The Body of Christ

By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether we are rich or poor; black or white; male or female; gay or straight; it doesn’t matter; we were all invited to drink by the same Spirit.

Each Member Has A Specific Purpose

If the feet decided, "Because we are not the hands we quit" - they cannot just walk away. If the ears decided, "Because we are not the eyes, we refuse to listen” - they can still hear. If the whole unit were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole unit were an ear, how could it taste? As it stands, God arranged the parts of the whole, each one, just as he chose.

If Each Member Were Self-Sufficient, the Whole Would Cease to Exist

The eyes cannot say to the hands; nor the head to the feet, "Because you are different than me, I have no need for you." On the contrary, there would be no parts at the top if there were no parts specifically designed for the bottom!

The parts we regard as private; we clothe with the greatest of care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen. While the presentable parts we leave uncovered.

In like manner, God has so arranged it; giving the greater honor to the parts we cover up; so that each member, regardless to where it is, does not complain; ensuring that they all serve an equally important purpose to the whole.

Now You Are the Body of Christ and Individually Parts of It

God has appointed in this church: the Presiding Minister; the Preaching Minister; the Assisting Ministers; the Crucifers; the Communion Assistants: The people you see uncovered in the forefront.

God has also appointed: the Sunday School Teacher; the Office Administrator; the Choir Director; the Nursery Assistant; the Greeter; the Usher; the person who bakes the cookies: those people who provide support covered up in the background.

But as far as Christ is concerned: the person who bakes the cookies in his family is just as important as the person who preaches the sermon.

[Based on 1Corinthians 12:12-31a]