"EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR MINISTRY"

Diversity Of Function In The Body

INTRODUCTION
  1. "Equipping The Saints For Ministry" has been the theme for this present series of lessons...
    1. It is based upon the thought that an important work of the Lord's church is to prepare each member of the body of Christ to do his or her part
    2. This thought is taken from Paul's comments in Ep 4:11-16
  2. I have sought to illustrate that "Equipping The Saints For Ministry" is both a providential necessity as well as a practical one...
    1. If we want the Lord to open doors for us so we can be used by Him to reach lost souls, we must equip ourselves to be of service (the PROVIDENTIAL necessity)
    2. If we want those who come our way to feel that this congregation is important to them and vice versa, we must provide opportunity for every member to serve! (the PRACTICAL necessity)
  3. Indeed, if we desire growth in the body of Christ, EVERY member must be doing his or her part! - cf. Ep 4:16
  4. At this point, I believe there is value in stressing the truth that there must be diversity of function in the body of Christ...
    1. This point is often overlooked when churches think about how they might involve every member
    2. Yet failure to appreciate this truth can hinder true growth, and at the same time be very frustrating for the members of the body of Christ

[Consider, then, the following points taken from Paul's comments to the churches at Rome and Corinth...]

  1. THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS MANY MEMBERS
    1. TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH, PAUL STRESSED THIS POINT...
      1. Just as the physical body, though one, has many members - 1Co 12:12a
      2. So it is with the body of Christ - 1Co 12:12b,14
    2. HE TOLD THE BRETHREN IN ROME THE SAME THING...
      1. As we have many members in our physical body - Ro 12:4a
      2. So the body of Christ is made up of many who are members of one another - Ro 12:5

      [This point of the similarity between the physical body containing many members and the body of Christ having many members is a simple one, but it helps prepare us for the next point that is often neglected...]

  2. NOT ALL MEMBERS HAVE THE SAME FUNCTION
    1. THIS POINT IS MADE MOST CLEARLY TO THE SAINTS AT ROME...
      1. All the members do not have the same function - Ro 12:5b
      2. We have gifts differing according to the grace given to us - Ro 12:6-8
    2. BUT IT IS IMPLIED IN WRITING TO THE CORINTHIANS AS WELL...
      1. God has appointed several different functions in the church - 1Co 12:28
      2. The rhetorical questions then asked by Paul imply that not all members have the same function - 1Co 12:29-30
    3. INDEED, OTHER NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS IMPLY THE SAME...
      1. James, in his warning about becoming teachers - Jm 3:1
      2. Peter, in his exhortation to be good stewards of the "manifold" grace of God - 1Pe 4:10-11
    4. FAILURE TO APPRECIATE THIS POINT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL...
      1. Detrimental to individual members
        1. When members are led to believe that all Christians are to be alike, serving in the same way, it encourages some Christians to be what they are not, nor ever can be
        2. This leads to failure in their attempts to serve, which in turn can lead to discouragement and apathy
      2. Detrimental to the function of the body itself
        1. The body of Christ is designed by God to accomplish several functions (e.g., evangelism, edification, benevolence)
        2. But when people are expected to do the same thing, other important functions go undone

        [This leads us to the final point I wish to make about diversity of function in the body of Christ...]

  3. EVERY FUNCTION IS CRUCIAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE BODY
    1. NO ONE CAN SAY THAT THEY OR THEIR ROLES ARE NOT IMPORTANT...
      1. As Paul illustrated in 1Co 12:15-20
      2. There is no place for low self-esteem among members of the body of Christ!
    2. NO ONE CAN SAY THAT WHAT OTHERS DO IS NOT IMPORTANT...
      1. As Paul illustrated in 1Co 12:21-22
      2. There is no place for an arrogant independence among members of the body of Christ!
    3. THIS PLACES SEVERAL CHALLENGES BEFORE US...
      1. First, to be aware of the different ways that members can serve in the body
      2. Second, to encourage members to develop those functions that best suit their abilities and opportunities to serve
      3. Third, to provide direction and opportunity for those willing and prepared to serve in their different functions
CONCLUSION
  1. I plan to offer suggestions on how we might meet these challenges as the series continues
  2. For now, though, I hope we appreciate more fully the points made in this lesson...
    1. The body of Christ has many members
    2. Not all members have the same function
    3. Every function is crucial to the operation of the body
  3. In closing this lesson, let me offer this quote from Flavil Yeakley, taken from his book, "WHY CHURCHES GROW", which confirms the points I have been making...
    "Some congregations have been built around one particular kind of ministry or program. In those congregations, the only members who are really involved are those taking part in that one special program. But the church is a body. A body must have diversity if it is to survive. Evangelism, edification, benevolence, and worship are functions required of every local congregation. Successful congregational development requires a balanced program involving many areas of activity." (p. 114)