Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Day 2 — Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Read
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12–14, 20–27 and Philippians 1:27 slowly.
1 Corinthians 12:12–14 (HCSB)
12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.14 So the body is not one part but many.
1 Corinthians 12:20–21 (HCSB)
20 Now there are many parts, yet one body.21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
1 Corinthians 12:26–27 (HCSB)
26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
Philippians 1:27 (HCSB)
27 Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel.
Reflect
One of our core values at Kairos Church is Champion the Church.
We will support and defend the vision and mission of our church. We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those God has chosen to lead it.
I love the picture of standing shoulder-to-shoulder because it reminds us that the mission of the church was never intended to be carried out by one person or even a small group of people.
When my wife and I set out to plant Kairos nine years ago, we knew God had called us to something bigger than ourselves. We wanted to see lives changed, marriages strengthened, families restored, and people in our community come to know Jesus.
But if it had only been my wife and me standing alone, the church would have struggled to survive. If it were only our staff standing together today, we would still be unable to carry out everything God has called our church to do.
Thankfully, we don't stand alone.
We have hundreds of people who have chosen to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us, supporting and defending the vision and mission of Kairos Church. And together, we become the church we are called to champion.
Now, I'm not much of a sports guy, but there's an illustration from football that helps explain this.
Think about the offensive line and the backfield. The quarterback, running backs, and other players cannot successfully carry out their plays alone. They need the offensive line standing together to protect them and create opportunities to move the ball down the field.
Without the offensive line, the backfield is unprotected. But without the backfield, the offensive line has nothing to protect.
Each player has a role. Each knows the plays. And each must work together to carry them out.
The offensive line literally stands shoulder-to-shoulder to support and defend the players who execute the plays they're protecting.
In many ways, that's a picture of what we're called to do as a church.
Our values are the plays we work to live by. They help guide how we worship, serve, give, disciple, and engage our community with the gospel. But those values cannot simply remain statements on a wall or words we repeat during a sermon series.
They require people who are willing to live them out together.
Paul uses a different illustration in 1 Corinthians 12. He describes the church as one body made up of many different parts. Every part has a purpose, and every part depends on the others.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you."
The same is true of the local church.
We need people who teach and preach Scripture, but we also need people who prepare classrooms, welcome guests, serve children, make coffee, pray with others, lead groups, give faithfully, and care for people experiencing difficult seasons.
Some roles are highly visible. Others happen quietly behind the scenes. But every role matters because every person contributes to the work God is doing through His Church.
And this is important because we're not always going to agree with one another. We're going to have different opinions, preferences, personalities, and ways of doing things. At times, we're going to frustrate or disappoint each other.
But as we talked about yesterday, we need one another more than we annoy or disagree with one another.
Our unity isn't built on everyone thinking alike or having the same personality. It's built on our shared relationship with Jesus and our commitment to the mission He has given us.
Paul encourages the Philippian church to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel.
That's what it means to champion the church.
It doesn't mean blindly agreeing with every decision or never asking questions. It means choosing to remain committed to Christ, His Word, His people, and the gospel mission we're called to carry out together.
The church won't stand strong if we, as believers, refuse to stand united in supporting and defending it.
And when we do stand together, we become part of something far greater than anything we could accomplish individually.
Respond
Consider your role within the local church. Do you see yourself as an important part of the body of Christ, or do you sometimes assume that the responsibility of carrying out the church's mission belongs primarily to pastors, staff, and ministry leaders?
What gifts, talents, experiences, or opportunities has God given you that could help support and strengthen the church?
Think about the people serving around you. Are there individuals whose contributions you may have overlooked because their work happens quietly behind the scenes? How might you encourage or express appreciation for them?
Are there personal preferences, disagreements, or frustrations that have made it difficult for you to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other believers?
Today's challenge: Find one practical way to strengthen the unity and mission of your church. Encourage someone who serves, offer to help in an area of need, pray for your church leaders, or take a step toward becoming more actively involved.
Remember, the mission of the church is not carried by one person alone. It takes the whole body working together.
Pray
Lord, thank You for making us part of Your Church and giving each of us a role in the work You are doing. Help me recognize that I am not called to simply attend or observe, but to participate in the mission You've given us. Forgive me for the times I've allowed personal preferences, frustrations, or selfishness to create distance between me and other believers. Give me humility, patience, and a greater love for Your people. Help me recognize and appreciate the gifts You've given others while faithfully using the gifts You've entrusted to me. Strengthen the unity of Kairos Church and help us continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder, supporting one another and moving the gospel into our community. Amen.