One Body, Many Parts
Sermon January 26, 2025 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
One Body, Many Parts
Pastor Fred Okello
This year marks a significant time in our church. One of the major developments is that we have embarked on a new leadership structure—an exciting shift that holds great promise for how we work together as the body of Christ. Leadership is significant in the life of a congregation. But it’s not just about having leaders; it’s about having spirit-led leaders—those who are guided by God’s wisdom, strength, and vision for His church.
Our transition hasn’t been without its challenges. We were scheduled to have onboarding training to prepare for this new journey, but it was canceled at the last minute. The district held its training on the very same day yesterday, but we faced the practical challenge of mobilizing our members to Williamsburg on a short notice. Unfortunately, we ended up missing both trainings.
Now, I want to acknowledge that training is vital. It equips us with the tools and knowledge we need to serve effectively. Training ensures that we are working toward the same goals, guided by shared understanding and a common vision. When we are well-trained, we are better prepared to fulfill God’s mission for the church.
But here’s the good news: even when we miss training, we haven’t missed God’s calling. While training brings clarity and alignment, the foundation of our unity is not built on training alone—it is built on the Spirit of God working in and through us. And this unity is something we cannot afford to lose.
Paul reminds us of unity in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, where he describes the church as a body made up of many parts. Each part has a role to play, and each is indispensable. Unity does not mean uniformity. We don’t all have to do the same thing, think the same way, or serve in the same capacity. What we do need is a shared purpose, guided by the Spirit, to work together as one.
Let me illustrate this further with an example from the Kenyan education system. For a long time, this system encouraged students to be highly competitive, especially in national examinations. Each year, students are ranked based on their performance, and that ranking determines the high schools and universities they can attend. Missing the mark—failing to qualify for prestigious institutions—has been a source of frustration and disappointment for many.
But here’s the lesson: while individual achievement may be celebrated, for a people with a common cause, a collective win is far more significant. A community that strives to win together, where no one is left behind, reflects the kind of unity that God desires for His church. Winning collectively is paramount. It is not about one person shining while others are left in the shadows—it is about everyone coming together to fulfill a shared mission.
This principle applies to us as the body of Christ. The church is not a collection of lone rangers, each doing their own thing. We are called to move together, as one body, united by the Spirit. This kind of unity requires humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to support one another. It requires us to see that the success of one part of the body is the success of the whole.
As we step into this new leadership structure, let us prioritize training when opportunities arise, but let us also recognize that our greatest training ground is the Spirit of God at work in our hearts. The Spirit teaches us how to work together, how to value one another, and how to remain committed to our common purpose.
Here’s the challenge for us today: Are we willing to set aside personal preferences and agendas for the sake of the body? Are we willing to see the bigger picture of what God is doing through us collectively? Are we willing to win together rather than compete for individual glory?
Unity is not just a nice idea—it is essential to our mission. A divided church cannot stand, but a unified church can accomplish extraordinary things. As Paul says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” This is the kind of community we are called to be.
So while we may have missed the training, we haven’t missed our calling. Let us commit to growing together, supporting one another, and serving as one body. Let us pray for God to bind us together in unity and guide us as we navigate this new season.
Winning alone is not what God calls us to do. Winning together as one body, united in Christ, is what truly matters. Let us embrace this new chapter in our church, knowing that together we can fulfill God’s mission for His kingdom. Amen.