Membership Matters - Unity with the Church
In our last lesson we learned that being a member of the church means loving the church. We learned that we should love the church because; Christ loves the church, the church is being built by Christ, the church is Christ made visible, the church is the source of spiritual unity, and the church is the source of Christ’s truth. We also learned that Christ and his church can’t be separated. For this reason, one could never love Christ and reject the church. In fact, Jesus himself said that it is our love for the brethren which is the evidence of our love for him (John 13:34-35).In our last lesson we learned what our attitude should be toward the church, in this lesson we will learn what our position is within the church.
You Are a Member of the Church Body
If you are a Christian, whether or not you carry a title or hold an office, you are a gifted and indispensable part of the church.There are many analogies in scripture to the church. It is compared to branches attached to a common vine – just as believers are attached to Christ. It is compared to a household with all believers as brethren. It is called a temple in which every brick is crucial to the building’s integrity. But the most frequent and perhaps the most descriptive analogy of the church is that of a body.
1 Corinthians 12:1-27 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 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.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v12. In this verse we see a body described. What does a body have many of?Q. What do the many members make up?Q. v12. What is “the body” in this verse being compared to?[/su_box]This passage compares the functioning of a church to that of a body. One body has many parts with different functions, working together for the same goal – the health of the body. Paul uses this analogy to picture the church, which is made up of many different members, drawing from the same life and working together to accomplish a common goal – the health of the church.So, within the church, we are all different by virtue of the differing spiritual gifts which God has given to us. But, like parts of a body, we exercise these gifts for the common purpose of serving the body at large. Each church member is different, so that the church can function as one. (Eph 4:11-16).[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v13. How did we all become a part of this one body?[/su_box]The moment you believed the gospel and gave your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, you were given the Holy Spirit of God. He now dwells within you. It is through the Holy Spirit that God has united you spiritually with Christ and with every other of his followers (Rom 6:3-5). This spiritual reality is seen practically in the local church as believers dwell together in unity and exercise the fruit of the Spirit toward one another in love (John 13:35; Gal 5:22).[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Can you recognize the unity from diversity within your local church? You should be able to observe varying ages, social classes, ethnic backgrounds, etc, all working in unity for the cause of Christ. How might a church which focuses on only certain age groups, ethnicities, social classes or other demographics fail to display the unifying effects of the gospel?[/su_box]
We Are Different So That We Can Be One
The gospel is unifying. All men and women who believe in Christ, no matter their age, ethnicity, or social class are united in Christ and to each other. But, what we learn from the Bible’s comparison of the church to a body, is that this unity does not necessarily mean sameness. As 1 Corinthians 12 teaches, within the unity of the church we find great diversity. This diversity stems from God’s distribution of different spiritual gifts within the church.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
Now there are of gifts, but the Spirit; and there are of service, but the Lord; and there are of activities, but it is the God who empowers them all in everyone.A spiritual gift is a divinely empowered ability given to a believer by God’s grace for the building up of the church. There is great diversity in how these gifts operate, but each is given by God for the same purpose – the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ (the church).There are four main passages which deal with spiritual gifts in scripture – 1 Peter 4, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 12. From these passages we can gather a list of spiritual gifts.It should be noted that some of the spiritual gifts which God gave to the church have since ceased. These were miraculous sign gifts such as, miracles, healings, unlearned languages, and to a certain degree, prophecy. These special, miraculous gifts were given during the lifetime of the apostles, before the word of God was completed as an affirmation of the apostles authority and truthfulness. For this reason, these gifts are called “the signs of the apostles” (2 Cor 12:12).Besides these miraculous and temporary gifts we find other gifts that God is using today to build his church. These include, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, and discernment. Also, in the fourth chapter of Ephesians we see some of the offices which gifted men can occupy, such as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher.
1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. By what power do all spiritual gifts operate?Q. Who has chosen how to distribute these spiritual gifts?[/su_box]You may teach, preach, or counsel. Or, perhaps your strength may be giving, serving, or showing mercy. Maybe you find a mixture of many different gifts in your life. However God has gifted you, he has done it according to his pleasure (1 Cor 12:18) and by His grace (Rom 12:6) for the benefit of the entire church.1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Who should benefit from the use of our spiritual gifts?[/su_box]
1 Corinthians 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Why has God given you spiritual gifts (“the manifestation of the spirit”)?[/su_box]
1 Peter 4:10 indicates that we are to be “good stewards of God's varied grace”. A steward is one who is entrusted to manage the goods of another. In our case, God has entrusted us with the Spirit of God. As obedient stewards we are to use the Spirit and his gifts to accomplish God’s will on earth. As we learned in the previous study, the work that God is currently doing on earth is the building of his church. So then, our spiritual gifts have been given to us for the sole purpose of advancing God’s work of building his church (Matt 16:18).
When you discover your spiritual gift and find a place to serve in the church you are making an invaluable contribution to the furtherance of Christ’s will on earth. You are building his church with him.Don’t be discouraged if you do not know exactly where you fit in. With spiritual growth and maturity comes a better understanding of how God wants you to contribute to the church. Besides this, sometimes your spiritual gifts cannot be easily categorized. The important thing to remember is that your spiritual gifts become the most obvious when you are the closest to God. Keep growing spiritually and look for a place to serve. You will find what area is the best fit for you and you will see God bless the church through you.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]How might our disobedience prevent us from knowing what our spiritual gifts are? (consider 1 Thess 5:19, Eph 4:30)[/su_box]
Every Member is Essential!
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are a very important part of your church. You are united to the church and gifted for the church by the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose”.It is by no accident that you have been placed in the church that you have. Just like a physical body, the church cannot lose the members that God has placed within it and not experience some suffering or pain. Without you and the exercise of your spiritual gifts, the church cannot function as well as it should (Eph 4:16).
1 Corinthians 12:15-27 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.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v15. Do a foot and a hand fulfill the same purpose?Q. v16. Do an ear and an eye fulfill the same purpose?Q. Does the fact that the foot does not serve the same purpose as the hand, or the ear the eye, make them any less a part of the body?Q. v21. We are all interdependent. So, what can we not say about one another?[/su_box]
Your Church Needs You
Church unity does not mean sameness. Though each church member shares the same value, they do not share the same function. This diversity within the unity of the church is what makes its members interdependent. We need one another. Just as a foot cannot serve the same function as an eye, or an eye the same as an ear, each church member serves a peculiar and important role in the church. The ear needs the eye’s vision and the eye needs the ear’s hearing. No matter how well the eye can see, it never makes the ear unneeded. Likewise, no matter how others are gifted or to what degree they are gifted, they never make your contributions unneeded. We are all different, valuable, and interdependent so that we can be unified as one.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. v24. If we are considerate of our fellow believers, what will we do?Q. v25. What will we not neglect if we care of other church members?Q. v25. What should we continue to do as we see the return of Christ (“the Day”) drawing near?[/su_box]
Acts 28:15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. In this passage we find Paul travelling toward Rome to face trial. In the chapter previous he has experienced a terrible shipwreck and has been bitten by a poisonous snake! Even in the midst of all of this, what does this verse indicate happened when Paul saw the fellow believers who came to meet him?[/su_box]When Paul saw fellow believers he “took courage”. He was encouraged to see men and women who shared the same faith, same devotion to Christ and same commitment to carry out His will. Never underestimate your importance to the local church. When you are living an obedient life towards God and are participating in your church, you are a tremendous encouragement to others. Even your simple attendance provides encouragement to others. They see in you, one more believer who loves their Lord and has given their life in obedience to him. This corporate worship and united fellowship is exactly what God has designed his children for.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Do you love the church like Christ loves the church? Have you found a way to contribute to your church? Do you seek to encourage others and build up the church or are you more concerned with what the church has to offer you? God has given you the Holy Spirit by his grace, it is now up to you as a good steward to use your Spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ - the church.[/su_box]
Caring for One Another
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 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.
[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. God has united all church members by the Holy Spirit of God. He has made them different but equal. He has given each spiritual gifts yet has made all dependent upon each other. According to verse 25, what should the result of God’s design be?Q. v26. How should the church respond when a member is honored? Suffers?[/su_box]Our interdependence, spiritual unity and love for one another should cause us to empathize with one another. Being a part of a church means sharing in the trials and victories of our fellow church members. No church member should feel alone, inferior or unloved.You are an integral part of the body. God has united you to every other believer in the congregation. He has gifted you in such a way as to make you indispensable to the church. You supply something to the body that no one else could. You may not teach or preach, hold an office or a title, but when you are living in obedience to God you make an invaluable contribution to the church.[su_box title="Review!" style="soft" box_color="#FF4D2C"]1. How is the church both diverse and unified?2. What are spiritual gifts? What are their purpose?3. What is a good way to determine what one's spiritual gift is?4. In what way are believers "stewards" of the grace of God?5. How should the fact that God himself distributes gifts according to His choice, discourage any rivalry or jealousy within the church?6. In what ways should our weaknesses make us dependent upon one another?7. How is faithful attendance an encouragement to the church?[/su_box]