“Many Parts, One Vision”

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

The church is, or at least it should be, about working together, and using our gifts and abilities for the common good. Unfortunately, all too often there seems to be someone who wants to have their own way in everything that happens, and they want to be involved in every aspect of the church. And while full commitment and involvement may seem like a good thing, the truth is that the Lord has given us all certain abilities and gifts, with the intent that we should all be using them, with each other, in service to our Great God. No one person should ever try to do everything, because 1) it take away opportunities from others, and 2) it can eat up our time which might better be spent in other ways!
All through scripture, we see a divine pairing of people in the tasks that have been set out for them - people like Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Caleb, Esther and Mordecai, Ruth and Naomi, and, of course, the disciples who Jesus sent out in twos, and Paul who had any number of companions. We are to help each other in many and diverse ways, and not replace them.

But this hasn’t always been a consistent approach in the Church.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

We are a unit. We are no longer individuals – we are many, joined together as one, in the name of Jesus. In the previous few verses from last week, Paul writes that there are many kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit, and different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:4-5) We even have different life stories that describe the working of the Spirit in our own lives, but each one must bring our focus back to the power of our Living God.
And our baptism, both by water and the Spirit, unites us in the Lord. Paul says that there are no divisions and no distinctions, other than in the gifts we receive – and that we are all called to serve him within one vision and with one purpose.

And he tells us that we are to “drink” in the Spirit. Doesn’t’ that bring a marvelous image to mind? It is the Holy Spirit that not only unites us, but also nourishes us and sustains us and enables us as members of the Body of Christ.

And our baptism in Christ is our initiation into a new relationship that includes all who would show their love to Almighty God through the use of their gifts.

Of course, our human relationships don’t always flow smoothly, do they? Those who we become part of, whether in our families, or in our jobs, or in the organizations that we belong to – there are always difficulties and conflicts that arise, sometimes threatening to tear us apart. The same is true of our spiritual relationships. And we must be vigilant in faith, and work hard to make sure that the church does not go the way of the world.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

In verse 6 of this chapter, Paul challenges us to remember that there are many different tasks that are required in this Body we call the Church, but that there is still only one God and one vision for all of our lives (1 Corinthians 12:6). I know that many times, denominational differences, as well as those of the more personal kind, cause a lot of problems for Christianity, but I also know that if we set them aside, and don’t beat each other up over these differences, we can do marvelous things together.
Over the past two years, we have sponsored tent revivals that have been wonderful, and that there have been over 30 churches who have come together to see this happen. We have had Baptists, and Pentecostals, and Methodists, and independents, and even a couple Presbyterians and Roman Catholics were intimately involved. And no one was intentionally excluded, or elevated, or demeaned, or praised, and even though there are some significant differences in our worship styles and our doctrines, we were able to work as one Body in Christ.

And the Church as a whole must show that we live this difference. The gifts that come to each of us from the Spirit are neither greater nor smaller than any other, and there are no members of the Body who are greater or less significant than all the rest. We work together to accomplish the will of Almighty God. We know that the Spirit of God sees no discrepancies in our lives, and neither should we.

Paul uses the human body to make a comparison to the Church. And we can understand the analogy – that our hands have specific purposes that our ears and eyes do not, but that they do work together for the common good of the entire body. My eyes tell me that they need some help reading scripture because the print is small, and they then show me where my glasses are, my hands pick them up and place them on my face, my ears hold them in place, all so that my eyes can read the smaller print in my Bible!

And even though our hands and feet perform similar functions, they are still unique and are, for the most part, non-interchangeable – except when we are in need. Some folks can pick things up with their feet, and some can actually walk on their hands! But it takes work to be able to do this, and it doesn’t come naturally.
Later in this chapter, the apostle writes that God has, in general, given equal honor to all parts, so that no division should occur, and that all parts might care for each other and help each other. And each of us needs to not only help others, but to let others help us, when necessary.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-31

And then there is the issue of self-esteem and self-reliance. Both are valued as human traits, but when it comes to living in Christ, they can only hinder us. Paul may very well have seen this issue rising up in the Corinthian church which may very well have prompted this letter, and we are no different. We must never be boastful or prideful over what we can do, or have done, and just as importantly, must never belittle others, or ourselves, for what they (we) cannot do. No one is less important, and no one brings any less to the Body of Christ than anyone else does.
Paul even tells us that some parts of the Body remain hidden behind the scenes, but that they are to be treated with just as much respect as the more prominent parts. And why? Because they have been created and placed and called by God, and to give them any less honor is to imply that God didn’t know what he is doing!

And the concern that we have for others must be weighed carefully, that no one is singled out for special treatment, but that all receive exactly what they need.

Yesterday at the District Workshops, our District Lay Leader, Drew Griffin, offered some thoughts on “Transformational Leadership”, and in his presentation, he played a video entitled “When you know your WHY ..”. The essence of the piece was that we can’t put our “what” and our “how” first – that we need to understand “why” we serve the Lord before we begin any task. We need to let the reason for our service drive our desire to not only “do” for the Lord, but to determine “how” we do for him. The bottom line of the video was this – “when you know what your “why” is, your “what” has more impact and purpose.”

Paul is telling us that we need to focus on “why” we have left the ways of the world and have entered the Body of Christ, and when we do know, the “whats” and “hows” of our service become more poignant and intentional and effective. The “why” of the body of Christ is to work together to glorify the name of Jesus throughout the world. And when we begin to live that, the “what” of our life will become complete.

The Church is about unity in purpose, our surrender in ability, and support and encouragement of each other in all things. The Church is about the purpose –the “why” – of this life, and the “why” of the Church is Jesus and all that he has done for us.

Praise the Lord for the ways he has made us, and for the ways that the Spirit guides us. May he always be our Way, our Truth, and our Life.