I Have Need of You
David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of community among believers as integral to the body of Christ, highlighting the importance of every member's role and the call to action against spiritual attacks.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of connection among believers in the body of Christ, arguing that one cannot truly commune with Jesus while isolating from other members. He illustrates that just as a body cannot function with only a head, Christians must recognize their interdependence and the importance of every member, especially those who feel bruised or unworthy. Wilkerson highlights Paul's teaching that every member is vital to the body, and that even those who feel insignificant are necessary for its proper functioning. He calls on believers to actively support one another against spiritual attacks, stressing that mere comfort is insufficient; they must also engage in spiritual warfare together. Ultimately, he reassures that every believer is needed and valued in the eyes of Christ.
Text
Some Christians don't want to be connected to other members of the body of Christ. They commune with Jesus, but they deliberately isolate themselves from other believers. They want nothing to do with the body, other than the head.
But a body can't be comprised of just a single member. Can you picture a head with only an arm growing out of it? Christ's body can't be made up of a head alone, with no limbs or organs. His body consists of many members. We simply can't be one with Christ without being with his body also.
Our need is not just for the head, it's for the whole body. We are knit together not only by our need for Jesus, but by our need for each other. Paul states, "The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again they head to the feet, I have no need of you" (1 Corinthians 12:21).
Note the second half of this verse. Even the head cannot say to another member, "I don't need you." What an incredible statement! Paul is telling us, "Christ will never say to any member of his body, 'I have no need of you.'" Our head willingly connects himself to each of us. Moreover, he says we're all important, even necessary, to the functioning of his body.
This is especially true of members who may be bruised and hurting. Paul emphasizes, "Much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary" (12:22). The apostle then adds, "And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely part have more abundant comeliness" (23:23). He's speaking of those in Christ's body who are unseen, hidden, unknown. In God's eyes, these members have great honor. And they're absolutely necessary to the work of his body.
This passage holds profound meaning for us all. Paul is telling us, "It doesn't matter how poor your self-image may be. You may think that you're not measuring up as a Christian. But the Lord himself says, 'I have need of you. You're not just an important member of his body. You're vital and necessary for it to function.'"
As important members of the body of Christ, believers are to rise up and take serious action against Satan's attacks against fellow believers. Amazingly, this command is ignored by many Christians. When we see a believer in pain, we want to offer comfort, of course, and that is an act of godly love. But that is not enough! Every believer is to bind Satan in Jesus' name and cast him into outer darkness. That is a sign of being a true member of the body.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- The importance of community in the body of Christ
- Isolation from other believers is detrimental
- Christ's body consists of many members
-
II
- The head cannot function without the body
- Every member is necessary and important
- Christ's connection to each member
-
III
- The value of bruised and hurting members
- Hidden members have great honor
- God's perspective on self-worth
-
IV
- The call to action against Satan's attacks
- Comforting is not enough
- Binding Satan in Jesus' name
Key Quotes
“The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” — David Wilkerson
“Christ will never say to any member of his body, 'I have no need of you.'” — David Wilkerson
“You're not just an important member of his body. You're vital and necessary for it to function.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Engage actively with fellow believers to foster community and support.
- Recognize and honor the contributions of all members, especially those who may feel unimportant.
- Take spiritual authority by praying against the attacks of Satan on fellow Christians.