(Click HERE to see the FBLive video of this service – starts at 9:45, sermon at 22:30 … The FBLive post ends accidentally immediately after the sermon, but the full “text” is here)
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Mark Wheeler
I Corinthians 12:12-31
02/13/2022
“What Is God Saying? ‘Be the “Body of Christ”’”
Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church
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Take My Life and Let It Be – verse 2 . . . Jake Davis
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Hello everyone! Welcome to worship at Lidgerwood!!
Take my feet, take my voie, and let them be swift and beautiful and singing, Lord, for Thee! What a beautiful prayer with which to begin this time of gathered worship! (Thank you Jake for opening our worship experience today!)
Welcome! W are glad you are here with us today!
Our worship theme this month deals with some hard, or weird, scripture passages or churchy themes – based on questions I have received from folks in our church over the years. My prayer is that we might learn something, but even more that we grow into being the Church God calls us to be – together here, and with THE Church wherever we meet to worship and serve in the variety of ways and cultures and languages we are God’s church together!
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Thank you, on behalf of our Elders’ Council, thank you for … continuing to be a place where we love each other and our families by:
“Wearing your mask while inside the building.”
This is not because we are afraid, but because we want to love our neighbors. We truly want that no one should feel judged, and everyone should feel safe, so continue to be gentle with each other. Listening to the Philippians 2:4 passage:
“ in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.” Philippians 2:4
We are gathered in our church sanctuary – a holy place – and it’s also a safe place – where the divine and the human connect together. Welcome to this holy sacred and safe place today.
CAMERA
Let’s take a second to welcome each other, and those in the room, look at the camera and say HI to your friends who are at home. Tell your loved ones, whoever you can see , “The Love of the Lord be with you – and also in you – and also with you! And you! And you!!”
Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.
Today Ken Stone Calls us to Worship from Psalm 133 and one of those churchy themes we might struggle with:
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Our opening song of praise and devotion –– #291 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit – led by Lilly Haeger!!Please join her and sing these beautiful words of perception and prayer together.
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Prayer of Illumination
Gracious and loving God, we thank You for Your divine providence in our lives that has so ordered the course of our living that You have intertwined our lives together in this Church. We pray that by Your grace, by the deep working of Your Spirit in our midst, You would help us to be so released to You in what we do together that You may be able to fulfill in us and through us the good and perfect will for our wholeness for which You have brought us to this place at this time. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Intro series – difficult passages or theological ideas for us to understand or follow or even accept as from God, perhaps.
Today’s topic is one of those – and it’s one that tends to ruffle feathers. The person who handed in today’s request didn’t so much ask a question as she did bring up a subject, and that subject is racism. I will not go so far as to accuse anyone in this congregation of being prejudiced or racist or classist or ageist or any other-ist you can think of. But, guess what, we are. Sunday is still the most segregated day of the week! “Nuh, uh! I’m not prejudiced; I hate everybody!”
The two topics of forgiveness and racism are deeply related because when we have been the victim of an act of prejudice we are deeply injured and need to forgive. And, frankly, most of the times when we are the ones who act in a prejudiced manner it’s because of some previous experience or upbringing that put that fear into us – that’s usually what prejudice is based on, fear – and whatever that event was needs to be forgiven!
The requester of today’s message also used a scripture passage from which to format her request: I Corinthians 12:12-31. This section of this letter to a church with some leadership problems, and as a port city, with lots of racial problems – when people say they want to go to a New Testament Church, I always point out that not even all the New Testament Churches were all that – and Paul is describing how when each member uses the gifts God has given them for God’s Kingdom purposes, then everything that God calls us to do will be done; it’s just a matter of using the equipment the way God designed the equipment to be used – we’re back to that issue of stewardship again, aren’t we?
Let’s turn to I Corinthians 12:12-31 …. —-
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12 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized byone Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 14 Indeed, the body is not one part but many.
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15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason 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 an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
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18 But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
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22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. 23 And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, 24 which our respectable parts do not need.
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24 Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
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27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: 1st apostles, 2nd prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.
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Becoming the Body of Christ: that’s what this section of scripture is about. When we become the Body of Christ, of course, all fear is gone and all racist, classist, ageist, and other –ists also disappear. Can you imagine the actual Body of Christ arguing with itself over whether it should willingly submit to Pontius Pilate or not? “Well I’mgoing to the cross. No you’re not foot. If you go we all have to go! I’m not about to go through with this. Why not? We’ve never done it this way before! …” We would have a whole different Gospel!
One beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon two football teams meet to play the game of their lives. Although it was expected to be a good game, only one team was assured of victory. The teams dressed in their respective uniforms, one in blue and gold and the other in orange and black.
Game time approaches and the first team is all geared up and ready, all of the team was there and ready to play, not at all discouraged by the fact that the other team is favored to win. That other team, however, is having some problems. The greatest quarterback since Joe Namath or Joe Montana is ready to play but some of the other players are not moved by his enthusiasm. The wide receivers as well as the offensive linemen are missing in action. The kicker finally shows up, seconds before the coin toss. The whole defense is in attendance yet half of them had not bothered to show up for practice in a while.
Finally the kickoff begins this all-bets-are-off game and that first team shows that they came to play. The quarterbacks live up to their billing. The ball moves down field with abandon. Touchdown after touchdown; back and forth scores. No one even cares about the Halftime show or even the commercials! But this proves to be a long game, even by “baseball” standards, overtime is expected. Who’s gonna win? (We’ll have to wait until this evening to see how this ends….)
The Church is much like a football team (or an Olympic Hockey team – or whatever team-sport you like). In order to achieve victory, all the players must be practiced and ready come game time. In I Corinthians, Paul describes the Church as the Body of Christ. Yes, our team is assured victory. Christ, the greatest to ever play the game, is on our side. But there are some factors we must consider.
To be victorious we all must play our part.
To be victorious we all must give our best effort.
To be victorious we all must be in the game.
To be victorious we all must recognize and honor the other players on our team!
I’m not talking about personal salvation here – I’m talking about church-life, church-growth, church-impact-on-society!
- To be victorious we all must play our part.
A. The Body of Christ has many parts. (I Corinthians 12:14)
B. Each part serves its God-given function. (Romans 12:3-8) [3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s[b] faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.]
II. To be victorious we all must give our best effort.
A. No one Christian is better than another.
1. Galatians 3:26-29 [You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus … There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.]
2. I Corinthians 12:22, 25b-26 [neither Presbyterian or Lutheran, Methodist or Baptist, independent or RC]
B. God has given each of us a part.
1. Refer to Team illustration.
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus.
18 “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
“Which channel do you want?” asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?“
2. Without each member doing their part, the Body of Christ suffers.
III. To be victorious we all must be in the game.
A. Christians must show up for practice.
1. Personal and organized study prepare us for the game.
2. II Timothy 2:15 [Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth.]
3. II Timothy 3:14-17 [14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.]
4. Hebrews 10:23-25 [23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.]
B. Christians must show up for the game. (Ephesians 6:10-18 [10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.])
C. Most important for victory is to be on the team.
IV. To be victorious we all must recognize and honor the other players on our team!
A. Everyone is welcome to the team. (John 3:16-17) [16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.]
B. Those “in Christ” are on the team.
Next Sunday, at 3:30, at Calvary Baptist Church, the oldest Black Church in Washington, is celebrating its 132nd anniversary, and we are invited to join in the celebration. This would be one way to recognize and honor the other players on our team. Brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow arms and legs and livers and kidneys and eyes and ears and noses, receivers and defenders and quarterbacks and kickers, let us become the Body of Christ together. Amen.
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Great God of Creation,
Lead us into our 2nd hundred years of worship in this sanctuary.
Prepare us for everything You would have us do and be here at LPC.
Confirm Your direction with joy and hope.
In Jesus’ authority. Amen. ……….
Ordination / Installation of New Officers
As we celebrate the honor and calling of leaders in God’s Church, we do so from God’s Word, the verses just prior to today’s sermon passage, I Corinthians 12:1-13 (#711 in your hymnbooks, and on the screens in front of you). Let’s read these verses responsively (I’ll read the smaller font, and all-y’all read the bold font):
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Elder Scott Lockwood calls our new officers forward: (Ashley Davis, Linda Soderstrom, Vern Lightbody, Donna Stone, Linda Tufto)
As these five stand before us, I invite the whole congregation to confess our faith together – reciting the Apostles’ Creed, what do we believe?
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29-31 Let’s come to the Lord in prayer –
- what are some praises, thanksgivings, adorations we want to offer?
- Is there a person or a situation you want to lift to our Lord for His answers and grace?
32 We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray: [The Lord’s Prayer]
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We are living, breathing messages of God’s love for the world. This is our work of faith and our labor of love and our steadfastness of hope in Jesus Christ. Like the earliest Christians, we are here in this place because of the commitment and faith and generosity of others who shared the Good News of the Gospel in their time.
So we turn now, in our time, and share our faith and our commitment through generous giving to support the ministry of this church in Christ’s name. Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude and praise.
– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE, or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”)
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Expedition Song – Make Me a Servant! –! – Donna Stone! We opened today with a prayer of submission to God’s reign, and we close today with a prayer of obedience to God’s calling on all our lives.
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We continue with this benediction: May we Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
And give glory to God, today, and forever! Amen.
And as we do that: “May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
26 may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”
37 Announcements
38 Happy Feb Birthdays
08 – Julie Potts 15 – Mark Wheeler 17 – Caitlin Wheeler 19 – Sandy Summers 22 – Denise Hewson
22 – Ricardo McCarto 23 – Julie McCarter 27 – Verne Lightbody 28 – Hope Davis
Thiiiiiiis iiiis your birthday song, it isn’t very long!!
Resources:
Bruce, FF; The Hard Sayings of Jesus; InterVarsity Press; Downers Grove, IL; 1983; Pp. 68-76.
Mulholland, M. Robert; Shaped by the Word; Upper Room Press; Nashville, TN; 2000; P. 16.
Schultz, Charles; Peanuts.
Skelton, Mitchell; “The Body of Christ”; Midway Church of Christ.
Wheeler, Mark; “What Did God Say? ‘Becoming the Body of Christ’”; Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church; 10/23/2005.
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