The Body of Christ
A Sermon on Romans 12:3-5
Originally preached Jan. 21, 1966
Scripture
3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4For as we have …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 12:3–5 titled “The Body of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches the principle that everything is of grace. This principle ought to cause one to think soberly, not more highly. Consider the nature and parts of the human body and see this applied towards one’s position in the Christian church. A body has an organic unity that is vital. No one can put themselves into the body of Christ; only the Lord can add to the church. There is great variety and unity in the body. There is a different function for each member and this must not be forgotten. Christians must not envy one another for the positions each is granted. Some parts are not spoke of, but are essential to the working of the whole of the body. If one thinks of their gifts as independent, they should remember that their gifts are not for themselves but that they are a part of the whole and serve the whole. All are subservient to the head and they don't decide what they want to do but Christ does. The listener is encouraged to be ready to obey His every command and be at His service, standing amazed that they have any place in this body at all.
Sermon Breakdown
- The church is an organic unity, not just a collection of independent parts. There is a living connection between all parts.
- The unity of the church comes from its development out of one original cell. All parts come from and remain connected to the whole.
- No one can add themselves to the church. Only God can add to the church.
- There is a great variety in the parts of the church, just as in the human body. Not all parts are the same.
- The different parts of the church have different functions, just as the parts of the human body.
- Every part of the church is important and essential to the whole. There are no unimportant parts.
- No part of the church is independent. All parts depend on each other and the head, Jesus Christ.
- Each part of the church contributes to the whole. The whole church acts together, with each part playing its role.
- Every part of the church must be subject to and subordinate to Jesus Christ, the head. Parts do not act independently.
- Failure or trouble in any part of the church affects the whole church. There is no such thing as an unimportant church member.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Church as the Body of Christ
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the church being compared to the body of Christ?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the church as the body of Christ is one of the most important analogies used by the Apostle Paul. He explains that the church is an organic unity with Christ as the head, and all believers as members of this body. This illustration teaches that the church is not merely a collection of independent parts loosely attached together, but rather has a vital, living connection between all parts, similar to how a human body functions through the blood and nervous systems. The Lord alone can add to this body, as "by one Spirit have we all been baptized into one body."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the variety of functions within the church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that just as a physical body has many different parts with different functions, the church is meant to have variety among its members. He states, "All Christians are never meant to be the same in the same way as the individual members of the body are not the same and were never meant to be the same." Christians are not meant to be identical in temperament, abilities, or the way they function. He specifically warns against the "postage type kind of Christian" that results when people conform to a pattern rather than expressing their God-given uniqueness while maintaining unity.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the importance of each member in the body of Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that "there is no such thing as an unimportant Christian, no such thing as an unimportant church member." Each member has a function that is not only important but essential to the working of the whole body. He explains that every part contributes to the functioning of the whole, and if any particular member were missing, it would create an abnormal body incapable of functioning properly. The strength of the body comes from the "extraordinary balance, this cohesion, this interrelationship, this harmony" among all its parts.
How should Christians view their particular function in the church according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Christians should never think about their function in terms of its importance or unimportance. Instead, they should recognize, "I am what I am by the grace of God. The gift, the position allocated to me is not of my choosing, not of my making. He has put me there." This understanding should eliminate pride, envy, jealousy, and despising of others. The primary concern should not be about one's specific function but rather ensuring that one is "always totally, completely healthily at his service."
What happens when individual members of the church act independently?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that when members of the body act independently rather than in coordination with the whole body and under the direction of the head (Christ), it creates a diseased condition. He likens it to epilepsy or muscle twitches, where parts of the body move without the person willing it. He describes the church at Corinth as "a church in convulsions" because people were acting independently rather than functioning properly as parts of the body. This independent action always leads to "a diseased condition and to confusion and to chaos."
How does one member's spiritual condition affect the entire church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that "failure in any one part always affects the whole body." Using the example of an infection in the tip of a little finger that can cause fever and affect the entire body, he explains that when one member of the church suffers from spiritual disease, the whole body suffers. This is why each Christian's sanctification and spiritual health are vital concerns. He notes how when one church member falls into sin, the entire church can come into disrepute, demonstrating the organic unity of the body of Christ.
What is the primary responsibility of each church member according to this sermon?
The primary responsibility of each church member is to ensure their spiritual health and readiness to be used by Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, "The thing we should be concentrating on is this, that whatever our position is, it is given us of God. It is vital, it is important, it is essential to the working of the whole." Rather than focusing on the perceived importance of our role, we should focus on being "always totally, completely healthily at his service" so that there is "no hindrance, no let, no restraint, no obstacle, no blockage anywhere" when Christ desires to work through His body.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.