Intro
The more we get together/work together ….. kids song from a few years ago - Raffi
Beatles … John Lennon wrote … ‘Come Together’…. TOGETHER – not just better or best, ONLY
Everyone can contribute; everyone has a role to play; big or small; visible or out of sight; TOGETHER with each other AND together with God ….!!
There are many words that describe being TOGETHER. Partnered, bonded, lockstep, united, teamed up, in sync, pulling the same direction, diversity, differing roles, mutually supportive, stronger, heartfelt, helpful, determined, participant, plugged in, contributing, willing hands, offering help,
In the dictionary, we find the word ‘together’ has a variety of meanings ….
1: with each other - They went to the party together.
2: in one group,. They gathered together to celebrate.
3: in a close relationship She got back together with her old boyfriend.
4: two or more people or things touch He knocked the sticks together.
5: at the same time They all cheered together.
6a : to each other Add the numbers together to get the total.
b : considered as a whole All together there were 15 of us.
TOGETHER is how God asks us to go. We are all ‘on the journey’ of faith …. Not all at the same point or place … but we are TOGETHER, like a family with some adults & some children…. As believers, we are united in Christ; we travel as fast as the slowest person …. 1 Cor 12:13
Paul stayed in Corinth 18 months to start the church in Corinth as we read in Acts 18. Paul wrote to Corinth a few years later from Ephesus … ca 85 km west of Athens …. Greece is immediately west of Turkey separated by as little as 4 miles of water ….. the NT churches started here …..destination for refugees today fleeing from Africa …. Poverty, war, famine, …. A very cosmopolitan and economically active city
1 Cor 1:7 Paul affirms this church does not lack any spiritual gift ….. so CLING TOGETHER .. 1:10 We are ALL following Christ …. Not another earthly person …. But we are to imitate Paul …. 1 Cor 11:1 … even as he imitates Christ ….
Here in 1 Cor 12:12-14 he begins with the affirmation that we are united in Christ … we are one body in Christ … Many parts, one body … we are united in Christ …. Called to ‘work together’ as one body …. HOW are we going to realize that ??
Paul points out several pivots or anchors for our thinking on how we can live together.