1 Cor. 12:12-31a. You are all needed in the Church 24/1/10
(12) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. {13} For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. {14} Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. {15} If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {16} And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {17} If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? {18} But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, {23} and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, {24} while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, {25} so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. {26} If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. {28} And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? {30} Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? {31} But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
You are the body of Christ – you are the Church: that is Paul’s message to us here today. The Church is people; you and me – all of us – all of us together are the Church; as well as all of those who are not here but should be. You and all of them are important and needed: all have a special part to play in the Church; the body of Christ. But we are also here, reminded, that the Church is Christ body – his creation – with Christ as the head. He is the basis – the centre – the one who directs, controls and moves the rest of the body.
Now this is an important message for us today, because we have many who think that they can be Christians by themselves. They don’t need to come to church very often: they don’t even need the church – or other people – or even Christ for that matter. They think that their faith is simply something that is between them and God, and it really hasn’t got much at all do with anyone else: they can do and think their own thing and others can do their own. Others again seem to think that they are a bit better than some others, and therefore can be very critical and judgmental, believing that they alone have the answers and the better abilities. They know what the Church is all about and they will help lead it in the right way, and if others are not going to fit in, well that is too bad. And when it comes to the down and outs, the rif raf or those with real problems they don’t really want them; they are too much trouble – they are hard work. Others again seem to think that we can ignore the Churches teachings that have been handed down to us, and can twist and turn Scripture to suit ourselves, and can be very critical of those who hold to the Confessions of the Church.
At the same time, we all would have to say that we are not as concerned as we should be, that many people who should be with us this morning, are not. Is our attitude such that we think that if they are not here, it doesn’t really matter all that much; except for the budget? Are we more concerned about tolerance and not upsetting people, than we are of being called a fool and that sort of thing: than for fact that they are in danger of ending up in Hell? Do we care about one another and seek to give the support and encouragement that we all need, as much as we should?
In light of our reading here, we need to remember that with this thinking, we are hurting the Church and ourselves for that matter. Is it any wonder that we are living as if we are disabled in a big way, and why the Church is not as effective as it should be?
Now to help us understand this, Paul uses the image of a body: reminding us that a body is made up of many parts; each of which is different and yet important. No one part of the body can survive on its own, by itself, apart from the rest. Nor can some parts think that they can get by without certain other parts. Some parts are hidden. Some are extended due modesty, there are some we would like to think we can do without. Yet all are there for a given purpose; for the common good. All the while, the head of the body directs and controls what the rest of the body does.
The body will not function as it should if all the parts where not there. In fact, in many cases it just would not survive. Where would the body be without a heart, nerves, mouth, etc? Yet, as all work together – doing what they were created for – it is a marvellous creation, and can do a huge amount; and in fact even sustain life. The heart, brain, kidneys, arms, legs, toenails, backside, all playing their part: each on its own is nothing but a bit of meat, skin or whatever, but together they are absolutely marvellous: Here modern science is more and more discovering just how much so. Together each part is able do so much for the body, physically, mentally and spiritually. When all parts are working together the ability of the human body is almost beyond measure.
Now in the Church the same thing applies. We are not individuals, as most of us might think we are in worldly terms. But we are not – we are much more – we are the body of Christ – we are the Church. Let us remember that we are all baptized by the same Spirit. All baptized into the name and therefore being, of God himself – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So we are joined with him and thereby with each other. All created to work together for the good of the whole. All playing their part in the survival of the Church – for its own good and for its work here in this world.
Just as the body has many different parts, so do we all play our different roles. Each of us has been created differently – gifted in special ways, and yet arranged for the common good. We are not and can not all be pastors, elders, organists or whatever. Nor would we survive if we all were only pew sitters. And even less so, if we only turn up every now and again. The pastor is nothing if he hasn’t a congregation. Having a musician is pointless if there are no singers. People sharing the Gospel with other is of no value if we all live as pagans. Ushers, encouragers, prayers, committee people and listeners all play their part. By themselves they are basically nothing; and yet together they form the body of Christ – the Church.
Here too, the head directs and controls what the rest of the body does. Christ is the head of the Church. What he says: what he has given us in his Word, the Scriptures, and which has been handed down all the way through the history of the Church, is what leads and guides it. It is the Word and the Sacraments which God himself has given to the Church to feed and sustain it all along the way, which is to be upheld as of highest regard. Without him and his guidance, we are nothing. If we do not listen and follow him, we are nothing.
However, through the whole body working together under the leadership of Christ, the whole and each part is nourished and sustained: it continues to exist, year in, year out – century after century. And it continues to grow to this very day, and will continue do so into the future. At the same time it continues to be there for the rest of society - the world; helping, caring, setting a good example, calling for justice, and pointing to that which is important in life. And most importantly, that is to point others to the Lord Jesus Christ himself: sharing with them who he is and what he has done for us all. So the body of Christ performs a critical role in society – it is absolutely necessary.
This Church: this body of Christ is you and me - all of us together, using the gifts we have been given, to do all of this. Each of us being important and necessary – let us be encouraged by this; but also let us be challenged by this as well. Thereby recognizing that each of us needs to be involved; as regularly as is possible; thinking of the good of others and the whole church, all the while looking to and receiving from Christ himself what he would have for us.
Let none of us think that we are any better than anyone else – more important; nor should we be critical of others – standing in judgment over them; nor should we put ourselves down – thinking that we are not important or that we don’t have a part to play. We all have been gifted to do our bit – all of us. All of us have been arranged in the Church to do our bit for the good of the whole Church and for the rest of society as well.
As we consider all of this then, let us remember that we have got a lot going for us – as poorly as I and each one of us may be doing our bit; we are still the Body of Christ, the Church – it is working and functioning - it is still doing a tremendous amount of good because Christ is the head. But as each one of us allows the Spirit to work in us more and more so that we are working as he would have us – this body will be even better: it will be more like what God himself intends for it to be. Then the Church will grow – in it people will find what they need; and most importantly, the Word and Sacraments will be truthfully taught and rightly administered; Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation will be know by all its people; and of greatest importance, to Christ himself more and more glory will go. For to him alone belongs all glory, and praise now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
(12) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. {13} For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. {14} Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. {15} If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {16} And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {17} If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? {18} But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, {23} and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, {24} while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, {25} so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. {26} If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. {28} And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? {30} Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? {31} But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
You are the body of Christ – you are the Church: that is Paul’s message to us here today. The Church is people; you and me – all of us – all of us together are the Church; as well as all of those who are not here but should be. You and all of them are important and needed: all have a special part to play in the Church; the body of Christ. But we are also here, reminded, that the Church is Christ body – his creation – with Christ as the head. He is the basis – the centre – the one who directs, controls and moves the rest of the body.
Now this is an important message for us today, because we have many who think that they can be Christians by themselves. They don’t need to come to church very often: they don’t even need the church – or other people – or even Christ for that matter. They think that their faith is simply something that is between them and God, and it really hasn’t got much at all do with anyone else: they can do and think their own thing and others can do their own. Others again seem to think that they are a bit better than some others, and therefore can be very critical and judgmental, believing that they alone have the answers and the better abilities. They know what the Church is all about and they will help lead it in the right way, and if others are not going to fit in, well that is too bad. And when it comes to the down and outs, the rif raf or those with real problems they don’t really want them; they are too much trouble – they are hard work. Others again seem to think that we can ignore the Churches teachings that have been handed down to us, and can twist and turn Scripture to suit ourselves, and can be very critical of those who hold to the Confessions of the Church.
At the same time, we all would have to say that we are not as concerned as we should be, that many people who should be with us this morning, are not. Is our attitude such that we think that if they are not here, it doesn’t really matter all that much; except for the budget? Are we more concerned about tolerance and not upsetting people, than we are of being called a fool and that sort of thing: than for fact that they are in danger of ending up in Hell? Do we care about one another and seek to give the support and encouragement that we all need, as much as we should?
In light of our reading here, we need to remember that with this thinking, we are hurting the Church and ourselves for that matter. Is it any wonder that we are living as if we are disabled in a big way, and why the Church is not as effective as it should be?
Now to help us understand this, Paul uses the image of a body: reminding us that a body is made up of many parts; each of which is different and yet important. No one part of the body can survive on its own, by itself, apart from the rest. Nor can some parts think that they can get by without certain other parts. Some parts are hidden. Some are extended due modesty, there are some we would like to think we can do without. Yet all are there for a given purpose; for the common good. All the while, the head of the body directs and controls what the rest of the body does.
The body will not function as it should if all the parts where not there. In fact, in many cases it just would not survive. Where would the body be without a heart, nerves, mouth, etc? Yet, as all work together – doing what they were created for – it is a marvellous creation, and can do a huge amount; and in fact even sustain life. The heart, brain, kidneys, arms, legs, toenails, backside, all playing their part: each on its own is nothing but a bit of meat, skin or whatever, but together they are absolutely marvellous: Here modern science is more and more discovering just how much so. Together each part is able do so much for the body, physically, mentally and spiritually. When all parts are working together the ability of the human body is almost beyond measure.
Now in the Church the same thing applies. We are not individuals, as most of us might think we are in worldly terms. But we are not – we are much more – we are the body of Christ – we are the Church. Let us remember that we are all baptized by the same Spirit. All baptized into the name and therefore being, of God himself – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So we are joined with him and thereby with each other. All created to work together for the good of the whole. All playing their part in the survival of the Church – for its own good and for its work here in this world.
Just as the body has many different parts, so do we all play our different roles. Each of us has been created differently – gifted in special ways, and yet arranged for the common good. We are not and can not all be pastors, elders, organists or whatever. Nor would we survive if we all were only pew sitters. And even less so, if we only turn up every now and again. The pastor is nothing if he hasn’t a congregation. Having a musician is pointless if there are no singers. People sharing the Gospel with other is of no value if we all live as pagans. Ushers, encouragers, prayers, committee people and listeners all play their part. By themselves they are basically nothing; and yet together they form the body of Christ – the Church.
Here too, the head directs and controls what the rest of the body does. Christ is the head of the Church. What he says: what he has given us in his Word, the Scriptures, and which has been handed down all the way through the history of the Church, is what leads and guides it. It is the Word and the Sacraments which God himself has given to the Church to feed and sustain it all along the way, which is to be upheld as of highest regard. Without him and his guidance, we are nothing. If we do not listen and follow him, we are nothing.
However, through the whole body working together under the leadership of Christ, the whole and each part is nourished and sustained: it continues to exist, year in, year out – century after century. And it continues to grow to this very day, and will continue do so into the future. At the same time it continues to be there for the rest of society - the world; helping, caring, setting a good example, calling for justice, and pointing to that which is important in life. And most importantly, that is to point others to the Lord Jesus Christ himself: sharing with them who he is and what he has done for us all. So the body of Christ performs a critical role in society – it is absolutely necessary.
This Church: this body of Christ is you and me - all of us together, using the gifts we have been given, to do all of this. Each of us being important and necessary – let us be encouraged by this; but also let us be challenged by this as well. Thereby recognizing that each of us needs to be involved; as regularly as is possible; thinking of the good of others and the whole church, all the while looking to and receiving from Christ himself what he would have for us.
Let none of us think that we are any better than anyone else – more important; nor should we be critical of others – standing in judgment over them; nor should we put ourselves down – thinking that we are not important or that we don’t have a part to play. We all have been gifted to do our bit – all of us. All of us have been arranged in the Church to do our bit for the good of the whole Church and for the rest of society as well.
As we consider all of this then, let us remember that we have got a lot going for us – as poorly as I and each one of us may be doing our bit; we are still the Body of Christ, the Church – it is working and functioning - it is still doing a tremendous amount of good because Christ is the head. But as each one of us allows the Spirit to work in us more and more so that we are working as he would have us – this body will be even better: it will be more like what God himself intends for it to be. Then the Church will grow – in it people will find what they need; and most importantly, the Word and Sacraments will be truthfully taught and rightly administered; Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation will be know by all its people; and of greatest importance, to Christ himself more and more glory will go. For to him alone belongs all glory, and praise now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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