Diversity, Unity, & The Body

The body of Christ. This is something that we as Christians talk about quite a bit but sometimes we fail to recognize what it is exactly and how it relates to our gatherings and worship services each week. Throughout this year, the Lord has really been pressing on my heart the importance of believers operating in and using their gifts within the church at large around the world and within the four walls of CCNC. If it were all up to a single person within the Lord’s church to accomplish His will, there would really be no reason for the collective body then; but God has designed us in such a way that we need one another as we serve the Lord together in unity. One of the best places to get clarity on this topic comes from I Corinthians 12, where the Apostle Paul writes to the church of Corinth explaining the gifts of the Spirit and how they benefit the body of Christ.

In the first 3 verses of this chapter, Paul explains that even the very things that we speak about Jesus are brought about by His Spirit. “…no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Even these very words that we believe, utter, and sing about week after week are by His Spirit. Then, by His Spirit, comes the diversity of gifts, ministries, and activities, yet the same Lord is the center of them all. The manifestation of His Spirit is given to each one of us for the profit of the entire body, whether that be here in our local church body, your family, or those you know around the country. And just a note about diversity, just imagine for a moment if God had imparted the same gifts, ministries, and activities to all people. The world and the church would look quite a bit different wouldn’t it? Thank God He uses all kinds of people with all kinds of gifts and talents to paint a beautiful tapestry for His glory. I have become so grateful for the abundance of diversity within the church as I watch others doing work in ways that God hasn’t designed for me to do or accomplish, and it makes me all the more thankful to Him and to the people that He has created to accomplish His purposes.

The gifts that He gives to us are these: The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues (v.8-10), and the same Spirit of God that resides within us all distributes these gifts to us and works all of these things (v.11). So my question for you is this. Do you know what gifts He has given you? If you have never considered these before, maybe take a look back over your life’s history as a believer and see where the Lord has led you and what you have done for Him, this may help you discern and see the gift or gifts that He has imparted to you. Or maybe ask a fellow believer what they see. The most essential thing I think we all can do is take this in prayer to God and ask Him what He has given to us from this list of gifts and ask Him how He may want to use us within His body to glorify Him and bless others. This past May at the Calvary Chapel East Coast Pastors & Leaders Conference in Philadelphia, Pastor Troy Warner spoke about revival within the church. In his teaching and conversation with all of us he explained how in a recent staff meeting with his church he had asked them all if they had received gifts from the Lord. He said they acknowledged they did. Then he asked them if they were operating in these gifts; all of them said no. When he asked why they weren’t, most of them said it was because they were afraid of messing up. This resonated so strongly with me and still does to this day. Fear of the unknown, fear of failing in the sight of God, and fear of man all bring a snare. Earlier this year, I sensed a strong, irresistible, and fresh movement of God’s Spirit within our gatherings. There were multiple times where I sensed the Lord wanting me to continue to worship in song even after our setlist of songs came to a close, but for fear of not having all the multimedia put together in the booth, and fear of what others would think of me, I bowed out. This happened on multiple occasions and after awhile, I sensed this fresh, powerful leading of His Spirit diminish. Looking back, it is a lesson learned and I hope it can be for you as well. Do not, quench the gifts He has given you. The body needs it, and you are an important member of it!

In verses twelve to thirty-one of this chapter, Paul continues on to explain and give a wonderful analogy of the body of Christ, and it is one that we need to all take heed to. We have all been united as one by His Spirit as individual members, no matter our background or ethnicity and been made to drink into one Spirit, His. And as I stated earlier, the body is not one member, but many. When you look at each part of our physical body, it is amazing to see how every single part of it, whether small or large, works together as one. As Paul explains in the remainder of this chapter, God has set each individual into the body as He pleased and integrates us into it. No part of the body can look to another and say, “I have no need of you.” If you think this way, the next time you lose your sense of smell because of a virus or jam your pinky in the door, you may have different thoughts! Paul even states that those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, and those that seem to be less honorable, on these we should bestow greater honor. We as the body should have no partiality or schism, but have the same care, love and respect for each other. If one of us suffers, we all suffer with that person, if one is honored, we should rejoice.

As he closes, Paul notes who God has appointed within His body: First apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and varieties of tongues. And as he brings this section to a close, he asks seven questions, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” The answer is a resounding no, and thank God He uses individuals that He appoints within His body to fulfill these roles that He has given them. I admonish my own self and you to desire the best gifts that God might have for you just as Paul exhorts us at the closing, and most importantly, let the gifts’ foundation be founded on the more excellent way, in love. But always remember, the gifts that God could have you steward within the body, will never trump the even greater gift, the gift of you within the body.

If We Are The Body by Casting Crowns

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?

And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them
There is a way, there is a way

By Mark Anderson

July 2023