Putting Value in the Local Church part 1

This week’s theme is “Putting Value in the Local Church.”  I believe we can do this by fulfilling the one another commands of Scripture.

Romans 12:4–5 (ESV) ⁴For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

When we trust Christ as Savior we become part of the body of Christ.  The apostle Paul uses the similarities between the human body and the body of Christ in I Cor. 12:14-27.

Paul also challenged us in Ephesians that as members of a body we need to be working together to build up the body.  Ephesians 4:16 (ESV) ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

As individuals within the body of Christ, God has given us different abilities and gifts to use to the benefit of the rest of the body.  In doing this we will build up the body and help it to grow into what Jesus expects of it.

This makes clear then that any individual Christian cannot function effectively unto himself.  Though they have certain talents that can benefit the body, for the body to be complete they must be willing to assemble with the rest of the body for the benefit of themselves and the others around them.  If I get a splinter in one of my toes, I need my hand to pull it out.  We should not ever say to another part of Christ’s body I don’t need you.  For it is each individual together that make up the body of Christ.

As we learn to minister to one another with the gifts that God has given we must be careful that we do not become proud.  Romans 12:3 (ESV) ³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

God has given us all gifts so that His body may grow to be what he desires it to be, but we must constantly be reminded that these gifts are directly from Him.  They are not because of our own merit nor is one gift more valuable than another within the body.  Yet in Humility we are to serve one another for the benefit of all. 

These things cannot be done in isolation from other believers.  We are called to gather together to accomplish Christ’s purpose for the body.

So in review, we are to remember that we are all necessary parts of the body of Christ and that we are to function for the benefit of the whole.

The video edition of this is available at www.youtube.com/churchoflittleton   FW #32