STRONGER TOGETHER
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Christianity is an active religion that requires members’ involvement, for we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Thus, we must labour and toil as God has required of us. Let us study the analogy between the church which is the spiritual body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), and the human body to grasp the importance of unity and teamwork. Notice the 4 “D”s of a thriving church.
1. Design — We have different functio
In 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul remarked that the human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. All Christians make up the church. And just as the eye, hand, head and feet have distinct functions, Each member of the Lord’s church has different functions (Romans 12:4-5). Thus, every member is important and necessary. The difference in function is not a problem. It is God’s design for He has set the members in the body just as He pleased (1 Corinthians 12:18).
2. Direction — We move together in the same direction
Paul declared that “we are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Therefore, members should work collectively for the cause of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul pleaded with the church at Corinth to have unity of speech, organisation, thought and opinion. The church is to stay united because a body cannot function properly if the members are moving in different directions. The direction we are heading must come from Jesus Christ, the head of the church. He has all authority (Matthew 28:18; John 17:2; Ephesians 1:22) and we must submit ourselves to Him in obedient faith. The church moves together when it is Christ-centred; when it thinks and desires the same things in Christ. The focus is on Jesus, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The church grows stronger when members move together in the same direction.
3. Dependence — We need one another
There must not be any division in the spiritual body of Christ. All the members should care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). Paul further encouraged us to take tender care of those who are weak and be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Thus, members of the Lord’s body should be tightly knitted with each other and are dependent on each other (1 Corinthians 12:15-21; Philippians 2:2-3). We ought to be filled with humility, patience, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to stay united (Ephesians 4:2-3). No member can exist independently of all others in the body of Christ. It is no wonder that the apostle Paul urged us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). We are stronger when we can rely on one another to take on his specific function dependably.
4. Deployment — We have a role to play
God has put us just where He wants us to be in His body (1 Corinthians 12:18). We are therefore members with assigned roles to play, no matter how insignificant it may seem to be. God makes the whole body fit together perfectly. And as each part does its entrusted work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing (Ephesians 4:16). Every member ought to use their God-given talents and do their part in order for the body of Christ to function properly. Be active and contribute to the work of the church. Everyone plays a role. No one member of the body can proxy his function to another member without detriment to the other members and to the whole body. God’s work requires many hands. The church thrives when everyone participates. We are STRONGER TOGETHER.
Ask Yourself:
1. Why would God set members with different talents and strength in the body of Christ?
2. What are the four (4) points of unity pleaded by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10?
3. Study Matthew 25:14-30 on the Parable of the Talents. List at least three (3) key lessons from this parable.
Suggested Answers:
This is so that we would need to rely on one another and to ensure proper functioning of that one spiritual body of Christ.
Unity of speech, Unity of organisation, Unity of thought, Unity of opinion
a. No one has no talent at all.
b. Issue is not how many talents one has but what each one does with what has been entrusted to him.
c. We must not hide our talents nor be passive towards the work of the church. Notice the judgement meted out to the one-talent man in verses 26-30.
d. Use your talents for the glory of God and you shall reap your reward when the Lord comes again. Won’t it be worth it all to hear God says “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
e. We must labour and toil as God has required of us. Contribute actively to the work of the church.
