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Home Sermons 2010 The Church as the Body of Christ (Part 3 of 'What is the Church?')
 
The Church as the Body of Christ (Part 3 of 'What is the Church?') PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Charlton   

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:12-13
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
 
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Summary and Function

Summary: Jesus promises that he will always be with us. He stated this right before he went up to be at the right hand of God the Father. So, how can Jesus fulfill this promise if he’s in heaven? He does so by being with us in Spirit. This enables him to be physically present on the earth.

As believers in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. (Remember, the Holy Spirit is God the same way Jesus and the Father are God. The three make up the one true God.) In this way, Jesus is with us by way of the Holy Spirit.                                                

With the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in every believer’s heart, the church is empowered to be the ‘Body of Christ’. Jesus is physically present on the earth because the church is present. As the ‘Body of Christ’, we are commissioned to spread the gospel through word and deed. We are to do the work of Jesus. When we touch the Aids victims, visit the incarcerated or serve the poor, it’s the same as Jesus touching the Aids victim, visiting the incarcerated and serving the poor. When we proclaim the good news, it is Jesus proclaiming the good news. We are literally his hands, feet and mouth.

Purpose: To help the congregation understand what it means for us to be the ‘Body of Christ’.

The Sermon

I. Introduction: When enlisting volunteers, have you heard, “I can’t be there but I’ll be
   with you in spirit”?

     1. This is not the answer we like to hear.

     2. What it really means: I can’t be there but I hope you do will. – Not a lot of practical
         help.
     3. We’ve all given this answer a few times in our lives. We have busy schedules,
         multiple commitments and can’t be at two places at one time.
     4. Jesus, however, never has to give this answer. When he says he’ll be there, he’s
         there!!!

II. Jesus’ promise to always be with us.

     1. Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in
         the midst of them."
  • ‘…in Jesus’ name’ – When you do something in someone’s name, you are claiming to be doing something that would meet the approval of that person.
  • You wouldn’t say, “In the name of McDonalds we will only eat whoppers” That would be silly because we know McDonalds would not like that.
  • In same way you wouldn’t say, “In the name of Jesus we will go to the strip joints to get drunk and look at naked women” and then expect Jesus to be there supporting us. If, as a church, we do something mean or unloving, we can’t expect Jesus to support us. We would not be doing it in His name.
  • However, whenever we do something together that Jesus would approve of, we can expect him to be there supporting us.  That’s a promise!!!!!
  • When we gather to deliver meals on wheels, demonstrate love at Upward soccer, teach children and youth the gospel, worship and pray we are doing it in Jesus’ name because he approves of all these things. Jesus is right there with us, encouraging, empowering and guiding us!!!
     2. Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
          them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
          them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to
          the close of the age."
  • This is an example of Jesus promising to be present when a group of people do something in His name
  • Jesus wants us to make disciples through baptism and teaching. So, whenever we seek to do this, he’s right there with us.
  • Right after saying this, Jesus, in his resurrected and glorified body, went back to heaven. So, how does He fulfill this promise? If Jesus is physically in heaven, how is He also with us?

III. How Jesus is always with us: He’s with us both spiritually and physically

     1. Jesus is with us spiritually

  • When you repent and trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit enters your heart
  • Remember, the Holy Spirit is God the same way Jesus and the Father are God. The three make up the one true God. In this way, Jesus is with us by way of the Holy Spirit.

     2. Jesus is also physically present on the earth

  • With the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in every believer’s heart, the church is empowered to be the ‘Body of Christ’.
  • Jesus is physically present on the earth because the church is present.
  • As the ‘Body of Christ’, we are commissioned to spread the gospel through word and deed. We are to do the work of Jesus.
  • When we touch the Aids victims, visit the incarcerated or serve the poor, it’s the same as Jesus touching the Aids victim, visiting the incarcerated and serving the poor.
  • When we proclaim the good news, it is Jesus proclaiming the good news.
  • We are literally the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus Christ.

IV. The church as the ‘Body of Christ’

     1. Made up of many people with various equally important functions

     2. Every follower of Christ has a primary and secondary calling

  • We are all called. God desires to have a relationship with everyone and offers His forgiveness to everyone.
  • Primary calling: All Christians have this calling. It is to love God, self and others and spread the gospel.
  • Secondary calling: All Christians have a secondary calling. Each secondary calling is different. It’s the specific job God wants you to do in the church. Examples are: Pastors, teachers, music, missionary, service, leading/organizing etc…  All are important!!!
  • The Holy Spirit empowers us to follow our primary and secondary callings
  • Purpose of secondary callings: Build up the church so that the church can hit the bull’s eye. (Remember, the bull’s eye for the church is to follow the great commandment in order to fulfill the great commission)

V. Conclusion

     1. Are we truly being the ‘Body of Christ’?

     2. Listen to the song “If we are the body” by Casting Crowns

  • But if we are the body
    Why aren't His arms reaching?
    Why aren't His hands healing?
    Why aren't His words teaching?

    And if we are the body
    Why aren't His feet going?
    Why is His love not showing them
    There is a way? There is a way?
 
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