The Body of Christ Jesus/Church

Pastor Walt Scott

December 9, 2013

What is the body of Christ Jesus, and what are we in relation to it?

Matthew 16:18 (Jesus speaking to Peter)

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Colossians 1:17-18

¹⁷ He is before all things,and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church;he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Ephesians 1:22-23

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 2:19-20

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 4:15-16

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20

¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

What is the natural body in relation to the spiritual body?

1 Corinthians 15:40-49

⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

So, now, as described in the above mentioned verses, we all can easily understand what is the body of Christ Jesus, what we are in relation to it and the differences in the natural and spiritual body. We can understand the roles our bodies play in the life we choose to lead. As Christians, living in our natural bodies, we become members of the body of Christ Jesus; the church. Although we now have the Holy Spirit living inside with the promise of a future resurrected spiritual body. We are now expected to function in our position and gifting, as one cohesive unit, aiding and assisting however possible for the maximum benefit of the entire body. Any action contrary to this will cause, at the least, poor performance or malfunction. This will hinder and possibly halt our commission of spreading the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:24-27b

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Why do we feel that there always has to be a competitive aspect to so many things in our life? Doesn't God love us all equally and aren't we each gifted in different ways? I think we should be content and satisfied in our own calling and focus on performing with maximum benefit in our own strengths while working to improve our weaknesses. All of this accomplished with the Holy Spirits guidance.

Some people think that competition brings out the best in us. If that is so, it also brings out the worst. We see violence, envy, jealousy, greed, anger, depression and feelings of inferiority, to name a few. If we could celebrate the best without these negative effects, competition would be more relevant.

This applies to the secular and Christian world. A team approach with equal mutual respect seems to me the best approach, even when we have a designated leader. Team members feed off each others knowledge and abilities and this inspires and fosters the best, brightest and most useful ideas and solutions. This is how a healthy church/body of Christ Jesus should function.

Why is there always the jostling, jockeying and maneuvering for positions of dominance, power and authority between people and nations? Sometimes overtly but more often covertly. Might be described as competition but I believe it has more to do with ego. Is it because they seek to garner respect, influence, admiration, establish a legacy, or just to become well known or feared? Where is our trust? Not only in each other, but especially in God. We are all from the same seed; Abraham. Is satan the author of this distrust? I think so. I believe this distrust is based in fear. Fear of lack, the unknown, life's circumstances, relationships, death, etc. To love as God intended for us to, eliminates our fears. We learn to trust our creator and father in heaven and stand on His promises. This is the true body of Jesus Christ and how it provides and example to the world.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

³ Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

2 Corinthians 12:19-21

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. ²⁰ For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. ²¹ I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

So, now we come to that very word we all hesitate to mention, although we always seem to discuss, and not often with open minds. Denominations! One of the enemy's favorite weapons because of what it fosters and promotes. Division primarily, which itself promotes offense, resentment, pride, assumption, false teaching and others.

Colossians 2:18-19

¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,from whom the whole body,supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Ephesians 4:25

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Were there denominations in the message of Jesus Christ? No. Did Jesus promote the denominational thought and structure? No. There are no denominations intended in the body of Christ. This was all man's doing.

Isaiah 65:1-2, 3a

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
    I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
    I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
² All day long I have held out my hands
    to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
    pursuing their own imaginations—

³ a people who continually provoke me
    to my very face,
offering sacrifices in gardens
    and burning incense on altars of brick;

Proverbs 29:1

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

Through an unwillingness to follow the truth of the word (Bible) and live by it, along with man's obstinacy and selfish desires to manipulate the word (Bible) to benefit themselves, we have denominations. They all think theirs is the only way to get to heaven.

John 14:6-7

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The body of Jesus Christ includes all Christians who know, understand, and practice the truths listed in the Bible. They are simple, easy to learn, understand and do. Complete surrender and belief is required and that takes faith, trust, hope and obedience.

Ephesians 4:26-32

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Galatians 5:16-18

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit,let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Romans 12:9-21

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Colossians 1:19-24

¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

The body of Christ Jesus will never be complete and functioning at peak performance and efficiency until all people are a functioning part in it. I believe we are all a potential part of the body, whether physically present in it or not; Christian or non-Christian. When parts of the body are incomplete or missing, performance suffers. We all have a place in the body which is God's purpose and destiny for each of us. We just haven't all acquired our positions yet. It is up to the existing functioning body members to make every effort to acquire all absent members, thereby bringing them to their purpose and destiny in the body. This is how they discover their true worth and value, and how we fulfill our commission. To abide in and fellowship together in the active body of Jesus Christ is our goal.

Hebrews 10:19-25

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God,²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together,as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jesus Christ saved my life and brought me into his body, where I could find relationship with him and fellowship with the entire body of believers. This is where and how I realized my calling and ultimate destiny. Jesus Christ has saved the life of every believer that resides in his body. When we leave our natural body we will acquire a spiritual body in our permanent home in the kingdom of heaven for eternity. There all things will be made known to us. This can and will work the same way for all peoples. You just have to take that first step of faith, trust him, obey him, and believe. Repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness. And ask Jesus into your heart. Believe that he is the son of God and died on the cross for you. Belief is the conviction of the truth. That is where our hopes lie, and to hope is to desire with the expectation of fulfillment.

Peace and love to all, amen.