12 Unity In The Body

Introduction

Two stories to help illustrate.

Super Heroes – Marvel Agents of Shield. Supernatural powers from alien genetics. Super powers. Everyone wants a super power, base identity on their power. Some use for good, some for evil. Even the good wrestle with improper use of their powers. Agents are a team of imperfect but gifted people focused on the mission of ridding the world/universe of evil.

Mercersburg Sportsmen Association – club. Mission clear, people driven. Over time, mission lost, people wanting their own benefit, membership down, investment down. Losing way. No longer able to carry out the mission of the Association.

Consider a body that is not functioning as designed: broken bones, torn muscles, blind eye, deaf ear, amputated leg, cancer – parts actually attacking the body, etc. One part not functioning causes the others to make up for its loss. But when more and more parts are not functioning, the body soon cannot do what it is supposed to do. It stops the functioning of the whole body. Toxins build up or life stops flowing. Weak, anemic, feeble… No longer able to carry out the functions of life.

Reminder - Ch 11 Head and Body, 12 Parts of the body, 13 Purpose, 14 Function and Order, 15 Power of the Body - New Life

Let’s take a view of what we are supposed to look like as the church – the body of Christ.

Manifestations of Holy Spirit

Read whole chapter. Highlight specific verses:

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 Now about matters of the Spirit

previously pagan idolaters paying tribute to idols, but only those yielding to Christ can honor/worship Him.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 many gifts, from the One Spirit, many service assignments from One Lord, varied missions from the One God.

The Spirit empowers for what the Lord assigns in the mission of God the Father.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 manifestations of the Spirit.

Highlight v11 all from the One Spirit as He determines.

Diversity In Unity

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 many parts make one body, physically but also spiritually in Christ.

Highlight v13 baptized (plunged into) the one body by the Spirit and drawing the life of the Spirit (drink)

1 Corinthians 12:15-26 the unity of the physical body. No part can function without the others.

Highlight v18 God placed the parts just as He wanted them.

Highlight v25 God put the parts together as one body, each with its own place, so that no division but equal concern for each other. All suffer together, all are honored together.

You Are the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 you are the parts of the Spiritual body of Christ. Various roles and not all doing the same role. There can only be one Head.

The purpose of the body in v31c and ch 13.

Highlight end of v31 I will show you the most excellent way. The real deal.

So 1 Corinthians 13 is the purpose of the body. The general mission of the Body. Love. Compassion. Using those gifts for that purpose otherwise the gifts are meaningless.

Highlight 1 Corinthians 13:13 the greatest is Love.

Big Idea: v27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

The purpose in our lives of faith and following Jesus is love, compassion, Kingdom connection.

Our purpose, the end goal of our lives is not about following the 10 Commandments, or to behave, to do certain actions or not do certain actions, to do right and avoid wrong.

Are we trying to be super heroes wielding super powers for our own greatness? Or are we empowered members of the Spiritual body wielding gifts together in unity for the mission of the Head?

Are we a club who has lost its purpose and mission, where the members all want their own way? Or are we the well trained healthy body carrying out the mission of the Head?

If we are not currently functioning as a well trained and Spirit empowered body carrying out Jesus’ mission, what is holding us back and what do we need to do about it?