Sermon 26th January 2025 – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Text – 1st Corinthians 12:12-31a

 Sermon 26th January 2025 – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Text – 1st Corinthians 12:12-31a

Paul, today, speaks about a profound and beautiful truth about the body of Christ - that we are all part of one body with many members.  This understanding is not just a nice image, but a powerful reality that shapes the way we live out our faith every day. Paul uses the imagery of the body to describe the church.  He writes, "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."  This means that each of us, as individual believers, is a unique and necessary part of the larger body of Christ. Just as the eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," or the head to the feet, "I do not need you," so too, we cannot say to our brothers and sisters in Christ, "I do not need you." 

Each member of the body has a specific role and function, and when we all work together in unity, the body functions at its best. But just like a jigsaw puzzle, the most important piece is the one that is missing. Even if 999 pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle are there, the one missing piece becomes essential.

Which explains why the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep who remained loyal to go looking for the one lost sheep. It’s why the father of the prodigal son rejoices even though the older loyal son never left. Even though the younger prodigal son disrespected his father – wishing him dead so he could have his inheritance now – to spend on wild living – the Father felt incomplete watching for his son to return and greeting him once he sees him.

When we understand and embrace this truth, it changes the way we view ourselves and each other.  We are no longer isolated individuals, but interconnected parts of a larger whole.  We are not in competition with one another, but joined together, each using our unique gifts and talents to build up the body of Christ.

This means that we are called to value and honor each member of the body, regardless of their role or position remembering that whatever gift is provided is provided by the Holy Spirit as we heard last week from Paul. It’s the one spirit who gives according to what the spirit determines. 

The Bible tells us that every part is important and deserving of respect. Just as the foot cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," so too, we must not dismiss or devalue our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from what we perceive as it is God who has called them to that unique role. It reminds us also that our position is also unique. You might compare yourself to others who, on the surface, appear to being doing more or more significant roles.

But, like a puzzle, your position is also vital and you are equipped by God for that role. Just look at what Jesus proclaims as his function: They were expecting a mighty warrior to take on the Roman establishment but what they got was: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. It was not what they were expected but it was what Jesus came to do. Likewise, you might think your role in the body of Christ is insignificant but NOTHING God anoints is insignificant. Furthermore, this reality also challenges us to be humble and to recognize that we cannot do everything on our own.  We need each other.  We need the different gifts and abilities that each member brings. 

When we work together in harmony, we reflect the unity and love of Christ to the world. So let us, as the body of Christ, strive for unity and mutual respect. Let us value and celebrate the diversity of gifts and talents within our church. 

And let us work together to fulfill the mission that God has given us, to bring his love and truth to a world in need.

May we always remember that we are one body with many members, and may we live out this truth in our lives every day. Our differences should not be obstacles but strengths. 

God has designed each of us uniquely, and our various gifts and abilities contribute to the overall health and function of the church. Paul emphasizes that no part of the body can say to another, "I don’t need you."  We are interconnected and interdependent. When one member suffers, the whole body feels it. When one member is honored, the whole body rejoices.  We don’t feel envy or jealousy as Paul says in the following chapter. Love does not envy.

This understanding of one another builds up the body of Christ through compassion, empathy, understanding and mutual support within the church community. Each of us has a role to play in the body of Christ. Whether you are called to teach, preach, serve, encourage, lead, or pray, your contribution is vital. 

Paul urges us to use our gifts for the common good, as he writes in verses 24-26, "But God has put the body together... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." As we live out this unity, we strive to love one another deeply and work together harmoniously making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit." Let us remember that the church, as the body of Christ, is a beautiful patchwork of unity where beauty is seen when all the pieces are put together.  Each of us is an essential part of this body, uniquely designed and purposefully placed by God.  Let us embrace our roles, support one another, and work together in love to fulfill God’s mission.