1 Corinthians 12:13, 18, 27-28; 13:9-12
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
PAST: What has happened
The body of Christ:
1) We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
2) We were all given the one Spirit to drink
3) God has arranged the parts in the body…as He wanted them to be
The Gifts:
4) God has appointed [the spiritual gifts]
The Transition:
5) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child
6) When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me
PRESENT: What is happening
The body of Christ:
1) You are the body of Christ
2) Each one of you is a part of it [the body of Christ]
Knowledge and Prophesy:
3) We know in part and we prophesy in part
4) The imperfect disappears [see Future] – this is where the transition from NOW to THEN begins to happen
5) Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror
6) Now I know in part
Past, Present, and Future:
7) I am fully known – God knew you before time began and you were born, He’s already put a destiny within you and appointed you with gifts, and He knows what you will do with that calling
FUTURE: What will happen
1) When perfection comes [see Present] – we begin to understand what God is doing in us right NOW, He is restoring, renewing, creating, and perfecting for the future
2) Then we shall see face to face – as He is “perfecting” us, we will be able to see clearly
3) Then I shall know fully – this is our call, to know God and come into full relationship with Him
