"Let’s Grow Together as the Body of Christ"

SM—"Let’s Grow Together”

Luke 22:14-23; Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The most impactful experience of my spiritual life was a vision of Christ.

‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’…‘We are his offspring.’

Acts 17:28

Paul’s critique of the Athenians—they were very religious.

God doesn’t dwell in houses of worship.

God’s dwelling is in the hearts of His people.

People today are very religious, especially when it comes to Capitalism.

Christianity, not so much.

The Image of the Body of Christ is in stark contrast to Institutional Religion/Church.

We are invited to grow in the Body of Christ.

The historical identity of Marsden Church was first birthed in a “Brush Harbor” in Tucker’s Town. The forebearers of this church lived, moved, and had their beings in bubbles of social intimacy.

1. The Nuclear Family;

2. The Extended Family;

3. The Church Family; and

4. The Intimate Community

When I was growing up in Bermuda back in the 1960’s, these were four bubbles of still of primary importance:

1. The Nuclear Family;

2. The Extended Family;

3. The Church Family; and

4. The Intimate Community

Most people worked in the family business – the family farm or the family workshop, for example – or they worked in their neighbours’

family businesses. The family was also the financial safety net, the health system, the education system, the construction industry, the pension fund, the insurance company, the radio, the television, the newspapers, the bank and even the police.

When a person fell sick, the family took care of her. When a person grew old, the family supported her, and her children were her pension fund. When a person died, the family took care of the orphans. If a person wanted to build or extenda house, the family and neighbors lent a hand. If a person wanted to open a business, the family raised the necessary money. If a person wanted to marry, the family chose, or at least vetted, the prospective spouse. If a conflict arose with a neighbour, the family muscled in.

The local community provided backup and came to the rescue when a family faced more than it could bear.

COMMUNICATION IS ONE OF THE KEYS FOR GROWING IN THE BODY

“Speaking the Truth in Love, we will Grow…”

Notice when this Love Talk comes into play.

It comes as an antidote to all the stuff that we listen to that keeps us childish.

There is a difference between Conversation and Communication.

“Speaking the Truth in Love” = Healthy / Mature Communication

· Maturity requires growth.

· Growth involves change.

· Change causes discomfort.

· Discomfort makes us push back.

To experience God’s truth in transformative ways, we must be vulnerable enough to reveal our internal truths and receive what aligns with God’s truth.

Our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behaviors, and desires often get in the way.

“Speaking the Truth in Love” was the Hallmark of the Growth of Methodism.

· God’s Word challenges us to Push Through the hindrances blocking our growth.

Don’t Push Back. Push Through...

Don’t miss the Results of “Speaking the Truth in Love”—Growth and Edification in love (Eph. 4:16)

USE WHAT YOUR DADDY GAVE YOU

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.

As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow,

so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Eph. 4:16 NLT)

"Your gift will make room for you" (Proverbs 18:16)

We all have a Gift for Growing the Body.

· Your gift is related to God

· Your gift is demonstrated towards Others

Focus on Your Gift will Promote the Growth and Health of the Body—Marriage Odd-Couple, the Family Zoo, the Church Aquarium.

Everyone has a part because everyone has a gift.

Your Gift is Performative.

We Grow together when we produce the Fruit of the Spirit.

THE CHURCH PICNIC AND POTLUCK DINNERS

When we have church picnics people bring dishes to share.

Eris Smith’s Mac and Cheese; Jennifer’s Ginger Bread; Janet’s Peas and Rice; Cordell’s fish or the Pastor’s fresh-caught snappers…(you get the picture). Everyone serves up something from their kitchen.

That’s how Your Gift Makes Room for you—we Grow as the Body of Christ.

We become healthy and strong when we serve up the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit that we have cultivated.

What are you serving up?

· We need to serve up the Mac ‘n Cheese of Love to one another.

· We need a serving of the Gingerbread of Joy to one another.

· We serve up Kindness to one another.

· We need the Healthy serving of the Salads of Generosity to one another.

How Big is Our Bubble?

The Body of Christ is more than the visible gathering of true believers within these walls.

But exactly how big is our bubble?

Sis. Kimberley has shared with us her burden to pray for and to give money to persecuted believers beyond the shoreline of Bermuda. The Bible tells us that when one member of the family suffers all suffer with her.

· We Grow together when the Love of God compels us towards His Light (just as plants reach for the Sun—seems impossible but the sunlight and sunshine manifest the Sun’s Glory up close and personal). Altar Call and Response at Metropolitan AMEC.

The hands that touched and the loving arms that hedged me, telling me “You are not alone”.

Song “I need you. You need me. We are a part of God’s Body”

The prayers (listed below) offered are specific, progressive, and extensive. They are also in accordance with biblical principles of prayer and the salvation of lost souls.

1. I pray, Lord, that You draw ____ to Yourself (John 6:44).

2. I pray that ____ seeks to know You (Acts 17:27).

3. I pray that ____ hears and believes the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13).

4. I ask You to prevent Satan from blinding ____ to the truth (2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 2:25-26).

5. Holy Spirit, I ask You to convict ____ of his/her sin and reveal his/her need for Christ’s redemption.

6. I ask You to send someone who will share the Gospel with ____ (Matt. 9:37-38).

7. I also ask that You give me (and/or my fellow disciple) the opportunity, the courage, and the right words to share the truth with ____ (Col. 4:3-6; Eph. 6:19-20).

8. Lord, I pray that ____ turns from his/her sin (Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thess. 1:9-10).

9. Lord, I pray that ____ would put all of his/her trust in Christ (John 1:12; 5:24).

10. Lord, I pray that ____ will confess Christ as Lord of his/her life, take root and grow in his/her faith, and bear much fruit for Your glory (Rom. 10:9-10; Col. 2:6-7; Luke 8:15).

“When the Giant Looks in the Mirror He Sees Nothing” (Shonda West) When Believers Look in the Mirror We See the Body of Christ. We Grow in the Body of Christ because the Nature of Christ is Within Us.