Body Works - 1 Corinthians 12:27

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)

Quite recently, I’ve started to watch a cable channel which is totally dedicated to auto mechanics. I know practically nothing about cars, but I find these programs fascinating. Each program usually begins with an experienced mechanic finding an old wreck of a classic car who then decides to renovate the whole vehicle and upgrade it into a modern muscle car. The whole process is amazing and I’m absolutely riveted to the screen watching these super mechanics recreate a wonderful new vehicle from scratch.

Sometimes the auto-engineers discover something seriously faulty in the car’s system. An important part may be missing or a wire has been plugged into the wrong place. Occasionally, the original engine has to be stripped clean and taken apart laboriously. As I watch them do this, I often wonder how they will ever get it together again. But at some point, they do what would be impossible for me – they rebuild the engine and the car entirely, so that old wreck becomes a brand-new automobile which anyone would be proud to own or drive.

I think the Lord is in the same business, especially when He rebuilds and revives His Church. No matter how wrecked, out-of-date, or neglected a congregation may be, when the Spirit of the Lord moves through it, all of the parts – the people – become reconnected to God and one another. It’s a beautiful process and one that I am presently seeing in the church I serve. Folks are allowing themselves to be touched by Christ and the whole spiritual engine of the congregation is being renovated through prayer, service, and vision. It’s as if the Lord has suddenly decided to bring all the loose parts together in order to work on the body and revive the kirk.

The apostle Paul was probably expressing this when he wrote to the Christians in Corinth about the church being made up of many parts and how each one of them had both an important and essential part to play in the well-being, ministry, and mission of the local congregation. The great thing about his message is that it still applies today and when we are open to the Lord’s vision for our spiritual community, He is still willing to work on the body, renovate our spirits, and rebuild His church.

Point to ponder

Am I willing to pray for the revival of my local congregation? Do I know where my essential part is in this call to be rebuilt?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You love Your Church so much that You call it Your Bride. We are grateful for being an essential part of Your ministry here on Earth. Renew and revive us for the sake of Your continuing mission. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s old truck drawings called ‘Happy Days.’ If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: HappyDays.

Church Unity devotion - United in Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:20

1 Corinthians 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (NIV)

            We live in a divided world and factional times. Partisan politics are hampering countries across the world from being united and strong. Sadly, warring nations still exist on our planet. Religious schisms and fervent fanatics are ruining our confidence in God. It seems as though we are on a precarious precipice, which is disintegrating each day through personal attacks, constant crossfire, and philosophical wars of attrition. Atrophy is setting in all around us, instead of a brave new world of a golden new age. We are at a crossroads – politically, religiously, and socially. Unless we start working together as one dominant species on one single planet, which is whirling through space, we’re going to end up destroying ourselves and the universe won’t even know we existed.

            Decades ago, I joined the church because I thought it was the best vehicle to change things across the globe. I still believe in that concept, especially when I see Christ’s Church around the world trying to make lives better. Strong, local congregations are the key to healthy, compassionate communities. Sadly, as Christians, we’ve struggled for so long against one another that we’ve missed precious moments and gracious opportunities to spread Christ’s love all around us.

            I think that the Apostle Paul also experienced this kind of divisiveness and disunity among faithful followers, which is why he initially wrote to several Mediterranean church plants. He could see a time when the broken Empire would need a strong, unified church. His emphasis on several parts within one body was meant to show the local congregations that no matter how diverse or different people were – female or male, Greek or Jew, slave or free – they all could work together to form an effective ministry and mission, which would honor Christ’s work and expand God’s Kingdom throughout many regions. That same collective understanding of who we are as Church, as well as maintaining a strong unity, is even more necessary today and essentially crucial for the healing of our broken, divided world.

Questions for personal reflection

How can I contribute to the unity of my local church? How can that unity help my local community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the Holy One of God in whom our faith should be united. Gather us together in our local congregations, so that we may effectively undertake and fulfill Your mission in our local communities, as well as around the world. In Your Holy Name, we serve and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com. John is always delighted to receive your ideas, suggestions, and messages.

Today’s image is one of John’s Holy Week drawings for 2016 called “Betrayed.” If you want to view a larger version, please click on this link: Betrayed.