I don't need you!...1 Cor. 12:20-13:13

I don't need you!

Perhaps you haven't said it out loud...but we have all thought this. So had the believers at Corinth. Paul's writing doesn't challenge that independent thinking - he smashes it with a sledgehammer!

He declares the people in church that seem most insignificant to actually be the most crucial. He uses the analogy of the private parts of our body that we keep covered - these parts are vital for reproduction, pleasure, and nourishment. Without them, there would be no pleasure, no marriage, no kids, etc.

There are people at FCC who's gifts are hidden (private), but without them, our offering would not pay the bills, our church facilities would not be cleaned, our shut-ins would not be visited and cared for, our property would not be kept up, etc. There are many people serving and giving and caring and praying in ways you and I never see. They are faithful, sacrificial servants in our church. They deserve greater honor. They deserve to be treated with love and respect. They deserve to hear that "we really could not do it without you"!

In vs. 29, Paul lists seven public gifts that were functioning in the early church: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healing, tongues, and interpretation. He asks (to their shame) if everyone needs to have a public gift. He admits they are all desiring what they think to be the "greater gifts" (vs. 31), a.k.a. the public gifts. He replies: "Let me now show you the most excellent way..."

The Bible's most beautiful love chapter has now begun - 1 Corinthians 13. You would be hard pressed to attend a Christian wedding where this passage is not read publicly, in the bulletin, or somewhere listed on the favors! But hold on a second...look at the CONTEXT! This passage on love is not man & woman love - it is all about love in the body of Christ, within the church!!!

As we embark on a beautiful journey through chapter 13, keep the context in mind. This amazing "Agape" love is about the love you and I are supposed to have for each other. Somehow, as the Bride of Christ, God expects us to get along, to serve each other, and to love one another unconditionally.

Action Steps This Week:
1) Think of a few people in church who you dislike - and thank God for them right now. Realizing that we really need each other is a humbling process that takes a long, long time!
2) Define love - and bring this definition to class on Sunday!