One body, many parts...

1 Corinthians vs12 -20 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free and were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were and ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, EVERY ONE OF THEM, JUST AS HE WANTED THEM TO BE. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts but one body....

Vs 27 - 31 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Chapter 13 vs 1-4 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have the gift of faith that can move mountains, but do not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

There is no doubt that we are one Body in Christ. There is no doubt that each one of us is a part. There is no doubt that each one of us plays a significant role. We do not judge or value people or gifts as the world. Instead we understand that God authored and created His body, His church, to function in this present world as His body, His testimony, His hands and feet.

There is no doubt that God is doing a mighty thing at Hillside. Each one of you is a part of it. Some of us our timid but we are growing. Some of us are weary but we are gaining strength. Some of us have been hurt but we are healing. Some of us are full of doubt but we are being challenged. Some of us are uncertain of our role but we are learning. What a gift we have been given.

God has authored circumstances this week that will not only to strengthen and encourage Christian City Church but will do a great work in ours. God has arranged us just as He intended us for just such a time as this.

Please continue to unite in prayer and allow God to work all parts of the body together for His purpose!

IHS
Zach