READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l The Church is the body of Christ, and every believer is a part of it. (v27) Diversely gifted by God, every member must unite as one body to love and care for each other.
The apostle Paul, responding to complaints about the Corinthian church, uses the human body as an analogy to describe how every person born of Christ, though differently gifted, should unite harmoniously in His church. Spiritual gifts had divided a proud Corinthian congregation. Instead of celebrating each other’s gifts – the “work of one and the same Spirit” who “distributes them to each one just as He determines (v11), they rated themselves and their own gifts more highly. God, however, “has placed the parts in the Body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” Where would the body be if they were all one part? As it is, “there are MANY parts, but ONE body” (v18-20). There being no division in the body, “its parts should have equal concern for each other.” (v25)
1. Unity Is Not Uniformity (v12-14) – People tend to congregate only with those who look, talk and think like them. Paul’s letter, however, emphasises that the Church is not a homogenous, identical group of people but an assorted variety of people ALL of whom were to be Christ-united, having been baptized by ONE Spirit to become ONE body – regardless of ethnicity (Jew or Greek) or socio-economic background (slave or free).
2. Diversity Is Essential (v15-20) – Paul corrected a prevailing falsehood in the Corinthian church that one did not belong there without having a certain gift. On the contrary, every different kind of spiritual gift is not only acceptable in the Church but is a necessary means of Grace. It shows God’s Spirit at work in His people to provide for their every need. Christ binds together His followers with all their diverse giftings as one holy entity in His body. Forsaking egoistic pride, Christlike unity in diversity is essential for the Church to reflect God’s oneness. “Alone we can do little; together we can do so much.” (Helen Keller)
3. Community Is Interconnected and Interdependent (v21-27) – Whatever is done for the LORD is useful. God puts people in a community to work together and help each other since no one person can do it all. Some parts get praised more often because they are more prominent. Ultimately, though, all parts are purposefully needed by the body to function properly. No part should be neglected or despised because every kind of role in God’s kingdom is indispensable. We are placed together “with different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6) to help and learn from one another. “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” (Mother Teresa)
We use our differentiated gifts to build God’s kingdom when we love and serve one another humbly, gratefully and faithfully. Are we fulfilling God’s purpose so that His gifts to us benefit others in and for His kingdom? Do we appreciate one another’s contribution or do we envy the gifts they have? Are we thankfully and courageously serving the LORD who gifts and enables?
Instead of looking at others while sitting on the sideline, let us invest our multifarious spiritual gifts to impact lives by applying these three Discipleship Lessons.
1. Embrace the gifts that God has given us – Don’t despise them or compare with others. Recognise the diversity we have to offer. Earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. (v31a) Unite together to fill any need or gap within the Church.
2. Embrace the gifts that others have – Nehemiah undertook the reformative task of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls by mobilizing whoever God gave him. Different generations, skillsets, personalities and backgrounds bring with them unique offerings to the life, ministry and culture of the Church. We serve in the most excellent way of love (v31b) when we regard others more highly and unite with them as one in Christ.
3. Continue to exercise our gifts – Persevere to make a difference in the lives of others even when we feel discouraged. God remembers what we do for His people in His name. Always give ourselves fully to God’s work because we know that our labour in the LORD is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
We are made one in Christ with vastly different gifts – to be used for God’s glory, through His excellent way of love for one another.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you through the preaching of God’s word?
- How would you summarise the message of this section or story?
- What are the implications for us through this message?
a. What are the personal implications (for you)?
b. What are the communal implications (for our gospel community)?
c. What are the missional implications (for those we want to reach for Christ)?
