Among the dilemmas facing the church at Corinth was a deep misunderstanding
of how to view the various leaders who had contact with the church. As a result,
various factions developed within the Corinthian community. Guided by a superhero
mind-set, some of the people at Corinth saw themselves as followers of Paul,
while others saw themselves as followers of Apollos, and still others as followers
of Peter. Even Christ himself appears to have become a faction into which
some placed themselves (1:12). To this phenomenon Paul exclaims, "Has
Christ been divided?" (1:13, NASB).
The mind-set that had become prevalent at Corinth was grounded in a misunderstanding
of the relationship of the individual to the larger community. In chapter
12, Paul sets out to correct that misunderstanding. In order to do so, he
utilizes the image of the human body. His conclusion that he reaches is that
there are no individual superheroes that solely carry out the mission of Christ,
but rather that together the people of God (you in the plural in verse 27)
are the one Body of Christ. Individuality is subsequently discovered within
the larger context of the one Body of Christ, just as individual body parts
are defined within the larger context of the one human body.
In order to get to this conclusion, Paul addresses two major issues that become
evident when individualism becomes the dominant way of thinking: inferiority
and superiority. Using examples from the human body itself, Paul first observes
that those body parts that feel inferior to other parts continue to be a part
of the body (vv. 15-16). He points to the inability of the human body to function
fully if a dominant body part were the sole member of the body (vv. 17-20).
He then turns to the matter of superiority and the utter futility of thinking
that one body part can function alone (vv. 21). In fact, Paul observes, weaker
body parts are even treated with greater honor and respect (vv. 22-25). Ultimately,
within the body, individual parts share in mutual suffering as well as mutual
celebration (v. 26).
Utilizing the image of the human body, Paul is able to apply his conclusions
to the people of God. The people of God are not comprised of multiple, individual
Jesus people; there is one Body of Jesus--the Church. At the same time, each
individual is a necessary component of that one Body; for without the individual
parts, where is the Body? Through his argument, Paul celebrates the oneness
of the community while at the same time celebrating the necessary diversity
within that oneness.
Over recent months, we have been bombarded with real-life media events that
feature persons who struggle to survive to the bitter end, thereby becoming
the one, lone winner. A growing fascination with heroic survival tactics seems
to permeate every fabric of our society. This rugged individualism has characterized
the modern world for centuries, from Descartes's infamous statement, "I
think; therefore, I am," to the popular words of the mid 20th century,
"I did it my way," to the advertisements of the early 21st century,
"Have it your way" and "It's all about me."
This intense spirit of individualism has so found its home in popular Christianity
that one would think it to be a core conviction of the Christian faith. Celebrating
the rugged superhero who follows Christ, we positively affirm, "Though
no one joins me, still I will follow." We are commissioned independently
to be Jesus to our world. We are often consoled that as long as "Jesus
and me" are making the journey, everything should be OK.
However, the people of God do not celebrate their identity through this popular
notion of heroic independence and rugged individualism. On the contrary, our
identity is celebrated and lived out in sharp contrast to this popular notion.
We celebrate our identity as the people of God in relationship with one another
in the Body of Jesus Christ.
God has always worked in the lives of His people, a community of men and women
who together know, celebrate, and embody the grace of God. While God has repeatedly
called men and women to serve as leaders, prophets, and teachers, this call
has always been within the larger context of the people of God.
In the midst of a dominant culture that praises rugged individualism and isolated
independence, we are called to see an alternative vision for the people of
God. We are called to live within a community in covenant with God and with
each other, and within that covenant community to discover our individual
place. Where inferiority might be present, we are called to abstain from retreating
and to celebrate our rightful place in the Body. Where superiority might occur,
we are called to refuse to withdraw into ourselves and to see our lives in
light of the Body of Christ.
(For a full manuscript of this sermon, go to www.preachersmagazine.org.)
A rehearsal of the recent prevalence of survival-oriented media events might
be the most appropriate starting point for this sermon. It would seem that
everywhere, people want to be the last to "let the light go out"
or the last to "leave the island." But what does this phenomenon
reveal about us? Daily, in both small and great ways, we continue to live
the rugged individualist, survival mind-set. A brief example or two might
be provided.
The sermon would proceed to describe the manner in which this mind-set trickles
into our walk with God. Whether through songs of testimony or popular Christian
reading materials, we often imagine ourselves making the journey with Jesus
alone. Isolated heroes are praised for their work in the Kingdom, and we are
challenged to stand alone if necessary.
Within this prevalent setting, the text begins to speak. Paul's early words
to the Corinthians speak boldly: "Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians
1:13). A radically contrasting portrait is now painted. Rather than individual
persons being Christ to the world, Paul speaks of a plural ("you all"--12:27)
being the one representation of Christ. From this point, the sermon would
describe the effect of such an understanding on both inferiority ("I
don't belong") and superiority ("I can do it by myself") within
the people of God. At the same time, the important observation about everyone
trying to be the same body part emphasizes the significance of each individual
part within the larger whole.
The most appropriate manner for this sermon to conclude would certainly involve
the entire congregation in celebration of their oneness in Christ. Perhaps
an agape feast (breaking of bread) or celebration of Communion would take
place. If new members are to be received into the church, this sermon might
also lead to that significant moment in the life of the local body.
