The Body of Christ

Text related to this week's sermon/discussion at The River: 1 Corinthians 12:4-27

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

So... if you've ever read Paul's epistles (letters to the churches) in the New Testament, it soon becomes apparent that he really believes that everyone in the body of Christ has a role in serving God's kingdom. No one is a spectator in church... if they have been baptized into the family, then God pours out His Spirit to empower them for service. And it's not an option to hesitate or contemplate... all believers are expected to participate in building up the church.


After 17+ years as a Christian, and a decade in pastoral ministry, I can say without hesitation that it simply don't work that way in good ole' America. We are the land of the free and the home of the brave... and quite frankly, the place of arm-folding unwillingness to get involved or become overextended. I don't think Paul would be able to relate to our time-honored rule of 80/20... do you?


Anyway, I don't know how many churches existed in the city of Corinth when Paul wrote this letter - probably just the one - but in our world churches are pretty numerous to say the least. With so many choices I suppose, combined with a society that is radically-individualistic and consumeristic... churches don't really tend toward diversity in our country. Oh sure, there is some level of diversity in church congregations... but for the most part, we've kind of divided ourselves into various groups of people with shared interests, beliefs, and socioeconomic lifestyles. Me, in all my idealistic beliefs... hmmm,  I just think that's a sad commentary on God's people. I think Paul might agree.


In a somewhat related manner... I guess because of the more-or-less market driven economics of churches today, many if not most people do quite a lot of "shopping around" (in a Goldilocks kind of way) for the church that seems "just right". And, when they find that perfect church that doesn't seem to small, or too big, or too political, or too liberal, or too charismatic, or too doctrinal, or too whatever... they also tend to dip their toes in the water for a very, very long time before they decide to dive in to the community - and therefore find a place to serve God within His body. Unfortunately though, some folks never really come to that place of trust (and obedience)... so instead of getting involved and finding a place to serve... in all practical terms they function as nothing more than permanent visitors over the weeks, months, and years. I don't think they intend to come across with a "serve me" attitude, but that's exactly what they convey when they habitually come late, listen, nod (or shake their head), enjoy a bit of fellowship, throw a few bucks into the offering... and then leave as soon as the service is over... without another thought about church (or kingdom work) until the following Sunday.


That's not participation - especially over time - it's mere observation.... and it's not what Christ wants for His children. Everywhere you go in the New Testament, you hear the same message over and over: When you give your heart to God through Jesus Christ, He transforms your mind and - if you're willing to receive it - gives you an unyielding passion for participation in His glorious kingdom. In fact... in order to demonstrate that He sets our soul on fire and equips us to jump in to this awesome (if not wholly dangerous) new adventure, God generously pours out His Spirit on us and gives us a whole new meaning and purpose - one freed from this world and made fit for His kingdom. And He does not just do this for the beautiful people either... or the rich people... or the popular people... or the brilliant people. Nope, God freely gives His Spirit to anyone and everyone who cries out to Jesus and proclaims Him to be Lord and Savior... to anyone and everyone who has the faith of even a mustard seed!


So imagine how God feels when He gives this precious, heavenly gift to His new creation... only to see them waste it by never even attempting to unwrap it. Instead, it just gets placed in a religious closet and never taken seriously.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Hmmmm... so here are my questions, Christian believer: What gift has God given you? What is your role in building up the body of Christ? Are you using it for His glory?