Sermon 2 - Nazarene Centennial

THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 12:12-26   

INTRODUCTION

           One of the most striking word pictures of the New Testament is the apostle Paul’s description of the Church as the Body of Christ. The comparison of the body with human society was a common rhetorical strategy in Paul’s time. It was used to maintain the social hierarchy of the Roman Empire. Paul uses the Church as the Body of Christ metaphor to emphasize both our diversity and our unity. 

I.       The Body of Christ has diverse members (vv. 14-16).

          A.      All the parts of a body are necessary for it to function properly.

          B.      A diversity of ministries is necessary for a local church to function properly.

          C.      A diversity of personalities or dispositions is necessary for a local church to function properly.

          D.      A diversity of cultures, languages, races, and nationalities is necessary for a global church to function properly. 

II.      The Body of Christ is one Body (v. 12).

          A.      Though the body has many parts or members, it is one body.

          B.      Ephesians 4:4-6 offers the sources of the Body’s unity—one Spirit, one Lord, one God, one baptism, one faith, and one hope.

                   1.       We also have one Bible, one Lord’s Supper and one Great Commission.

                   2.       Our most important source of unity is that we confess one Lord.

          C.      Our unity means that we need each other.

                   1.       We need each other to accomplish our mission to win the world to Christ and to meet the needs of others.

                   2.       We need each other because God has created us for relationships.

          D.      Our unity means that we care for each other.

                   1.       Those who are weaker or have special needs receive special care.

                   2.       We suffer together and we rejoice together as the Body of Christ.

CONCLUSION/INVITATION

           The Body of Christ is both one and many. We cannot surrender either our unity or our diversity. As we celebrate our Centennial in the Church of the Nazarene, may we cherish diversity and always provide room for differences yet never sacrifice our unity. May we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to point out areas in which we selfishly cling to our own individuality and reject the unity of the Body of Christ.