ARE WE THE BODY OF CHRIST OR JUST AN IMITATION
1 COR; 12:12 --- FOR AS THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY MEMBERS, BUT ALL THE MEMBERS OF THAT ONE BODY, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY, SO ALSO IS CHRIST.
LET US PRAY:
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS WORD. WE ASK FOR YOUR ANOINTING UPON THIS SERVICE. HIDE YOUR SERVANT BEHIND THE CROSS-OF CALVARY AND LET JESUS BE LIFTED UP AND GLORIFIED. HOLY SPIRIT, HAVE YOUR WAY IN THE SERVICE. OPEN OUR HEARTS AND OUR MINDS TO RECEIVE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR US TODAY IN THE PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY. AMEN.
IN 1ST CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 THE APOSTLE PAUL EXPLAINS TO US EXACTLY WHAT THE BODY OF CHRIST IS
LET TAKE A LOOK STARTING AT VERSE 13
FOR BY ONE SPIRIT WE WERE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY—WHETHER JEWS OR GREEKS, WHETHER SLAVES OR FREE -- AND HAVE ALL BEEN MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT.
BY ONE SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE WERE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, THE BODY OF CHRIST, WHETHER JEW OR GREEK, SLAVE OR FREE, BLACK OR WHITE,
RED OR YELLOW, ALL WERE BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY. AND MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT. WE DON’T ALL HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE HOLY GHOST. AS THE BODY OF CHRIST WE ARE ALL MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT, THE HOLY SPIRIT.
VERSE 14--- FOR IN FACT THE BODY IS NOT ONE MEMBER BUT MANY.
THE BODY OF CHRIST DOES NOT CONSIST OF ONE MEMBER BUT MANY MEMBERS
EVERYONE SITTING HERE TODAY, PLUS MANY MORE SITTING IN OTHER CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IS A MEMBER OF THE BODY
VERSE 15---IF THE FOOT SHOULD SAY, “BECAUSE I AM NOT A HAND, I AM NOT OF THE BODY,” IS IT THEREFORE NOT OF THE BODY?
VERSE 16---AND IF THE EAR SHOULD SAY, “BECAUSE I AM NOT AN EYE, I AM NOT OF THE BODY,” IS IT THEREFORE NOT OF THE BODY?
DID GOD BLESS US ALL WITH THE SAME TALENTS OR GIFTS?
AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALINGS, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES
ARE ALL APOSTLES? ARE ALL PROPHETS? ARE ALL TEACHERS? ARE ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES?
HAVE ALL THE GIFTS OF HEALINGS, DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? DO ALL INTERPRET?
THANK GOD WE HAVE ALL BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT GIFTS AND TALENTS
VERSE 17---IF THE WHOLE BODY WERE AN EYE, WHERE WOULD BE THE HEARING? IF THE WHOLE WERE HEARING, WHERE WOULD BE THE SMELLING?
VERSE 18---BUT NOW GOD HAS SET THE MEMBERS, EACH ONE OF THEM, IN THE BODY JUST AS HE PLEASED.
GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE TALENT AND GIFTS YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALLY AS HE PLEASED AND SET YOU IN THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE HE WANTED YOU TO BE WHERE YOU COULD SERVE HIM BEST.
VERSE 19---AND IF THEY WERE ALL ONE MEMBER, WHERE WOULD THE BODY BE?
VERSES 20---BUT NOW INDEED THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS, YET ONE BODY.
VERSE 21---AND THE EYE CANNOT SAY TO THE HAND, “I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU”, NOR THE HEAD TO THE FEET, “I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU.”
WHAT MEMBER OF THIS BODY SITTING HERE TODAY CAN YOU LOOK AT AND SAY I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU.
VERSE 22---NO, MUCH RATHER, THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BODY WHICH SEEM TO BE WEAKER ARE NECESSARY.
EVERY ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS NECESSARY
VERSES 23---AND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, WHICH WE THINK TO BE LESS HONORABLE, ON THESE WE, BESTOW GREATER HONOR; AND OUR UNPRESENTABLE PARTS HAVE GREATER MODESTY,
VERSE 24---BUT OUR PRESENTABLE PARTS HAVE NO NEED. BUT GOD COMPOSED THE BODY, HAVING GIVEN GREATER HONOR TO THAT PART WHICH LACKS IT.
VERSE 25---THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM IN THE BODY, BUT THAT THE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
WE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CARE FOR ONE MEMBER AS WE DO THE OTHER,
ALL MEMBERS ARE THE SAME IN GOD EYE AND IT SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR US.
VERSE 26---AND IF ONE MEMBER SUFFERS, ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT; OR IF ONE MEMBER IS HONORED, ALL THE MEMBERS REJOICE WITH IT.
VERSE 27---NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY.
JESUS CHRIST ESTABLISHED THE CHURCH, AND HE CONTINUES TO BUILD IT. WHEN A SINNER ACCEPTS CHRIST AS SAVIOR, HE BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AND BELONGS TO THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL. A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER SHOULD BECOME A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CONGREGATION IN ORDER TO EXPERIENCE THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER.
THE CHURCH IS NOT THE BRICK AND WOOD OF THE BUILDING IN WHICH YOU ARE MEETING. THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. YOU ARE THE CHURCH.
ALTHOUGH THE CHURCH SHOULD BE ORGAINIZED, IT IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION. THE CHURCH IS THE BODY, THE LIVING ORGANISM, OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, AND THE CHURCH IS ONLY EMPOWERED BY HIS LIFE, MANIFESTED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS, BUT, THERE IS ONLY ONE BODY OF CHRIST TO WHICH ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS BELONG. ALL BELIEVERS ARE EQUALLY VALUABLE IN THE PLACE AND GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN THEM.
THE FACT THAT WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE ONE BODY OF CHRIST IS THE BASIS FOR OUR LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, SUPPORT AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD NOT BE JEALOUS OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BODY WHO RECEIVES BLESSINGS AND RECOGNITION. HIS BLESSING IS OUR BLESSING AS MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.
WE HONOR THE LORD AS WE HONOR, RESPECT AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY. HE ESTABLISHED THE CHURCH AND IS TODAY DIRECTING IT. EVERY BORN AGAIN BELEIVER FOLLOWS HIS GUIDANCE BECAUSE HE NOW LIVES WITHIN THAT BELIEVER.
THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE THE BODY OF CHRIST OR JUST AN IMITATION?
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE IS THE HEART THAT HAS COMPASSION FOR ONE ANOTHER?
WE ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THIS RELATIONSHIP IS FOUNDED ON CHRIST’S LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE. THE UNITY DEMONSTRATES THE TRUTH OF JESUS’ WORDS “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YOU ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY THIS ALL WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DICIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER”.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE ARE THE ARMS TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN OR THE SINNER WHO NEEDS CHRIST?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER FALLS WE ARE NOT TO CONDEMN THEM, BUT WE ARE TO BE THERE TO PICK THEM UP, TO HELP THEM, AND RESTORE THEM TO THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE ARE TO REACH OUT TO THE SINNER WITH COMPASSION AS CHRIST DID. LEAD THEM TO CHRIST NOT AWAY FROM HIM.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE ARE THE HANDS TO ANOINT THE SICK WITH OIL AND LAY HANDS UPON THEM THAT THE PRAYER OF FAITH MIGHT HEAL THEM?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IN THE BODY IS SICK, WE ARE TO ACT AS THE MEDICAL ANTIBODIES, BY SENDING OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPLICATIONS TO THE THRONE OF GOD FOR THEIR HEALING.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE IS MOUTH TO SPEAK KIND WORDS OF COMFORT TO THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING AND IN NEED OF SPIRITUAL COMFORT?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IS GREIVING, WE ARE TO COMFORT THEM WITH KIND WORDS AND DEEDS.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE ARE THE FINGERS TO PREPARE FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IS HUNGRY WE ARE TO FEED THEM.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE ARE THE EARS TO HEAR THE CRY OF THE HOMELESS?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IS HOMELESS WE ARE TO SHELTER THEM.
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST WHERE ARE THE FEET TO CARRY CLOTHING TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED?
IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IS NAKED WE ARE THE CLOTHE THEM.
FOR I WAS AN HUNGRED, AND YE GAVE ME MEAT: I WAS THIRSTY, AND YE GAVE ME DRINK: I WAS A STRANGER, AND YE TOOK ME IN:
NAKED, AND YE CLOTHED ME: I WAS SICK, AND YE VISITED ME: I WAS IN PRISON, AND YE CAME UNTO ME.
ARE WE THE BODY OF CHRIST OR JUST AN IMITATION
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST NOT ONLY WOULD THE AFOREMENTIONED
BE HAPPENING WITHIN THE CHURCH
BUT THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT WOULD ALSO BE WELL AND ALIVE IN THE CHURCH TODAY
THE APOSTLE PAUL PUTS IT THIS WAY IN 1ST CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 VERSE 1 THROUGH 11
NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT.
YE KNOW THAT YE WERE GENTILES, CARRIED AWAY UNTO THESE DUMB IDOLS, EVEN AS YE WERE LED.
WHEREFORE I GIVE YOU TO UNDERSTAND, THAT NO MAN SPEAKING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD CALLETH JESUS ACCURSED; AND THAT NO MAN CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS THE LORD, BUT BY THE HOLY GHOST.
NOW THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT.
AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATIONS, BUT THE SAME LORD.
AND THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF OPERATIONS, BUT IT IS THE SAME GOD WHICH WORKETH ALL IN ALL.
BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO EVERY MAN TO PROFIT WITHAL.
FOR TO ONE IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT THE WORD OF WISDOM, TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE SAME SPIRIT;
TO ANOTHER FAITH BY THE SAME SPIRIT; TO ANOTHER THE GIFTS OF HEALING BY THE SAME SPIRIT.
TO ANOTHER THE WORKING OF MIRACLES, TO ANOTHER PROPHECY; TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; TO ANOTHER DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES; TO ANOTHER THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES;
BUT ALL THESE WORKETH THAT ONE AND THE SELFSAME SPIRIT, DIVIDING TO EVERY MAN SEVERALLY AS HE WILL.
THESE NINE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST ARE JUST AS RELEVANT IN THE CHURCH TODAY AS THEY WERE BACK THEN.
THE CHURCH IN PAULS DAY WAS PERFORMING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
IT WAS NOT AN IMITATION
WHEN WE READ THE GOSPELS WE FIND THAT CHRIST WAS FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND PERFORMED MANY MIRACLES.
THE BIBLE SAYS JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER
IF WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HAVE ALL BEEN MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT, THE HOLY GHOST,
THEN WE ARE HIS BODY FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE PERFORMING THE SAME TYPE OF MIRACLES JESUS PERFORMED WHEN HE WAS IN THE FLESH ON THIS EARTH.
WE ARE HIS BODY, FLESH OF HIS FLESH, SPIRIT OF HIS SPIRIT.
ARE YOU A USED TO BE?
WRITTEN BY HARRY TODD
As I go on visitation, People are telling me,
How they USED to go to church, and what they USED to be.
They say they were a teacher, And some were deacons too,
Others played the organ, And ushers there were a few.
Some USED to drive a church bus, And sang in the choir, they’d say,
Some USED to go on visitation, And gave out tracts each day.
I’ve heard what they USED to be, And it made me wonder how,
They could be active members, But are doing nothing now.
And it made me wonder, If they were serving the Lord,
Or just active in the church, And finally just got bored.
Does God have a retirement plan, Is His work just part-time?
We’re chosen to be a soldier, And should be on the battle line.
If you’re a soldier of Christ, Put on the battle attire.
Let Him give the orders, And when you should retire.
This battle is against Satan. Until Jesus we see,
Are you busy serving the Lord, Or just a USED to be.
