the spirit of God and must be used for His purpose. Next we see that there are different ways the gifts can be administered according to the person and possibly the denomination of the person. The Lord is still the one who will direct how this handled. The bottom line is that the Lord gives believers unique ministry arenas in which to fulfill their gifts and provides varieties of power to energize and accomplish them. This last verse focuses a little on the same thing and we should not worry about what denomination people are as long they are  Christian, we all have the same destination. We should all be banning together fighting the atheist and those who do not look to Jesus as their Savior.

1 Corinthians 12 : 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

In chapter 12 Paul begins teaching about spiritual gifts, because when the Corinthians first worshiped they worshiped idols and Paul wanted they to understand that there was more to Christianity than just salvation. He goes on to let them know the things they were doing in their idol worship was wrong but he also new they led into this type of worship. Now that they had became Christians  they need to learn how the Holy Spirit could lead them and empower them to do the will of God. Finally he tells them those who are speaking by the Holy Ghost call Jesus, Lord. It is one thing to know Jesus as your Savior and an entirely different thing to know Him as your Lord.  When He is your Lord then you have turned your will over to His will and it is the Holy Ghost within that calls Jesus Lord. When you know Him as Lord then it means that you have totally submitted your will to Him. Please attend church today where you can get what God has for you and a chance to let your gifts grow.

1 Corinthians  11 : 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Paul winds this chapter up by relating to the people that they should not be worried about being at the front of the line because as Christians they should be willing to let others go first. You can help but think here that these people should have know this on their own but Paul was having to teach them basic Christian principals. Lastly he makes reference to taking communion again because it seemed they were doing it every time they met and making it a meal.  This was  discrediting the communion ordinance so Paul told them if someone is hungry to eat at home before they come and show their greediness and face condemnation for coming for the  wrong reason.   There is no point in gathering together to sin and be chastened. Paul wind it up by telling them he will take care of the minor things when he comes in person. We should be glad today if our church has the leadership in place to keep things straight for us and if they mess up someone above them to help get things back right.

1 Corinthians 11 : 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

These verses describe the punishment for not realizing that God means what He says. Because people were not taking the ordinance of communion seriously many weak and sickly and even many died. Paul goes on by saying if we judge ourselves to make sure we right with God then no one else should have a right to judge us. Finally he says the judgement of  God on us is to strengthen us and straighten us out before we are judge by the world. The Lord chastens to drive His people back to righteous behavior so believers are kept from being consigned to hell, not only by divine decree, but by divine intervention. We should always check our self daily to see that we portraying the the love God in everything we do every day and living according to the word God.

1 Corinthians 11 : 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

Now Paul enlightens the people on what they were doing could be wrong. To partake o f this ordinance lightly or still clinging to some sin in your life means you are saying what Jesus did for us is null and void.  He goes on to say we must examine ourselves thoroughly and make sure our hearts are right with God before we partake of the bread and drink of the cup. Finally he reminds us that if one eats of the bread and drinks of the cup unworthily. or really just not  believing in what the communion stands for  is mocking the communion.  This is basically saying one does not believe Jesus sacrificed Himself for us and this person is bringing damnation on themselves.  We just always need to remember to try to keep our life straight all the time but make sure we are right with the Lord if we are going to participate in taking communion.

1 Corinthians 11 : 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

These verse of scripture should be very failure  to any  Christian if  they have ever partook of the Lord’s Supper in the spirit it was to taken in. Paul here is reminding the Corinthians that these were words spoken by Jesus Himself as he took His last meal with the disciples. Jesus let His disciples know that the cup symbolized the blood he was to shed for all mankind and the bread was His body that sacrificed for our salvation. We do this today because it is to remind us the what Jesus did for us until He comes again in all His glory.

1 Corinthians 11 : 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

Again this verse is saying they were not gathering for the right reasons because what they were doing had nothing to do with worshiping. They had made a party out of coming to church and had forgotten that the real reason to come to church is to fellowship with God and learn of His ways. This kinda of sounds familiar doesn’t it cause we have to have all kinds of parties and recreation to at the church or no one wants to come. If people think this is the reason to come church they might as well stay at home. Paul ask the question shall I praise you in this and he says absolutely not. I do not imagine that God would smile on church that felt it had to operate this way and the church itself might not be around much longer.