Gifted Part 2
When We Gather
February 5, 2023
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. —1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Baptism washes away the ethnic and sociological barricades that previously separated and alienated them. It may seem surprising in a discussion about the diversity of gifts that Paul brings up their social diversity, but this is a contributing factor in their division. Racial prejudice and social stereotypes are supposed to be submerged and put to death in baptism, but all too frequently these evils survive the experience, dry themselves off,
and form tumors on the body. —David Garland
In the Church, we are UNITED in Christ & DIVERSE in gifting.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. —1 Corinthians 12:14-20
We need to trust God with WHO WE ARE & HOW WE FUNCTION in the Body of Christ.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable… 23…and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24awhile our presentable parts need no special treatment. —1 Corinthians 12:21-24
We must VALUE every part of the body because we are DEPENDENT on every part of the body.
24bBut God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. —1 Corinthians 12:24b-26
We need to HONOR & CARE for one another.
3Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. —Romans 12:3-5
9Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. —Romans 12:9-13