“Members Individually”
(I Corinthians 12:12-27)

Introduction. There are many figures that the Bible uses to describe God’s people (e.g. house, kingdom, temple, family, etc.) yet one of the most beautiful and thought provoking is the description of the church as the “body of Christ.” This morning I’d like for us to look at a passage that explores this description and brings out a number of points that are important for us to understand if we are to see how we fit into this relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

I. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (12:12). Consider something that this shows us

The body of Christ is formed by
many individual Christian members.

II. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” (12:13). Notice something about this diversity that are taught in the next few verses

Diversity of function and ability
is not diversity of doctrine.

III. “Is it therefore not of the body?” (12:14-16). Notice another fact about this diversity

Diversity of function and ability
does not make a part unconnected to the body.

     This is what many in the modern world don’t understand about the restrictions in gender roles in the church. They want all parts to have the same function.

IV. “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?” (12:17). Finally, notice one last truth about this diversity

Diversity of function and ability
is necessary for a healthy body.

V. “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” (12:18). When we confront our own appraisal of the church we must always remind ourselves

God Himself set up the church
as it is revealed in the Bible.

This is true of the organization of the church. This is true of the membership of the church. Not in a direct deterministic sense but when individuals resond to God's word it is He who “sets” them in the body.

VI. “ The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’” (12:19-21). “There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few we can solve by ourselves” Lyndon Baines Johnson

Christians cannot serve Christ
acceptably cut off from one another.

VII. “No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.” (12:22). Note: The vital organs do not have their own protection. Heart is protected by rib cage. Brain by the skull. This is not saying - we need to keep some people spiritually weak. Instead it is saying that just as in the body the parts that are necessary may be unseen and not prominent. So it is in Christ. We need all of the gifts and abilities that each of us have to offer, whether they are open and prominent or behind the scenes and quiet. Homer said - “Union gives strength even to weak men” (Illiad, 18.237).

Necessary parts are not always
the most visible parts

VIII. “God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it.” (12:23-24). I find it interesting in this description of part honoring part, member caring for member, it shows us that

Christians should look out for each other.

IX. “There should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” (12:25).

God wants unity among His people.

     This is true of congregations and it is true in the religious world as well. It should not be that people teach different things and practice different things.

X. “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (12:26).

We must develop the ability
to empathize with one another.

Conclusion. “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (12:27).