"You Are Important To Me!"

1 Corinthians 12:18

God-Morning True Believers Baptist Church. It is definitely an honor and privilege to be here with you today! First, I want to thank my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, for calling me for a time such as this, and then I’d like to thank Pastor and Lady Taylor for choosing me to be a part of this fantastic ministry occasion! Last, but surely not least, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife and Queen for being such a great support and Help-Meet to me over these past 14 years!

This morning, let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12:18

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

In the year 2002, popular gospel artist Hezekiah Walker put out a song entitled ”I Need You to Survive.” The open verse says: I need you, you need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me, agree with me. We're all a part of God's body. It is his will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive. You are important to me, I need you to survive.

The chorus to this same song says: I pray for you , you pray for me. I love you, I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you, I need you to survive.

I truly believe that these words are God ordained, and in part, the title of today’s message for this 8th Pastor & Wife Anniversary. Everyone point at Pastor & Lady Taylor and say these words: “You Are Important to Me!” Now turn to someone else, and repeat the same thing.

How many of us know the importance of our bodies? I just want to point out a few things that we may or may may not know. Did you know that Feet are important because they support the body's weight, allow for movement, and help maintain balance:

Support: Feet support the body's weight and allow for standing.

Movement: Feet allow for walking, running, dancing, and other activities.

Balance: Feet help maintain balance.

Shock absorption: Feet absorb shock.

Upright position: Feet help the body maintain an upright position.

Protection: The soles of the feet are made of thick skin that protects the feet.

Sensation: The soles of the feet have many nerve endings that send information about the surroundings to the brain. Feet are complex mechanical structures made up of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are the foundation for an active lifestyle, and proper care is important to prevent problems and injuries.

But did you know that if you lose your big toe, you’ll have to possible learn how to walk again?

What about our hands?

Hands are an important part of our lives, serving many purposes, including:

Communication Hands are a key part of how we communicate, both verbally and non-verbally. We use gestures to express feelings and convey messages, such as waving hello or giving a thumbs up.

Social contact Hands are important for connecting with others, showing affection, and enriching communication.

Dexterity Hands are capable of a wide range of actions, from gentle and precise tasks like writing or playing an instrument, to heavy labor like digging with a shovel.

Sense of touch Hands allow us to feel whether something is rough or smooth, hot or cold, sharp or dull.

Brain function Physical activities that involve your hands can activate your brain's effort-driven rewards circuit.

Identification Fingerprints are a unique form of identification.

The brain dedicates a lot of space to the hands, and our hands are integrated into our cognitive system.

But the losing a thumb can result in a significant loss of hand function, including:

Grip: You'll lose your ability to grip objects with your palm, pinch side to side, and pinch tip to tip.

Sensation: You may experience a change in your sense of touch, such as increased sensitivity to cold or heat.

Disability: The federal government considers thumb amputation a disability.

What about our ears? Did you know that not only do our ears detect and analyze sound, but they also help with our balance?

And you may be saying, PastorMic, why are you telling me all of this? Because the LORD needs all of us to leave this morning not only knowing how important Pastor & Lady Taylor are to Him, but how important you are to Him as well!

One of the important themes of the entire book of 1 Corinthians is unity. The Greek word, ἑνότης​henotēs (he-no-tes)· unity /means “Unified or united”, but in simple terms it means “harmony.” God wants us to know not only how bad we look when we are not united, but also how bad we sound!

I just have three points for you this morning.

#1 You Are Important to Me Because of You’re Teachable (v. 1-3)

Paul begins 1 Corinthians 12:1–3 “1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” by saying,

One of the worst things that we can do as human beings and believers is think that we know it all. Only God knows everything, and only He will ever know everything. Paul said it this was in 1 Corinthians 13:12 “12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

God requires that we all have a Teachable Spirit. When we are open to what God has to say through others, we are more amp to be open to what God is saying to us. The Corinthian Church had a lot of questions that they asked Paul, but they also remained open to hear the answer.

Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:10-16

1 Corinthians 1:10–16 NIV

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)

Being unteachable is NOT from God! In fact, when we say or think, “He or she can’t tell me nothing!” We’re literally walking in pride. Proverbs 11:2 says, “2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:18 “18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Again, Proverbs 18:12 states, “12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

Finally, Proverbs 29:23 reminds us, “23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” It’s important that we all remain teachable so that God can use us for His glory. So it is, You Are Important To Me Because You Are Teachable, but also, You Are Important To Me Because of Your Talents!

#2 You Are Important to Me Because of Your Talents (v.4-11)

Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in verses 4 through 11. 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 “4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

Most believers major on minor things, and are minor on major things. What do I mean? Well, I’m glad you asked! In verses 4 through eleven, the Apostle Paul reminds the Church that every believers is gifted with a gift, or gifts that are for the betterment of the entire Church. He says, that although we are all different, our gifts are given by the same Spirit.

Too often we believe that one person, or one gift is more important than another. Often times we do this without conscious knowledge, and other times we do it intentionally. When we elevate one gift, group, person above another, we are opening the door to division and low value of what God has done. It is God’s Holy Spirit that has distributed the gifts, services, and knowledge, but all of them are for Him.

There are members right here at TBBC, that walk in the fullness of these gifts, but there are many more who question their importance here or anywhere. And for those here who believe their not important, or others are not important, take it up with God, because 1 Corinthians 12:11 “11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” Know that it is God who makes us important, not we ourselves!

You Are Important To Me You Are Teachable. You Are Important To Me Because Of Your Talents, but finally, You Are Important To Me Because You’re On The Team!

#3 You Are Important to Me Because You’re On the Team (v. 12-30)

Paul uses the illustration of a body in verses 12-30 of 1 Corinthians 12. Why would Paul use the body in a message of unity to the Church? Because our body reveals far more to us than we will actually admit. However, for today’s message I want to show us through the body, how we’re all on the same team.

Many people who play sports, or who love sports know that either the team wins together, or they lose together. Is anyone here today a true sports buff? Okay, which players on the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 58 game did not play? Defensive End Charles Omenihu & All-Pro Guard Joe Thuney. Now, which of those two didn’t get a ring? Neither. Why, because although they were injured, they were still on the team.

Why does the Church or Body of Christ literally want to cut off parts of its body, or act like they are not important to the full function? Because we’ve allowed the enemy to come in like he did in the Garden of Eden and deceive us. Paul puts it this way in verses 15 through 17, (1 Corinthians 12:15–17 “15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?”

Simply put, just because we think that someone is not important is not reflective of what the Word of God or Christ says. Today’s theme verse reminds us of why Pastor Taylor, Lady Taylor, and every member here is important: 1 Corinthians 12:18

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

TBBC, if no one told you, it was God that appointed them here, and is God that has kept them for the past eight years! Pastor Taylor & Lady Taylor have been an important part of my wife and I life, and if you’re honest with yourself, they have been an important part of yours too. Not just when they said what you wanted them to say, or did what you wanted them to do, but also when they did the opposite.

Not only has God placed them where they are, but He’s also placed you under their care. If you want True Believers Baptist Church to grow in power and numbers, than you have to treat every person that walks through those doors, or who crosses you paths, like they are important to you!

More than 2000 years ago Jesus showed the entire world how important they were to Him, when He was lied on, bruised and beaten, and forced to carry that old rugged cross. He showed us how important we are to Him when He took those big nails in His hands and feet.

He showed the thief on the cross how important he was when He said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” He showed the devil how important we are when He went to down to take the keys to hades/hell. Revelation 1:18 “18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

But it was early Sunday morning that Jesus showed us just how important we are to Him, when He got up with all power and authority! So I just came by this morning to remind Pastor & Lady Taylor, You Are Important to Me! If you didn’t know it, now you know, and True Believers, You Are Important To Me Too!