2 Corinthians 12: 12-26

We all have value! Paul brings that fresh word to us today. We entered this church, the Body of Christ, by declaring a very simple Credo at our new birth: JESUS IS LORD! The more we say that Creed, the more we seem to be drinking His life into our own.

We all have value. God Himself took the trouble to place us in His body exactly where He knows we will be effective. We are warned not to think less of ourselves. "I’m only a foot - I am not a hand. Therefore, I must not be part of the body."(15) I see this spirit rise up when someone is asked to teach a Sunday school class, or help with another vital part of the church’s ministry. "I can’t do that." How do you know? Have you prayed about it? I remember one dear woman, advanced in years, tell me that she was asked to be part of a prayer team. "‘You won’t be seen, but you will be felt,’ the leader said. How true! We called ourselves the Big toes. The big toes help the preacher to stand. We pray for you every day that you will stand for Christ." She caused me to give thanks to God for one more part of the body of Christ.

We all have value. We are warned not to think more highly of ourselves. "The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you!’"(21) You and I know that sounds silly. But it happens in the Church of Christ all the time. How? Gossip and slander are two ways. We hear gossip about other church members, leaders or pastors. By cutting one another with words these vicious people try to decide who can or cannot be part of the Church of Christ. If you know people like that, tell them to stop. Or, better yet, invite them to say such words in front of the one they are slandering. Steer clear of them. You could be next. Never forget - We all have value in our Lord Jesus Christ.

If that is true, then, we all must value each other in Christ. "Care for one another...if one suffers, all the members suffer...if one is honored, all the members rejoice with it!"(26) I know some churches where they tend to crush their wounded members. Not here. When tragedy strikes, when hurt comes, so does the support. When you know of a need, you are there! Caring, sensitive and thoughtful support come from so many of you.

So, the body of Christ gathers here today. We are beautiful, because we belong to Him! We worship today, then reflect ever so briefly on our life together over the past year. I rejoice that God used so many of us in so many creative ways. We were valued by God. He gave us tasks to do, big and small. We entered in and did our parts. Give thanks!

First, let’s thank God for worship here in this beautiful sanctuary. We come with our joys and sorrows, our victories and our defeats. Our Lord brings us His Word. His Word flows through our minds and hearts: It strengthens; It comforts; It convicts. We thank God for His Word and all it can do in just one worship service.

Now, look beyond the beauty of our worship. Look at the beauty He has placed right next to you in the body of Christ. He places Himself in His people. Here is where we have to use the "eyes" of the Lord. We look at His people now. People who have given generously to the life of this part of His Church. You might want to take some time and count how many people are involved to make a setting for worship one that you benefit from. I have a part to play, but only one part. From cleaners, to flower arrangers, to ushers and greeters and fellowship preparers. Child care-givers and drivers and singers and speakers and all the rest...we all have value.

Consider the parts of His body around you. Many of you gave money and time and talent to the street ministries. Others of you cared to quilt and sew and stuff food boxes and to give pleasure to people who never get out. Some of you have defended the faith of Jesus Christ in the public marketplace. Others have boldly made godly decisions in the board room. Look around you. You are part of the mighty Body of Christ. Could you name everyone who helped to strengthen the body of Christ here at Central this past year?

Friends, we all have value to God in His Church, His Body. Today, we know scientifically, that some parts of our body can be removed and we can still function. You know, get rid of difficult elders, or your pastor. Then the church will be better. But if we make the body the way we want, we might end up with a very dysfunctional product. We know that we can transplant some parts of the body. But the Church does not do well with removals or transplants. God placed each the way He wanted. Let’s leave God to do the adding and subtracting His way.

I look back over last year and see growth. Many of you grew in Christ - some of you have come alive for the first time. A few of you are considering the challenge of more pointed ministry. The year 2000 was great....2001 will be, too. We need only stay connected to Him and support each other. That is what God wants. Let’s grow up in our faith in Him!

I encourage you this year to do allow God to build you up in His Body. He will do this, as we study and worship together each week. Our Lord God will build us up, if we seek Him when we are asked to serve where we had not considered. And He will build you and me up, if we speak to others as though we are talking to Christ. When we look for our Lord that way, a lot of problems will be overcome. Allow our Lord to do this. Then we will shout with those in the congregation: "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!... He will guide us ... " all the way to heaven! (Psalm 48)