October 16, 2022

A member of the body of Christ

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Service Type:

Introduction

  • A member of the body of Christ
    • What if the title was 'Church membership'?
    • What is the difference between a member of the body of Christ and a church member?
      • It is the same thing (with qualification)
  • A member of the body of Christ
    • You must be adopted into the family of Christ, born again, called out of the world to Christ
    • You become a member of the body of Christ, you become a member of the Church
  • A member of a church
    • Is a formalising of this process
      • Example of marriage - as a formal process
    • In the Bible:
      • People were baptised and added to the Church
      • The Church in Corinth - there was discipline from a majority body of the formalised church
      • There are to be elders and deacons
  • The most important thing is that people are born again
    • You are baptised into one body
    • You are brought into one body by the Holy Spirit
  • There is one body but many members
    • People have been given different gifts to use for the body
    • You are to be committed to one another
    • No-one is inferior or of lesser value
  • Tonight, looking at our privileges and our responsibilities
  • Overview:
    • General Teaching
    • v12-22
    • Application

General Teaching

  • The church was born at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out
    • The Spirit had never come in this fullness before
  • There is a continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament people of God
    • Israel is called a bride (Hose), the vineyard (Isaiah 5), a flock - these metaphors are carried on into the New Testament in a fuller/richer way
    • Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom and the Church the bride - Eph 5
    • Jesus is the Good Shepherd
  • There are new images in the New Testament
    • The body (used here and in other letters)
    • Speaks of unity
    • Speaks of organic growth
    • Not an organisational structure but a family growing together
  • The early Church
    • Acts 2:41-47
      • Immeadiate baptism
      • Continuing in doctrine, fellowship, communion and prayer
      • They divided possessions and money amongst those in needed
      • They were of one accord
      • Praising God
  • Some organisation was given by God
    • Apostles
    • Then elders (with qualifications for service)
    • Then deacons
    • There was less emphasis on positions of leadership but a more organic way
  • The church is often talked about in relationship terms - examples of "One another"
    • Love – John 13:34-35
      • It is a great privilege to love one another
    • Confession and prayer - James 5:16
      • Wisdom in confession
      • A privilege and a responsibility
    • Bear burdens - Gal 6:2
    • Honesty - Eph 4:25
    • Kindness and forgiveness - Eph 4:32
    • Affection - Rom 12:10
    • Consideration – Heb 10:24-25
  • The Church is not like a club
    • People of diverse backgrounds that would not naturally come together
    • Brought into a family with responsibility too one another
    • Christ is the head of the church and together we serve Him
  • Quick Recap

v12-22

  • No schism (v25-27)
    • Some are struggling, some suffering, some rejoicing
    • When one person is going through a hard time - empathise
    • Rejoice with this
  • Diversity in Unity (v12)
    • There is one Christ, there is one body (v13)
    • We are not all meant to be the same
    • We have different gifts that compliment one another (v14)
  • We are not to think little of ourselves - we all have essential gifts (v15-17)
    • Different parts have different value
      • Examples - feet, ears
    • Do not feel inferior
  • We are not all the same
    • We do not all have the same gifts - examples
    • Our gifts are not just to be used in church but in our day-to-day living
  • God has set the members in the body (v18)
    • God has placed us in just the right place
  • We are not to think ourselves superior (v21)
    • No member must think themselves superior to another
  • We are all necessary (v22)
    • There are people hidden in church life who we do not see
    • We may think people are weaker, but not in God's eyes
    • There is to be no schism in the body (v25)
    • It is not just for the 'high-flying'
    • It is not just for one person
    • No-one is to glory in themselves ... but in the Lord
  • Quick recap

Application

  • What does this mean for us?
  • We should show commitment to one-another
    • Not just on something we do on Sunday
    • To encourage and meet up with one another
    • A priority to be committed
  • We should be committed to the wider body of Christ
    • We cannot say to another Church 'we do not need them'
    • We join together with the AECW Churches in prayer
    • We might attend rallies, conferences, special services, house party, etc
  • We ought not to fret about the local church
    • God gives sufficient gifts to His church (v18)
    • Examples
    • If there are deficiencies, it is because we are not using our gifts
  • Do not depend on organisational structure
    • Do not wait to be given a role/job
    • Encourage one another
    • Gifts for inside and outside the church - examples
    • Eph 4:11-13
  • Giftings
    • If you are unsure of your gift - remember the 'one anothers'
    • Pray if you might have a specific gift - God will guide you
    • Be available and He will give you that gift
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