Using examples from my work as a hospital chaplain, my relationship as a family member, and my life as a woman in ministry, I contextualize Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 about the different body parts. They are intended to work together for the benefit of the whole person, the whole church, and the common good. This sermon was preached on 22 December, 2024, for First Presbyterian Church Clifton in Clifton, Texas. Afterwards, you’ll see my ‘preaching tips’ video, recorded after I returned back home. I share my realization as I was driving to the church. I am hopeful that these offering may bless you and encourage you in your own journey with God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NASB)

12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For [a]by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one part, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [b]any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason [c]any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many parts, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, [d]it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those parts of the body which we [e]consider less honorable, [f]on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [g]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is [h]honored, all the parts rejoice with it.

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.

Sermon Outline

• Opening
  • surgery observation
  • church and it’s function
• Not saying each member should be doing the same thing
  • body parts – remember what they do for you
• Sometimes the roles overlap
  • foot
  • overused/underused
• Taking things for granted
  • something’s off in the church
  • like sick family member
  • consider what the outsider’s say
  • OT prophets
  • common good
• Refuse to address issues
  • my belief and yet
  • consider that we need one another
  • consider that life is fragile
  • what I’ve realized
• How do we care for one another?
  • Paul says honor to all. why?
  • Love is necessary 1 Cor 13
  • Pastor tips
  • FPC Clifton – local examples
• Questions for reflection:
  • How do we love our neighbor?
  • How about, how do we love and respect our peers here- our fellow body parts in this body of Christ?
  • Do we value each other and what they bring to the whole? Do we even know what they offer? Have we thought about it?
  • Do you believe that you are a part of this whole body?
  • Do you feel welcomed or apart of this body of Christ?
  • How can you take ownership and recognize how you fit in and what you bring to the table?
  • What would it take to bring honor to the lowliest parts?
  • Are you currently a part or apart of the body of Christ? What about others around you?
  • How are you helping them to live out their call and use their God-given gifts for the common good too?

Preaching Tips Background Video

I’m reminded of how God turns me right back around in order to show me something I thought I was showing someone else. Gotcha!

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You can find the rest of my sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching/