Church Membership | 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
1. Christians are supernaturally united in the church (v.12-13)
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4-6: 4 There is one body and one Spirit —just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
2. Christians are specifically arranged in the church (v.14-26)
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
Romans 12:4-5: 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
Ephesians 4:12:to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored all rejoice together.
3. Christians are distinctly appointed in the church (v.27-31)
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then
miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1. You belong to this body
Ephesians 2:19: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
2. God brought you here on purpose
Psalm 139:16: Your eyes saw my unformed
substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
3. Your gift is needed
1 Peter 4:10: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
4. Exercise your gifts in love
John 13:34: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
