The Eye Cannot Say

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

One of the hallmarks of the Pentecostal church is an emphasis on a baptism in the Spirit separate from salvation. There is no place in scripture where the believer is exhorted to seek a baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians Paul does exhort us to be filled with the Spirit. His exhortation is about what is in control of our lives, and not about being topped up with the Spirit.

A body is constructed of many different parts. A body cannot exist without differences between the parts. A body requires the differences to be able to function correctly. And so it is in the Body of Christ. We are not our own, but are part of the body for one another. We cannot function on our own, but need the other parts of the body in order to function as the Body of Christ. Christianity is not a solitary existence, but an existence of interdependence one to another, and full dependance upon Christ and His atoning work.

Every member has their part to play. Every member is important. There should be no one in the local assembly who is not functioning in the body. The biggest challenge for some people is understanding the calling the God has for them in the local assembly. Not every member is in a glamourous position. Like the human body has the eye, the ear and the mouth, so it also has the liver, appendix and colon. Every part plays a vital role, regardless of the perceived glamour of the role. Paul tells us that God esteems higher those who are fulfilling the roles which are not glamourous.

The parallels between the human body and the body of Christ run deeper. As within our bodies, when one thing is wrong it can effect the rest of the body. Conversely when something is running well, that is reflected throughout the whole body. This is how it is in the body of Christ. When something is not right, if there is division between members of the body, then the whole body is suffering.

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