Beautifully Surrendered: God's Heart for His DaughtersSample

Read: Romans 16:1–2; 1 Corinthians 12:12–26

SOAP: 1 Corinthians 12:12

For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body—though many—are one body, so too is Christ.

Into the text

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he acknowledged several people who were doing significant work for the Lord. These mentions made the letter personal and honored those whose service may have been unnoticed or unrecognized. Paul included believers from different backgrounds, social standings, races, and genders, with great unity in the diversity.

Paul asked the church in Rome to welcome Phoebe, for she had been a great help to him. Some scholars suggest Phoebe was the one entrusted to deliver the letter from Paul to the church in Rome. Although there is uncertainty about her specific role within the early church, her faith and service, not her title, impacted Paul’s ministry.

Phoebe found ways to use the gifts God had given her to serve His kingdom. She had unique gifts, using them to serve Paul and the early church. Though Phoebe is featured in only a few verses of the New Testament, her work for the gospel was not insignificant. Like Phoebe, God’s people can make an incredible impact for the gospel when we embrace the unique gifts He has given each of us.

First Corinthians 12 describes the church like a human body to show us why each person and their unique gift is necessary. If the entire body were just one thing: an eye, an ear, a foot, an arm, it would be useless. It takes every member, from the largest organ to the smallest bone, with tiny connections, brilliant communication, and intentional collaboration to allow the body to function. Each church member is given a unique gift, specifically aligning with their temperament, background, and experience. We need not compare our gifts with those of others, as each member of the body of Christ is unique, valuable, and irreplaceable.

God designed you to be a beautiful member of the body of Christ. Without you and your unique gifts, the body of Christ will not function to its fullest potential.

Take time today to list the gifts God has given you and, in prayer, ask Him to reveal where and how He wants you to serve Him with those gifts. Then, be alert to the unique opportunities God provides as you take steps of faith to serve, lead, teach, encourage, and love His people in the way He uniquely designed for you to do.