Kara Hackert 00:08
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Friday, January 21, and Sunday's coming. This is Kara Hackert. And today I'll be reading from I Corinthians 12: 27-31. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping of guidance, and different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire, the greater gifts." I want to read that again. But this time from a version of The Message. Let's read I Corinthians 12:27-31. "You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”: apostles prophets teachers miracle workers healers helpers organizers those who pray in tongues. But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts. But now I want to lay out a far better way for you."
Kara Hackert 02:07
I read once that us all having different jobs and different parts of one body are like a gift that God has given us. Part of that gift is that we get to live and work together. We get to share our gifts with each other for the greater good of Christ's kingdom. The greater gifts for the Kingdom.
Kara Hackert 02:27
Let's pray together now. And thank God for our different gifts. Dear Lord, thank You that You have given us all different gifts and different parts to play in your body in your kingdom. Help us live and work together for you. Help us remember that each part is important. Let us never forget that you have placed us where we are for your purpose and plan. Amen.