By: Pastor Rick Smith

 When we become Christians we become a part of the body of Christ.  The gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us are directly related to our position in the body of Christ – the church. 

 This becomes especially clear within the local church.  Look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.  “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 are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (12:12-13).”  Paul uses the human body, which we all have experience, to show, first, the body of Christ (the church) is one. 

 Secondly, within that one body, we are many members.  The many are made one in Christ.  How are we individually united into the one body of Christ?  It is the Holy Spirit that unites us to the body of Christ and we have all received the Holy Spirit.  We have drunk Him into our lives and He has bonded each of us together in the church.  As we look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 we will understand that it is God Who does this. 

We are so hardheaded (and hard hearted) that Paul has to emphasize the fact that “…the body is not one member, but many (12:14).”  The word “if” is used several times in the next verses. Paul argues for the unity of the We are so hardheaded (and hard hearted) that Paul has to emphasize the fact that “…the body is not one member, but many (12:14).”  The word “if” is used several times in the next verses.  Paul argues for the unity of the body of Christ – the church.  “If” any part of the body complains about his position in the church – it is still a part of the one body.  This is not a decision that we make. 

 God Himself set each member in its place in the body.  There has been so much progress in the workings of DNA that we forget that God is the Divine Engineer that created and designed how every individual part comes together in one body.  “But now are they many members, yet but one body (12:20).”  Some feel inferior to others in the body and think that they are not part of it.  Others are so stuck on themselves that they think that they don’t need the other parts of the 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 (12:21).”  We all need one another.  I need your gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you and you need those gifts which were given to me by the same Holy Spirit.  And we together make one body in Christ.

How valuable to the body is each and every member?  Roger Staubach, at the height of his football career, had a pinky finger that was deformed by injury that it looked more like a thumb.  It was  suggested by some that it should be amputated, because it was so deformed.  It was finally decided that to remove his pinky would throw the balance off and may end his career. 

If a deformed pinky was important for Staubach, then how important is every member of the body of Christ?  “…those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary (12:22).” All members are necessary for a healthy body.  Even the feeble, less honorable, and the unattractive are necessary parts of the unified body.  God placed them in the body – placed them in the church – and “tempered” or mixed them together.  Early iron swords were strong, but inflexible and prone to break. 

The ancients learned to mix iron with malleable steel making a sword that is both flexible and strong.  That is what God has done with each of us.  United together in Christ the members has the same care one for another (12:25).  As a result of that unity if one member suffers, all suffer with it.  And if one member is honored, we all rejoice.  essential members of His body the church.  Just as God gives gifts to each believer, He gives gifts to churches.  Paul gives us a list of those gifts to the church (12:28).  Paul asks, “Are all apostles, or prophets, or teachers, or workers of miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing, or speak in tongues, or interpret? (12:29-30).”  The natural and right answer is “no”.  No person has all the gifts, but the church needs these gifts for the effective working of the body.  But no church has all the gifts, but that which God has deemed essential for the health and growth of the body, the church. 

“But covet earnestly the best gifts… (12:31a).”  What are the best gifts?  Paul does not directly answer this, but sets forth “a more excellent way (12:31b)”.   What Paul has taught us is that we need each other and each other’s spiritual gifts.  And that unity of the body demands that we accept and care for one another.   I need you and you need me and together we are one in Christ.  In caring for the church  we should desire that it has the best gifts – those especially beneficial to the health and growth of the local church.

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.  Check our sermon videos on Youtube @ricksmith2541.  Send comments and prayer requests to prayerlinecmbc@gmail.com.

Rick Smith is the Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Artesia.