EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT

EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

Key Verse: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” — 1 Corinthians 12:18 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Matthew 25:14-30; Mark 12:41-44

Description: Every believer has a valuable place in the body of Christ. God deliberately gives different people different gifts, functions, and opportunities to serve Him. No member should feel insignificant, and no member should consider another unnecessary. The church becomes stronger when every believer faithfully fulfils his or her God-given assignment.

INTRODUCTION

The human body is a remarkable illustration of God's wisdom. It contains many different parts, yet every part contributes to the health and functioning of the whole. The eye sees, the ear hears, the hand works, and the feet move, but none can properly say that another part is unnecessary. Paul uses this picture to explain the relationship between believers in the church.

The Corinthian church had a serious problem with comparison and competition. Some believers considered certain spiritual gifts more important than others, while others felt inferior because they did not possess the gifts that appeared more prominent. Paul corrected both attitudes by declaring that God Himself has arranged the members in the body according to His purpose.

This truth is important for every believer. You may not preach from a pulpit, sing before a congregation, or hold a prominent leadership position, but your contribution still matters to God. Your prayer, encouragement, generosity, service, teaching, hospitality, evangelism, administration, and faithful example can profoundly affect the lives of others. In God's kingdom, visibility does not determine value.

1. GOD HAS A PLACE FOR EVERY MEMBER

Your place in the body is intentional.

a) God Sets The Members (1 Corinthians 12:18)
God Himself determines where each member belongs.

b) You Are Not An Accident (Psalm 139:14)
God created you with purpose and intention.

c) There Is A Divine Assignment (Ephesians 2:10)
God has prepared good works for His people to fulfil.

d) Be Faithful Where God Has Placed You (1 Corinthians 7:24)
Faithfulness begins with accepting and serving within God's present assignment.

Biblical Example: David was faithfully serving his father's household before God positioned him to confront Goliath and eventually become king (1 Samuel 17:14-20).

2. DIFFERENT DOES NOT MEAN INFERIOR

God's design includes diversity.

a) The Body Is Not One Member (1 Corinthians 12:14)
A healthy body requires different parts.

b) The Foot Is Still Part Of The Body (1 Corinthians 12:15)
Different function does not cancel belonging.

c) The Ear Is Still Necessary (1 Corinthians 12:16)
Every function contributes something unique.

d) God Values Every Function (1 Corinthians 12:18)
The value of a member comes from God's design, not human applause.

Biblical Example: Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. Though Andrew was not as prominent as Peter, his contribution had lasting significance (John 1:40-42).

3. DO NOT UNDERVALUE YOURSELF

Feelings of inadequacy can prevent useful service.

a) Do Not Say, “I Am Not Needed” (1 Corinthians 12:15-16)
Your difference does not make you irrelevant.

b) God Uses Ordinary People (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
God often chooses people whom the world considers insignificant.

c) Small Things Can Produce Great Results (Zechariah 4:10)
God values faithful beginnings.

d) Be Faithful With What You Have (Matthew 25:21)
God rewards faithful stewardship.

Biblical Example: A young boy's five loaves and two fish became enough to feed thousands when surrendered to Jesus (John 6:8-13).

4. DO NOT UNDERVALUE OTHERS

Just as you should value yourself, you must value fellow believers.

a) The Eye Cannot Say, “I Have No Need Of Thee” (1 Corinthians 12:21)
No believer can fulfil God's purpose entirely alone.

b) Honour One Another (Romans 12:10)
We should recognise the value of others.

c) Avoid Pride (Romans 12:3)
No gift gives permission for superiority.

d) Appreciate Hidden Service (Matthew 6:4)
God sees acts of service that people may never notice.

Biblical Example: The widow's two small coins appeared insignificant to people, but Jesus declared that her offering had great value before God (Mark 12:41-44).

5. EVERY MEMBER HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE

God has entrusted something to every believer.

a) Each Has Received A Gift (1 Peter 4:10)
Every believer is a steward of God's grace.

b) Use Your Gift To Serve (1 Peter 4:10)
Gifts are given for ministry.

c) Give According To Your Ability (Romans 12:6-8)
Different believers contribute in different ways.

d) Do Everything Heartily (Colossians 3:23)
Even ordinary service becomes significant when offered to God.

Biblical Example: Dorcas was known for practical acts of kindness and service to widows (Acts 9:36-39).

6. THE BODY NEEDS MUTUAL CARE

Every member should care about the wellbeing of others.

a) When One Suffers, All Suffer (1 Corinthians 12:26)
The pain of one member should concern the whole body.

b) When One Is Honoured, All Rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26)
We should celebrate one another's victories.

c) Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Christianity involves practical support.

d) Encourage One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Our words and actions should strengthen fellow believers.

Biblical Example: Barnabas encouraged believers and strengthened the church through his ministry (Acts 11:22-24).

7. EVERY MEMBER MUST FUNCTION

A body is healthy when its members perform their functions.

a) Gifts Must Be Used (Romans 12:6)
God's grace should not remain dormant.

b) Work While It Is Day (John 9:4)
There is an appropriate time to fulfil our assignments.

c) Do Not Bury Your Talent (Matthew 25:18)
Neglecting God's gift is poor stewardship.

d) Be A Faithful Servant (1 Corinthians 4:2)
God requires faithfulness from those entrusted with responsibility.

Biblical Example: The seven servants appointed in Acts 6 helped resolve an administrative challenge and enabled the apostles to remain focused on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-7).

8. THE BODY GROWS WHEN EVERY MEMBER CONTRIBUTES

Collective faithfulness produces corporate growth.

a) Every Part Works Together (Ephesians 4:16)
The body grows as each member performs his or her function.

b) Build One Another Up (Ephesians 4:16)
Healthy ministry strengthens the whole church.

c) Grow In Love (Ephesians 4:15)
Spiritual growth must happen within the atmosphere of love.

d) Glorify Christ Through Service (1 Peter 4:11)
Our service should ultimately point people to God.

Biblical Example: As believers in the early church served faithfully, the Word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied (Acts 6:7).

CONCLUSION

Every member of the body of Christ is important because every member has been intentionally placed by God. Your position may be visible or hidden, your responsibility may appear large or small, and your gift may be different from everyone else's, but your contribution matters. God does not measure value merely by public recognition; He looks at faithfulness.

Therefore, do not despise yourself because your role seems small, and do not despise others because their ministry seems different from yours. Discover what God has entrusted to you and use it faithfully. Encourage others to fulfil their assignments as well. When every member understands his or her importance and faithfully functions in love, the entire body becomes stronger, healthier, and more effective for the glory of God.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for creating and placing me purposefully in the body of Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to discover and understand the assignment You have given me, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from every feeling of inferiority, insignificance, and uselessness, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to value and appreciate the gifts and contributions of other members of Your body, in Jesus name.

5. Father, remove every spirit of pride, jealousy, comparison, and competition from my heart, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me grace to faithfully use every gift, talent, and opportunity You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

7. Father, make me sensitive to the needs, struggles, and burdens of other believers, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, use my words, actions, gifts, and service to encourage and strengthen Your people, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let every member of Your church discover his or her place and function effectively for the growth of the body, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let the combined faithfulness of every member produce spiritual growth, unity, fruitfulness, and greater glory for Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are intentionally placed in the body of Christ, and your life shall fulfil God's purpose.

2. You shall never regard yourself as useless or insignificant in God's kingdom.

3. Every grace, gift, and ability God has deposited in you shall become fruitful.

4. You shall value the contributions of others and never despise another member of Christ's body.

5. Every root of pride, jealousy, comparison, and unhealthy competition shall be uprooted from your life.

6. You shall faithfully use every gift and opportunity entrusted to you.

7. You shall become a source of encouragement, strength, and support to other believers.

8. Your service, whether publicly recognised or privately performed, shall produce lasting kingdom fruit.

9. You shall fulfil your God-given assignment and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Christ's body.

10. As every member of the body functions in unity and love, your church shall experience greater growth, strength, effectiveness, and divine glory, in Jesus name.