A closer walk as the Body

Meet together in sweet communion. We spent two weeks talking about prayer, talking about the bible, singing, sin, discernment, True knowledge and good works.

Today, as the church, what are we to do!

What is the church?

Simple definition; it is the saved (Act2:47; 1Tim3:15)

Acts 2:47 “47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

and why is this important to know?

1 Timothy 3:15 “15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

As the church we have blessings and responsibilities, but we are not in it alone. God is with us, and we are with each other that make up the body, the church.

What is the church? It is universal (Mt16:18; Col1:18)

quote: Matthew 16:18 “18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Yes, Christ is the head of the church consider

turn to and read: Colossians 1:18 “18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

There is only one church (Eph4:4)

Quote: Ephesians 4:4 “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”

Church is universal made up of many parts (1Cor12:27)

turn to and read 1 Corinthians 12:27 “27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”

The church is local too (1Cor1:2, Rev1:11; Gal1:2)

In introductions to many of the epistles they are written to local churches (Php, The, Col, Rom)

Local and in many places, consider the churches in Revelation or the churches in Galatia

Turn to and read Revelation 1:11 “11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.””

Universally/Locally we do not see any universal organization except for Christ as the head (Col1:18); locally we see good godly organization (we will get to shortly)

Expand on this not all have this for not able to, but this is God’s instructions for the local church

(Transition) knowing what the church is (the people); what the church is (Universal/local) now what?

Responsibilities as the church

The Lord adds you (Act2:47) universally

Join yourself to the church locally and benefit from and serve (Heb3:12-14, 10:24-25)

Summarize Hebrews 3:12–14 “12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,”

See there was a problem then with some who were not meeting as the church

Turn to and read: Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Other responsibilities to follow the example set (Act2:42) and bring our gifts to the body (1Cor12:12)

quote: Acts 2:42 “42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Are you doing your part? Are you committed to meeting as the church on a regular basis or on a convenience basis?

We need each other for the church is made up of many parts as mentioned before, but let me give it to you

turn to and read 1 Corinthians 12:12 “12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

We should have established leadership and submit to authority; Elders (1Tim3:1-7; Tit1:5-11; 1Tim5:17-20)

you can read the qualifications there, but we are talking about our responsibilities as the church

turn to and read: 1 Timothy 5:17–20 “17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”

Summarize Heb13:17 - obey, submit for they look over your souls. They are to do it by good godly example (consider 1Pt5:2-3)

There is also the position of deacons (1Tim3:8-13) and they do a noble work

Evangelists and teachers (Eph4:11)

Responsibility to contribute (2Cor9:6-7) and the purpose you can read on (2Cor9:8-15)

THere is other ways we are to contribute also

Evangelism (Mt28:19-20; 1Pt2:9-10)

Summarize 1 Peter 2:9–10 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Edification (Eph4:11-16)

Benevolence (Act2:44-45, 4:32-35) - all things in common, to help one another so no one was in need.

We are to engage personally (Eph4:15-16)

Turn to and read Ephesians 4:15–16 “15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

One body (Eph4:4) many parts (1Cor12:12) many functions (Rom12:3-8) all parts needed, so all parts need to engage.

Strive to preserve church unity (Eph4:1-3)

turn to and read Ephesians 4:1–3 “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Can you think of ways to promote unity?

Be an example to others (1Tim4:12; Tit2:7-8)

Be a good example!

Summarize: 1 Timothy 4:12 “12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

and Titus 2:7–8 “7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

Conclusion

The body is a blessing that comes with responsibilities

walking in the blessings and fulfilling the responsibilities brings unity with the body and encourages us to serve Christ in an acceptable way.

Are you attached or hanging around?

Be attached, be engaged and lets press on together serving the body.

Be the church (invitation slide)

(Prayer) (Exit)

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