Each Member is a Dynamic Component of the Local Church/Two Eye Popping Statements about Weaker Members

Introduction

Last Sunday, we learned from 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 several important local church principles. In fact, God expects everything we are learning from each local church. Our text last week gave us the analogy of the local church as a body. Look with me again at those verses.

1 Corinthians 12:14–20 KJV 1900

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

From this text, we noted three things.

• Each Member is Necessary as Part of the Body of Christ (aka the Local Church)

• Each Member has a Purpose within the Body of Christ (aka the Local Church)

• Each Member is a Member of the Body of Christ (aka the Local Church) as God Wills

Now there is one more point that I failed to give you last week. That point was this!

Each Member is Different , but United as Part of the Body of Christ (aka the Local Church)

Look at the last verse from last week’s text.

1 Corinthians 12:20 KJV 1900

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

If you go back a few verses to the beginning of this chapter, the Holy Spirit also notes the following.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 KJV 1900

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

From there, the Holy Spirit gives examples of the different spiritual gifts. It lists the other parts of His body within the local church. If you have the gift of faith, you are a faith member of the body, for lack of a better way to state it. If you have the gift of teaching, then you are the teaching member of the body. Each is different, but each is an essential part of the body. All the different parts make up the body. It is then the local church by which all are united and operate together.

Going back to the Holy Spirit’s illustration, where would the faith, mercy, pastors, etc., be if only one member, such as teachers, existed? If there were only one member, there would be nobody. Think about it this way! I will use my spiritual gift as an example because it often happens in churches. If a church becomes all about the pastor, making him the most significant and vital person in the church, what happens to the body? This church isn’t about one person or one spiritual gift. No, each local church is made of many members equally crucial to the function and operation of the body. All of us, including pastors, must not make it about ourselves. Instead, we must remember that we are one part of a whole body, of which Christ is the head. Any church that makes it all about the pastor is not operating as God intended. Are pastors significant? Yes, but so are those who teach, serve, encourage, pray, etc. Each member is substantial and essential. We are one body!

All this leads us to today’s text, the following 3 verses of chapter 12.

1 Corinthians 12:21–23 KJV 1900

21 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. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Too often, the more gifted believers are given preeminence in a local church. And, at times, there is a sense that they are more critical to a local church than those with less talent or abilities. Here in our study of 1 Corinthians 12, the Holy Spirit gives a sharp rebuke concerning this error of judgment. We must be careful and balanced in how we treat all body members, especially those who are socially awkward, physically handicapped, or spiritually challenged. Every person is essential and significant in the eyes of God. Thus, they are to be equally important and meaningful to us. The unfortunate reality is we often push aside or ignore the weaker members. Instead, we celebrate and honor those with more talent and outstanding charisma. That is a problem for many churches. In fact, look at our text and note what the Holy Spirit says...

1 Corinthians 12:21–22 KJV 1900

21 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. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

The Necessity of the Weaker Member

Without a doubt, some in local churches feel that they do not have much to offer. Perhaps those feelings result from physical issues, social awkwardness, or an unawareness of their spiritual gift. Many would view them as “feeble.”

1 Corinthians 12:22 KJV 1900

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

The word “feeble” means sick or sickly. Thus, the intent is that certain body parts appear to be unimportant. The fact is they are not insignificant to the overall makeup of the body.

In much the same way, local churches have members who appear as if they are unimportant. Yet, God says they are necessary. We will come back to that thought in just a minute. However, our focus is on those who seem to be “feeble.” This word is found in 23 verses of the New Testament. English translates it as sick, weak, impotent, without strength, weakness, or weaker. I think you get a general understanding of the word “feeble.” Within our context, God is speaking about those in our church who are not physically strong or able to function as others. A condition often comes about due to physical issues, social awkwardness, or an unawareness of their spiritual gifts. Despite their physical handicaps or social inabilities, we must understand that God sees them differently.

Isn’t it great that God sees things so much different than us? What we see as feeble, God sees as necessary. In Greek, the word “necessary” has at least two connotations.

First, it implies that this person is connected by bonds of nature or friendship with a strong emphasis on being an intimate or dear friend. Essentially, this person is a dear and necessary part of another person’s life. Any person who is a believer is connected to other believers by a bond that is greater than any other bond known to men. We are bound by our faith in Christ and the fact we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Even those who are “feeble” or “weak” physically, socially, or spiritually are necessary. We are all part of God’s family. This principle is spread throughout the entire New Testament. Note these verses.

Matthew 12:50 KJV 1900

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Romans 8:17 KJV 1900

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Ephesians 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 3:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Hebrews 2:11 KJV 1900

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

All this ties right back into the overall context of 1 Corinthians 12. Each member of a local church, regardless of their physical, social, or spiritual strengths or weaknesses, is part of God’s family and a necessary member of this local church. A thought that brings back to the word “necessary.”

Remember, there are two connotations. First, every member is necessary because of our bond with Christ.

The second connotation is how we often understand the word “necessary.” Something necessary is something that must needs be.

Let me illustrate it this way. What is necessary for you and me to live each day and survive? We need food and water. If we have no food, we starve. If we have no water, we dehydrate. They are necessary and essential. Each is something we must have to live and cannot survive without.

That is the second understanding of the word “necessary.” It is one thing for us to casually accept the idea that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, many brothers and sisters grow apart from one another and, at times, may feel that they are not a necessary part of their life. It is a terrible way to think, but it does happen. It happens even in churches. It shouldn’t, but it does. This is why the Holy Spirit ratchets this up a notch here.

We must understand that every member of this local church, Calvary Baptist Church, is vital for survival. No matter what you may think or feel about other members, they are necessary to us. You might, in our mind, think, “So and so is definitely the weakest member of our church.” Some might even think, “So and so is a really awkward person, and I do not enjoy being around them.” Some might even think, “If so and so left this church, that would be great because we don’t need them. They can’t do anything around here anyway.” Every one of those thoughts is wrong. They are contrary to what God is teaching us in our text. For in God’s eyes, they are necessary. In fact, they are essential if we will be successful as a local church. Why is that? Look again at our text.

1 Corinthians 12:21–22 KJV 1900

21 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. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

The eye needs the hand. The eyes could look at something and long to touch it or pick it up but cannot without hands. Again, using the same analogy, the head can think about walking all it wants to, but without feet, it will not happen. Each is totally necessary for the body to function. In the exact same manner, each person connected to our church is essential. This includes those who are physically, socially, and spiritually challenged.

When it comes to those within our congregation that are “feeble,” we must see them as God sees them. He says they are necessary.

The next verse, verse 23, builds upon that premise. If the “feeble” are necessary to the body, how should we treat them?

The Treatment of the Weaker Member

Now, consider verse 23, which states...

1 Corinthians 12:23 (KJV 1900)

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Before diving into the weaker member’s treatment, we must define some things. In fact, these terms we are about to define will also come up in next week’s message.

As you look at verse 23, you will note the words “uncomely” and “comeliness.” Moving on to verses 24 next week, we will see the word “comely.” Consequently, body parts are considered “comely,” and others are “uncomely.” What do those terms mean in today’s vernacular? For the word “uncomely,” we might use the word “unbecoming” today. In Greek, it means anything unsuitable for public display. A certain amount of shame is associated with it, so we have no desire to make it public. However, the word “comely” means fair, beautiful, or becoming. In Greek, it means something suitable for public display.

The key word in this verse is the word “bestow.” It literally means to clothe someone. The implication is wrapping something around them or putting something on them.

As you read verse 23, the Holy Spirit clarifies that we are to clothe the “less honorable” with “abundant honor.” He adds that we are to “bestow” or dress our “uncomely parts” with more “abundant comeliness.” The word “comeliness” is the noun form of the adjective “comely.” Thus, the idea is to clothe or cover what is considered unbecoming with comeliness or beauty.

ILLUSTRATION: I will use myself as an illustration. I am very conscientious about the fact that I am overweight. It is pretty obvious, at least to me, that I like to eat. My love for eating has led to some uncomely parts of my body. As a result, I try to compensate for it by wearing clothes that cover or clothe me to not bring attention to my weight issues. Thus, I am “bestowing” my “uncomely parts” with “abundant comeliness.”

How does this work in a local church? How do we “bestow (clothe)” the uncomely or the less honorable with “abundant comeliness?”

We see people as God sees them, especially fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 KJV 1900

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

In our text for today, we already spoke about how God sees the “feeble” member as “necessary.” We clothe them by recognizing they are important and valuable members of our congregation. However, according to Scripture, there is more we can and should do.

Luke 22:26 KJV 1900

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Clothing the “uncomely” involves humility. Any believers given a position of authority or leading a ministry should be the first to serve those seen as “uncomely.” In fact, note the words of Romans 12:3

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Here the word “soberly” means to think and live wisely in self-control over one’s passions and desires. For those members who are “comely”, speaks to the fact they must exercise self-control over pride by not thinking highly of themselves. In the context of today’s message, it means putting the “feeble” first. It is an action that demands humility. Never should any believer or group of believers look do upon, snub, or bypass/ignore a less gifted member in our congregation. Every single person is important. As we have learned today, God sees them as “necessary.” As such, the command from Scripture is that we treat the physically handicapped, socially awkward, and those that are less spiritually gifted with “abundant honor.”

Let close with a thought about “abundant honor.” That phrase means we are not just to “honor” them. The word “honor” simply means to value them. Yet, the Holy Spirit adds an adjective here. We are to go beyond just seeing them as essential or necessary. He says we are give them “abundant” honor or value. The word “abundant” means greater in size or importance. In other words, we are to see them as priceless. Their value is to be held in extremely high esteem. Thus, we are to “clothe” the weaker or feeble members with “abundant honor.” We must view them as irreplaceable and of extreme value.

Conclusion

Let me encourage you this morning to take this message and apply it to your own life.

First, in our mind, how do you view yourself? Be honest and remember that God already knows. He knows your mind. Have you often thought more of yourself than you should? Maybe, you thought about how important you and, in some ways, thought less of others even within our congregation. If so, then start by asking for the Holy Spirit’s assistance in changing your thought life. A good way to do that is by admitting each day that you are nothing more than a sinner saved by God’s grace. Saved, yes, but your struggles are just as real as the next person’s. As a believer, it is possible that God has gifted you with more ability and/or spiritual gifts than others in our congregation. Such giftedness can be a blessing or bane. It all depends on your willingness to submit to God’s Word. I would encourage to change your thought life by simply remembering that you are God’s servant and nothing more. Any special ability, talent, or gift comes from God. It is by His grace you can do what you do. Therefore, none of us should look down upon another fellow believer.

Second, change the way you speak to others. Do you often speak in a condescending manner to those who feel are a bother to you? Many times we are short or curt with those we think are inferior to us. That is not right. Our speech is to be seasoned with grace. In other words, we are to use our tongues to edify, encourage, and equip others. This applies even to the those who we think are “feeble.”

Third, change your actions. Are there fellow believers that you ignore or snub because you see them as “feeble?” I am talking about anyone that doesn’t meet your standard of social significance or mental/physical abilities. Again, our actions come from our heart. If we judge people based on our standard, we are wrong to do so. No, as believers, we must remember that all believers are important to God. In fact, this whole message is about how they are necessary to Him and the local church.

Let’s change the way we think, speak, and act to those who are “feeble.” Begin by embracing them and elevating them to the status of necessary and valuable.