1 Corinthians 12
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, as ye were led. Therefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge; to another faith; to another the gifts of healing; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another the discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Greeks, whether we be bond or free; and were all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not a member of the body. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not a member of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members in the body, each one of them as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now there are many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
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Sermon Title: "The Body of Christ: United in Diversity"
Introduction
In today's passage, Paul uses the powerful analogy of the human body to describe the church. Just as a body is made up of many different parts, each with its own unique function, so too is the church. And just as those parts must work together in harmony for the body to function properly, so too must the members of the church.
Body
1. The Unity of the Body
Paul begins by emphasizing the unity of the body. He writes, "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" (1 Cor 12:12). This unity is not based on our outward similarities, but on our inward connection to Christ. We are all united in him, and through him, we are united to one another.
2. The Diversity of the Body
But while we are one body, we are also diverse. Paul lists a number of different gifts that God has given to the church: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, tongues, and interpretations of tongues (1 Cor 12:8-10). These gifts are not given to all, but rather are distributed according to God's will. And each gift has its own unique purpose.
3. The Interdependence of the Body
Paul then emphasizes the interdependence of the body. He writes, "If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the smelling be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose" (1 Cor 12:17-19). Each part of the body has its own important function, and all of the parts must work together in order for the body to function properly.
In the same way, the church is made up of many different people, each with their own unique gifts and talents. And just as the parts of a body must work together, so too must the members of the church. We need one another in order to be the full body of Christ.
4. The Dangers of Division
Paul warns against the dangers of division within the body. He writes, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor 12:26). When we divide ourselves into factions or groups, we weaken the body as a whole. We must strive to maintain unity and love for one another, even when we disagree.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the church is a beautiful and diverse body, united in Christ. We are all called to play our part in the body, and to use our gifts and talents to build up the church and serve one another. Let us strive to live in unity and love, and to be a reflection of the love of Christ to the world around us.
Benediction
May the peace of Christ be with you all. Amen.
I hope this sermon is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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