Interwoven Into The Body

An episode of the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church podcast, hosted by WEPC, titled "Interwoven Into The Body" was published on June 23, 2022 and runs 35 minutes.

June 23, 2022 ·35m · Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church

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Summary

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 Have you ever stubbed or broken a toe, especially your little toe? It seems so small, but when it is not functioning well with the rest of the foot, it is very noticeable. I have broken that little phalange no less than three times, and each time I am surprised at how something so small can affect the rest of the body. On one occasion, I broke it the day we were going to Disneyworld, meaning I had the next week to walk around “the happiest place on earth” gritting my teeth the entire time. The human body is amazing. Each part depends on the other parts. We have all experienced how something as simple as a toothache can affect other parts of the body. While every part has an important role to play, no part is independent. All parts must work together so that the body can function well as a whole. So it is no surprise that Paul often describes the church as Christ's body. Followers of Jesus are interrelated with every other person in the body of Christ. Though each believer may be unique, each believer is also dependent on the rest. Just like the human body has interrelated parts, church members must work together in unity to fulfill its mission in the world. Of course, we recognize that some members of the church have a hard time becoming part of the body. That is because we can resist being dependent on others or having others depend on us. But Paul states clearly that just as “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don't need you!’” neither can anyone in the body of Christ say that to a fellow church member. God has equipped each individual member with gifts and talents for the building up of the body. As we continue in our sermon series Interwoven on this Pentecost Sunday, we see how the Holy Spirit brings the church and its members together as one in Christ. We are filled and equipped to strengthen and encourage one another, and to share the Good News with the world in which we live.

Episode Description

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

Have you ever stubbed or broken a toe, especially your little toe? It seems so small, but when it is not functioning well with the rest of the foot, it is very noticeable. I have broken that little phalange no less than three times, and each time I am surprised at how something so small can affect the rest of the body. On one occasion, I broke it the day we were going to Disneyworld, meaning I had the next week to walk around “the happiest place on earth” gritting my teeth the entire time.

The human body is amazing. Each part depends on the other parts. We have all experienced how something as simple as a toothache can affect other parts of the body. While every part has an important role to play, no part is independent. All parts must work together so that the body can function well as a whole.

So it is no surprise that Paul often describes the church as Christ's body. Followers of Jesus are interrelated with every other person in the body of Christ. Though each believer may be unique, each believer is also dependent on the rest. Just like the human body has interrelated parts, church members must work together in unity to fulfill its mission in the world.

Of course, we recognize that some members of the church have a hard time becoming part of the body. That is because we can resist being dependent on others or having others depend on us. But Paul states clearly that just as “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don't need you!’” neither can anyone in the body of Christ say that to a fellow church member. God has equipped each individual member with gifts and talents for the building up of the body.

As we continue in our sermon series Interwoven on this Pentecost Sunday, we see how the Holy Spirit brings the church and its members together as one in Christ. We are filled and equipped to strengthen and encourage one another, and to share the Good News with the world in which we live.