1 Corinthians 12:22,23 "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty ..."

All members are precious, whether we realise it or not, especially the "weaker", "less honourable" and the "unpresentable" parts. All are necessary - I need them and they need me. Someone said that there are times when our ministry to each other seems more than anything else, a ministry of irritation, but even that is precious. The Lord knits groups together that we think can only be disruptive and destructive. At a ministers fraternal, one minister once said to another, "Since you came to town, our most troublesome members have joined you!" However, when the Lord does the calling and adding, it is life-changing and life-giving. Did you ever take a good look at those Jesus chose to be with Him (Mark 3:14 )? So different, how could the Lord expect them to exist together, never mind live together.

They were different in temperament:

	Peter - a man of action, eager, impulsive.
	John - visionary, contemplative, sensitive.

They were different in how they believed:

	Bartholomew - Nathaniel was ready to accept and confess.
	Thomas - sceptical of spirit and slow to accept the witness of others.

They were different in politics:

	Matthew - a collaborator.
	Simon the Zealot - a rebel, a terrorist to the tax collectors of Rome.

Human wisdom would never have thought of putting such a group together. Divine wisdom did, and displayed redemptive and reconciling powers. In body life, the Lord is still gathering such groups together. I stand amazed when I see Him working with such explosive materials to make effective home fellowships. Paul reminds us of what we were when we were called by the Lord, and speaks of those that would be considered weaker, less honourable and unpresentable, but who are precious members of the body. Look at them and bless the Lord if you recognise yourself. Perhaps you would like the lot in your home fellowship.

1 Corinthians 1:27 "... the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; ..."

The Greek word translated as foolish, means "simpleton". Strong's concordance says "dull or stupid - heedless - blockhead - absurd". God can and does use the simpleton to confound the wise, or put them to shame. This same word "shame" is to be found in Luke when the bent woman was healed:

Luke 13:17 "... all his adversaries were ashamed: ..."

In His grace He uses the simple to put the worldly wise to shame. I have received wonderful light from unlearned members of the Lord's body. There is nothing like the blessing received through the precious simple members.

1 Corinthians 1:27 "... and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; "

The "weaker" or "weak", in the original word means "weak - sickly - feeble - impotent - strengthless". The Greek word is translated in various ways in the KJV:

	"impotent" (Acts 4:9 )
	"weak" (1 Corinthians 1:27 )
	"weakness" - Paul's (2 Corinthians 12:9 )
	"sick" - Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:27 )
	"weak and sickly" - Christians (1 Corinthians 11:30 )
	"without strength" - as sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6 ).

Christ uses such weak believers to shame the strong.

A weak, frail woman in Preston, England, began selling shoe laces for Congo missionaries. Hers became a flourishing business that still supports the work of the Lord. The Lord takes pleasure in using the weak. Gideon began with an army of thirty-two thousand, God thinned it out to ten thousand, and then to only three hundred. God does mighty things with small groups, He chooses even those who are weak.

1 Corinthians 1:28 "and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,"

The thought here is that those with no social standing are thought of as base, but such have graced the body of our Lord. Their spiritual standing is a child of God and joint heir with Christ

Romans 8:17 "and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

In home fellowships, the lowly have lent their homes to Jesus, and played a role of great blessing. They serve with lowly grace their fellow members.

1 Corinthians 1:28 "... things which are despised God has chosen, ..."

God chose the despised. It is word translated in Luke as "set him as nought". That was the attitude of Herod and his soldiers to Jesus. The precious despised members are in fellowship with their Lord, He too was despised (Luke 23:11 ).

David was despised in the eyes of Goliath:

1 Samuel 17:42 "And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, ..."

Hugh Bourne, the father of primitive methodism, was an unlearned and despised man to the eyes of religious leaders who felt threatened by the revival he led. He and his despised prayer warriors took England for Christ. Despised home fellowships are being used to evangelise, and plant a kingdom presence among our communities, making a difference, which pleases God.

1 Corinthians 12:23 "And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; ..."

To the "less honourable", grace is given, making them acceptable and honoured.

Ephesians 4:7 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. "

God gives power to the powerless, and enablement to all according to the need and gift. What some would regard as "are nots" and shapeless - children, by attending have been made a real blessing to adults in home fellowships, their simple contribution inspiring to all. Home fellowship leaders, take heart. The Lord gives the kind of members to the Fellowship whom He can use. All can experience in body fellowship the grace and enablement of the Lord. You are intended to help the body grow and mature, so that every precious member is playing his part to the common good.