We Are the Body

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We Are the Body of Christ

Greetings, friends, whether you’re joining us in person, online, or across our campuses! Let’s dive into God’s word together as we continue our "We Are" series. Have you ever marveled at the human body? Your tongue carries a unique print, like a fingerprint, and you can’t breathe and swallow at once—a clever design to keep food where it belongs. Even more surprising, you produce a liter of saliva daily, enough over a lifetime to fill two swimming pools—though I’d rather not take a dip in that! These wonders point us to a beautiful truth: the Church mirrors the body of Christ. Let’s explore this together with a simple chant: "We are" — "the church!"

1. Embracing Diversity in Unity

The body of Christ thrives as a diverse yet united whole, much like our physical bodies with their many parts working as one. Picture this: a body needs hands, feet, eyes, and ears, each distinct yet essential. So it is with us—many people, many gifts, but one Church. This challenges our natural pull toward doing things our own way. In a world that divides by status, race, or wealth, the Spirit unites us. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into one body, blending Jews and Gentiles, slave and free. Our unity flows not from ignoring differences but from the Spirit’s power, connecting believers across cultures and nations into a single, vibrant body.

2. Valuing Every Member’s Role

Every part of the body matters. Imagine a foot saying, “I’m not a hand, so I don’t belong,” or an eye dismissing a hand’s help—absurd, right? Yet in the Church, we sometimes hesitate to contribute. My own struggle with a severed quad tendon taught me this: without every piece, the body falters. The Holy Spirit gifts each of us uniquely—perhaps to preach, serve, or encourage—to build up the Church. If these gifts stay unused, we all suffer. Step out, serve where there’s need, and watch for the fruit that shows your gifting. Don’t envy another’s role; find joy in the purpose God has shaped for you.

3. Serving with Unique Gifts for One Mission

Christ equips us with gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to prepare us for service, building the body until we reflect the fullness of Christ. This journey brings unity, maturity, and truth spoken in love as each part does its work. Without connection, we risk drifting from truth, swayed by cultural winds. But together, joined as a body under Christ’s headship, we grow strong. Our mission? To be Jesus’ hands and feet, preaching good news, serving others, and living by faith as He did. Every gift brought to the table moves us closer to this calling.

4. Stepping Into Your Place

You’re not meant to sit on the sidelines. If you hold back, you limit not just yourself but the whole body. Look around—your brothers and sisters need your contribution. Explore your gifts, volunteer, and serve where there’s a need. After 50 years of faithful work, our journey continues with so much more ahead. Bring what God has given you, and together we’ll fulfill His purpose, rising as one in love to be Christ’s body in the world.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us into Your body, giving us all we need to serve. Move us from the edges into active faith, longing to see Your work thrive. Bless those already serving, and draw the hesitant near, that together we may shine with Christ’s fullness. Work in us, through us, in Jesus’ name, amen.

SERMON DETAILS

Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: We Are
Sermon Title: We Are the Body
Date: Mar 23, 2025

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-15, 18, 21

• Ephesians 1:22-23

• Colossians 1:18

• Romans 12:5

• Ephesians 4:11-16

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