I want to focus on a few ideas 1) we needed each other, 2) we must learn to respect each other, and 3) we must learn to identify with each another; in other words, we need to learn to identify the value of others. SEE, PEOPLE ARE VALUABLE, BEAUTIFUL, AND NECESSARY. The image of the body of Christ emphasizes unity in Christ while being interdependent on one another. Christian faith is not to be defined merely in terms of individual relationship to the Lord, but how the fellowship between believers magnifies the image of God. As the body of Christ, the church is the extension of Jesus’ ministry. All the various members have been given gifts, not for personal satisfaction, but for the building up of the body as a whole (14:4–5, 12). While there is diversity of gifts, there is not to be division within the body. Each piece of the body has its own function, and each function is impacted by other parts. The heart pumps blood to areas in the body that it will never touch any other way. The hand will touch things that the foot will never feel, while the eye sees things that, without hands, it will never fully appreciate. Together the body functions and relates to each part and benefits from the function of each part. We enjoy life to the fullest because all our parts work together to allow us to partake in the world around us. The body of Christ must be one, in harmony, united, and on one accord to maximize the impact we have on people, families, the church, our community, and ultimately the world. When the body is functioning at its best, the body is healthier, stronger, and more able to handle things that come its way.

1. Pieces Matter
Part 2
Intro:
Last week we concluded that functioning as the body is a God thing; He designed it, He ordained
it, and He is the one that is going to show us how to become one. And, unless we are in Christ
and He is in us, there will be no proper functioning in His body.
This week I want to focus on a few ideas 1) we needed each other, 2) we must learn to respect
each other, and 3) we must learn to identify with each another; in other words, we need to
learn to identify the value of others. SEE, PEOPLE ARE VALUABLE, BEAUTIFUL,
AND NECESSARY.
The image of the body of Christ emphasizes unity in Christ while being interdependent on
one another. Christian faith is not to be defined merely in terms of individual relationship
to the Lord, but how the fellowship between believers magnifies the image of God. As the
body of Christ, the church is the extension of Jesus’ ministry. All the various members
have been given gifts, not for personal satisfaction, but for the building up of the body as a
whole (14:4–5, 12). While there is diversity of gifts, there is not to be division within the
body.
Every part of the body adds value to the body, as well as gives it special abilities. Eyes help us to
see, ears to hear, tongue to taste, and nose to smell. But what about the things we don’t see, like
the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, or even the ever-discardable spleen? Every part has value, they
have a purpose, but outside of their function, they become useless and affect the body
tremendously.
Let’s turn to 1 Corinthians 12:21…
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 parts of the body that seem to be weaker are
indispensable (or necessary), 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable
we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater
modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the
body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the
body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member
suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
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 miracles, then
gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles?
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing?
Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1
Pieces matter: they all have a function and are valuable. Each member matters to the whole, and
each member has a function that allows the body to experience life more to the full. But, if we do
1
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 12:21–31.

2. not value each member, and begin to discount each other, our entire body suffers. Diversity is a
God thing, so we must submit to the fact that God knows best.
Romans 12:3-8
 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the
measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and
the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in
Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to
the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service,
in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one
who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:11-12
 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Let’s jump back into the text…
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 parts of the body that seem to be weaker are
indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the
greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our
more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater
honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the
members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer
together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Romans 12:15
 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.2
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 miracles, then
gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles?
Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing?
Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.
A body is healthiest when each part functions well; thus easing burdens on other parts. Parts of
the body shouldn’t be jealous of each other, and they shouldn’t covet each other’s functions.
Each part must hold fast to this truth, we are part of the body, and the body does not function
well when parts are at odds with each other.
Philippians 2:1-8
2
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 12:15.

3. 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the
same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to
his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is
yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a
thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the
likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross.3
Three truths to think about:
1. We need each other. Isolation destroys people, which in turn weakens the Church. Each
person is part of a whole, one part cannot function to its maximum without the other parts.
Each part needs the input of others to function properly. (Case in point, this sermon series
was impacted by Robb Horner during our weekly meetings, because he was willing to share
his gift of wisdom with me, and now that wisdom is being shared with you all)
2. We must respect each other. If any limb or any organ ceases to function, the whole body is
thrown out of whack. So it is with the Church; each part must align itself and give of itself
for the betterment of the whole. Respect for one another is seen when diversity is given space
to grow. Each person brings something unique to the body, but if that person is rejected, not
only does it hurt the person, but it also stunts the growth of the body. A diverse church
usually grows, because when different people are represented, others feel more welcome.
3. We should learn to identify with each other. If any one part of the body is affected, all the
others suffer in sympathy because they are impacted by the suffering as well. One part may
not feel the pain or suffering, but because of the oneness in the body, the whole body is
impacted and bears the consequences of the suffering together.4 If you hurt your toe, do you
say, “I hurt a toe?” Or, do you say, “I hurt my toe?” We are one, and we must identify as one
if we are going to magnify God and truly represent His body well.
 Lack of fellowship and communion shows us that we are not as healthy as we can be.
 And lack of discipleship shows us that there may be a misunderstanding of how to get
healthy.
 When we grow to trust God, and His people, unity not only becomes possible but also
becomes the norm.
 When we begin to respect each other’s gifts, identify, and value one another’s functions, we
will begin to understand how much we really need each other.
Conclusion:
Each piece of the body has its own function, and each function is impacted by other parts. The
heart pumps blood to areas in the body that it will never touch any other way. The hand will
touch things that the foot will never feel, while the eye sees things that, without hands, it will
3
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 2:1–8.
4
William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, 3rd ed., The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press,
2002), 134–135.

4. never fully appreciate. Together the body functions and relates to each part and benefits from the
function of each part. We get to enjoy life to the fullest because all our parts are working
together to allow us to partake in the world around us.
The body of Christ must be one, in harmony, united, and on one accord to maximize the impact
we have on people, families, the church, our community, and ultimately the world. When the
body is functioning at its best, the body is healthier, stronger, and more able to handle things that
come its way.
 So, God shows us there is a way to unite in Christ, which in turn unites the individuals in the
body.
 Remember, big brother Paul said, “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show
you a still more excellent way.”
 So, come back next week to see what the “more excellent way is.
For more topics like this, check out my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFw43P0EEUkgzisENxxaacg