Body of Christ

Dear Brethren,

It is interesting to think about how the Church is referred to as the "Body of Christ."  Each and every person in the Church is one of the various members of the Body.  Everyone is needed because of the individual gifts which fulfill different functions of the Body.  One of the main lessons of Christianity is this:  As members of the Body of Christ, we all need each other, just as our physical bodies need all its parts to function properly.

"You are the Body of Christ, and members in particular.   The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit all." (1Corinthians 12:27,7)

Many of us have been in the Church, the Body of Christ, for many years.  Remember when we came into contact with God’s people for the first time?  For most of us, it was a time when the local congregations were rather large.  We felt in awe being among people that already knew the Truth of God.  There were members at Sabbath services who had begun hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ many years before we heard it.

It seemed to us that those long-term members were very nearly perfect.  They had been attending God's Church for so long a time.  We felt almost dwarfed by being among “spiritual giants”.  Of course, we know better now.  We realize that no matter how long ago someone was called, they all struggle spiritually on a daily basis as we do.  One of our big struggles, today, is to keep our zeal stirred up for this Way of Life.  "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."  (Revelation 3:19)

Brethren, let's never underestimate the importance of people new in the faith.  They are not lesser members - and it would be a mistake to consider them as such.  Those newly baptized into the Body of Christ fulfill a most important role - they have a wonderful function within the Body of Christ.  "By one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body."  (1Corinthians 12:13)

These newly baptized members possess a zeal and enthusiasm for the Truth that is contagious to others in the Body.  As we watch their "first love" faith grow, and the miracle of their conversion, we rejoice in each step that they take in committing to God’s Way of Life.  The result is that our faith is reaffirmed, and the entire Body of Christ is edified.  "For the perfecting of the saints..., for the edifying of the Body of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:12)

Brethren, let's not think too highly of ourselves.  "Old 'timers" in the Church sometimes have a tendency to do that.  We do not hold, within God's Church, the doctrine that some members are more highly esteemed than others.  Godly humility recognizes that every single one of God's people is necessary and important to the whole of the Body.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."  (Philippians 2:3)  "Those members of the Body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary."  (1Corinthians 12:22)

Yes, even though the newer members have not experienced, the same trials and tests, still, they serve to strengthen the entire Body of Christ.  We all rejoice that they are with us and have so much to offer the rest of us.

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Sermon:  "Body of Christ"

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