The Lies We Like: Week #2 – 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
May 11, 2025 | James Davis, Statesboro Campus Pastor
Part of The Lies We Like

BIG IDEA
The lie we like: “My relationship with Jesus is personal.”
But your relationship with Jesus was never meant to be private.
You are essential—not extra—to the Body of Christ.

1: SIMOEN STYLITES (Syrian Monk)

  • Lived 37 years atop a 50ft pillar in the desert.
  • Desired holiness through isolation.
  • His devotion was sincere—but his isolation was tragic.
  • Following Jesus alone distorts the picture of faith.

2: THE DANGERS OF PRIVATE FAITH

  • “My truth.” “My space.” “My journey.”
  • We’ve confused personal with private—and it costs us:

RISKS:

  • Emotional Isolation (1 Cor. 12:26)
  • Wasted Potential (1 Cor. 12:18–20)
  • Theological Drift
  • Distorted Identity (1 Cor. 12:14)
  • Detached Gifting (1 Cor. 12:7)
  • Consumer Christianity
  • Cynicism Toward the Church
    At its worst, private faith breeds bad theology, competitive ideologies, and eventual division.

3: GOD’S DESIGN: ONE BODY, MANY MEMBERS

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts… so it is with Christ.” —1 Corinthians 12:12–14

  • Unified by design.
  • Alone, we distort the image—not only of Christ, but of self.

4: YOU BELONG BY DESIGN

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” —1 Corinthians 12:18

  • Not optional. Not aspirational. It’s identity.

5: YOU ARE ESSENTIAL, NOT EXTRA

“The parts that seem weaker are indispensable…” —1 Corinthians 12:21–24

  • Even unseen parts are vital.
  • “You don’t have to be seen to be significant.” – Andy Stanley

6: THE MUTUAL LIFE

“If one part suffers, every part suffers… if one part is honored, every part rejoices…” —1 Corinthians 12:25–26

  • Not convenient—but covenant.
  • You are never alone again.

7: GOSPEL UNITY OVER DIVISION

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… you are all one in Christ Jesus.” —Galatians 3:28

  • The Gospel declares radical unity without uniformity.

Support Verses:

  • Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron…”
  • Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “A cord of three strands…”
  • Matthew 18:20 – “Where two or three gather…”

8: FINAL CHARGE

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part.” —1 Corinthians 12:27

  • The life you long for isn’t found in self-preservation.
  • It’s forged in shared struggle, mutual sacrifice, and Spirit-led contribution.

Takeaway:
You’re not just telling your story—you’re helping write our story.