21 STORIES I Corinthians 12:12-27 GOD’S DREAM TEAM or A NEW HUMANITY GOD’S DREAM TEAM or A NEW HUMANITY

One Body with Many Parts 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. One Body with Many Parts 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. I Corinthians 12:12-27 A NEW HUMANITY

15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! I Corinthians 12:12-27 A NEW HUMANITY

20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,. 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,. I Corinthians 12:12-27 A NEW HUMANITY

24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. I Corinthians 12:12-27 A NEW HUMANITY

3. God uses his New Humanity to bless the world. Oh, Salty and Bright Ones! TAKE HOME WE ARE A New Humanity 1. From Day One God dreamed of having a kingdom of ‘faith people’ 2. We may be odds and ends to the world…but we are beloved of the Father.

 We were transferred from the Dark Side to the Kingdom of the Son. Colossians 1:13, 14  You are a peculiar people…a chosen, royal and holy bunch. I Peter 2:9, 10  We are the trustees of the Word … the dispensers of Heaven’s wisdom. Ephesians 3:10, 11  We were transferred from the Dark Side to the Kingdom of the Son. Colossians 1:13, 14  You are a peculiar people…a chosen, royal and holy bunch. I Peter 2:9, 10  We are the trustees of the Word … the dispensers of Heaven’s wisdom. Ephesians 3:10, 11 A MOVE TO JESUS PUTS ONE IN A WHOLE NEW CATEGORY WHO WE ARE

 The usual distinctives don’t apply: Ethnicity, Genealogy, Who is your Dad?  A new identity. Outsiders have become insiders. Visitors became the Home Team. Ephesians 2:  We were baptized into his body…Jews/Greeks, Slave/Free I Corinthians 12:  The usual distinctives don’t apply: Ethnicity, Genealogy, Who is your Dad?  A new identity. Outsiders have become insiders. Visitors became the Home Team. Ephesians 2:  We were baptized into his body…Jews/Greeks, Slave/Free I Corinthians 12: GOD’S FOREVER FAMILY IS A ‘NEW HUMANITY’ WE ARE NEW

 We are Family…and should show it! Ephesians 4:29-32  Forgiveness, bearing with one another, preferring one another … our new duty and joy. Colossians 3:12-16  The mark of our family tie? Big Love! John 13:34, 35  We are Family…and should show it! Ephesians 4:29-32  Forgiveness, bearing with one another, preferring one another … our new duty and joy. Colossians 3:12-16  The mark of our family tie? Big Love! John 13:34, 35 OUR GOD- CONNECTION MAKES OUR RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER PRETTY AMAZING WE ARE CONNECTED

 We are a City built on a Hill. Matthew 5:  We are God’s Ambassadors to the world. II Corinthians 5:  We are a City built on a Hill. Matthew 5:  We are God’s Ambassadors to the world. II Corinthians 5: OUR ROLE: CHANGE THE WORLD WHAT WE ARE

 Hold on to God  Hold on to each other  Hold on to hope  Hold on to our purpose  Hold on to God  Hold on to each other  Hold on to hope  Hold on to our purpose SO WE HOLD ON WE ARE TO HOLD

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. I trust Him as my Lord and Savior. CONFESSION SAVIOR LORD

3. God uses his New Humanity to bless the world. Oh, Salty and Bright Ones! TAKE HOME WE ARE A New Humanity 1. From Day One God dreamed of having a kingdom of ‘faith people’ 2. We may be odds and ends to the world…but we are beloved of the Father.

and SHARE THE GOOD NEWS GO