1 Corinthians 12:12-26 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 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. 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. 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? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 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.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If of the same body. one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Pastor Obie points out that we are all part, gifted with different abilities to accomplish different functions but the same over-arching goal, which begins with helping people find Jesus Christ, because all are dead in their trespasses and sin against God and man, condemned already and on the wide road to destruction to Hell. Only salvation through repentance and, by faith, acceptance of the Gift of God in Jesus Christ, the Blessed Redeemer and Savior of the World, by his atoning death on the Cross in our place can raise the dead soul and regenerate the spirit within, reconciling God and man. Love God and love your neighbor is the greatest Commandment, and we do it best when we do it together, as a body of Believers/Disciples of Christ/Children of God all functioning together as one. No one member of the body is exalted above another. Yet, we exault the head of the body – the Lord and God Jesus Christ. Amen? Every single member of the body of Christ matters.
The Apostle Paul is explaining that when one member of the body is hurt or missing, it affects the whole body. The church body is the same. The body is not independent from, but interdependent upon all parts and members. When one part is unrighteous in sin or persecuted for their faith, it affects all. The church body needs to come together and love on those who need it using your gifts of healing, helping, administrating, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and mercy, with cheerfulness to help. In Romans 12:15 this Apostle tells us to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” God has empowered you to bless people within and outside of the church with your gift.
Jesus commanded His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Use your gift from God to help people find Christ. That is the heart of the Great Commission of Christ, the church body and our personal ministry in using our gifts. It is our great mission and great Commission, so ask not just how can I use my gift but pray, who can I bless with my gift? Help people find Christ initially for born-again salvation, then finding Christ deeper in a growing knowledge and relationship; knowing God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and knowing Him more – life and life to the full. The body, with its different members, is a team working in concert, making it all work for the same goal and underlying main purpose ... helping people find Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Like a Sports team, it is the strength of every single individual player in their specific position and assignment performing together as a unified unit to win. They don’t plan, study, condition, practice, line-up to just stand idle with their gifted skills come game time. They get into the game and execute to end the contest in a team victory as one body of players. So, what is the win as a Christian church? The win is to help people find Christ. God wants you and I to get off the ministry bench and get into the game of spiritual ministry, playing the part that you were designed and gifted for. There is someone in your life that God want to bless through you using your gift. So, discover your gift, then use it to help others find Christ.
In Christ, Brian
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