�Members Individually�

Introduction. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)� 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 evening 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.

����� It is an interesting fact to consider as an individual Christian I am �part� of the body of Christ, but I am not the body of Christ.� It is not an accurate statement to say, �I am the church.�� The body of Christ is formed by the union of individual members.�

����� These members have different: strengths/weaknesses; talents/abilities; backgrounds/experiences; interests/hobbies, etc.� Yet this diversity of parts forms a unity of body.�

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 some things about this diversity that are taught in the next few verses�

Diversity of function and ability

is not diversity of doctrine.

����� Some confuse the diversity of the various parts with a diversity of faith or purpose.� That is not what is taught here.� The Spirit has revealed the doctrine of Christ.� It is one doctrine.� If we are part of the body we accept this doctrine.� If we follow a different doctrine we are acting without the control of the head.� Example: �A few years ago my wife had a dream where she couldn�t make her arm move.� Spiritually if we don�t follow Christ�s teaching we are removing ourselves from the body.

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.

����� Now, we have already observed that the diversity of the parts doesn�t mean diversity of faith or practice.� However, this text shows us that if we don�t have a diversity of function we will not have a healthy body.� Example: I saw program some years ago about a two legged dog that could run, could jump and could function remarkably.� He didn�t realize what was missing.� We know dogs have four legs!� Many churches get by on �two legs� if you have the other two there is so much more that can be done!

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.

����� 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 respond to God�s word it is He who �sets� them in the body.� That means if there is someone that is sound in faith - but different from me in personality, interests, temperment, or financial status and I think within myself �what are they doing here?� or �they don�t really want to serve God!�� -� I am resisting something that God has set within the church!

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.

����� Certainly there are times when people, because of hardship or persecution have found themselves the only Christians in a community.� That doesn�t mean that they are cut off from God.� They serve Him.� They worship Him.� They try to teach others.

����� It is a different thing when people have other Christians around them and choose not to involve themselves with them.� We cannot please God by doing this!

VII.� �No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.� (12:22). �In the human body, the vital organs do not have their own protection.� The heart is protected by the rib cage.� The brain is protected 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.��

Necessary parts are not always

the most visible parts

����� Everybody shouldn�t be the preacher, or an elder, or a deacon.� Everybody doesn�t have to be a songleader, a Bible class teacher.� We need people who will take food to the sick, visit them, people who will talk to their neighbors about the truth, set up studies for another member to teach.� We need members who can repair things at the building, or help someone fix something at their own home that they can�t.� We need people who will give tracts and flyers out.� The list can go on and on.� If it is a scriptural action there is no end to the need that exists for members to fulfill their function.

����� At the same time, while this isn�t saying we should stay spiritually weak it is clear that all of us are at different levels spiritually.� We need each other for this as well.� When I struggle if I have a stronger brother or sister who cares about me I don�t have to fall.� Homer said - �Union gives strength even to weak men� (Illiad, 18.237).

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.

����� We should take the kind of interest in one another that involves a genuine concern with what poses spiritual dangers to one another.� There are things that might pose no temptation to me at all, yet to you they are the kind of thing that endangers your soul.� On the other hand there might be things that I simply can�t face without my faith being shaken, but they pose no threat to you.� Now, we can sit back and when we see one another struggle, say to ourselves �they need to be stronger!�� Is that really �giving honor to that part that lacks it?�

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.� It should not be that in churches, people who hope to spend eternity in the same place can�t spend two seconds with one another.� That is not how God wants it!

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.

����������� We know what sympathy is, literally �suffering with� someone.� Empathy is defined as �Understanding so intimate that the feelings, thoughts and motives of one are readily apprehended by another� (American Heritage Dictionary).� We are obviously not able to read each others thoughts, but it isn�t enough just to care about losses.� We need to care about the ups and the downs�the good times and the bad.

Conclusion. ��Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually� (12:27).� We belong to one another.� We need each other.� We are dependent upon one another.� It can�t be any other way if we are to be acceptable to God.