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Series: The Church Defined - 11/15/2020
November 16, 2020
The Church is like a body where all the parts are connected and working together.
The health and well-being of one part should be a concern of the entire body.
Paul here in 1st Corinthians 12:12-31 uses the term “body” as an analogy for the unity of the Church in Christ.
Between verse 12-27 we will see Paul use this term “body” 18 times.
1st Corinthians 12:14-27
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
The issue that was going in in Corinth that caused Paul to bring this to their attention still happens in the Church today.
Paul was dealing with the people in Corinth who were discontent with the gifts given to them to edify the Church and bring glory to God.
The problem was that the “body” wasn’t happy with the “gifts” they had and wanted others.
We are always saying, “Don’t do life alone.”
“Fellowship” - Koinonia (κοινωνία - Greek), which comes from the root “koinos” – used throughout Scripture to show importance for communion, fellowship, prayer and gathering together.
The problem that has entered the Church today is….
The “do what makes you happy” culture.
God hasn’t called us to do what makes us happy.
He hasn’t given us life to please ourselves.
We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit with gifts to bring glory to God.
Our journey together isn’t always mountain tops and victories.
It’s hard work together and dedication to His Word.
The Church must strive to do what brings glory to God and not ourselves.
There is and will always be a need for community and fellowship within the body of Christ.
If we can look past the “name” of our local body and understand we’re all moving towards the same goal….
Jesus
We must rethink our motives if we want genuine love to thrive in God’s Church.
Jesus didn’t die for competition within His Church.
He died for unity and action together.
He died for LIFE for His Church.
The health and well-being of one part should be a concern of the entire body.
Paul here in 1st Corinthians 12:12-31 uses the term “body” as an analogy for the unity of the Church in Christ.
Between verse 12-27 we will see Paul use this term “body” 18 times.
1st Corinthians 12:14-27
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
The issue that was going in in Corinth that caused Paul to bring this to their attention still happens in the Church today.
Paul was dealing with the people in Corinth who were discontent with the gifts given to them to edify the Church and bring glory to God.
The problem was that the “body” wasn’t happy with the “gifts” they had and wanted others.
- This brought disunity to the body.
We are always saying, “Don’t do life alone.”
“Fellowship” - Koinonia (κοινωνία - Greek), which comes from the root “koinos” – used throughout Scripture to show importance for communion, fellowship, prayer and gathering together.
The problem that has entered the Church today is….
The “do what makes you happy” culture.
God hasn’t called us to do what makes us happy.
He hasn’t given us life to please ourselves.
We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit with gifts to bring glory to God.
Our journey together isn’t always mountain tops and victories.
It’s hard work together and dedication to His Word.
The Church must strive to do what brings glory to God and not ourselves.
There is and will always be a need for community and fellowship within the body of Christ.
If we can look past the “name” of our local body and understand we’re all moving towards the same goal….
Jesus
We must rethink our motives if we want genuine love to thrive in God’s Church.
Jesus didn’t die for competition within His Church.
He died for unity and action together.
He died for LIFE for His Church.