Sermon Snippet – One Body
INTRODUCTION – We have spent much of this year studying the “simplicity [singleness of purpose] that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). Ephesians 4:4-6 emphatically states, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Let us consider some of the implications of being “one body.” Paul also uses the imagery of the human body to describe the Church (all believers in Jesus) in I Corinthians 12:12-27.
1. OUR PLACEMENT IN THIS BODY IS NOT ARBITRARY
Verse 18 is clear: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” Each one of us is part of God’s plan and purpose. We are valuable to God simply by the glorious fact that we are created in His image. Additionally, He values what we do to serve Him and others. If it were unimportant, God would not “set” us where He has. Let us value what God values, in our lives and in the lives of others.
2. OUR PLACEMENT IN THIS BODY IS NOT ABSOLUTE
Of course, our salvation is absolute: we are eternally secure in the embrace of our Savior. However, our place in the body can change over time. We change over time, and the needs of those around us also change. Galatians 6:1-5 is a good commentary on these truths. Normally, each one of is is expected to “bear his own burden” (verse 5), that is, the usual difficulties of life. However, sometimes we are overburdened, or others around us are overwhelmed. Then, verse 2 is applicable: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” We may be called under these circumstances to do what we do not usually do.
3. OUR PLACEMENT IN THE BODY IS NOT AUTONOMOUS
We are not to exercise gifts or abilities or opportunities for our personal benefit. As Christians, we are not called to chaos: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40). We also are not called to be independent of Christ (we are “the body of Christ” – verse 27), nor are we called to be independent of Christians (“there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” – verse 25). Anarchy in the body is a contradiction of terms; anarchy in the body of Christ is destructive factionalism, blasphemes the name of our Savior, and is just plain selfishness.
CONCLUSION – Each individual needs Jesus as Savior. This is a personal decision. Once we have made this choice, we have an obligation to our Savior and to each other: “Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (verse 26). May we care for each other in this way.