We Are the Body of Christ

Let’s talk about bodies.

Now, the human body is God’s masterpiece. Well organized, connecting diverse systems that work together, billions of cells, and its own healing powers. And don’t forget the brain, the heart, the kidneys, the stomach, pancreas, the intestines and yes the bowels. All are important.  King David recognized this in Psalm 139:13-14, he said,

For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.

This past week, you may not be surprised, I have been thinking a lot about bodies. Healthy bodies, sick bodies, my body, and the body of Christ.

What is it that keeps our own body functioning?  Anybody? Air, water, blood.

I found out how important the last two are in an episode I endured last week. Water and blood carries what to all our internal organs, our heart, our brains. Oxygen and nutrients. What happens if there is not enough? Yes it shuts down.

As medical personal treat our bodies, with our action we are called to be the doctors and nurses to the souls of humanity - one drink of water at a time, one service, one helping deed at a time. This is how we support the body of Christ. Otherwise, what will happen? It will fade away. It will be shut down.

Christ’s body is us. You may remember me saying Sins are us. But with the Holy Spirit we are a new creation. We are Christ’s body. All the denominations, all the believers in Jesus make up one body. From all over the world.

Cor. Chapter 12 vs. 13. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Look at verse 20, “As it is, there are many parts but one body.

Like some churches today, the Corinthians were a significantly messed up church. There was a lot of dissension in the Corinthian community. Especially in how they worship, perhaps from some of their pagan backgrounds. But what affected them most was pride. People bragging that their gifts were better than others And this created a rift within the Body of Christ. Paul wants them to understand how much they really need each other.

Paul is calling for us to recognize our diversity and to be content with what we are able to do as a part in the body of Christ. Don’t look at what others can do and be discouraged. Don’t judge yourself as compared to others and don’t judge others as compared to yourself.

We are dependent on each other. Whatever you are doing for Jesus is useful and we are to depend on each other to do those things.

I’m thinking that in this congregation there are a lot of gifts you have that I am unaware of, maybe I just don’t know you well enough. 

Our mission and purpose, is this, is to be the body of Christ in the world. We go into the world, as a church, to do what Christ did: to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim the good news of God’s love for all. We go to do what Christ did. That is our mission and our purpose as the body of Christ. This is why we are here. Amen