Knowing the Church Series
The Church You Need To Know as a Community Comprised by God
"On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary, and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another." (1 Corinthians 12:22-25)
In our last post, we considered that discipleship done well moves on from a church model that makes many pew sitters and very few teachers. So when many will say to me, "Everyone can't be a pastor or leader," I ask, why not many as opposed to few?
How Revivals Reveal The Church As We Need To Know It.
During times of revival, as in the Welsh Revivals, one in 1904, then 1929, and also from 1939 to 1941 (You can listen to The Revival on the Isle of Lewis by Duncan Campbell on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIZOSWvXaE) there rose men who became powerful preachers, but no sooner did the revival begin to lose its power as God removed Himself than the people began to say these men should not preach because they had never gone to seminary. You can also listen to (Medical) Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones (who never attended seminary), who pastored at Westminster Chapel London, England, on MLJTrust.org - Itinerant Preaching - Training for Ministry. https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/itinerant-preaching/training-for-the-ministry/
What seems correct during standard times of ministry in the Church is put on its head during times of revival and visa versa. The fact is, "...God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong..." (1 Corinthians 1:27). God does not want the Church boasting but only in the Lord. Does your Church, without saying it, brag about what a great pastor they have? Don't be surprised if it does, as the disciples argued over who was the greatest.
The verses quoted at the beginning of this post point us to a humility acceptable to God. My dear readers, it is my experience that this following reality of truth, which is not my truth but what God teaches through His word, is very difficult to accept. Why? Because this is different from how we naturally see people or group/team dynamics.
The Local Church We Need To Know Is Blended Parts To Give Glory To God And Not Men
In verse 21, Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body, which has many different parts but is one body. Furthermore, no part should say to another, "I have no need of you." Then begins that which is difficult to accept. He says, "The members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those [members] of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need [of it]."
In this portion, Paul is speaking mainly about our perception of others. The focus is on worth as perceived by a community, a value that varies from appearance, material wealth, and power. He is not speaking about character, morality, and integrity. He is not referring to gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy, speaking in languages, or knowledge and how they can differ in value. One Greek scholar says he relates to charm, figure elegance, external beauty, etiquette, and presence.
Furthermore, verse 22 in the New American Standard interprets the verse, "...it is much truer that the members..." However, the Greek says, "... it is much more not much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;" God's will and plan always override the perceptions of sinners, though God's grace saves them. Verse 24 tells us, "But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked..." Composed the Body in Greek is to mix into a new and improved compound") – Most appropriate mix together into a superior compound – "a holistic blend" (unified whole) where the parts work together synergistically.
Synergistically means "in a way that makes use of the extra energy, power, success, etc. that is achieved by two or more people, companies or elements working together, instead of on their own."
Oxford Dictionary.
When a congregation ends its fascination with a "good church" by outward appearances and accepts the truth that honor should be placed upon those least deserving of it (in the eyes of carnal men) but as how God has ordained it to be, then they will embrace The Church They Need to Know.
Next week, we will begin to take a closer look at what such a church looks like in real time.
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