the church: many members, one body

THE CHURCH:THE CHURCH:MANY MEMBERS, ONE MANY MEMBERS, ONE

BODYBODY1 Corinthians 12:12-261 Corinthians 12:12-26

THE CHURCH:THE CHURCH:MANY MEMBERS, ONE BODYMANY MEMBERS, ONE BODY 1. See charts of the human body with 1. See charts of the human body with

names, systems, etc.names, systems, etc. 2. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-301 Corinthians 12:12-30 – Holy – Holy

Spirit gives us a “chart” of the body of Spirit gives us a “chart” of the body of Christ (church), displaying its Christ (church), displaying its unityunity as as individualindividual parts join together to parts join together to function function effectivelyeffectively as a church of as a church of Christ.Christ.

I. WE ARE THE BODY OF I. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST CHRIST

A. The A. The ChurchChurch is is One BodyOne Body with with Many MembersMany Members – – 12:12, 20, 2712:12, 20, 27..

1. Baptized into one body – 1. Baptized into one body – 12:1312:13; cf. ; cf. Acts 2:41, 47Acts 2:41, 47..

-We all share a common faith, -We all share a common faith, conversion, fellowship & goal.conversion, fellowship & goal.

2. Body can 2. Body can growgrow & & functionfunction effectivelyeffectively – –Ephesians 4:15-16; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19Colossians 2:19..

I. WE ARE THE BODY OF I. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST CHRIST

B. The Body B. The Body IllustratesIllustrates Our Our Unity in Unity in ChristChrist – – 12:1212:12 ( (Ephesians 4:3-6Ephesians 4:3-6), ), 2525..

- The local church is to be united – - The local church is to be united – 1 Corinthians 1:10, 13.1 Corinthians 1:10, 13.

II. THE BODY (CHURCH):II. THE BODY (CHURCH):MANY MEMBERS.MANY MEMBERS.

A. God has A. God has DesignedDesigned the the ChurchChurch (body) to (body) to AchieveAchieve His His PurposesPurposes – – 12:18 (28); Romans 12:4-512:18 (28); Romans 12:4-5..

1. 1. Different giftsDifferent gifts – Same Spirit – – Same Spirit – 12:412:4.. (we all have been blessed) (we all have been blessed)

2. 2. Different ministriesDifferent ministries – Same Lord – – Same Lord – 12:512:5. (we render different services). (we render different services)

3. 3. Different activities (effects – NASB)Different activities (effects – NASB) – Same God – – Same God – 12:612:6. (through different . (through different ways)ways)

B. B. Each MemberEach Member of the Body of Christ: of the Body of Christ: 1. 1. Is vitalIs vital – – 12:14-19.12:14-19. a. Young person who sets a godly a. Young person who sets a godly

example example ((1 Timothy 4:121 Timothy 4:12).). b. Elderly saint whose endurance b. Elderly saint whose endurance

inspires others.inspires others. c. The class teacher, preacher, c. The class teacher, preacher,

song leader, etc. song leader, etc. ((Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12))


2. 2. Is neededIs needed – – 12:20-2212:20-22.. a. a. 12:2112:21 - No one is to be like - No one is to be like

Diotrephes – Diotrephes – 3 John 93 John 9.. b. b. 12:2212:22 – Weaker members are – Weaker members are

necessary, too. (necessary, too. (HumilityHumility toward all is toward all is necessary – necessary – Romans 12:3, 16; Romans 12:3, 16; Philippians 2:3Philippians 2:3))


3. 3. Is honorableIs honorable – – 12:23-2412:23-24.. - - 12:2412:24 – Just as we adorn our – Just as we adorn our

body so that all parts are honorably body so that all parts are honorably presented (modest), God has arranged presented (modest), God has arranged the body of Christ (church) in such a the body of Christ (church) in such a way that the honor of every member is way that the honor of every member is displayed.displayed.


4. 4. Has mutual care for one Has mutual care for one anotheranother – – 12:25-2712:25-27..

a. a. 12:2512:25 – cf. helping one another – cf. helping one another remain faithful – remain faithful – Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14Thessalonians 5:14..

b. b. 12:2612:26 – In Christ we are to – In Christ we are to carecare for one another, for one another, dependdepend upon each upon each other in joy & sorrow, in life & death – other in joy & sorrow, in life & death – Romans 12:5Romans 12:5, , 10-1610-16..


III. APPLYING THE III. APPLYING THE PRINCIPLE.PRINCIPLE.

A. We Must A. We Must RespectRespect Our Our HeadHead (Christ)(Christ) in All Things – in All Things – Colossians 3:17Colossians 3:17..

1. In what we believe, teach and 1. In what we believe, teach and practice.practice.

2. Insist on Bible authority!2. Insist on Bible authority!


B. We Must B. We Must Do Our PartDo Our Part So the So the BodyBody Properly Properly FunctionsFunctions – – Ephesians 4:16Ephesians 4:16..

1. Individuals function which works for the 1. Individuals function which works for the good of the whole.good of the whole.

2. When you or I do not do our part the 2. When you or I do not do our part the body suffers!body suffers!

a. Are you a. Are you teachingteaching or will you be or will you be teaching a Bible class?teaching a Bible class?

b. Are you b. Are you prayingpraying for your brethren? for your brethren? c. Are you c. Are you encouragingencouraging others in word & others in word &

actions?actions?


C. We Must Endeavor to C. We Must Endeavor to Keep UnityKeep Unity Among Us – Among Us – 12:12; Ephesians 4:312:12; Ephesians 4:3..

1. So that no schism occurs – 1. So that no schism occurs – 12:2512:25.. 2. A fractured body is unable to 2. A fractured body is unable to

function adequately and without proper function adequately and without proper care leads to pain!care leads to pain!

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION 1. None of us can do everything, but all 1. None of us can do everything, but all

of us can do something!of us can do something! 2. May everything we do honor Christ 2. May everything we do honor Christ

& His body, the church.& His body, the church.

the church: many members, one body

Documents