The Lord's Body

Dear Brethren,

As we prepare for Passover and Unleavened Bread, we put leavened bread and leavened products out of our homes as Israel of old did.  As new Testament Christians, we apply the spiritual lesson by also putting sin out of our lives.  We are told to examine ourselves. "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." (1Corinthians 11:28)  It is appropriate that we examine ourselves throughout the year, but especially, as Passover approaches.

In the days of the apostle Paul, the brethren de-leavened their homes. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."   (1Corinthians 5: 7)  Though the brethren were meticulous in cleaning their homes, there was the recurring problem then - just as today - of not discerning the Lord's body.  "He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."  (1Corinthians 11:29) 

When reading the phrase, "the Lord's body," in this Scripture, many will mistakenly think about the dead body of Jesus. They will then begin to try to "discern the dead body."  That is not what is meant here.  We must answer the question, What does Paul mean by the "Lord's body?"  Paul was speaking of the Church of God!  "The Body of Christ" was a common term meaning all the converted people of God.  "For [Christ's] body's sake, which is the Church."  (Colossians 1:24)

All the brethren who are in the Church of God are the "Body of Christ."  "You are the Body of Christ, and members in particular."  (1Corinthians 12:27)  "The church, which is His body."  (Ephesians 1:22-23)  "Ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."  (Colossians 3:15)  "We, being many, are one Body in Christ, and every one members one of another."  (Romans 12:4-5)  "The bread which we break, is it not the [fellowship] of the Body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body."  (1Corinthians 10:16-17)  "For the perfecting of the saints…for the edifying of the Body of Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:12)

It is abundantly clear from these Scriptures that Paul is referring to all the members of the Church of God - as the Lord's Body, when he spoke of the tremendous importance of discerning the Lord's Body.  How do we then, examine ourselves with regard to all the members of the Church of God - the Body of Jesus Christ?  It is a big job - isn't it?  And its an important task at Passover time.  Paul said that because of the ongoing division between members - described as, not discerning the Lord's Body,  "many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."  (1Corinthians 11:30 )

Is Paul speaking of brethren who are physically sick and prematurely dead, or is he describing the spiritual state of some members?  Paul then calls for self-examination using the same word again:  "If we would judge [discern] ourselves, we should not be judged."  (1Corinthians 11:31)

Brethren, we need to de-leaven more than our homes as Passover approaches.

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Sermon:  "The Lord's Body"