THE FUNCTIONING BODY I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Ephesians 4:15-16- Every
member of the body does his part to build up others. 2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-21-
Everyone is needed in the body. 3. Romans 12:3-21- Good
attitudes between members produce harmony. 4. 1 Corinthians 13- Love is
the motive that leads members to maturity. 5. Matthew 25:14-30- Failure
to function will cause loss. II. MAIN THEME: The body of Christ, the church, is designed by God to function in a
way to glorify Jesus and to be a witness to the world of His power and
love. Each member of the body is
important to the work of the body, and love of God and love of each other is
the bond that causes the body to work effectively. 1. Christians should build
each other up in faith and love. a. Each part
should do its share, Ephesians 4:15-16. b. Members
should use their gifts to minister to each other, 1 Peter 4:10. c. Members
should pursue things that edify others, Romans 14:12-19. 2. The body is designed to do
good works. a. Christians are to be zealous for good works,
Titus 2:14, 3:1,8,14. b. Pure
religion includes good works toward the helpless, James 1:27. 3. Proper attitudes are
necessary for proper functioning within the body. a. We need to
have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:1-16. b. Without
love nothing will be accomplished, 1 Corinthians 13. 4. Members who function
properly within the body will be rewarded. a. We will
receive praise from Jesus, Matthew 25:14-30. b. God will
help us because we are trusting Him, Philippians 1:16, 2:13. c. Good works
done to other Christians are counted as done to Christ, Matthew 25:31-46. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. We should never think that
we are better than another member of the body. a. We are
all one in Christ, Galatians 3:28. b. Don't think
you are better than others, Romans 12:3. c. Don't be
high minded, 1 Timothy 6:17. d. Humbly
consider others' interests ahead of your own, Philippians 2:3-4. 2.We must use the gifts God
has given us for the benefit of the body. a. Every
person's contribution in the body is important, Ephesians4:15-16. b. When a
member fails to function, it hurts the whole body, 1 Cor 12:26. c. Remember
that our purpose in the body is to glorify Jesus, Ephesians 3:21. IV.
MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 12:12 |