Sunday, December 18,
2011 pm
STUDIES IN 1
CORINTHIANS (41)
Members of the One Body
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Paul’s concern with these gifts was yet another abuse that the brethren
in Corinth were guilty of.
Instead of their special abilities uniting them together in one purpose,
they were jealous toward one another, competing with each other and thus
dividing over these things.
Paul, in an effort to unite them, has appealed to the ONE Spirit (cf.
Eph. 4:4) distributing gifts to them as He will (and for the glory of
God). He has also reminded
them that they were all baptized into the one body – an act which united
them together with Christ and ought to have united them together with
one another. In our text
today, we are going to notice how important it is that we work together.
Paul used the analogy of a body (a collective noun) and how each
part is important. He now
illustrates this point. Our
lesson will examine what he says and make application.
a.
Vs. 14 - The body has
many members.
Remember Paul’s point – a call for unity.
He desires to clarify to these brethren that they need each
other, that every part is important, that every part has a purpose, and
for the body to function every part must do its part.
b.
VS. 15-16 – every
part has a function and must accept its function.
i.
A foot cannot say,
“since I am not a hand I am not part of the body.”
Neither can the ear says that of the eye.
It IS part of the body and while it may not do the function of
the hand it has its own function.
(NOTE: IN this case, the parts mentioned seem to be of equal importance
– they just perform totally different tasks.
And often time they we don’t realize how they complement one
another until we lose one or the other.)
ii.
This deals with the
attitude of envy
and one upset because he doesn’t have a specific ability or he doesn’t
get his way. It is like the
child who takes his toys home because he can’t play the part he wants.
Envy is an attitude that does great damage within the Lord’s body (and
everywhere). It most
certainly stagnates its growth.
1.
Christians are
admonished to not envy. 1
Cor. 13:4, “Love does not envy”.
2.
Early in this letter
Paul expressed concern because of their envy – 1 Cor.
3:3 – they were carnal.
iii.
It also deals with
one who fails to be content
with his state in life.
An important lesson for Christians to learn – AND for the sake of peace
– is to live within your own boundaries.
Again, Paul has addressed this – “Let
each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you
called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be
made free, rather use it.
For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman.
Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.” (1 Cor
7:21-22)
Contentment is another attitude that promotes peace and unity – Phil.
4:11, 1 Tim. 6:6, Heb. 13:5, etc.
c.
Vs. 17 – Every part
is needed for the body to fully function.
i.
Paul notices that you
need to see, hear and to smell.
All five senses are important.
Lose one you know it.
For each sense to function, certain parts have to be working,
doing what no other part in the body can do.
ii.
Such is true of the
church as well. There are
many functions that no one person can do by himself.
And no one person can perform every function.
WE NEED EACH OTHER!
Together, when “every part does
its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
(Eph. 4:16) The sooner we
realize this, the sooner we will set aside our petty differences and
start working together to accomplish what God needs us to do.
iii.
HERE IS A THOUGHT:
Consider this in light of our need to reach the lost. IF every
individual has his/her own set of abilities, imagine what we could do if
we increased in number? We
would have more “parts” to work with.
Growth is usually exponential (i.e. it multiplies).
d.
Vs. 18 – God has set
the members, each one in the body just as He pleased –
i.
It’s His choice.
He knows what is best for us.
Often times we complain about what we can or cannot do.
We have problems with this in the religious world today.
There are so-called women preachers and elders (elderettes?)
today. Some want to lead singing
but they can’t. Some want
to teach a class or preach, but they can’t.
ii.
When we do realize
that it is God you are complaining about.
It is a matter of not being content in whatever state you are in
- Phil. 4:4.
iii.
But at the same time,
in light of this text, let us each realize that whatever our part is we
are important. We are
needed, provided we ARE doing our part!
e.
Vs. 19 - IF you only
had one part you would not have a body.
i.
You would not be able
to fully function. In the
body, even the most important organs cannot function if the body is not
there. There are some parts
that if severed render severe disability, but the body is still living.
But NO part can survive outside of a body – i.e. the heart,
brain, lungs, etc. And if a
part is severed it will die unless it is joined to the body again.
f.
VS. 20-21 – Every
part needs the other parts for the body to function.
i.
An eye cannot say it
does not need the hand or the head say it does not need the feet.
In these verses you have body parts that believe they are superior and
independent of other parts.
They think they can do without other parts.
ii.
It is a foolish
analogy in which one only sees his own talents.
The problem is he doesn’t realize how much other parts make his
job possible. It is like
the star receiver on a football team.
He knows he’s good, but if it were not for the linesmen
protecting the quarterback AND the accuracy of the quarterback AND the
coaching staff calling the right plays, he would not be receiving
footballs.
iii.
In vs. 15-16 we see
the sinful attitudes of envy and discontent, here we see another sinful
attitudes – arrogance and selfishness!
Like the others this one hinders growth as well.
AND it is strongly condemned.
1.
Prov. 6:16 describes
pride as one of the seven things that are an abomination to God.
Prov. 16:18-19 says that pride goes before destruction and a haughty
spirit before a fall.
2.
Again 1 Cor. 13:4, 5
says love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not seek its
own
3.
1 Cor. 3:18 – “Let no
one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age,
let him become a fool that he may become wise.”
4.
1 Cor. 8:1,
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
5.
1 Cor. 10:12,
“Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
6.
As to selfishness,
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)
g.
Vs. 22-24 – Every
part is equally necessary.
i.
Often it is the parts
unseen that have the greater importance (you can’t see your heart or
brain but what would the body be without them?)
ii.
Paul speaks of the
weaker parts being necessary.
As science has developed we are learning the importance of every
part of the body. Even
organs we did not previously understand and thought to be useless now,
like the appendix (called vestigial organs) serve a purpose.
And parts that seem
to be “less honorable” we bestow (put a hedge or fence around or
to put a garment on – cf. Matt. 27:28, Mark 15:17)
greater honor upon them.
These “less honorable” parts and the unpresentable parts would be
those parts that we do not seek to publicly expose for modesty sake.
But that doesn’t mean they are not necessary or that they do not
have an important function for the body.
But presentable
parts do not need to be covered.
iii.
What is Paul’s
application here: He is
speaking of how ALL brethren are important and serve a purpose.
There are some who may not be able to function in a public
setting (i.e. restrictions toward women) or openly (i.e. no ability to
lead a congregation in singing; can’t effectively teach a class – either
publicly or privately), but what they do is important.
Their “behind the scenes” place helps those out front to do what
they can do unhindered. The
point is that just because one is at the forefront perhaps as the
preacher or elders OR maybe even an apostle, that doesn’t mean that he
can function without the others.
In many organizations, the president and perhaps other officers or board
members are openly visible to everyone as they do their tasks, but often
what the bulk of the work is done by those to whom they delegate
responsibilities and tasks.
IT is these workers that move the organization.
It is said that on one occasion Eisenhower reprimanded a general in the
army for speaking of a soldier as “just a private”.
Eisenhower said, “The private is the man who wins the war.”
iv.
These brethren (and
we) needed to understand that every part has a function and every
function is important and necessary.
IF you are blessed with the visible abilities, be humble about it
and realize everyone is needed.
h.
Vs. 24 - God
recognizes EVERY part –
He
composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacks
it. God knows what He is
doing and He places man where He wishes and in the way that is best for
Him AND for him (the man).
He knows that the man with one talent, IF HE USES THAT ONE TALENT, is
useful.
i.
Vs. 25 – that there
be no schism.
i.
The human body is a
wonderful thing, and the more we learn about it the more we can see the
Designer at work it its design.
God has placed every part there just where he wanted it and to do
a function that is needed.
As our understanding of the body has developed we more clearly
understand this. Like an
orchestra which depends on every instrument working in HARMONY with the
others to perform a symphony, so is the body AND the church.
j.
Vs. 25-26 that the
members have the same care for one another
i.
As you examine the
body you see dependence at work.
When a body part is injured or infected, the rest of the body
goes to work. Other parts
compensate while it heals or provide nourishment so it can defeat the
ailment. Every system is interdependent of other and it does it part so
the body can function and survive. I.e.
The same blood system provides nutrients for EVERY part of the body.
ii.
The same is true of
the body of Christ. Here
the point is that when a brother or sister has a problem, you don’t
sever him/her, but rather you are concerned and do what you can to help.
Maybe you will take up the slack while they are recovering.
Regardless, YOU CARE and feel for and with them.
iii.
Vs. 26 says, if one
member suffers, the whole body suffers.
That is how much we depend upon one another.
Similarly, if one member rejoices it affects the whole body.
iv.
This is the way
brethren ought to treat one another – Rom. 12:15 says, “Rejoice
with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
v.
THOUGHT: What is
necessary for such to be the case?
You HAVE TO KNOW EACH OTHER and prefer one another over the
world. You have to become a
body!
k.
Vs. 27 - Now you are
the body of Christ and members individually.
i.
This is Paul’s
summary and transition to his next point.
ii.
Let’s review: Paul’s
main point concerns the church.
1.
Just as every part of a physical
body functions as described here, so it is with the body of Christ, His
church.
2.
EVERY part is equally
important and needed. We
honor those who stand out front (perhaps the leaders) or those who have
done things which bring about recognition (wanted or not), but God
sees not only what they do, but He sees the one who makes the phone
calls that no one hears about, or the one who cleans the building, the
one singing the song in worship, the one praying at home for the sick
and needy, the one who helps a needy brother either financially or in
some other way (without drawing attention to it), the one that takes
care of the bills or the one who passes out a business card promoting
the website, or gives out a visitor’s cared, etc.
God sees the one that takes attendance, rings the bell, records
the sermons, orders the class material, prepares the communion, etc.
He sees the five talent man, but He also sees the one talent man
who is using that one talent to his/her ability.
3.
DO WE????????????
For the sake of unity within the body, we must!
One final note: Concerning
“unity in diversity”. It is
interesting that this text actually discusses their need for unity in
diversity, but it must be CLEARLY understood that such a concept in this
text has NOTHING to do with doctrinal diversity (see 1 Cor. 1:10). They
were to be in agreement as we have already seen.
Their diversity was functional dealing with each one doing
their part for the overall goal.