12 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. 13 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. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 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. 16 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. 17 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? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 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.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 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, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 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. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? —1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Big Idea: God calls us to be

Introduction: In our individualistic society, Church membership is often quickly dismissed as unnecessary or an obstacle for people to experience God’s love. As we understand what God has called us to be as a church, we will quickly realize that Scripture lays out clear examples of a committed God welcoming believers into a committed family. A temple has bricks. A flock has sheep. A vine has branches. And a body has members. Church membership is not simply a record of a box we once checked or a sentimental feeling. It should reflect a living commitment.

1. Why membership?

• a. Evidenced

  1. Membership tallies: Acts 2:41,47

     41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. … 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:41,47

  2. Electing those to serve: Acts 6:1-6

     1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. —Acts 6:1-6

  3. Paul knew the membership roll: Romans 16:1-16

  4. Obey your leaders: Heb 13:17 Who are our sheep?

     Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. —Hebrews 13:17
     

• b. Modeled

  1. The Lamb’s book of life: Phil 4:3; Rev 21:27

     Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. —Philippians 4:3
     But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. —Revelation 21:27

  2. A Member removed: 1 Cor 5:2

     And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. —1 Corinthians 5:2
     The church cannot formally

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     someone if he is not formally

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     in the first place.

  3. Members of one another: Romans 12:4-5

     4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. —Romans 12:4-5
     

• c. Exemplified

  1. Members of the family: Matthew 18:17

     If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. —Matthew 18:17

  2. Who is the pastor responsible for? 1 Peter 5:2-3

     2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. —1 Peter 5:2-3
     

• d. It’s healthy.

  1. Unity is important to God: Philippians 2:2

     complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. —Philippians 2:2

  2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
     

2. Membership is a tool for Commitment

• a. Committed to our Church’s unity: 1 Cor 12:12-13
• b. Committed to every member’s importance: 1 Cor 12:14-24

Being a member of a church means so much more than standing next to someone else and singing some songs once a week. Being a member of a church means realizing that we are

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the brothers and sisters around us to

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of Jesus. —David Platt

• c. Committed to working together: 1 Cor 12:25-30

God gave us membership as a tool for experiencing the

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. The idea of commitment in relationships is countercultural, as many people today prefer “cancel anytime” arrangements. How can we encourage a culture of commitment and long-term faithfulness within our church community?

4. In what ways have you personally experienced the benefits of committed church membership in the past? How has it impacted your spiritual growth and sense of belonging?

5. How does the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 help us understand the significance of each member’s role within the local church community? How can we practically apply this concept in our interactions within our church family?