Finding

Unity in Diversity
Text: 1 Corinthians
12: 11-31
”
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.”- 1 Corinthians 12:11
(KJV Version)
For as the body is one, and hath
“

many members, and all the

members of that one body, being
many, are one body: so also is
Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12
(KJV Version)
INTRODUCTION

Paul and the early Christians firmly believed that our

identity was wrapped up in our faith in Jesus Christ.
They believed that our faith not only brought us into
relationship with God, through Christ, but that it also
brought us into a spiritual community and unified
identity with other Christians. Paul and the early
Christians firmly believed that our identity was wrapped
up in our faith in Jesus Christ.
They believed that our faith not only
brought us into relationship with God,
through Christ, but that it also brought
us into a spiritual community and
unified identity with other Christians.
1 Cor. 12:12-31 – Holy Spirit gives us a
“poster” of the body of Christ (church),
displaying its unity as individual parts
join together to function harmoniously
& effectively as a church of Christ.
I- We are the Body of Christ
A. The Church is One Body with Many Members –
12:12, 20, 27.
1. Baptized into one body – 12:13; cf. Acts 2:41, 47.
We all share a common faith, conversion, fellowship
& goal.
2. Body can grow & function effectively –Eph. 4:15-
16; Col. 2:19.
B. The Body Illustrates Our Unity in Christ – 12:12
(Eph. 4:3-6), 25.
1. The local church is to be united – 1 Cor. 1:10, 13;
11:17-18.
2. The church is not to be a “battle zone”! (Jas. 4:1)
II- THE BODY (CHURCH): MANY
MEMEBERS
A.God has Designed the Church (body) to Achieve
His Purposes (v12:18; Rom. 12:4-5)
1. Different gifts – Same Spirit – v12:4. (we all have
been blessed)
2. Different ministries – Same Lord – v12:5. (we
render diff. services)
3. Different activities (works) – Same God – 12:6.
(thru diff. ways)
Illus. with human body
B. Each Member of the Body of Christ:
1. Is vital – 12:14-19. [You are valuable in the
church! What you do is valuable to the church!]
2. Is needed – 12:20-22.
a. 12:21 - No one is to be a “church boss”
– a dominating Diotrephes – 3 Jno. 9. (cf.
intimidation, manipulation, etc.)
b. 12:22 – Weaker members are
necessary, too. (Humility toward all is crucial for
our success! – Rom. 12:3, 16; Phil. 2:3)
4. Has mutual care for one another – 12:25-27.
a. 12:25 – Where there is division this is
impossible! (cf. helping one another remain faithful
– Gal. 6:1-2; 1 Ths. 5:14).
b. 12:26 – In Christ, there is an intertwining
of our care for one another, dependence upon each
other, our devotion to each other in joy & sorrow, in
pleasure & pain, in life & death – of our lives
together in Christ! - Rom. 12:5 (we are members of
 III- APPLYING THE
PRINCIPLE
A. We Must Respect Our Head (Christ) in All Things-
( Col. 3:17
1. In what we believe, teach and practice.
2. Insist on Bible authority – by it our Head directs us!
B. We Must Do Our Part So the Body Properly
Functions –(Eph. 4:16)
1. Individuals function which works for the good of
the whole.
2. When you or I do not do our part the body suffers!
 C. We Must Endeavor to Keep Unity
Among Us – 12:12; Eph. 4:3.
1. So that no division occurs – 12:25.
2. A fractured body is unable to function
adequately, it takes a long time to heal,
and without proper care leads to a
lifetime of pain!
CONCLUSION

None of us can do
everything, but all of
us can do something!
“Gibutang sa Dios ang tanan ubos
sa pagmando ni Cristo ug alang sa
iglesia gihimo niyang pangulo nga
labaw sa tanan.”
Ephesians 1:22
(NIV Version)