We Depend On One Another, Do You?

At the heart of this message lies a profound truth we often overlook: Christianity was never meant to be a solo journey. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, we're confronted with the uncomfortable reality that many believers today have substituted genuine community for isolated spirituality. The deer stand and the bass boat, while beautiful places to encounter God's creation, were never intended to replace the gathered body of Christ. Paul's letter to the Corinthian church reveals something transformative about our design—we are members of one body, each with unique gifts, all dependent on one another. The early church in Acts 2 devoted themselves continually to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They shared resources, met daily, and experienced God's power collectively. This wasn't optional Christianity; it was essential Christianity. When we examine our own lives, we must ask: What do we bring to the table for others? Are we using our God-given gifts to build up the body, or are we withholding our time, talents, and treasures? The beauty of the church is found in its diversity unified under one Spirit—different gifts, same Lord. Some teach, some serve, some encourage, some give generously. The manifestation of the Spirit comes through us for the common good, not for our personal spiritual consumption. This message challenges us to move beyond consumer Christianity into participatory faith, where we recognize that the person sitting next to us isn't competition but completion of what God is doing in our midst.