Stay Committed to the Body
Unfinished Business • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsIn this short series I'd like to share some thoughts that I'm very passionate about.
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Introduction
Introduction
Yet, no church is more a mess than the church Paul writes to in Corinth. If you ever feel bad about your church, just read 1 Corinthians; you’ll feel much better! Paul’s first letter, what we call 1 Corinthians, was full of advice on how to get back on track as a church.
His second letter, what we call 2 Corinthians, showed that they had listened to him and made some much-needed changes.
Transitional Statement:
Transitional Statement:
In this message I want us to understand that we are “The Body of Christ” and everyone has an important role to play and no role is too small! In this transitional time, you need to stay connected not only for your benefit, but for the BODY!
Excuses: (I recently posted a question on AG Lead pastors Facebook site)
But the worst excuse is no excuse...when people leave with no message, no reason, and no closure. And yet, we see them at ball games or the gas station.
The church is not a meeting you attend. It’s not a thing you do. It’s who you are. It’s your identity. It’s your place of belonging.
The church is not a meeting you attend. It’s not a thing you do. It’s who you are. It’s your identity. It’s your place of belonging.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Why is the Church so important?
Why is the Church so important?
21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
Understanding the Significance of the Church
OT - Moses commanded to build the Tabernacle (portable tent) required to be in the center of the Israelite’s encampments.
Later the Jerusalem Temple - was to represent the center of the Land of Israel. (Not intended to be a geographic center but represent the spiritual center of their lives)
The Church didn’t officially start until the day of Pentecost but Jesus explains it and it’s purpose many times …
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
matt 28.
The Great Commission = The Mission Statement
A thousand years from now, if the Lord doesn’t return, most likely there won’t be an Amazon, or Apple, or maybe even a United States of America. But one thing that will still exist is the Kingdom of God (The Family of God - The Church)
I make no apology in saying to you that joining a spiritual family will be the most significant thing you do with your life. Because what the Church is doing in making a difference in the world is going to outlast your career. It’s going to outlast your hobbies. It’s going to outlast every other thing you do. It’s the only thing that’s going to last forever because it’s about changed lives.
There are only two things that are going to last forever: God’s Word and God’s people.
The NT frequently refers to the church as Christ’s body. We are literally the presence of Christ on earth. And the church’s mission is exactly the same as Christ’s mission: to proclaim God’s name.
1 cor 12.
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 1. The Fact of Unity: Believers All Belong to a Greater Unit, the Body of Jesus Christ (12–14)
The “body-like” unity of Christians is not a goal to achieve; it is a fact to be recognized.
(David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible)
Paul uses the brilliant illustration of the human body to relate the working of the Community of Believers.
DNA - The code that links every cell in the human body together. (parts of the human body look different, work differently, achieve different purposes, but they’re all linked together)
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
“In Christ” - No only are we in relationship with Christ, but due to that we are in relationship with one another.
“In Christ” also means that everything that he is, and everything that he has that can be shared will be shared with you.
, we have forgiveness of sins in Christ.
, we receive grace in Christ.
, our redemption is in Christ.
, we are a new creation in Christ.
, God supplies all our needs in Christ.
, we have every spiritual blessing of heaven in Christ
, we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ.
Why do I need to “Stay Committed?”
You Need to Promote Unity
You Need to Promote Unity
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
The biggest problem in the text is the division between the Jewish and Gentile believers. A lack of unity. (Let’s show Mount Morris that GT is unified)
How can you promote unity?
How can you promote unity?
By your attendance (It’s not about any one Pastor) Support Pastor Isaac & Bill as well as the Deacons
By your service (Find an area that needs help)
By your giving
You Need to Offer Your Gifts To God
You Need to Offer Your Gifts To God
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
We are saved to serve!
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
What area of ministry are you serving in? What are you contributing to the body?
“koinonia" - “an intimate sharing of one's self with another.”
What area of ministry are you serving in? What are you contributing to the body?
“The gifts you sow into ministry ‘put gas in the tank’ so the work of the ministry can go forward!”
You Need to See The Value in Everyone
You Need to See The Value in Everyone
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
1 Corinthians 3. Continued Elaboration, Showing that the Less “Glamorous” Parts of the Body Are Just as Important (21–26)
Clarke on the less honorable parts: “Seem to mean the principle viscera, such as heart, lungs, stomach, and intestinal canal. These, when compared with the arms and limbs, are comparatively weak; and some of them, considered in themselves, uncomely and less honourable; yet these are more essential to life than any of the others.”
The hands, arms, back, feet and legs may do the heavy lifting, but the heart and lungs are vital to provide strength to those parts. (Illustration: an extraordinary athlete)
You Need to Provide and Receive Support
You Need to Provide and Receive Support
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
An old Puritan preacher once did a great sermon on this text alone: “And Bartholomew” ()
Bart is never mentioned by himself, but always “and Bartholomew.” Although he was a leader by calling, he was never mentioned as the leader, but always a helper.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
koinonia - “an intimate sharing of one's self with another.”
Like a branch that grows because of its connection to the tree, we thrive when we stay connected to the church. (recent Tweet)