In a region filled with churches, it’s easy to think of church as just another building or event, but Scripture calls us to something deeper. We are not simply attendees; we are the living, breathing body of Christ, each uniquely gifted and called to belong, not just to show up. The New Testament uses powerful metaphors—temple, bride, family, and body—to describe who we are together. Today, we focused on what it means to be the body of Christ, drawing from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, a diverse and sometimes divided community much like our own.Corinth was a bustling, multicultural city, and the church there reflected that diversity. Paul wrote to them because, like any group of people, they struggled with division, pride, and feelings of inferiority. He reminded them—and us—that the church is not an organization but a living organism, made up of many different parts, each essential and uniquely gifted by God. Spiritual gifts are not for personal status or self-fulfillment, but for the building up, healing, and encouragement of the whole body. When we use our gifts, we bring comfort, guidance, and even healing to others, as seen in the story of Debbie, whose wounds were met with love and service from people she barely knew.Yet, just as a physical body can get sick, so can a church. Paul warns against the dangers of comparison—feeling inferior because our gifts seem less important, or feeling superior and looking down on others. Both attitudes fracture the unity and beauty of the body. Instead, we are called to mutual appreciation, to honor every part, and to recognize that God has placed each of us exactly where we are for a reason. No one is here by accident. Whether you’re making coffee, praying behind the scenes, or leading from the front, your role matters deeply. The health and witness of the church depend on each person stepping into their God-given purpose.As we look ahead to opportunities like Servapalooza, let’s remember: we are made for more than just attending or making payments—we are made to serve, to love, and to shine the light of Christ together. When every part does its work, the body is healthy, the bride is beautiful, and the world sees Jesus in us.Youtube Chapters[00:00 ] - Welcome[01:00 ] - Celebrating Baptisms and Life Change[03:00 ] - The Abundance of Churches in Our Area[05:00 ] - We Are Not in Competition—One Kingdom[07:00 ] - What Is the Church? Metaphors and Meaning[08:12 ] - The Context of Corinth: Diversity and Opportunity[10:24 ] - Paul’s Mission and the Challenges of People[13:19 ] - Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and Why They Matter[16:16 ] - The Purpose of Gifts: Blessing the Body[18:40 ] - Real-Life Stories of Healing Through Service[33:45 ] - How the Body Gets Sick: The Danger of Comparison[40:34 ] - Inferiority, Superiority, and the Need for Every Part[45:18 ] - Honoring Different Gifts in the Body[50:15 ] - God Places Each Person for a Reason[55:59 ] - Mutual Care: Suffering and Rejoicing Together[57:16 ] - Expressing Appreciation and Finding Your Place[59:08 ] - Equipping and Next Steps: Servapalooza[01:01:00 ] - Fulfillment in Serving and Leading Others[01:02:02 ] - Invitation to Prayer and Following Jesus[01:02:45 ] - Closing Blessing and Baptism Celebration