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Sermons

February 25, 2018

God’s Design for the Church, Part 2

Steven Lee (North Campus) | 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

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.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.—1 Corinthians 12:21–26

Introduction

If you could your life in such a way that you never needed anyone’s help, would you? It’s a tempting question. To be needy is to be vulnerable. And to be vulnerable, is uncomfortable. When you need others in your life, you can get hurt or they can disappoint you. Being self-sufficient—having everything you need with no need for others—is tempting. And yet, it is a dangerous lie. God has created us as members of a body.

Yet how often are we tempted to believe “I can do it myself.” Whatever it may be, we’re reticent to ask for help. I can fix it myself. I can try harder. I’ll google it to figure it out. In the midst of a struggling marriage, difficult finances, or a parenting problem, too often our instinct is to try and figure it out ourselves. Like the toddler, lacking the fine motor skills to open the candy wrapper, who insists, “I can do it myself.” Yet the toddler has the advantage. Very quickly, after struggling with no success, they have no inhibitions and no shame to turn to mom and dad to say, “I need help.” What about you? When you find yourself in a bind, do you turn to ask for help, or do you think “I can do it myself, I don’t need others?”

This attitude of thinking creeps into the church as well. We think “I can do it myself” when it comes to growing in godliness. I don’t really need a small group, others who know and love me, or regular accountability. We think that we get all that we need for our spiritual well-being alone. “I can do it myself” isn’t just the battle cry of the 2-year-old, but perhaps even some of us.

This attitude is precisely what Paul addresses in our passage this morning. It is the attitude of self-sufficiency, that says in one’s heart, “I don’t need others,” and “I can do it myself.” In verse 21 of our passage the eye says to the hand “I have no need of you.” So instead of what we looked at last week—of some saying because I’m not like someone else I’m not needed—this week we look at those with an attitude of superiority. Instead of despondency (e.g., “I’m not important or needed”), we face self-sufficiency (e.g., “I don’t need others”). Some parts of the body are suggesting that other parts are unnecessary, unimportant, and even expendable.

But God’s word paints for us a different vision. By God’s sovereign design, all believers—including the weak—are essential and indispensable members of his church. Everyone is needed, and no one is expendable. No member—however seemingly insignificant—is unnecessary.

As we ask the question again, “What is God’s design for the church, and what is your role in it?” we are see that God has special concern for those considered weak, insignificant, or expendable. So my aim is for us to better understand why the weak are just as needed as the strong in the body of Christ, the church. Why are weak members not only welcomed, but vital for the health and flourishing of the church? This is a counter-cultural way of thinking. The world says cut dead weight quickly; rid yourself of those who underperform. But the gospel of Christ has radically different values.

Our passage breakdowns into three sections.

  1. In the church, no one is expendable (v. 21)
  2. In the church, all are valuable (vv. 22–24a)
  3. In the church, share in concern for one another (vv. 24b–26)

1) No One Is Expendable

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.”—1 Corinthians 12:21–26

Paul continues with his analogy between a physical body and the church. In our passage, you’ll notice that Paul is now addressing those who think others are useless. They feel superior, self-sufficient, and tell other members of the body “I have no need of you.”

In the context of the church at Corinth, it’s not hard to imagine that some people think too highly of themselves. They think because they have the gift of tongues, healing, knowledge, or prophecy, that they are the essential members of the body and the rest are non-essential. This attitude is essentially, “I’m really important, and the rest of you, well, we keep you around to be nice.” It’s charity. Or, as we look at the broader scope of 1 Corinthians, it very well could be the social elite who considered themselves part of the inner circle. The haves and the have-nots like we saw in chapter 11 with the wealthy and poor believers coming to take the Lord’s Supper.

But Paul will have none of it. The eye cannot say to the hand, I don’t have any need for you. No one in the body of Christ is nonessential. No one is expendable. He states this truth negatively. No one can make a value judgment about someone else within the body of Christ. Why? Why can no one in the body of Christ say another member is unneeded?

No one who owes everything to the saving work of God, through the sacrifice of his Son Jesus, enabled by the Spirit, can ever claim self-sufficiency. To be prideful about your gifts is contradictory. It’s a gift—it was graciously given to you, based on nothing you did.

  • Grace undercuts any attempt at self-sufficiency or boasting.
  • Love for God undercuts any disdain for neighbor.
  • Welcome into God’s family dismantles any attempt to bar others from joining.
  • Forgiveness of sins destroys unloving judgment of others.

The church is unlike any other institution in the world. We do not take the best, brightest, and wealthiest members, but rather open our doors to all people. Certain clubs price out of the general population, certain neighborhoods hire security to keep the riff-raff out, and certain societies require a certain background, alma mater, or family tree. But the church welcomes all in need of a Savior. Jesus called all who are heavy laden, and said, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

There are 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, and in God’s kingdom every cell within the body is needed. Are you tempted to think others are useless in the body? It sounds harsh. Are you tempted to think “I have no need of you” to someone who thinks differently from you. My guess is there are some cessationists here at Bethlehem, and you might be tempted to disdain those who more readily embrace the spectacular spiritual gifts. Or those who would more readily embrace spiritual gifts might disdain those who are more cautious. Or there are some here, who vote a certain way, that can’t stand others who vote differently. Or there are some here who have differing views on immigration, refugees, public policy, and a host of other issues. Yet, despite our differences, we are members of the same body and no one is expendable. It might be age, gender or ethnicity—and yet we desperately need everyone as vital members of the body.

2) All Are Valuable

On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, which our more presentable parts do not require.—1 Corinthians 12:22–24

Paul states a contrast to verse 21. Paul actually makes three related points here:

  1. Seemingly weaker parts of the body, are indispensable
  2. Less honorable parts of the body, we give greater honor
  3. Unpresentable parts of the body, we treat with modesty

Seemingly Weaker Are Indispensable

Paul was writing to Corinth, a city and church that were caught up with appearances, reputation and honor. There was fighting and divisions, picking camps and their favorite teachers: “I follow Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ.” They wanted a refined orator, wisdom and interesting stories and insights to tickle their ears, but Paul goes after this human wisdom.

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.—1 Corinthians 1:27–29

Paul essential says, “Look, you all were a bunch of nobodies to begin with.” God chose you—not the brightest, not the strongest, not the social elite, not the rich, and not the powerful—in order to build his church so that there would be no boasting, no self-sufficiency before God. No one can say I worked harder to be a Christian. No spiritual resume impresses God. Being wise, influential, or of noble birth does nothing for a special status in the church. God provides our righteousness, and all have the same status before a holy God.

So while certain members may appear weaker, God’s category of weakness is not the same as the worlds. Seemingly weaker members are indispensable. Now this begs the question why? Why are they indispensable? There is one sense in which weaker members allow other members in the body to exercise love and service. But they are indispensable because God ordained weak people to shame strong people. The gospel is a gospel for weak people.

Additionally, seemingly weak members are indispensable because God chooses to work in this manner: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God reveals his surpassing power through weak, fragile, utilitarian jars of clay.

Author Paul Tripp writes, “It's very tempting to slide into an autonomous and self-sufficient lifestyle, so I've trained myself to start each day with three prayers. Reciting these before I even get out of bed reminds me of my need for community.”

  • “Jesus, I'm a person in desperate need of help today.”
  • “God, in your grace, send your helpers my way.”
  • “Spirit, give me the humility to receive the help when it comes.”

We need community in our lives. We need others—seemingly weak people even—in our lives to help us grow.

Less Honorable Parts & Unpresentable Parts

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, which our more presentable parts do not require.—1 Corinthians 1:23–24

The second thing Paul states about everyone being valuable is that the less honorable parts ought to receive greater honor, and unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty. It’s likely that Paul had in mind less honorable parts such as less prominent or less noticed parts of the body. In the physical body it’s likely referencing internal organs, invisible to the eye, but no less important. For the unpresentable parts, Paul likely has in mine the private parts that we treat with modesty, by clothing and covering those parts of the body. The original wording shows the parallel, “our unpresentable parts receive greater present-ability.” So unlike the hands and face, there are parts of the body that receive greater care and attention to cover or adorn them.

Paul’s doesn’t want us to separate the body into different social classes, or divvy up the gifts into separate tiers. His point is that our perception that certain people or certain gifts are more valuable than others is wrong. There are differences, but not in terms of value or worth within the body. This would have been very counter-cultural for those in Corinth, who were keenly aware of their birth, wealth or education that would qualify them to be among the elite.

How can I illustrate this without singling out a group of people and undermine Paul’s entire point that we don’t create tiers of people or gifts? See the tension implicit here? Let me give it a try to bring it down home. One of my children said to me that they like it when the children or youth choir sings up front. The congregation claps more than for adults, though they may not sing as well as the adults. They suspected this was because it’s more than what that choir offers (e.g., musical talent), but rather because these kids have practiced, and are growing in their ability to help lead in corporate worship. We understand that greater honor ought to go to those to whom may not naturally receive more honor.

Parents praise their children and delight in their drawings even though it’s not particularly impressive. We don’t say, “I can draw better than that.” We value their attempt and honor them for it. Similarly, if your 5-year-old makes you breakfast in bed for your birthday, and you find a little egg shell in the scrambled eggs, you’re thankful. But if your husband or wife had a chunk of egg shell in the scramble eggs they made, you’re likely less gracious. 

How then do we live this out? Let me just highlight two areas and people. We have a disability ministry at the North Campus, and Lee Burtman serves as the ministry coordinator. Lee serves in the background with gentleness and seeks to come alongside our people who have intellectual disabilities or special needs. She has been on staff at Bethlehem for more than eight years. She serves some of the most precious people in our midst. Without this ministry, many families or parents wouldn’t be able to attend church. This ministry operates in the background, but there 26 people (16 children, 10 adults) being served in this ministry. We have 19 volunteers serve as one-on-one buddies and mentors with young teens. In January at the night of prayer, I met two of these individuals who serve as one-on-one buddies. It was sweet to hear their heart and to see their love for the children they serve. Those in our midst with special needs, are not only welcome here, they are indispensable for the flourishing of this body. 

3) Share in Concern for One Another

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.—1 Corinthians 1:24–26

God has “composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,” for what reason? So that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have equal concern for one another. Again, Paul’s aim has been to unify the body of Christ so that it would not divide and splinter along any dividing lines, not along ethnic lines, social groups, allegiances to certain leaders, economic lines, or according to types of spiritual gifts. There is to be no division among those who have been united to Christ by the Holy Spirit. 

Instead of division, the body is to have shared concern for one another. In verse 26, as “one member suffers, all suffer, and if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” God honors what the world and others dishonor and devalue. But in the kingdom, God defines value and he honors every member accordingly. There is a share experience of suffering and celebration that takes place among the body of Christ. When a family adopts, the whole community rejoices together with that family. When a member loses a spouse or child, the entire community aches and weeps with them.

There is no such thing—in the church—as private suffering. All sufferings are shared sufferings because that is the life of the church. Similarly, wrong done to one member is done to them all, and to Christ himself. When we admire a musician or athlete, we don’t just praise the fingers of the violinist: “Wow, those digits are just amazing; I can’t believe you can move your finger so fast. Your fingers are really good at playing the violin.” No, we praise the entire person: “They are a brilliant musician.” When one suffers or experiences joy, all share in that suffering or celebration. There is no place for envy or self-seeking or self-sufficiency in the body of Christ. The opposite of self-sufficiency isn’t co-dependency, but Spirit-enabled interdependence.

Our call to weep with those who weep and to celebrate with those who are honored, extends far beyond these four walls. We can celebrate with the global church as people come to faith in China, Latin America, and in Africa. We can rejoice in the growth of Christianity in the Global South. There are more Christians in the Global South, also known as the Third World or developing world (e.g., Africa, Latin America, Middle East, and parts of Asia). We can weep with persecuted Christian around the world that share their faith at great personal cost, and with the threat of imprisonment and even death. We can lament with various sub-populations within our communities over unjust treatment, inequality, and poverty.

Application

One of the ways I want to challenge us to take these truths to heart is for many of you to pursue church membership. Members at Bethlehem covenant to watch over one another in love, to help one another avoid shipwrecking their faith, and to avoid being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12–14). It’s one of the ways we make explicit our commitment to one another. If you’re a part of this local body, it serves us to become known and to become a member of the local church so the elders of the church can better care for you. Resisting church membership is like a man who says to a woman, “I love you, I’m committed to you, I want to live together, raise a family, but I don’t want to actually get officially married. That just feels too constraining.” If a man came to my daughter talking that way, I would have a few choice words for him.

Yet for some of us we do that with the local church. We attend, we serve, we give, and this is our church. Yet for some reason, you have not yet become a member of the church. It could be that you just haven’t come around to it, you’re a student and it seems inconsequential, or you’re worried it will somehow cramp the way you live. Church membership is a commitment that comes with good, healthy responsibilities to serve and love one another.

For some, you cannot become a member until you are first baptized. I’ve heard might not want to get up front, fearful of sharing your testimony of faith, don’t want to get wet in public, or perhaps some other reason. We want to love and serve you. We want to treat members that might feel great anxiety in public settings like this with greater modesty. We’ll work with you. But our fear of the unknown should not hold us back from pursuing baptism and church membership as an act of obedience to God. If you’re a student, and this is your church for the next 2, 3 or 4 years, I think you ought to become a member.

Membership is one the way we can better know who we are mutually responsible for. As one elder on a team of elders, it is going to be an ongoing practice that we regularly pray for our members. Want to know who is a committed part of this local body.

Conclusion

The church is unlike any other institution in the world. All other institutions want to know what they can get out of their membership. In the church, we want all the broken, hurting, and hopeless people to come and find everlasting life and unparalleled joy in the person of Jesus Christ. We want all the weak, all the ones that receive less honor, and even the unpresentable parts as part of this body. Why? Because Jesus wants them. Jesus wants you. Jesus came not for the healthy, but as a physician for the sick and weak. Christ saved not those who had earned it, not those who “deserved it,” not those who were wise in their own eyes, but came for weak, sin-stained people in need of a Savior.

Why are the weak welcome? Because God designed it such that Jesus became weak, to save the weak. Jesus became poor to save the poor. Jesus became disfigured, in order to rescue the disfigured. Jesus was pierced and crucified, to save the broken and hurting. Jesus was killed outside the camp, so that he could bring in those on the outskirts of society. Jesus was shamed, crucified naked on a cross, mocked, spit on, and laughed at, so that all those experiencing shame and guilt can come with confidence to the cross of Christ. No one is turned away at the cross. No one will say, “I have no need of you.” Instead, Jesus declares, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). So come. There are no segregation signs in the kingdom of God. There are no signs banning you for coming in with no shoes or shirt. There is no height requirement, and there is no IQ test for admission, there is no down payment to be made, no dues to be collected, there is no secret handshake, no password, and no litmus test. All you have to do is trust in Jesus, and he beckons you in to his eternal family, and his earthly family, the church, the body of Christ. We need every member, we want you to become official members of this local body, and we get walk with one another in the joys and sorrows of life as we walk by faith in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Discussion Questions

Main Point

By God’s sovereign design, all believers—including the weak—are essential and indispensable members of his church.

Sermon Outline

  1. In the church, no one is expendable (v. 21)
  2. In the church, all are valuable (vv. 22–24a)
  3. In the church, share in concern for one another (vv. 24b–26)

Discussion Questions

  • How are you tempted to live outside of community and the local church body?
  • What types of people might Paul have in mind as weak, having less honor, and unpresentable?
  • Why is the church unlike any other organization, institution or group of people in the world?
  • How can we begin to better reflect these truths in our own small group, relationships, and church body?

Application Questions

  • Have you sometimes felt as though community or others in the church were unnecessary?
  • How can we ensure that weak members know that they are indispensable? How can we show more honor to those who receive less honor? How can we treat with modesty unpresentable parts?
  • How can we grow in suffering with those who suffer, and celebrating with those who rejoice?
  • What are some tangible steps you can take in pursuing baptism, membership, or serving in the church?

Prayer Focus

Take time to confess and repent of any attitude of disdain for others, and ask God to grow us into a body that increasingly values every member, especially those who are weak. Pray for God to make us a church that welcomes all people and lives out our calling to walk with one another in the joys and sorrows of life.