Sunday, January 24, 2016

Third Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon Text: based on Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

"[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 by of many. [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 apart 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 of them, as he chose. [19] If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are may parts, yet one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have not 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 members 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 higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.. "

Sermon Theme: "When You Have a Sliver"