Building the Body of Christ: Unity and Diversity, Mutuality and Charity (1 Corinthians 12:12–31)

/ davidsschrock

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Building the Body of Christ: Unity and Diversity, Mutuality and Charity (Sermon Audio)

What is the goal of Paul’s discussion about spiritual gifts? If it is not clear from his words in 12:7, then his elongated illustration of the one body with many parts is unmistakable. Christ gave multiple gifts to his church in order for the various part to build one another up in love.

This week, we spent out time looking at four core concepts related to the body of Christ. These were (1) unity, (2) diversity, (3) mutuality, and (4) charity. When held together local church, as a concrete expression of Christ’s body, is able to grow in love as they share their gifts and their lives with one another. Paul’s discussion of the body fights against two primary lies, which some members of the body may be tempted to believe.

  1. “You don’t me.”
  2. “I don’t need you.”

Writing to erase these lies and unify the well-gifted Corinthian church, Paul gives the modern church (also steeped in individualism) plenty to consider and apply for building up the body of Christ. You can listen to the message online or read the sermon notes. Discussion questions and further resources are listed below.

1 Corinthians 12:12–31

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.

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? 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.

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.

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.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the metaphors does the New Testament use to describe the church? What does these metaphors teach us? What does the metaphor of the church body teach us about the church?
  2. What are the two bases for unity in the church? How do Spirit baptism and the Spiritual gifts function to bring unity to the church?
  3. What is Spirit baptism and how should we understand it in the book of Acts? How does understanding that reality contribute to our passion for church unity?
  4. What are the two lies that Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 12?  (Hint: they are listed above). How does he respond? What about the human body does he say in teaching us about appreciating diversity?
  5. What is mutuality and how important is it for the health of a church? How important are the one another’s to you?
  6. What would you say to someone who comes to church, but refuses to serve? What about someone who regularly attends a church, but refuses to commit him or herself to the body of Christ? Why is commitment and mutual service needed for individuals?
  7. How do you use your gifts to serve in the church? What is one step you can take to grow in using your gifts to build up the body of Christ?

For Further Study

Books & Sermons

Articles

Soli Deo Gloria, ds