Members of One Another

We are not Christians in isolation.We are not Christians in isolation.

Romans 12:4-5Romans 12:4-5

The Bible is Clear Paul describes the church as a

body More than 30 times in the NT

The church is compared to a body Each member of the church is a

part of the body of Christ We differ in function We differ in what we can do But we must function in harmony

with each other

The Bible is Clear Paul does not say – try to be a

part, seek to be a member, work to discover your gift

God demands that we be members of one another

How can we be members of one another?

Here are three ways to look at this:

No Individual can Function Effectively by Himself

All members are built together Romans 12:5Romans 12:5 – so we, being

many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another

No Individual can Function Effectively by Himself

All members are built together We must love one another Romans 12:10Romans 12:10 – Be kindly

affectionate to one another in brotherly love

No Individual can Function Effectively by Himself

All members are built together We must love one another Together we can do great

things Romans 12:11-12Romans 12:11-12 – not

lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

No Individual can Function Effectively by Himself

All members are built together We must love one another Together we can do great

things Romans 12:13-14Romans 12:13-14 –

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

No Individual can Function Effectively by Himself

All members are built together We must love one another Together we can do great

things This is how we are described Ephesians 2:21Ephesians 2:21 – in whom

the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord

No Member Should Feel he is More Important than Another

This is God’s WayThis is God’s Way 1 Corinthians 12:141 Corinthians 12:14 – For in

fact the body is not one member but many

1 Corinthians 12:271 Corinthians 12:27 – Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually

No Member Should Feel he is More Important than Another

Body Members are UnitedBody Members are United 1 Corinthians 12:15-16 – 1 Corinthians 12:15-16 – If

the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not any eye, I am not of the body,” is therefore not of the body?

No Member Should Feel he is More Important than Another

Each has a gift as God sees Each has a gift as God sees bestbest 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 – 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 – But

now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

No Member Should Feel he is More Important than Another

All are EQUALLY importantAll are EQUALLY important 1 Corinthians 12:22-231 Corinthians 12:22-23 – No,

must rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty.

All Members Must Work Hard at Creating Unity in the Body

Endeavor to keep unityEndeavor to keep unity Ephesians 4:1-3 – Ephesians 4:1-3 – I,

therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to wak worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

All Members Must Work Hard at Creating Unity in the Body

Every Member has been Every Member has been given Gracegiven Grace

Ephesians 4:7 – Ephesians 4:7 – But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

All Members Must Work Hard at Creating Unity in the Body

We are Joined TogetherWe are Joined Together Ephesians 4:15 – Ephesians 4:15 – but,

speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ –

All Members Must Work Hard at Creating Unity in the Body

We are Joined TogetherWe are Joined Together Ephesians 4:16 – Ephesians 4:16 – from whom

the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Self-Examination

Take a short test, do a self-Take a short test, do a self-examinationexamination

What are your What are your STRENGTHS?STRENGTHS?Accentuate them!Accentuate them!

What are your What are your WEAKNESSES?WEAKNESSES?Eliminate them!Eliminate them!

Conclusion

Most references to the church use the figure of a body and its many parts

I am a vital part of the body I cannot expect heaven unless

I function in the body This church does not function

in automatic overdrive We need each other