The Church
is
The Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15I f the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And 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.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
***********************
As Christians we are all part of the body of Christ.
-Without the body, there is no church. (The church is the body of Christ here on earth)
-The body is made up of Christians with different gifts and talents:
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,
To another the message of knowledge,
To another faith,
To another gifts of healing,
To another miraculous powers,
To another prophecy,
To another distinguishing between spirits,
To another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
And to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
-It takes all of us working together to make the body complete.
When one suffers…We all suffer.
When one rejoices…We all rejoice.
If one is lost…We all suffer loss.
-If the body is not complete and working in harmony, there is no unity.
-If there is no unity, there is no direction.
-If there is no direction there is no goal.
-If there is no goal, there is no vision.
-Where there is no vision, the people perish.
The goal for the body of Christ is to work together in harmony to reach the lost souls of this world for Jesus Christ our Lord.
It can only be done in love through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
It is not about us...It is for the Glory of God through His Son Jesus.
This must be made clear to God’s people in all Christian churches.
Remember …God is a God of love and of order!
1 Corinthians 14:40… Let all things be done decently and in order.
***********************************************************************************************
Things to Look for in a Church:
When you attend church there are certain things that you should be watching for:
• Professional Praise Team?
- Are they performing or praising?
- Are they seeking God’s approval or man’s?
• What is being preached?
- The love of God?
(John 3:16... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)
- Repentance?
(Acts 3:19...Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...)
- The wrath of God?
(John 3:36...He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- Mercy? (God’s and ours)
- Justice?
- Humility?
(Micah 6:8...He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?)
- Sacrifice?
(Romans 12:1... I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.)
- Change?
(Romans 12:2... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.)
(2 Corinthians 5:17... Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.)
(Galatians 5:22-23... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance...)
- Accountability?
(Hebrews 4:13 NIV... Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.)
• What about discipleship training?
- Are people being taught how to live holy lives?
(John 8:31-32...Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
- Are people being taught how to live free in Christ?
(Galatians 5:1... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.)
• Empowerment?
- Is the power of God manifested among the congregation or are they just giving God lip service?
2Timothy 3:1-5...
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Matthew 15:8... This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
1Corinthians 12:7-11...
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
******************************
We must ask ourselves...
Do I truly understand what it means to be part of the Body of Christ?
Am I willing to let Jesus be Lord of my life?
Am I ready to raise up my hand and say “Here I am Lord! Send me!
************************
It doesn’t matter whether you are an eye, an ear, a foot or any other particular part of the body.
What matters is that you are part of the body. Without you, the body is not complete.
Be who God has called you to be…. Rejoice and be glad. Remember...Our God Reigns!
is
The Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15I f the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And 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.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
***********************
As Christians we are all part of the body of Christ.
-Without the body, there is no church. (The church is the body of Christ here on earth)
-The body is made up of Christians with different gifts and talents:
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,
To another the message of knowledge,
To another faith,
To another gifts of healing,
To another miraculous powers,
To another prophecy,
To another distinguishing between spirits,
To another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
And to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
-It takes all of us working together to make the body complete.
When one suffers…We all suffer.
When one rejoices…We all rejoice.
If one is lost…We all suffer loss.
-If the body is not complete and working in harmony, there is no unity.
-If there is no unity, there is no direction.
-If there is no direction there is no goal.
-If there is no goal, there is no vision.
-Where there is no vision, the people perish.
The goal for the body of Christ is to work together in harmony to reach the lost souls of this world for Jesus Christ our Lord.
It can only be done in love through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
It is not about us...It is for the Glory of God through His Son Jesus.
This must be made clear to God’s people in all Christian churches.
Remember …God is a God of love and of order!
1 Corinthians 14:40… Let all things be done decently and in order.
***********************************************************************************************
Things to Look for in a Church:
When you attend church there are certain things that you should be watching for:
• Professional Praise Team?
- Are they performing or praising?
- Are they seeking God’s approval or man’s?
• What is being preached?
- The love of God?
(John 3:16... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)
- Repentance?
(Acts 3:19...Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...)
- The wrath of God?
(John 3:36...He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- Mercy? (God’s and ours)
- Justice?
- Humility?
(Micah 6:8...He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?)
- Sacrifice?
(Romans 12:1... I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.)
- Change?
(Romans 12:2... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.)
(2 Corinthians 5:17... Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.)
(Galatians 5:22-23... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance...)
- Accountability?
(Hebrews 4:13 NIV... Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.)
• What about discipleship training?
- Are people being taught how to live holy lives?
(John 8:31-32...Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
- Are people being taught how to live free in Christ?
(Galatians 5:1... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.)
• Empowerment?
- Is the power of God manifested among the congregation or are they just giving God lip service?
2Timothy 3:1-5...
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Matthew 15:8... This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
1Corinthians 12:7-11...
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
******************************
We must ask ourselves...
Do I truly understand what it means to be part of the Body of Christ?
Am I willing to let Jesus be Lord of my life?
Am I ready to raise up my hand and say “Here I am Lord! Send me!
************************
It doesn’t matter whether you are an eye, an ear, a foot or any other particular part of the body.
What matters is that you are part of the body. Without you, the body is not complete.
Be who God has called you to be…. Rejoice and be glad. Remember...Our God Reigns!