We are a contradiction. We want connection but we are wary of commitment. On the one hand, we don’t want anyone to tell us what to do or not do. We want to preserve our independence. We want to keep our autonomy. We want to sit in the back pew and escape without being noticed but still feel we are part of one big happy family, at least for an hour. We want our freedom. At the same time, we want to belong. We want to feel that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to feel that we are part of a cause greater than ourselves. Even as we are wary of commitment, we long for connection.
The solution? The church. The body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the church is the body of Christ. Christ is the head of the church, and we are each members of the body. Every member is necessary. Every member has a purpose. Every member has something to contribute for the common good.
We can’t understand what the church ought to be without understanding spiritual gifts. There are a variety of gifts, but one Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given each member of the church a gift, an ability, a talent. It is interesting to discern our own unique gifts, but more important is to appreciate that everyone has a gift, and that the gifts are to be used for the common good, to encourage one another and help one another become mature, healthy followers of Jesus.
In our sermon this Sunday we will look at how the church is the body of Christ.