The Body of Christ Scripture: Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. – 1 Corinthians 12:12 In God’s word, the Apostle Paul describes the church not as an Organization, but an Organism – the “Body of Christ.” He goes on in this passage to explain what this means in practical terms: 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. 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. (1 Corinthians 12:15-16) Each member of Christ’s body plays a different yet important role, and is a critical part of the whole. 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!” (1 Corinthians 12:21) None of us should consider others (or ourselves) to be less important than another. Different does not mean better or worse. The one part that IS supreme is the Head, which is Jesus Christ Himself. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26) If someone steps on your toe, you don’t say, “The toe hurts.” You say, “MY toe hurts.” When you look in the mirror and see pimples, you don’t say, “The face is breaking out,” but “MY face is breaking out.” In the same way, when your brother or sister in Christ is suffering physical or emotional pain, you don’t say, “That’s not my problem.” You go to that person and see how you can help. And if you can’t change the situation, it may be enough just to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). There are two distinct, but equally important, meanings of Christ’s body, the church. One includes every believer in the world, and is commonly called The Church. When you became a Christ-follower, you became part of The Church. But at the same time, every believer is called to become part of a local body or church. It’s in that context that all these relationships happen, and it’s where personal ministry takes place. Next week we will look more closely at relationships in the Body of Christ and what they mean in daily life. Prayer, Care and Share Jesus * The Prayer, Care and Share Jesus (PCS) series is a guide to help you PRAY and CARE for others and SHARE your faith in Jesus * Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:15: “...you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” Because being part of a church is so important in the life of a Christian, and to the church’s surrounding community, why don’t you help a new Christian that you’re mentoring find a local church that is right for them? You can invite them to your church, or a church that is close to where they live. Make sure that the church you suggest is a healthy church, is welcoming and teaches from the Bible. Encourage this person to attend a church so they can worship together with other believers, grow spiritually, be encouraged, and serve one another while displaying Christ’s love to the local community. Let the church also be a place where you can offer prayer, receive prayer, and carry out your personal ministry in building God’s Kingdom. God can use the body of Christ to lift an entire community, neighborhood or village out of oppression and into a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit. In your area, there may be no church to attend or one to which you can easily invite someone. If you can, get a group of Christians you know together. Even if it is a small one, believers meeting on a regular basis to worship, pray, and look for ways God may use them can make a powerful and lasting impact on their community for His Kingdom. Your PRAY NOW Challenge: Lord, please give me wisdom when I have the opportunity to invite someone to church. Please use me to help them connect with a healthy group of believers that love Jesus and want to grow in their faith.”
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 07:32:12 +0000
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