8/7/2022

For the foreseeable future. We will take a few moments at this point in our gathering, to take a look at membership. Why membership matters? Membership in any organization or group mean something. The group represents you in some way. You also represent the group. And in a church, this is even more important. Think of the people we we probably all heard them who had a bad experience with a Christian or someone who claimed to be a Christian. And do not want nothing to do with church or even with God. Not to be clear. That person is still responsible to pursue god, rightly with Christians in community. They can't use a bad experience or ugly Church situation as an excuse to refuse to gather with a healthy congregation. Because we're commanded in the Bible to do so. When they encounter God one day, there's accountability for refusal to obey and that's at least loss of rewards. And some way. Regardless of that accountability though, Christian should be living and speaking in such a way that we make it easier for people to pursue God not harder. Membership matters immensely in this because it is the church giving an individual, a stamp of approval that you can represent this church as we represent God together. I've encountered people in this community who consider themselves members of this church and quite frankly, do a terrible job of representing Jesus and his truth. Now, I checked those individuals that I spoke with in the community were wrong. They're not members here. If they were, we would be accountable to correct them in love. If they were a member and misrepresenting Jesus, we bear responsibility to follow Jesus's commands and help them see speak and live according to his word. In this little series of of moments that were calling membership. Matters wolf will see the extent of that. We don't need to correct. Every time someone says something, we don't agree with rather We Major on the majors. So in the coming weeks and months, we will walk through the membership affirmation statement. Both the one for individuals that are joining the church and the one that the church responds with and we'll see what membership is and why it really really does matter. But now is we moved back into what it means to be cross shaped people. Let's take a moment to pray together. Heavenly father, as we come to your word, we we come humbly, recognizing that you hold true. That We can only come seeking. so we do, we come seeking today, looking that looking for you to share, what we should know, what we should believe How we should respond. So it's for your help through your holy spirit that we pray today.

Today we return, after a couple of weeks in Old Testament prophecy too are verse-by-verse walkthrough of 1st Corinthians that were calling cross-shaped people. Today, we will see again that people is a collective unit, not simply a bunch of individuals. The Corinthian congregation was behaving like a bunch of individuals with many, finding ways to consider themselves Superior to others often because of what Theologian, they most agreed with what social and economic status. They had or what gifts and abilities they possess. Paul now is going to dive into an often-used analogy. You probably heard it before it's often used because Paul used it for one and also it's just a great analogy. Today. And next week, look for the repetition of two words that are showing the most important Concept. In those words are one And many one and many. Now, in most wanted to be clear. Is US collectively in unity. Many is the concept of individuals. So in most perhaps in all societies, there is a tendency toward emphasizing one of those words while neglecting the other An ancient Jewish Society, or in a modern Asian Society, you're very likely to see an emphasis on the one, on the unit, the people Collective. Pursuing the good of the collective. Even if it cost individuals, their freedoms and dignity, you can see that in those scenarios, even if 49% are harmed, the 51% gaming leads to justifying the group action. And of course, we've seen every time communism takes power that concept gets twisted even further to push the good of a really small group and just claiming it's good for the collective. No one ancient Greek society or in modern America we see a focus on the money on the individual while ignoring the one, the unity Individualism, personal rights are proclaimed. They're raised up and people use them for their own gain. Even sometimes if it hurts others, we seen that in Corinth here, in modern America bizarrely, we see the same end as an over focus on an individual. The good of. A few overrides, the majority. Someone point to the rich profiting on the backs of the poor, others would point to a single judge, making a sweeping changes, no matter what the majority may want, or what might seem best to them to others would point to executive orders or social issues, were the views of a minority or pushed on the others. And can we admit sometimes, sometimes this is good. Sometimes the judge needs to do the truly right thing, even if people can't see it or people don't agree with it. Sometimes a minority does need to be looked out for American history with the slavery of black American stands out in that regard. But the same logic applied wrongly, has men walking into women's locker rooms feeling entitled to be there. How do we navigate this? How do we balance B1 the unity? The collective and the many the individual. How do we do that? So so abusive can be avoided and right? Priorities can be maintained Paul's going to have three important truths for those of you who feel marginalized in some way. And he will have four important rules for those who have been privileged in some way. And really, most of us will find all seven relevant to us because really, we're all marginalized in some way. We're all lesser than others in some way and we're all privileged in various ways.

How to begin? Paul shows you that the balance cannot be achieved by you and me, that's why I communism failed every time that's why so many abuses occur in the name of freedom in America today. Because of a crucial piece, that's missing. So picking up in 1st Corinthians, 12 verse 12. Just as a body, no one has many parts but also its many parts form. One body. So it is with Christ. for we were all baptized by one spirit so as to form one body whether Jews or Gentiles slave or free, We were all given the one Spirit to drink. even so the body is not made up of one part, but of many This is a chiasm that's a term for a literary device. A special writing technique that Pairs and nests ideas who described it before like a cheeseburger. But this one's more just a double hamburger bun on top is paired with the bottom bun and the two burger patties are paired with each other. One and many. That's the bond here. That's what is at the beginning and also repeated at the end. And then the ones spirit is mentioned twice in the middle. Apollo's and do this. Just to look creative to look smart. Done for emphasis of Truth. The we are many parts making up one complete units. Enter prove that he includes the inner layer. The Unity comes from the Holy Spirit. Do we know the balance of one and many gets thrown off in pretty much every culture? How can that be avoided? Christ, as head through the work of the Holy Spirit.

He works to Unity out of us. How does it clear out our identities and turn us into robots? Does he wipe away all our differences? That's what some a cert from Galatians 3, verse 28, which says this There is neither Jew, nor Gentile, neither slave, nor free nor is there male and female for. You are all one in Christ, Jesus.

Much of the context is the same in Galatians 3. Paul talks about baptism and unity. But the critical difference is that Paul is talking about becoming heirs and children of God in Galatians. Somebody says there's no male or female, Jew, or Gentile Etc. He is saying that all have equal access to Salvation. Any and all can come by grace through faith. In Jesus. Everyone comes to God broken a sinner in need of a savior and when one comes humbly, seeking God's way, instead of our own Jesus is righteousness is given

Our guilt is taken by him paid for at the cross. So you can be a female Gentile a male Jew, or a homemaker, or a convict, or a doctor, or a high school dropout, it doesn't matter. You can be saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus. Meaning the rest of this passage today is also for you. But here in 1st Corinthians, Paul doesn't erase the differences. He instead references them, he talks about their importance. Here he talks more generally about Unity without talking about access to Salvation. And so what this means then is that his no differences explanation in Galatians has a very limited scope. It does not extend to all areas of life. He is not saying there is no such thing as male and female in all aspects of life. You saying only an access to Salvation. The differences are retained, and that's a great thing. And here's why our differences matter. They become our strength. When we work together, each one of us as Christians represent God and into the world in a special way. Women bring glory to God in a way that men cannot and vice-versa. Those gifted in generosity, give glory to God in a different way than someone who preaches or evangelize is through the ability that God gives them. Applying the Galatians passage to all of life is saying that the most beautiful picture you can have is all just one color. A completely yellow or orange or blue canvas.

But in 1st Corinthians, we see that the differences are beautiful. Each of us brings a different shade to the picture that got his painting for the world before his glory. Will dig into that more as we go, but we need to recognize that God is not trying to wipe away our differences. He gave us those differences because of what he wants to do through us. So, if you visit a different church and they worship differently, maybe they sing a lot more or they preach for an hour. Like many do, I went to a church with a priest for over 2 hours once, or maybe they like to use rock music or all Hemsworth. The preacher preaches in kind of a sing-song voice. The differences are beautiful to God.

Remember the differences in you are beautiful as well. Introvert I know you wish you were more outgoing and more connected with people more easily. Stop. God made you that way for a reason.

I know you don't always like how God created you person that can't teach or lead.

I know that you wish you could step out in some of those ways, but God did give you a gift, he gave you an ability and it's part of his beautiful plan. You are part of his beautiful plan.

I know you wish you had more money to give some of you. You wonder if you're small Financial gift out of your out of your faithful giving for God's glory, really makes a difference. But Jesus taught very directly that you're giving does matter, and it's beautiful to him. Our differences. Make us more beautiful for God's glory. Just like a song is more. Beautiful. Because of the varied harmonious notes.

Quickly of this baptism by or really more likely in the one spirit is not the water baptism that we see up here. it is what are baptism points to our immersion with the holy spirit that unites us with Christ. That's what he's talking about here. Peter says that this baptism the one in the Holy Spirit, is the one that saves us. We baptized in water partly because Jesus commands us to but also because it's a wonderful celebration and reminder of what God has done for us. The water doesn't unify us with Christ. Holy Spirit.

But sometimes we find ourselves in a more advantageous position. Maybe we're more extroverted, or we have a more obvious and generally respected spiritual gift, or were more educated or financially secure than others. We must avoid the temptation to consider ourselves better or more important than others. Paul directs. This next section us when we are tempted to feel more important or more valuable to God's kingdom than other people. Starting with verse 15, Now if the foot should say because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason. Stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say because I am not in the I I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason. Stop being part of the body.

What do we see from this?

Each member is equally part of the body. Each member is equally part of the body. No one should be saying because I'm not gifted in this kind of way. I'm not important to the congregation. We will see why that's so problematic to believe in just a bit, but you don't have to be good at teaching, her singing to be valuable and important to the congregation. You don't have to have lots of money or physical ability to matter to the body of Christ. You don't have to be socially influential or a death to accomplish what you were created for. Rest in the knowledge. That Paul says that you are a part of the body. if you are God's child through faith in Jesus,

an arrest in the fact that you are an equal part of the body. In fact, I think of how much it was an issue. What would cause if God did give us all in the same way.

Paul explains it like this. If the whole body, when I wear with the sense of hearing be, if the whole body were a near, where were the sense of smell be?

so, what Paul is saying, is this

Each part has its own unique function. Each part has its own unique function. My son had something weird happened with his ear and now he doesn't hear very well out of one side. Ask him how important one part of the body is and then after you repeat yourself,

he'll tell you that both ears matter.

Now his right you're the one that doesn't work so well if it work creepily sentient. It might have once thought that it wasn't valuable because it was redundant. There's already another ear. What what value do I really bring? But each year brings something valuable for a variety of reasons. Hearing sense of position balance. Your gifting even if it's small or redundant or tends to go. Unnoticed is valuable and it's important. If you are using your gift, your particular abilities and skill set for the glory of God, for the good of his people and the growth of his kingdom and you are bringing something special. Only you were designed to bring And if you're not using your gift, you are leaving a whole. No one else can fill.

It shouldn't surprise us that each one is important to the whole body. Because of what we see in verse 18. But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts but one body. God doesn't make mistakes. He is wiser than all of humanity, combined more good, more kind more, just more loving so, we know That one body. Many parts is God's Sovereign design. One body, many parts. Is God's Sovereign design. I was Blake mentioned last week. Sovereign is a term that simply means that God is in complete control. So for you, the individual that sometimes feels less valuable or less helpful or less useful not because of your efforts. But because of what kinds of strengths and abilities, you have this verse reminds you that God wanted you to have those very strengths and abilities that you have. In his love, in his wisdom, in his power, he made you just the way that you are.

When I was in Middle School. I started collecting Marvel trading cards. I have a lot of the 1991 set and I kind of wish I still had that set, but I used to look at those cards all the time. The cool art on the front, the biographies and information on the back of he collected sports cards like a baseball card. The back would tell you the player's position Hometown if they're right or left handed and a bunch of other important Statistics over the years The Marvel cards had a different set of Statistics power ratings. and in the universe that had, Spider-Man.

Hulk. Silver Surfer. Results of Gambit.

Kind of things to see because Gambon, he was always my favorite. But did you see that drop off in power rating?

That's kind of Stark right? At Tony Stark, but Jesus tells us a parable actually.

Okay. Jesus tells us a parable in Matthew 25 that lets us know, we're not all at the same power rating. Summer actually more gifted and talented than others. remember from Galatians in earlier, in this text that we are equally valuable and important to the kingdom of God and in the kingdom of God, but that doesn't mean that the back of our trading cards, all look the same

A what? And that's more than okay, that's how God designed us. What this is telling us is that if your card looks more like gambits that's still very, very good. Gambit for the particular niche. He became my favorite comic book character to this day. And he's not as popular as the Hulk or Spider-Man. Lisa, my favorite I meant the most to me. So, no matter your gift and your abilities. If you use them Faithfully, you'll end up, meaning a lot to others as well. Many people pay attention to in value those with more upfront gifts leadership. Gift. The speaking gets the singing gifts, those who seem to have higher power ratings on the back of their trading cards. but I can think of several people right here in this church, people who use their gifts and their abilities Faithfully, who's trading cards would show a higher bar on less noticeable traits, But if they stop serving they stop using their gifts, we would feel it, it would hurt. In some cases whole Ministries and services will be crippled until God brought someone else or multiple others to fill in the gaps. Hack for every more noticeable. Gift it's used here in an important way at FBC. There are probably three or four less noticeable gifts being used in very critical weights. I say that way because sometimes we have one person with both more and less noticeable gifts, someone who may teach your class but also quietly repairs items around the church. Both are very valuable use of gifts and abilities. so don't feel lesser than if you're if you, if you tend toward having less noticeable gifts, And don't give preference to your more noticeable gifts while neglecting the ones that have that, that get less attention. God's wisdom and God's love. Gave you your skills and abilities. All to be used for the glory of God, the good of his people and the growth of his kingdom. in fact, I will take this concept even further as we see for reminders Reminders for us when we're feeling important, when we're feeling like the kingdom might be kind of blessed to have us. But also do us collectively regarding how we value people. So those four truths those for reminders and encouragement. Beginning verse 21.

The eye cannot say to the hand. I don't need you and the head cannot say to the feet. I don't need you. Ed and I are chosen because they indicate more noticeable gifts and roles leadership and expressive parts. There should not be a ranking system of value, not even a subtle one, either an active use or even in the minds of believers. The earlier versus Were Meant to correct, those who felt lesser then. But now we see Paul correcting those who felt and feel more valuable more important. And if you're like me, sometimes you can struggle on either side of these things and you need to find that balance. Only the Holy Spirit can bring. These are times when people feel like they should be listen to even at the expense of others. Remember that? Any who speak the truth of God should be listen to, always not because of that person, but because of God, it's God's truth. But anybody who learns God's truth can do that. There's no barrier based on gifting or ability or resources, it's no surprise that Paul places is corrected for some after comforting others. Remember, we just came out of a section where he reprimanded, some certain rich, people in that instance, devaluing and even humiliating the poor in their midst. the first corrective we see here is this, then members of the body need each other. The members of the body need each other. What was encouraged under-recognized? They do contribute significant value here. This is meant to remind others. They are not to belittle or Overlook the value, brought by those, but they may be tempted to devalue or even unintentionally.

Pole, take this concept even further in the next verses on the contrary. Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. And the parts we think are less honorable retreat with special honor and the parts that are presentable are treated with special modesty. Wall are presentable Parts? Need no special treatment. What does Paul mean? Think about it. Be less overtly useful parts of the body. Those those are the ones that we actually protect the cover. I certainly was going to refer to outside parts of the body that we keep covered, but also the heart stomach deliver. If you get one piece of armor in battle, you're covering your abdomen. Even before you go for a helmet. If you see your heart, something is seriously wrong. And yet we protected as of the utmost importance mean, think about the difference. If you tell someone you're getting surgery on your arm versus you, tell someone you're getting heart surgery. The response is different for good reason. Paul is saying that these supposedly weaker members because of gifting or resources are status Paul says. They're indispensable. Weaker members are indispensable. Rather than thinking of those working behind the scenes, as replaceable in less important, that's recognized. But according to experience, according to Paul, according to God himself, we cannot fulfill our mission without them. Well, they serve in a more hidden fashion. It is on us, collectively to protect and respect them, even to celebrate them. And don't forget that when we see an M again, a week or in quotes because we're all equal in value to the kingdom. This is going to include those who have disabilities. Have certain types of struggles for children. We need to remember that. It's not just that we should give great honor to those brothers and sisters because it is kind or loving for us to do. So, Paul gives another reason, But God has put the body together giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it. So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

By Design God give greater honor to the members who lack it by Design. God gives greater honor to the members who lack it. We are to honor the more hidden Parts because God does so How can Paul say that both that God is giving greater honor and we're to have equal concern for each other? The honor given to the parts that lack it. But is that make that makes up for the honor that others received because their gifts are more noticeable, because there's things more often, they're giving honor in certain ways. When is not to lift one person over another but the balance, the honor that's given. In other words, no matter what abilities people have. If they were using those abilities for the glory of God, the good of his people and the growth of his kingdom, they deserve honor. Every bit as much is a more gifted or more noticeable person. And finally, Paul gives us this very important, reminder in verse 26. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it, if one part is honored every part rejoices with and I can't really simplify that, so that's really the fourth point in its entirety. It's pretty self-explanatory, right?

But it begs. The question when you suffer, do you share it? Too many people actually hoard their suffering. Not enjoying my new but keeping it to themselves. Honor is public just naturally it's shared naturally our Collective call to Rejoice instead of falling into jealousy is What flows out of that. But too many Christians don't give others the opportunity to suffer with them. Maybe they'll share a physical malady, but they'll refuse to share when they're struggling spiritually, mentally or emotionally. Like a disease that deadens, the nerves of the rest of the body so that the body doesn't know when harm is coming to the one part. But the truth is, whether the nerves are deadened or not, it still hurts the rest of the body. Books, if you won't share your suffering so we can help you through it. You are hurting the rest of the body while you hurt. That's against God's design, which instead calls you to open up about your pain and fear and suffering so we can share it in a safe space mind you but often are Bible study groups or are groups of Christian friends. We should be lightning each other's loads as best we can. One last takeaway that underlies, the whole passage and none of it makes sense. Unless this take away is being lived out by each of us, use your gifts Use your gifts for the glory of God, the good of his people and the growth of his kingdom, no matter what kind of abilities and resources, God has given you use them. If you don't know how to use them, try stuff would be happy to help you find ways to serve and share, but don't be the eye. That just decides to stay closed. The hand that refuses to grip, the neither refuses to Ben, or the heart that refuses to beat use your gift and be honored by God's people and shockingly, even by God himself. Upbra.

Heavenly Father. We thank you for bringing value to each member of your body. We thank you that you carefully specially gifted each one, just the way you wanted to accomplish. Just what you have for them. We pray that you would help each one today, whether they need to step out and use their gift more. Whether they need to honor someone else for using their gift and show appreciation. What do they need to share their suffering more willingly. We pray that you will guide each one and allow us to draw into even greater Unity. As we individually are the parts, the people that you made us to be and we pray that through all of it your will would be done and you would be glorified in men. Do you want to talk about following Jesus? About getting baptized about joining the church in membership. Please talk to me or talk to a deacon afterwards or fill out the orange. Connect card in the Pew, drop it in the offering box. all of our serving that leads to honor that comes to a head that matters, most when Jesus returns and that glorious return that we so long for We're reminded through biblical example, to call for it. So let's do so, in song, Stand, if you're able