Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. We are gathered here, not as strangers passing in the night, but as a community of believers, bound together by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Ephesians, specifically Ephesians 4:15-16. I invite you to open your Bibles and read along with me: "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. 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."

Ah, the beauty of these words! They speak of unity, of growth, of maturity, and most importantly, of love. They paint a picture of the church as a body, interconnected and interdependent, with Christ as the head.

As we ponder these words, let us remember the wise words of J.C. Ryle, who once said, "Unity without the gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of hell." Our unity, dear friends, is not merely a human endeavor, it is a divine mandate. It is not born out of convenience or comfort, but out of commitment to the gospel of Christ.

Harmony in the Body of Christ

When we think about the church, we often picture a building with a steeple, pews, and a pulpit. But the church is so much more than that. It is a living, breathing organism, made up of many parts, each with its own function and purpose. Just as our physical bodies have different parts that work together, so too does the body of Christ.

We are all members of this body. Some of us may be hands, reaching out to those in need. Others may be feet, going to places where the gospel has not yet been heard. Still others may be eyes, looking out for the needs of the community, or ears, listening to the cries of the hurting. Each of us has a role to play, and each role is important. But what happens when these parts are not in harmony? What happens when the hand refuses to work with the foot or the eye with the ear? The body becomes disjointed and ineffective. It can no longer function as it should. This is why harmony in the body of Christ is so important.

In the same way, the body of Christ must be in harmony for it to function effectively. This means that we must learn to work together, to support one another, to encourage one another, and to love one another. This requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to put the needs of others before our own. But it is what we are called to do.

1 Corinthians 12:26. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:26, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." This is the kind of harmony we should strive for in the body of Christ. When one of us is hurting, we should all feel that pain. When one of us is honored, we should all share in that joy. But how do we achieve this kind of harmony?

It starts with recognizing that we are all part of the same body. We are not separate entities, but interconnected parts of a whole. We need each other. We cannot function without each other.

Next, we must learn to value each other. Every part of the body is important. There are no insignificant roles in the body of Christ. Each of us has been given gifts and talents that are needed for the body to function properly. We must learn to appreciate these gifts and to use them for the benefit of the whole body.

Finally, we must learn to love each other. Love is the glue that holds the body together. It is the force that compels us to work together, to support each other, and to bear with each other in love. Without love, the body cannot function. Without love, there can be no harmony.

Heeding the Headship of Christ

Firstly, acknowledging Christ as the head means recognizing His authority ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO