Church Life

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The Body

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

What metaphor?

Body

Why

many parts

work together unitedly

no jealousy

In human body

one part not working

illness

sick

body part attack body

auto immune disease

Healthy Body

Healthy church

all active

all connected

all united

all working

Christ describes

relationship to church

relationship to spouse

Marriage as metaphor

Christian’s relationship

with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:22–28 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Details

Christ is head

Christ is bridegroom

Church is bride

Married to each other.

Sacrificial Love

Women Respect

Men Selfless Love

Connection with Christ

intertwined with

connection to church.

Love, Loyalty, Service

to God

Connected to

Church...

The Ministry of Attendance

This bond

so deep that

Paul says:

1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Church family

deeper than

biological family...

Relationships take time

time spent together.

Marriages that

live separate lives

lead to divorce.

Love Christ

Love Church

Spend time with Church!!!

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Day is drawing near

Christ’s Return

End of World

Climactic Events

Most needed…?

Time with Church!!!

Covid caused

serious spiritual issues

separation normality

Church Member

I’m not coming back...

Pastor: said nothing

moved coal

We need each other.

In fact,

your attendance

not just for you!

but for others

who need your connection!!!

Discouraging when

small percentage comes

Tempted to wonder

really worth it when

so few see value in church

and its mission.

Consumer Mentality

Membership

Country Club

Consumerism

“With your heart softened by the love of Jesus, go to the meeting, feeling that you are personally responsible for its success. If but few attend, you should feel under double responsibility” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 184).

Sabbath School

Best part of Sabbath

not just monologue

engage

connect

listen

Support

organize mission

Sabbath Worship Service

Christ’s Example

Luke 4:16 ESV

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.

People say:

“I worship God at home.”

What does Bible teach?

Leviticus 23:3 ESV

“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

Sabbath is

holy convocation

sacred assembly

(meeting together!)

If we want to see

ideal Sabbath

Example of heaven:

Isaiah 66:23 (ESV)

From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord.

What is it like?

come together

worship God

Church Hopping

Detrimental to

spiritual health

Church is body

you are body part

can’t keep changing

What happens

no connection

no service

no relationship

sickness

Prayer Meeting or Mid-Week Bible Study

“A prayer meeting will always tell the true interest of the church members in spiritual and eternal things. The prayer meeting is as the pulse to the body; it denotes the true spiritual condition of the church” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 183).

“Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty, and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven” (In Heavenly Places, p. 91).

Appeal

Thanks to you

who are experiencing

fullness of body

If you are not

do it!

So worth it.