Assembled: Church as the Body

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Exploring the biblical images of the Church. What does Church as the Body look like?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 4:11-16

Intro:

• Lighthearted opening about ironing a shirt.
• Reading 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, focusing on the body metaphor.
• The body metaphor as a familiar picture of the church.
• Acknowledging most people's complex and negative relationship with their own bodies.
• Jesus' healthy relationship with his body (the church).

The Body of Christ: Key Points

• Diversity:
  • The church is one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12).
  • Diversity of gifts (Romans 12:4-8).
  • Example of diverse responses to a situation highlighting God's multifaceted nature.
• Unity:
  • Called to unity over diversity; emphasis on "one body."
  • Same Spirit, same Lord, despite diverse gifts, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc.
  • Caution against comparison and envy.
  • Importance of surrendering individual gifts to the larger body.
  • The body works best when all parts are working together.
• Authority:
  • Jesus Christ as the head of the body (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18).
  • Submission to Christ as essential for unity and proper functioning.
  • Jesus delegates authority.
• Maturity:
  • Growth happens within the body, through vital connection.
  • Need for diverse perspectives and relationships for growth.
  • Leaders given to the church for the building up of the body (Ephesians 4:11-16).
  • The body grows and builds itself up in love.

Application:

• Encouragement to find and use individual gifts within the body.
• Call to selflessness and surrender to the larger purpose.
• Importance of bearing with one another, as Christ bore our sins.
• Unity purchased by Christ's broken body.

Communion:

• Communion as a reminder of Christ's broken body and the unity it brings.
• Forgiveness and mercy enabled by Christ's sacrifice.
• Call to unity, even amidst diversity and challenges.

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