A member of the body of Christ
Introduction
A member of the body of Christ
What if the title was ‘Church membership’?
What is the difference between a member of the body of Christ and a church member?
It is the same thing (with qualification)
A member of the body of Christ
You must be adopted into the family of Christ, born again, called out of the world to Christ
You become a member of the body of Christ, you become a member of the Church
A member of a church
Is a formalising of this process
Example of marriage – as a formal process
In the Bible:
People were baptised and added to the Church
The Church in Corinth – there was discipline from a majority body of the formalised church
There are to be elders and deacons
The most important thing is that people are born again
You are baptised into one body
You are brought into one body by the Holy Spirit
There is one body but many members
People have been given different gifts to use for the body
You are to be committed to one another
No-one is inferior or of lesser value
Tonight, looking at our privileges and our responsibilities
Overview:
General Teaching
v12-22
Application
General Teaching
The church was born at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out
The Spirit had never come in this fullness before
There is a continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament people of God
Israel is called a bride (Hose), the vineyard (Isaiah 5), a flock – these metaphors are carried on into the New Testament in a fuller/richer way
Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom and the Church the bride – Eph 5
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
There are new images in the New Testament
The body (used here and in other letters)
Speaks of unity
Speaks of organic growth
Not an organisational structure but a family growing together
The early Church
Acts 2:41-47
Immeadiate baptism
Continuing in doctrine, fellowship, communion and prayer
They divided possessions and money amongst those in needed
They were of one accord
Praising God
Some organisation was given by God
Apostles
Then elders (with qualifications for service)
Then deacons
There was less emphasis on positions of leadership but a more organic way
The church is often talked about in relationship terms – examples of “One another”
Love – John 13:34-35
It is a great privilege to love one another
Confession and prayer – James 5:16
Wisdom in confession
A privilege and a responsibility
Bear burdens – Gal 6:2
Honesty – Eph 4:25
Kindness and forgiveness – Eph 4:32
Affection – Rom 12:10
Consideration – Heb 10:24-25
The Church is not like a club
People of diverse backgrounds that would not naturally come together
Brought into a family with responsibility too one another
Christ is the head of the church and together we serve Him
Quick Recap
v12-22
No schism (v25-27)
Some are struggling, some suffering, some rejoicing
When one person is going through a hard time – empathise
Rejoice with this
Diversity in Unity (v12)
There is one Christ, there is one body (v13)
We are not all meant to be the same
We have different gifts that compliment one another (v14)
We are not to think little of ourselves – we all have essential gifts (v15-17)
Different parts have different value
Examples – feet, ears
Do not feel inferior
We are not all the same
We do not all have the same gifts – examples
Our gifts are not just to be used in church but in our day-to-day living
God has set the members in the body (v18)
God has placed us in just the right place
We are not to think ourselves superior (v21)
No member must think themselves superior to another
We are all necessary (v22)
There are people hidden in church life who we do not see
We may think people are weaker, but not in God’s eyes
There is to be no schism in the body (v25)
It is not just for the ‘high-flying’
It is not just for one person
No-one is to glory in themselves … but in the Lord
Quick recap
Application
What does this mean for us?
We should show commitment to one-another
Not just on something we do on Sunday
To encourage and meet up with one another
A priority to be committed
We should be committed to the wider body of Christ
We cannot say to another Church ‘we do not need them’
We join together with the AECW Churches in prayer
We might attend rallies, conferences, special services, house party, etc
We ought not to fret about the local church
God gives sufficient gifts to His church (v18)
Examples
If there are deficiencies, it is because we are not using our gifts
Do not depend on organisational structure
Do not wait to be given a role/job
Encourage one another
Gifts for inside and outside the church – examples
Eph 4:11-13
Giftings
If you are unsure of your gift – remember the ‘one anothers’
Pray if you might have a specific gift – God will guide you
Be available and He will give you that gift