The More Excellent Way

Review of 1 Corinthians 12

Paul stresses first,

I.  The need to know about the gifts of the Spirit.  (1 Cor. 12:1-3)

II.  The purpose of the varied gifts of the Spirit.  (1 Cor. 12:4-11; see esp. v. 7)

III.  The humbling truth about the gifts of the Spirit.  (1 Cor. 12:11b)

     They are given to us; we do not earn them.

IV.  The glory of variety of Spiritual giftedness within the unity of the Christian body.  (1 Cor. 12:12-26)

V.  The reality that certain gifts of the Spirit are more vital to the good of the body than are others.  (1 Cor. 12:27-31a)

VI.  The spiritual gifts, though important, are overwhelmed in importance by a better way.  (1 Cor. 12:31b)