DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 1 Corinthians 12 (Focus vs. 14-18, 21-27)
MEMORY VERSE
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 12:12
BACKGROUND
A famous athlete sat tall in his seat as he prepared to fly to the championship bout he knew he’d win.
A flight attendant walked by and said, “Sir, please fasten your seat belt.” The man smiled. “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” She replied without missing a beat, “Superman don’t need no airplane. Buckle up.” And he did.
Success can swell our heads.
We don’t need a seatbelt or a flight attendant telling us what to do. We can take care of ourselves. If we bring this attitude to church, we’re like an eye that says to the hand, “I don’t need you!” or a head that says to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (1 Corinthians 12:21).
The truth is, every part of the body is needed, and “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (v. 22).
We’re made in the image of the triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who thrive in an interdependent community of love. The God who exists in perfect relationship within Himself made us to be in relationship with others in life and in the church.
We’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?” (v. 17). We’re not all the same but we’re all “indispensable” (v. 22).
Who helps you at your local body of Christ? Tell them you notice, that you see them, and thank them for their service. And ask God to show you where you can serve other believers.
Mark Wittmer
INSIGHT
Of the many different metaphors Paul used to describe the church (fellow citizens, household, family, temple, dwelling, field, flock, bride), “the body” is used most frequently (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-16; 5:23, 30; Colossians 1:18, 24; 3:15).
Some Corinthian believers in Jesus elevated certain ecstatic gifts (for example, speaking in unknown tongues) above others and disdained the less spectacular gifts.
Refuting this error, the apostle used the body metaphor to teach unity among God’s people. The church, like the human body, has many parts (1 Corinthians 12:14, 20); but all parts are needed to make the body complete and function correctly and effectively (vv. 24-26).
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
Why did God create us to need others? Who can you thank for their service to you?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“We’re not all the same but we’re all “indispensable.”
PR’s TAKE
“God doesn’t intend for you to handle all the pain and stress in your life by yourself. We were wired for each other. We need each other.” Rick Warren
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, please empower me to serve others from where You’ve placed me.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WE NEED EACH OTHER” Sanctus Real
I think I caught a glimpse of a life without friends
Bitter, empty, hollow, dark and lonely
We never meant to hurt each other so can’t we trust again
And take it as a chance to keep on growing
Well, I don’t know why it doesn’t come easy
But I know that we could be happy
If we’d only learn to love
Oh, oh, we need each other so what’s the fighting for?
Oh, oh, we need each other, please don’t close the door
Oh, oh, we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh, oh, we need each other
‘Cause no one’s meant to be alone
Life revolves around the need of having someone
Causing every complicated feeling
Oh, and I don’t want to lose you
So there is nothing wrong with
Telling me what you need to keep our love strong
Oh, it’s just a part of being a family
Taking the good with the bad and the ugly
If we could only learn to love
Oh, oh, we need each other
So what’s the fighting for?
Oh, oh, we need each other,
Please don’t close the door
Oh, oh, we need each other
Through all the highs and lows
Oh, oh, we need each other
And I don’t wanna be alone
Oh, oh we need each other,
Fathers and mothers
Oh, oh we need each other,
All your sisters and brothers
Oh, oh we need each other,
We need friends and lovers
Oh, oh we need each other
Well, I need you, you need me
‘Cause that’s the way it’s meant to be
I need you, we need each other
I don’t want to be alone
I need you, you need me
‘Cause that’s the way it’s gotta be
I need you, we need each other
I don’t want to be alone
