Living Way Church
Every Member Has a Part to Play
  • Come As You Are
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  • Who You Say I Am
  • Build My Life
  • Good morning, everyone.
    I’m really glad you’re here today.
    One of the things I’m thankful for in our church is how familiar and personal this space feels. We know one another. We notice when someone isn’t here. There’s a sense of comfort and safety that comes with walking together over time.
    As we continue this short series on why we exist, today is about listening together to what God says about His church and allowing His Word to gently shape us.
    So wherever you’re coming from this week—whether you feel settled, tired, encouraged, or unsure—I want you to know you belong here. This is a place to listen, to learn, and to be formed together.
    Let’s take a moment now and turn our hearts toward the Lord as we begin.
    Gracious Father, We thank You for gathering us together today. We recognize that it is You who calls Your people, unites us in Christ, and places us within Your body according to Your wisdom.
    As we open Your Word, we ask that You would quiet our hearts and give us humility to listen. Help us to receive what You say about Your church—not with defensiveness or fear, but with trust and openness.
    Where we have grown comfortable, shape us gently. Where we have grown unsure, reassure us by Your grace. Where we have been faithful in unseen ways, strengthen us and remind us that You see and value every act of obedience.
    Teach us how You have equipped us to love and serve one another. Lead us by Your Spirit, not by pressure or comparison, but by faith and obedience.
    We ask that everything that happens here today would honor Christ, build up His body, and bring glory to Your name.
    We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
    As we continue exploring why we exist as a church, today’s message connects directly to what we discussed last week.
    Last week, we talked about God’s mission and how He grows His church, not by size or strength, but through devotion, unity, and prayer. This brings up an important question for us as a church family.
    What does it really mean for each of us to be part of a church like that?
    One blessing of being a small church is the comfort it brings. We know each other, we’re used to our routines, and there’s a sense of safety and ease that comes from sharing life together over time.
    Comfort itself isn’t a bad thing.
    But if we’re not careful, comfort can slowly change what we expect. Without noticing, we might move from participating to just watching. We may attend faithfully, listen closely, and care deeply, yet still find ourselves on the sidelines of church life.
    It’s not because we don’t love the church. It’s not because we don’t want to be faithful. It happens because things just keep running.
    Scripture never describes the church as something we just watch. Instead, it calls the church a body that is living, connected, and active. In this body, every part matters, and its health depends on sharing life and responsibility together.
    Today is about letting God’s Word gently help us see more clearly our place in the body of Christ. Every step we take, even the small ones, matters and helps our church family grow stronger. Each step forward is an act of faith and obedience, and God values our willing hearts.
    God hasn’t put any of us here by accident. He’s already given us gifts, callings, and chances to obey. Our church grows healthier as each of us faithfully uses what God has given us.
    Let’s turn to God’s Word together and listen closely to how He describes the life of His church.

    God Is the Giver of Gifts, Not the Church

    Before Paul talks about what believers do in the church, he first addresses how they see themselves. Today, it’s easy to focus on our actions and measure our worth by what we achieve. But, just like in Paul’s time, real change starts with how we view ourselves. Are we motivated by pride or insecurity, or do we remember that grace defines us? When we apply Paul’s wisdom to our lives, we are reminded to let grace shape how we see ourselves.
    That order matters.
    A. Gifts Begin with Grace, Not Ability (v. 3)
    Paul writes:
    Romans 12:3 ESV
    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.
    Notice where Paul starts. He doesn’t begin with activity. He begins with humility.
    Before talking about gifts, roles, or service, Paul focuses on the attitude of our hearts. There is no place for pride, comparison, or self-promotion, but also no place for insecurity or thinking we don’t matter. To grow in humility and clear thinking, try this simple exercise: each day this week, reflect on one area of your life where you have received grace instead of earning something on your own. Notice how this grace has shaped you, and let it remind you that your identity in Christ is based on grace, not on your achievements.
    And then he grounds everything in grace.
    “According to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
    That phrase is important. It shows us that gifts are not earned or achieved. They are not given because of spiritual performance or maturity. God is the one who assigns them.
    God is the one who distributes faith. God is the one who gives gifts. God is the one who decides how each believer is equipped.
    That truth does something very important in the life of the church.
    It removes competition because no one gives gifts to themselves. And it removes insecurity because no one is overlooked by God.
    There is no place for proving yourself in the body of Christ. Serving is never about earning significance.
    Serving comes from the grace we have already received. We do not serve to prove our worth; we serve as a response to grace.
    B. Diversity Is God’s Design (vv. 4–5)
    Paul continues:
    Romans 12:4–5 ESV
    For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
    Paul takes diversity for granted. He does not argue for it or apologize for it. He presents it as the normal, God-given reality of the church.
    This matches what the Spirit teaches in 1 Corinthians 12, where the diversity of gifts is shown as essential for the church to work well.
    One body. Many members. Different functions.
    Difference is not a problem to solve. It is the design to steward.
    God did not design His church for all of us to be the same. When everyone is the same, the body is weaker. Diversity makes it stronger. Each member brings something unique, not to compete, but to support one another.
    And notice how Paul ends this thought: “members one of another.” That means our lives are interconnected. What one member does—or doesn’t do—affects the whole body.
    Which leads us to the next necessary question.
    If God is the one who gives gifts… If diversity is intentional, not accidental…
    Then how are those gifts meant to function together for the good of the body?
    That’s where Paul takes us next.

    Gifts Are Given for the Good of the Body

    After showing that God gives gifts and values diversity, Paul now explains how we should use those gifts.
    What stands out is how Paul describes this in such a simple, everyday way.
    A. Gifts Are Expressions of Service, Not Status
    Paul writes:
    Romans 12:6 ESV
    Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them ...
    That first phrase is important. Paul doesn’t say if you have gifts. He says having gifts.
    Paul assumes that every believer has received grace through a gift. These gifts are not for recognition, influence, or being seen by others. They are meant to be used.
    Paul lists several gifts: prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, generosity, leadership, and mercy. What matters is that he does not put them in any order.
    There’s no hierarchy here. No gift is presented as more spiritual than another. No gift is treated as optional.
    Each gift comes with a simple instruction. The focus is not on being important, but on being faithful.
    If prophecy, then speak in proportion to faith.
    If service, then serve.
    If teaching, then teach.
    If exhortation, then encourage.
    If generosity, then give freely.
    If leadership, then lead with diligence.
    If mercy, then do it with cheerfulness.
    Paul cares less about where the gift is used and more about how it is used. He wants us to use our gifts faithfully, sincerely, and without pretending.
    This teaches us something important.
    Gifts are not titles. They are responsibilities. They are ways God shows His grace, given to help others grow.
    B. Obedience Often Looks Ordinary
    It is also worth noticing that these gifts can seem very ordinary.
    Many of them operate quietly. Most of them do not happen in front of a crowd. Almost all of these gifts can be used in simple, personal ways.
    This shows that some of the most important work in the church is often unseen.
    Encouragement often happens in conversation. Service often happens behind the scenes. Mercy often happens privately.
    Yet these are the things that truly make the church stronger.
    That is why Paul does not tell believers to look for a gift, but to use what they already have. The problem is usually not that gifts are missing, but that they are not being used.
    Not from rebellion. Not from lack of love. Instead, it often comes from feeling unsure, being comfortable, or thinking someone else will do it.
    This is not a call to suddenly become busy. It is not a call to take on something you are not equipped for. It is a call to be faithful with what God has already given you.
    The church does not become stronger just because people do more. It becomes healthier when people are faithful.
    This leads to an important question, which Paul will now answer directly.
    What happens to the body when some gifts are exercised… and others remain dormant?

    A Body Cannot Thrive When Only One Part Functions

    Paul now builds on what he has said about gifts. Instead of listing more responsibilities, he gives us a picture to help us understand.And it’s a picture we all understand.
    Romans 12 shows us that God gives gifts by grace. In 1 Corinthians 12, we see what happens when those gifts work together, or when they do not.Paul wants us to see that the church is not just a group of people who meet together. It is a living body, connected and relying on every part to do what God designed.Listen to how Paul begins.
    1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV
    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. 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.
    Paul starts with unity—but not uniformity.
    One body. Many members. One Spirit.
    Our unity is not something we create. It’s something Christ has already accomplished. We belong to one another because we belong to Him.
    Every Part Is Necessary (vv. 14–17)
    Paul continues:
    1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV
    For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
    That statement may seem obvious, but Paul is about to show us why it is important.
    1 Corinthians 12:15 ESV
    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.
    Paul addresses insecurity first.
    Some believers quietly think they do not matter because their contribution looks different from others. They may not see the value in what God has given them. But even the less visible roles are important for holding the community together. For example, someone who greets people with a warm smile as they enter the church may seem to have a simple job, but this gesture can set the tone for the whole gathering and help others feel welcome and valued. Every role, no matter how small it seems, is important for the health of the church.
    But then Paul flips the perspective.
    1 Corinthians 12:17 ESV
    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?
    Here, Paul points out another danger. This time, it is not insecurity, but imbalance.
    A body where only one part works may still be alive, but it is not healthy. It cannot move well, respond well, or grow strong.
    And here’s the key point Paul wants us to hear:
    The problem is not that some parts are weaker. The problem is when parts are inactive.
    God Arranged the Body Intentionally (v. 18)
    Paul then makes one of the strongest theological statements in this chapter:
    1 Corinthians 12:18 ESV
    But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
    That sentence removes two common excuses at once.
    First, it removes the idea that you’re here by accident. Second, it removes the idea that your place doesn’t matter.
    God arranged the body. God chose the members. God determined the mix.
    This means God has already brought together the people He wants to use in this season.
    Difference Is Essential, Not Optional (vv. 19–20)
    Paul concludes this section by saying:
    1 Corinthians 12:19–20 ESV
    If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
    If everyone were the same, the body would not survive. Participation sustains it.
    Paul’s point is not that everyone should do the same thing. Instead, everyone should take part actively, not just watch from the sidelines.
    This is not about guilt. It’s about health.
    A body does not thrive when only one part moves. The church also does not grow well when only a few people do all the ministry instead of sharing it together.
    Paul is gently helping us see something important.
    When gifts are not used, not because of rebellion but because of comfort or uncertainty, the whole body is affected. Care is limited, burdens are heavier, and growth is slower.
    And that leads us to the heart of the matter.
    God never intended His church to be a spectator sport.
    He designed His church to be like a body: alive, connected, and depending on each other.
    And Paul is about to make that unmistakably clear.

    God Never Intended His Church to Have Spectators

    Paul shifts from explaining how the body is made to showing how it should work.
    And what he says here is both clarifying and deeply pastoral.
    No Part Is Independent (vv. 21–22)
    Paul writes:
    1 Corinthians 12:21 ESV
    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.”
    Paul challenges the idea that anyone in the church can be independent.
    No part of the body can do everything on its own. No member is supposed to work alone. No one is meant to carry the load alone.
    This speaks to two kinds of people.
    It speaks to those who feel unneeded, who quietly think, They don’t really need me. It also speaks to those who have taken on a lot, who may not say it, but feel, I’ll just do it myself.
    Paul reminds us that both attitudes make the body weaker.
    Then Paul adds something unexpected:
    1 Corinthians 12:22 ESV
    On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
    God does not judge usefulness the way we do. What seems small, quiet, or hidden is often very important for the whole body.
    God Values Every Part (vv. 23–24)
    Paul continues:
    1 Corinthians 12:23 ESV
    and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor..
    The point here is not about looks, but about care.
    God has set up the body so that no member is left out or ignored. He lifts up those who might be overlooked.
    Paul then tells us why God designed it this way:
    1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV
    that there may be no division in the body...
    Division is not always caused by arguments. Sometimes it happens because things are out of balance. From silence. From passivity.
    Caring for each other is the goal (vv. 25–26)
    Paul now gets to the main point:
    1 Corinthians 12:25 ESV
    ... but that the members may have the same care for one another.
    This is the goal of gifts. This is the goal of service. This is what the body is meant for.
    It is not just about being busy, but about caring.
    Paul continues:
    1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV
    If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
    This is not just a figure of speech. It is something we experience.
    When ministry is shared, burdens are shared. When care is mutual, no one carries grief alone. When joy comes, it grows and spreads.
    You Belong to the Body (v. 27)
    Paul ends this part by making it personal:
    1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV
    Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
    Not you might be. Not you could be. You are.
    Being part of the body of Christ is not passive. It means taking part and being involved.
    This doesn’t mean everyone does everything. It means everyone is meant to belong on purpose.
    This passage is not meant to make us feel guilty. It is a call to wholeness.
    God never meant for His church to have spectators and performers. He designed it to be a living body, where care is shared, gifts are used, and everyone shares responsibility.
    When that happens, the church does more than just survive.
    It becomes healthy.

    Reframing Serving: Obedience, Not Obligation

    At this point, it’s important to pause and be very clear about what we are not saying.
    We are not saying that everyone must suddenly take on a role. We are not saying that faithfulness is measured by busyness. And we are not saying that the church assigns callings to its people.
    Scripture is clear—God is the one who gives gifts. God is the one who places members in the body. God is the one who calls His people into obedience.
    Serving in the church is not about filling a need. It is about responding to God.
    That’s an important distinction.
    Obligation asks, “What do they need me to do?” Obedience asks, “What is God inviting me to step into?”
    Obligation produces pressure and resentment. Obedience produces joy and faithfulness.
    When service is framed as an obligation, people either comply briefly or withdraw quietly. But when service is framed as obedience, it becomes an act of worship—offered freely, joyfully, and in step with the Spirit.
    This also means that serving does not begin with the church making a list. It begins with prayer, discernment, and attentiveness to how God has already been working in your life. A practical approach could include setting aside dedicated time each day for prayer and reflection, asking God to show you where He is leading you in service. Consider journaling your thoughts and any inspirations you receive during these times. By engaging in these practices, you can more effectively align your actions with God's guidance.
    For some, obedience may look like stepping forward into visible service. For others, it may look like quietly offering care, encouragement, or prayer. For others, it may simply mean becoming more present and available.
    The question is not, “Am I doing enough?” The question is, “Am I being faithful with what God has already entrusted to me?”
    And that frees us.
    Because obedience is not about comparison. It’s not about keeping up with others. It’s about walking faithfully with Christ in the place He has already put you.
    The church does not grow stronger when people do more. It grows healthier when people walk in obedience.

    So What?

    So what does all of this mean for me, personally?
    God did not bring you here by accident. You are not here just to watch, take in, or stay on the sidelines. You belong to the body of Christ, and because you belong, you matter.
    Faithfulness is not about how visible you are, but about whether you are following what God has already given you. God is not asking you to become someone else. He invites you to be faithful as the person He made you to be.Comfort is understandable, but it cannot be the end goal of our faith. As we grow, maturity calls us to move forward. This is not about being busy, but about choosing to obey with purpose.
    If you have been watching instead of joining in, this is not a time for shame. It is an invitation to consider if God is calling you to take a more active part in the life of the church. The church does not need you just to fill a spot, but the whole body is healthier when you are present and involved.
    You do not have to do this alone. Our church community supports and encourages each other. As you take steps forward, you will walk with others who will stand by you. We are here to help one another, making it easier to grow in faith together.
    When one person steps forward in obedience, the whole church becomes stronger. We share burdens, care grows, and joy increases. The church starts to look more like what God intended: not just a group of spectators, but a living body.
    The real question is not, “What should I be doing?” Instead, ask yourself this:
    Where might God be inviting me to take my next step of faithful obedience?
    That is a question worth taking time to consider.
    This week, we are not asking you to sign up for anything. We are not asking you to commit to a role. We are also not asking you to fill a need.
    Instead, we invite you to spend time in prayerful reflection.
    Each day this week, take a moment to ask God a simple question:
    “Lord, how have You already equipped me to serve Your people?”
    As you pray, notice:
    where you already find joy in caring for others,
    where people naturally come to you for help or encouragement,
    and where God has already been working through you, even in small or quiet ways.
    Take your time; there is no need to rush to answers. Try not to compare yourself to others. Simply listen.
    If, over time, you begin to feel more clear, start with one small step of obedience. Faithfulness often begins quietly, like starting a conversation with someone who may need support or encouragement. You could also help a neighbor with groceries or listen to a friend who needs to talk. Another idea is to make yourself more available, maybe by volunteering at a local charity. These small actions can make a real difference.
    We believe God is already working in His church. As we go through this time of discernment, remember that we are not alone. We share this path and support each other. Through prayer and reflection, we build a community that is united and strong. As we listen and respond to God together, He will keep shaping us into the people He wants us to be.

    Every Member Has a Part

    As we finish today, let’s remember where everything starts and where it truly belongs.
    The church is not sustained by human strength. It is sustained by Christ.
    He is the one who calls His people. He is the one who gives gifts by grace. He is the one who places each member in the body according to His wisdom.
    We are not called to compete or compare ourselves with others. Instead, we are called to walk faithfully, relying on the grace we have already received.
    When we move forward in obedience, whether in quiet ways or in public, we do it not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it in Christ. As we walk together in this faithfulness, the church grows healthier, stronger, and better reflects God’s design.
    As you leave today, hold on to this truth: You are known by God. You are placed intentionally. You are invited to live out your faith as part of this body, never alone or unnoticed. Remember, you are an important part of our community, where everyone is valued and supported. We encourage you to connect with others and build a deeper sense of belonging. Together, we can grow stronger in faith and unity.
    May God continue to shape us gently, patiently, and faithfully into the church He has called us to be.
    Amen
    Let us pray,
    Gracious Father, We thank You for Your Word and for the clarity You give when You speak to us through it.
    Thank You for calling us into the body of Christ by grace, for giving gifts according to Your wisdom, and for placing each of us here with purpose. We confess that it is easy to grow comfortable, and we ask that You would gently shape us where comfort has kept us from obedience.
    Teach us to listen for Your leading. Give us humility to see ourselves clearly. Give us courage to take the next faithful step You place before us.
    Guard us from comparison and from pressure. Help us to walk in freedom, trusting that You are at work in Your church, even when growth feels slow or unseen.
    May everything we do flow from gratitude for the grace we have received in Christ, and may our shared life together bring glory to Your name.
    We pray this in the name of Jesus,
    Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
    Amen.
    Be blessed to be a blessing.

      • Romans 12:3ESV

      • Romans 12:4–5ESV

      • Romans 12:6ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:12–13ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:14ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:15ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:17ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:18ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:19–20ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:21ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:22ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:23ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:25ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:25ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:26ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 12:27ESV

Living Way Church
livingway146@gmail.com
(717) 601-2402
http://tlw.church
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