In the past few weeks of the “Let the Church be the Church” series, we have looked at the Definition of the Church. Today, we began the second section in the series on the Description of the Church. In the New Testament, seven metaphors are used to describe the Church. Every biblical metaphor of the Church focuses on its unity and emphasizes its diversity.
In today’s sermon on “The Body: Anatomy of the Church,” we examined a fundamental description of the Church from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Paul uses the simple illustration of the human body to demonstrate that Christ’s body – the Church – is one body with many members. His words address two common problems regarding understanding each person’s place in Christ’s Church: underestimating and overestimating our role. He emphasizes the interdependence in the body of Christ by denouncing the attitude of inadequacy in the inferior and the spirit of pride in the superior.
The human body is a wonder – each part is distinct in identity and function, yet they all work in harmony for the health of the whole. The eyes and ears serve not only themselves but also the whole body. The hands feed and defend not only themselves but also the whole body. The heart supplies blood not only to itself but also to the whole body.
Paul’s appeal to us is that we tear down all artificial walls that divide us. Recognize that although we are diverse in function, Christ has set us into his Church to serve unitedly. He implores us to have a heart towards and sympathy with our fellow members, even though they are different. It is in so doing that we “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).
The Believer’s Authority
August 14, 2024
