FBC Sunrise Beach
Feb. 8, 2026

      • Psalm 122:1ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:17ESV

      • Philippians 1:3–5ESV

  • One Day
  • The Solid Rock

      • John 13:34ESV

  • Rock Of Ages
  • Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
    1 Corinthians 12:12–14 ESV
    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 one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
    Summary: In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul illustrates the Church as the body of Christ, emphasizing that while there are many members with different roles, they are all vital to the function of the body, encouraging believers to embrace their unique contributions for harmonious unity.
    Application: This passage challenges Christians to identify and embrace their spiritual gifts and roles in the Church, leading to greater unity and effectiveness in ministry while helping them overcome feelings of insignificance or division.
    Teaching: The sermon teaches that the diversity of gifts and roles within the Church is not a cause for fragmentation but a design of God for enriching the body, encouraging believers to appreciate their uniqueness and dependence on each other.
    How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the head of the Church, showcasing how, through His sacrifice and resurrection, He has reconciled believers into one body, transcending cultural and personal divisions, and calling all to unity under His lordship.
    Big Idea: Unity in the body of Christ is essential for fulfilling God's mission, and each member is uniquely gifted and needed to contribute to this divine plan.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon on this critical theme of unity, consider diving deeper into the cultural context of Corinth using Logos to explore how Paul's message addressed the specific divisions among the believers. Additionally, examine the Greek terms used to describe the body and its members, as this could illuminate the text's implications on unity and diversity within the Church.

    1. Diversity Defined in Unity

    1 Corinthians 12:12–14 ESV
    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 one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
    Paul has just stated about spiritual gifts
    preluding the love chapter
    preluding the proper use of these gifts
    Now Paul moves on to unity
    Paul knows there is disruption in Corinth
    He knows there is disunity
    Paul is going to make a plea for unity
    in this plea will include a couple of aspects
    1. A body has many members
    cannot be just one
    its not about our wants but about our service to others
    2. we are a diverse group
    We don’t all have the same backgrounds
    we don’t all have the same abilities
    but we have a common denominator
    3. joined through one spirit
    We are joined through baptism in the Holy Spirit
    we have a unifier that defies all odds
    we have a unifier that goes beyond understanding
    the Spirit within us
    Perhaps you begin by emphasizing how Paul uses the metaphor of the body to illustrate the diversity of the Church. Just as a body, though diverse in its parts, is one, so is the Church in Christ. This point can help congregants understand that unity doesn’t mean uniformity, but rather harmony in diversity, grounded in Christ’s work of reconciliation. You could encourage individuals to see themselves as integral parts, regardless of their role, and appreciate others' differences as opportunities for collective growth.

    2. Depicting Our Divine Roles

    1 Corinthians 12:15–20 ESV
    15 If the foot should 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 should 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 be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 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 parts, yet one body.
    Amidst our common denominator are the gifts that make us unique
    Yes you are unique!
    God has called each and every one of us to service
    as discussed last week
    but how?
    We will get into Spiritual gifts over the next few weeks
    This morning is a broad spectrum
    The call to unity through the Spirit while applying our gifts
    We must all walk our own walks together
    some of us have different abilities
    Paul says that doesn’t have to tear us apart
    Each part of the body is perfectly unique
    the way God intended it
    To function not for our glory but for His
    Its not about what we do but who we serve!
    You could delve into Paul's argument about members feeling insignificant or unworthy. Maybe highlight how no body part can declare independence from the body, nor can others diminish any specific member’s importance. This can suggest to your audience that feelings of insignificance are misguided because every member contributes uniquely to the body’s functioning. Therefore, everyone should appreciate their divine purpose and resist any comparison that leads to division.

    3. Dependence in Divine Community

    1 Corinthians 12:21–27 ESV
    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. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
    This service should not be about making a name for ourselves
    its not about pride
    it is about serving the rest of the body by serving Christ with humility
    Humility is a tough subject
    None of us naturally like to be fully behind the scenes
    Pride always creeps into the picture in some way
    We find ways to point back at ourselves
    The reality of this is we have to be deliberate in thinking of others first
    We have to replicate the love of Christ
    Pride does not include keeping your gifts silent
    but you also should boast about how well you complete them
    Make your gifts evident but don’t brag about their use!
    We have an obligation to serve one another out of love!
    That’s where the love chapter follows in beautifully
    Church the start to unity means first being in the Spirit
    We cannot be unified if we are not baptized in the Spirit together
    You must be Saved!!!!
    Grow a personal relationship with the Lord
    Not a shallow relationship
    a deep fully trusting relationship
    Surround yourself with fellow believers
    Don’t just go to church together
    live life together
    Encourage and equip fellow believers
    Don’t live in the world
    be optimistic about the work for the Gospel
    Lastly
    Seek the Mission of Christ first
    Seek His face and His direction
    Salvation Message
    Perhaps conclude by underscoring the interdependence of the Church members. Paul stresses the need for each part of the body for the other. You might illustrate how this mutual dependence underpins the Church’s unity, as well as its mission, and how this reflects Christ’s lordship over His Church. This point encourages members to actively engage in fostering community by supporting one another, thus embodying the unity Christ envisioned.

      • 1 Corinthians 12:12–14ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:12–14ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:15–20ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:21–27ESV

  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
  • Just As I Am
FBC Sunrise Beach
4 members • 1 follower