1 Corinthians 12 The Body of Christ 21.5.00 We all know how one little thing can seem to spoil everything. We can be in good general health, 99% of our bodies working efficiently but a wee touch of indigestion can make us miserable. We could be fighting fit with heart and lungs ready for the Olympics but an ingrown toenail can put us off our feet for days. We could be eating and exercising well but a toothache that keeps us awake at night isn't long in disrupting our life. Now imagine a body with ingrown toenail and toothache, plus angina, diabetes, multiple fractions and Parkinson's Disease, and indigestion, and you've got a picture of the Christian Church in 1st century Corinth. The irony is that they were richly talented people. Some at Corinth had leadership and administration skills. Some had great gifts of wisdom and discernment to understand God's revelation and assess situations spiritually. The congregation had witnessed some dramatic miracles not least healing, performed by some of its members. Quite a number appear to have been gifted speakers. The problem that was crippling their fellowship was that they didn't recognise each other's faith or gifts. Each exercised their own gifts independently, selfishly even without care or regard for others, without any concept of how God might want to use them all harmoniously together. All the parts of the human body must work together following the one clear direction given by the brain if we hope to get anywhere or achieve anything. The Church in Corinth was like a body wounded by infighting, crippled by division, hindered by members pulling in different directions. And yet, against this sad backdrop, Paul makes this remarkable statement in v 27: "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." The Church world-wide, the fellowship of Christians, flawed as it is, is nevertheless the body of Christ, the place where the Lord Jesus chooses to live by His Holy Spirit. Just as our souls live in our physical bodies His Spirit lives in the hearts of his people throughout the world guiding and empowering us to do His will. There is only one God and one Jesus. There are not lots of "bodies of Christ" just one and each Christian is a part of it. This is the major point Paul is trying to make - Christians belong together. Despite our different denominations and cultures and personalities and opinions, all who trust in a love and follow Jesus Christ belong together. God makes it so. We have one Lord, one life, one overall aim. It's equally true that while Christians belong together in one body, we're all different parts of it. Each of us is unique with particular outlook, temperament and God-given talents. God doesn't make us all boring clones. He doesn't expect us when we become Christians to turn into someone else. He does want to use us, unique individuals as we are and our particular gifts in harmony with other Christians to His honour and glory. Paul then appeals to the Corinthians and to us all. He says - look, if all this is true no one should have any problems with feelings of inferiority - no feet saying, oh, I'm no good - I'm not a hand! Nobody saying oh, I can't preach and I can't sing. I'm not an upfront person. So what! Ask God to show you what gifts He has given you and use them to His glory. And if this is true neither should we have problems with feelings of superiority - no eyes saying to the hands, oh, you're not much use, you're not an eye! Nobody saying now unless you have this gift or that gift you're not mature or of any use to God. It's God Who decided which gifts to give each of us! We can neither complain nor boast! The important thing is to use whatever He's given us humbly for the common good. - to build up the fellowship and spread the good news. There are different ways in which we could sum up this teaching. Let me try and do it with these three "nos" and four "shoulds"! 1. First "no" is no inferiority. No complacency. No taking a back seat imagining God hasn't given us any gifts. There is no such thing as an ungifted Christian. If you love Christ but don't know yet what your gifts are then ask Him and other Christians to show you. Once you've found them, use them! 2. Second "no" is no superiority. No big heads please. No looking down on each other. It has often pleased God to use the humble and weak things for His purpose. So let's affirm each other and encourage everyone who's trying to do something for the Lord. 3. Third "no" is no lone rangers. God doesn't save us to live in splendid isolation but in rich fellowship. It's a Christian privilege and duty to share in each others joys and sorrows. The body works, rejoices, suffers, relaxes together. And now the four "shoulds": 1. We should welcome diversity. God is making one people from all the nations of Earth. One nation under Christ. Praise His name. 2. We should recognise and encourage a variety of gifts. I don't think Paul means this list to be exhaustive. In Romans 12 he mentions the gifts of encouragement, showing mercy, giving financial support. We could add people with technical ability, musical talent, and so on. Thank God for our gifts and let's use them all! 3. We should work for harmony. This pleases God and helps our witness. Nothing more off-putting than a divided, crippled fellowship! 4. We should co-operate together for this one common cause - to glorify our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations until His Kingdom comes in fullness of glory. AMEN