WHAT THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS
I CORINTHIANS 12:12-18
INTRODUCTION: Throughout the New Testament the church is likened to a physical body made up of many members each functioning in a different capacity but all being part of the same unity and working together for the proper functioning and benefit of the entire body. As such the Apostle Paul states that every part of the body is necessary and no one member can say that they do not need the other members. Using the metaphor of a body, I believe that for this church to function properly as Christ would have it function, as well as each us individually, there are certain body parts that ALL of us must possess. Let us consider what the Body of Christ needs…
I. We need Eyes open to See
A. Ezekiel 12:2 "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."
B. See the Need
C. Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he."
D. John 4:35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."
E. See the Source of our Power
F. 2 Kings 6:15-17 "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? [16] And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. [17] And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee; open his eyes that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
G. Vision looks inward and becomes a duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith. – Stephen Samuel Wise (1874-1949)
H. The Christians who have turned the world upside down have been men and women with a vision in their hearts and the Bible in their hands. – T. B. Maston
I. The importance of vision is seen in that a vision is the dominant factor that governs your life. It determines all the choices you are making. It’s what’s left after all the layers are peeled away like an onion. Clinging like glue to the inside of your rib cage. It’s what your mind naturally gravitates toward when it is not legitimately concentrating on something else. It’s ... what determines your friendships and your relationships that you are cultivating. It’s what your prayers are about--what you dream about and are giving money toward. – Phil Grant, Leadership, Vol. 15, no. 3.
II. We need Minds set to Work
A. Nehemiah 4:6 "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work."
B. We need to have the mind of Christ – that is the mind of a servant.
C. Philippians 2:5-7 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
D. One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. – Albert Schweitzer, missionary doctor, 1875-1965. Men of Integrity, Vol. 1, no. 2
E. Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"
F. Matthew 9:37-38 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."
G. At a church in Santa Fe, New Mexico is a hand-lettered sign that hangs over the only door into the sanctuary: SERVANT’S ENTRANCE. There isn’t any way in or out of that church except through the service door.
III. We need Hearts willing to Give
A. A conductor on the Santa Fe was converted and united with the church. After he had been faithful in his religious duties for some weeks, he was asked one Sunday morning to help take the offering. He started down the aisle, and all went well until he came to a richly dressed woman. She allowed the plate to go past her, whereupon the conductor unconsciously reached up for the bell rope to stop the train, and said, "Madam, if you don’t pay, you’ll have to get off." – James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988)
B. 1 Chronicles 29:9 "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy."
C. 2 Chronicles 31:2-10 "And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD. [3] He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD. [4] Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. [5] And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. [6] And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. [7] In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. [8] And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. [9] Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. [10] And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store."
D. You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving. -James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 323.
E. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver."
F. 2 Corinthians 8:5 tells us the churches of Macedonia "first gave their own selves to the Lord."
G. The Presbyterian Church in Ghana is the largest Christian group in that country. Established over a hundred years ago by Scottish Presbyterians, their worship service is very much like a traditional Scottish Presbyterian service with one exception. An African traditional experience is incorporated in the worship service at the offering. During the offering, the people dance as they bring their offerings forward.That’s a part of African culture in religious, spiritual worship. They really get down. The music is going, and they individually turn it into a production as they bring that offering to the offering plate. They take their time, too. The offering could go on for a long time. It’s the only time in the service when they smile. The only time in the service when they smile is when they’re giving their money. - Don McCullough, "Whom Do You Serve?" – Preaching Today, Tape No. 110.
H. Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:"
I. Seven Ways of Giving…
1. The Careless Way: To give something to every cause that is presented, without inquiring into its merits.
2. The Impulsive Way: To give from impulse--as much and as often as love and pity and sensibility prompt.
3. The Lazy Way: To make a special offer to earn money for worthy projects by fairs, bazaars, etc.
4. The Self-Denying Way: To save the cost of luxuries and apply them to purposes of religion and charity. This may lead to asceticism and self-complacence.
5. The Systematic Way: To lay aside as an offering to God a definite portion of our gains--one tenth, one fifth, one third, or one half (rich or poor can follow this plan).
6. The Equal Way: To give God and the needy just as much as we spend on ourselves.
7. The Heroic Way: To limit our own expenditures to a certain sum and give all the rest of our income. -James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 240-241.
IV. We need Feet ready to Go
A. Ephesians 6:15 instructs us to have our "…feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"
B. We need feet that carry the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.
C. Romans 10:15 "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
D. The church is under orders. Evangelistic inactivity is disobedience. – John R. W. Stott (1921- )
E. Realize that the gospel is not something we go to church to hear; it is something we go from the church to tell.
F. Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
G. We need feet that run from evil.
· Proverbs 4:27 "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil."
H. We need feet that walk wisely.
· Ephesians 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,"
· Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day."
CONCLUSION: I want you to reflect on this question today: If everyone in the church were like you what would the church be like? Before you answer yourself remember the admonition of Romans 12:3 ’For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
If everyone had eyes like your eyes, would needs be uncovered and met or would they be overlooked? Would eyes fill with tears for the lost or would they remain dry? Would we have a greater vision for a greater ministry and mission? Would we see ourselves the way we should?
If everyone had your mind to work, what would our ministries, our missions, our building and grounds look like? Would they be tributes to our Lord or would they lay unattended and neglected? Would we have Sunday School teachers, children’s and youth workers?
What if everyone had the same heart to give that you have? I wonder what our church’s budget and resources would be like. Would ministries have sufficient funding and resources to expand and grow or would they be neglected and fold for want of support? Would missionaries have to come home for insufficient funding? Would we be encouraged by abundance or would we be ashamed by apathy and indifference?
Who would have heard the Good News of Jesus this past week if everyone had your feet? How many would have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior this past year? How often would we see our baptismal waters be stirred by those being discipled? Would there be any missionaries out in the field?
WHAT IF EVERYONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST WERE LIKE YOU?
