The church is the body of Christ

The church is the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For [a]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [b]any the less a part of the body.16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [c]any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [d]it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we [e]deem less honorable, [f]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [g]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is [h]honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Romans 12:9-18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;[a]give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the [b]saints,[c]practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute [d]you; bless and do not curse.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [e]associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. [f]Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Ephesians 4:2-6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Central theme: God wants his people to be united in the church. Unity.

1 Corinthians 12:25

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

25 so that there may be no [a]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Romans 12:16

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [a]associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Ephesians 4:3

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Our role in the body of Christ is to preserve and foster unity.
Why is unity important. God's work can prosper without human interference.
We need to change some attitudes and exhibit some of the good.
Requires the transformation of our attitudes
Preserving unity trough attitudinal transformation

1. From conceit to descent
Men are naturally proud, we like to brag of our accomplishment. Special attention. Conceitedness does not promote unity. 

Romans 12:3

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith., 

Ephesians 4:2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Descend from your pedestal.

Remember
1. We belong to one body. 

1 Corinthians 12:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 For [a]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

2. We have the same spirit. 1 cor 12:13b
3. We belong to each other. 

Romans 12:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
We are equals in the sight of God.
4. Our gifts came from god's own determination.

1 Corinthians 12:11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things,distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Descending attitude is exhibited in the following ways.

1. Concern for one another. 

1 Corinthians 12:15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [a]any the less a part of the body.

2. Empathy towards other people. 

1 Corinthians 12:26

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is [a]honored, all the members rejoice with it.

3. Acceptance of your role in church. 

1 Corinthians 12:15-16

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [a]any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [b]any the less a part of the body.

4. Honoring the weak.

1 Corinthians 12:21-24

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”22 On the contrary, [a]it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we [b]deem less honorable, [c]on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,

Let us take away our conceit, be humble towards other. For in doing so we help create harmony and foster unity...

2. From coldness to devotion. Coldness is apathy.
Test of truth goodness and usefulness by Socrates.

Romans 12:10

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; [a]give preference to one another in honor; "be devoted to one another in love. " not blind devotion.
Loving devotion. (Romans 12:11-14)

Romans 12:11-14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the [a]saints,[b]practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute [c]you; bless and do not curse.

Loving devotions is exhibited in the following ways.
1. Zealousness in serving God and helping others
2. Doing loving works in-spite of our pains and difficulties.
3. Giving and sharing what you have.
4. Practicing hospitality
5. Blessing others even if we are persecuted by them.
Committed and dedicated.

3. From commonplace to distinction.
Satisfied and not striving to be better. Natural tendency be stay where we are.
Our God is a God of excellence. Attitude of excellence and not mediocrity.
Distinction is exhibited
1. Exercise our gifts 

Romans 12:6-8

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy,[a]according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if [b]service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who
exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [c]liberality; he who [d]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

2. Developing of gifts 

Ephesians 4:12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 for the equipping of the [a]saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

3. When it results to church grow the 

Ephesians 4:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the[a]knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature [b]which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

4. Results to other people being blessed. 

1 Corinthians 12:7

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Serve the Lord with excellence.