The Body of Christ

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:4-26

In this series we are casting vision for what the church can be, and we begin by looking through some Biblical images to see how the church can embody devotion, community and mission. This message focuses on the idea of the church as community by exploring the image of the church as the body of Christ.

The Spirit Works Through Us All In Different Ways (v4-11): As Paul introduces his idea in this chapter, his point is that whilst we might all have different ways we serve in the church, it is the Holy Spirit working through us all. In fact, the gifts used are called ‘manifestations of the Spirit’, and they are not given for the sake of each individual but for the benefit of the whole church. Paul’s vision is of a community where every believer contributes through the gifts the Spirit has given them, and the whole body benefitting as a result. In this we see the Spirit made known and the church functioning as it should. The verses then go on to list some of these gifts, and there is a focus here on some more obviously supernatural gifts that we sometimes see expressed in our gatherings. These are powerful and important contributions and are things we are keen to push into. However, the ones mentioned here are not the only gifts, and other lists in the New Testament also include many others, including behind the scenes gifts. There are many different ways to be involved in the church and we need them all.

You Have An Important Part to Play (v12-20): These verses take up the case of somebody feeling that their contribution doesn’t matter because they don’t have the same gifts somebody else does. He compares this to a foot thinking that because it isn’t a hand then it doesn’t belong. We were never all meant to be the same, and it would be unhealthy for anybody in the church to think they don’t have a part to play. We want to find ways for everybody who is part of the church to contribute and do so in ways that match up with how they are wired and gifted. It may be worth making particular application to those who are new to the church that it is good to get involved straight away and we are keen to create space for this to happen. It is also worth noting that the reasons people may feel they don’t belong might not only be to do with what their spiritual gift is. Verse 13 also addresses issues of ethnic background and social class, and emphasises that our unity as a body crosses these boundaries. There are many reasons people may wonder whether they really belong, but Paul’s point is that every believer belongs in the body and has an indispensable contribution to make.

Everybody Else Has An Important Part to Play (v21-26): In these verses, Paul considers the opposite scenario to the previous section, this time speaking to those who would diminish the contribution of others. Again, the image of the body is useful for exposing the foolishness of such an attitude, comparing it to an eye telling the hand it is unneeded. God has designed the body to work together and all need one another, and where one part of the body is weak, vulnerable or suffering then the whole body carries this and treats that part with honour and care. In our church this means we look out for one another, value the contributions that every person brings (not only those who have the most prominent positions) and share in the sufferings and vulnerabilities and also the joy of everybody in the church. This is the kind of community and body that God has called upon us to be.

Potential Applications

• This passage is a big invitation for people to get involved and play their part in the body. You can challenge those who are part of the church but have not yet found what role they can play to explore what it would look like to use their gifts.
• We are challenged to think about how we value one another, especially those who might seem weaker. What does it look like to value every part and honour every person in the body.
• When different people use their gifts, it is a manifestation of the Spirit. We should be expecting to see something more than just a gathering of people doing their best when we meet, but that through ordinary people faithfully using the gifts God has given them, we will see the Spirit at work among us..