1 Corinthians 12:12-26
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,
24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Theme: Four characteristics of how God designed the church to function so you will embrace your ministry in it.
I. The church is a singular, spiritual entity made up of many members vv.12-14,20
A. The church is like the human bodkin terms of it’s unity. vv12,20.
B. the church is also like the human body in terms of its many members vs.14
C. The church is entered into through baptism by the Spirit vs.13
II. The church is designed to be interdependent vv.15-19
A. You are a necessary part of the church vv.15-17
B. God placed you in His church as He wished vv.18-19
III. The church members are all necessary in terms of usefulness and honor vv.21-24
A. No ministry in the church is unnecessary vv. 21-22
B. regardless of your ministry, you are appreciated vs. 23
C. Up front ministries need no additional honor vs. 24a
D. God levels the playing field of honor vs. 24b
IV. Three reasons are given for why God has composed the body so that all the members receive honor vv. 25-26
A. Reason #1: To avoid division in the body
B. Reason #2: To promote the same care for one another.
C. Reason #3: To experience life together
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