1 Corinthians 12:12-31
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it 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 as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect, 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work powerful deeds? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts.
Sermon: The Stubbed Toe Test
Based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
1. The Reality of Our Connection is stated in 1 Corinthians 12:12
”For just as the body is one and has many members… so it is with Christ.”
The human body is a remarkable creation, with intricate systems and functions that allow us to move, think, and survive. It is truly a masterpiece of engineering, designed to adapt and evolve in a constantly changing environment.
However, when we take a closer look, we can’t deny that the human body is also a bit comical in appearance. We have weird organs like the appendix that apparently serves no purpose, and appendages like earlobes that seem unnecessary. Yet, despite its oddities, our body somehow manages to function seamlessly, allowing us to carry out daily tasks and activities. It is both fascinating and amusing how this collection of organs and limbs work together to get us out of bed every morning. From the involuntary beating of our hearts to the conscious movements of our arms and legs, the human body is a wonder to behold.
Paul tells us the Church is much like the human body. Through the Holy Spirit, we’ve all been fused into one “body.”
In the eyes of God, it doesn’t matter what social or economic status we hold in society. Whether we are a CEO with a luxurious lifestyle or a struggling college student surviving on ramen noodles, in Christ, these distinctions disappear.
The love and grace of Jesus surpasses any worldly measure and unites us all as equals. Our worth is not determined by our job titles or bank accounts, but by our faith and relationship with God. In His eyes, we are all valuable and loved.
It can be easy to feel like we are alone on our journey in life, but the truth is that we are all part of something bigger. We are all connected and part of a greater whole. Just like a body is made up of different parts, we are all unique individuals that make up the family of God.
And just like a pinky toe doesn’t get to choose which foot it’s attached to, we don’t get to choose who our siblings are in this family. We are all interconnected and have a purpose within this greater whole. It’s important to remember that we are not alone on this journey and to embrace our place in the family of God. So let us embrace our connection to each other and trust that we are all part of a greater plan.
2. The Trap of Comparison is illustrated in verse 15
”If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong…’ that would not make it any less a part of the body.”
One of the enemy’s favorite tools is comparison. We look at the person leading worship or the “super Christian” who memorizes whole books of the Bible, and we feel like a spiritual appendix—useless and just waiting to be removed.
Listen to me. Comparison is a “thief” because it does two things simultaneously:
- It breeds pride: If you find someone “worse” than you, you feel self-righteous.
- It breeds despair: If you find someone “better” than you, you feel disqualified.
Either way, you are looking at others instead of looking at God in whose image we all are made.
When you are busy wishing you were a “lung,” you neglect the specific work God gave you to do as a “fingerprint” or a “heart valve.”
The Christian author Ann Voskamp sums it up this way, “Comparison is the death of joy, but the birth of a lie: that God was ungenerous when He made you.”
But imagine if your body went on strike because of jealousy. Imagine your Left Foot looking up at your Hand and saying, “It’s not fair. You get to wear a fancy watch and high-five people. I spend all day in a dark, sweaty sock. I quit!”
If your feet walk off the job, you literally aren’t going anywhere.
If the whole body were an eye, we’d be a giant, crawling eyeball—which is a terrifying image from an old black and white monster movie. Such an eye would not be a functional human being. God designed you with a specific set of skills for your individual role.
When you refuse to use your gift because it isn’t “flashy,” you may think you are being humble, but in reality, you are doing a disservice to both yourself and the rest of the body. Each person has unique talents and abilities that they can contribute to the greater good. By holding back and not using your gift, you are depriving others of the benefits and insight that your gift could provide. You are also hindering your own growth and potential by not fully embracing and utilizing your abilities. This can lead to a sense of incompleteness and unfulfillment in your life. Additionally, by not using your gift, you are making the rest of the body stumble along half blind or footless. Your gift could be the missing piece that helps others navigate through their own challenges and obstacles. So instead of shying away from your gift because it may not seem impressive or flashy, embrace it and use it to make a positive impact in the world. As a collective body, we are stronger when each individual is fully utilizing their unique gifts and talents. Don’t underestimate the value of your gift and how it can contribute to the greater good..
3. The Danger of Self-Sufficiency is seen in verse 21
”The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.'”
On the other hand, we have to watch out for spiritual snobbery. This is when the “eye”—the person with all the vision and “deep” insights – looks at the “hand” – the person setting up chairs or balancing the church budget—and thinks they are superior to that hand.
Try this experiment: The next time you think you’re too “spiritual” to need the rest of the body, try to tie your shoes using only your “vision.” You can stare at those laces with all the spiritual intensity in the world, but until the Hand gets involved, you’re going to trip over your own feet.
Paul points out that the “unmentionable” parts are actually indispensable. Think about your liver. Unlike your eyes, your hair, or eyes, nobody writes poems about a liver.
So, here is a short poem that you can add to your Hallmark card in honor of National Liver Awareness Day
“So here’s to the liver, the martyr,
Regenerative, loyal, and stout.
Be kind to him now in your twenties, Or he’ll certainly give you Gout.”
Yes, the liver is an unsung hero going about its important job without recognition. Just like many members of our church body.
This body, Cross tracks church, has countless invisible, indispensable people who make it function. I’m not talking about the paid staff at the moment. Don’t get me wrong. They are vital. But it is the volunteers who mow the grass, pickup trash, unlock the doors, wash the windows, brew the coffee, wash the dishes, move chairs, set up tables, light candles, turn on lights, change the paraments to the correct liturgical color, schedule the liturgists, read the scriptures, pass the collection plate, help with communion, run the audio visuals, play the music, watch the babies, teach Sunday school, make vacation bible school happen, buy the groceries, and on and on and on. God has arranged the Church so that these “invisible” people are often the ones keeping the whole body moving.
We are intrinsically interconnected as human beings, and every action and event affects us in some way. When your big toe hits the corner of the coffee table, it is not just a problem for your toe; your entire being is impacted. Your brain does not simply ignore the pain and continue thinking deep thoughts, but rather your whole body reacts. Your lungs gasp, your knees collapse, your eyes tear up, and your hands naturally reach down to cradle your injured foot. This is a natural and instinctual response to pain, and it illustrates how we should react to one another’s pain in the Church. We are called to be a community that supports and cares for one another, just like how our body automatically responds to an injury. When one member of the Church is hurting, it should affect all of us, and we should come together to comfort, support, and help heal that person. We are called to be interconnected in our love and care for one another, just as our body is interconnected in its response to pain.
4. Verse 27 directives Our Shared Mission
”Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
God hasn’t called us to be a collection of identical clones. He’s appointed some to lead, some to teach, some to heal, and some to be “forms of assistance” (the holy art of helping out).
Listen up! Unless you are called to be a kidney, Stop trying to be the kidney and start being the best “ear” or “elbow” or whatever your gift is. All gifts are given to build others up for the glory of the Lord.
Finding where your gift “fits” starts with a shift in perspective: spiritual gifts aren’t about your personality or your “ranking”—they are tools given to you to help others.
You don’t need a supernatural vision to find your gift; usually, it’s hidden in your natural inclinations and the needs around you.
- The “Need” Test: What is the one thing in your church or community that “bugs” you because it’s not being done well? (e.g., If you’re bothered that new people aren’t being greeted, you might have the gift of Hospitality).
- The “Joy” Test: What spiritual activity makes you feel most “alive” and connected to God? God usually aligns our gifts with a sense of peace and fulfillment.
- The “Affirmation” Test: What do other people often thank you for? Sometimes others see the “hand” working before the “hand” even realizes it’s doing anything.
I pray that during this week you will:
- Embrace Your Inner “Liver”: Do something vital but invisible for someone else this week.
- Stop the Sock-Envy: Thank God for the specific role He gave you, even if it feels “underfoot.”
- And Take The “Toe-Stub” Test: When you see someone in the church hurting, don’t ignore it. Feel it, and move to help.
And all the church said, “Amen!”
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