THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST

Newsletter 207 August 25, 2010

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(I realize I have not explained the blue scripture references. These are all cross-reference links over which you can “hover” your cursor and they will respond with the text requested; in this case with a different translation. This is also why each unit is a complete reference.)
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1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (King James Version)

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS MANY GIFTS TO BESTOW.

The church has been described as being like many things, a net, a body, a kingdom being a few. Paul uses the human body for this analogy. (Colossians 1:15) This is the one we will look at today. We all possess a body, and we all know some basic things about our bodies. We know that we want our bodies to be whole, and all the parts to work together as one. We are more than a heart, a liver, a kidney, or lungs, but we could not live without any of those, as un-attractive as they might be individually.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians 12:27)

I recently saved a video clip which told of a young man who was born without either arms or legs. I once knew of another, who was born without arms. He worked as a bookkeeper for the local municipality where I lived. He wrote with his feet The young man of the video was shown as he was speaking to a school class. God has a purpose for each of us, even grossly handicapped persons.

From all backgrounds, we are all reborn into the body of Christ, one reference says “we have put on Christ” when we were baptized into his body, the church. If we are his body, then we are sinless. The faithful new born Christian is just that. His sins have been removed. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:47) Scripture calls Christians, “Saints”.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18, Romans 3:22, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:13-18, Colossians 3:11, John 7:37-39)


THE BODY IS ONE, MADE UP OF MANY DEDICATED PARTS.

14 For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:20)

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

EACH PART FILLS A NEED IN THE WHOLE.

The young man born without limbs is severely handicapped, though not mentally. God does not expect him to be an athlete, but he can be a glowing example and challenge to a generation struggling with feelings to inadequacy. As a Christian, he can challenge us all. I once heard a man teaching who had to use an artificial larynx, and knew a tiny man with a powerful singing voice though he had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone.

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 13:11)

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:14)

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

EVERY PART IS NEEDED FOR LIFE TO CONTINUE EFFECTIVELY

God formed us from conception to birth, with a plan in mind for our life. We have been custom made to fit that need. As with all that God has made, he sees that it is good! If it does not continue so, that is not His fault. It is ours.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.



25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS THE SAME LIFE NEEDS

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 4:12, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24, Colossians 2:19, Romans 12:5, Ephesians 5:30)

28 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. (2 Corinthians 12:18, 1 Corinthians 10:32, Ephesians 4:11, Acts 13:1, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:5, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:29, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:30, Romans 12:8)

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:39)

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VIEW THIS VIDEO!

http://www.FathersLoveLetter.com

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I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
AUGUST
22nd. Sunday – 2 Chronicles 18, 19, 1 Corinthians 15:30-58, Psalm 102:1-11 23rd. Monday – 2 Chronicles 20, 1 Corinthians 16, Psalm 102:12-19
24th. Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 21, 22, 1 Timothy 1, 2, Proverbs 20:21-30
25th. Wednesday – 2 Chronicles 23, 24, 1 Timothy 3, 4, Psalm 102:20-28
26th. Thursday – 2 Chronicles 25, 26, 1 Timothy 5, Psalm 103:1-12 27th. Friday - 2 Chronicles 27, 28, 1 Timothy 6, Psalm 103:13-22
28th. Saturday – 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 2 Timothy 1, Proverbs 21:1-12
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

”Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

1 Corinthians 13:1

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Riddle Me This...

You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you.

In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level.

Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?

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