OceanSide church of Christ




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THE BODY NEEDS YOU

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     One of the most important things that each of us possesses is our physical body.

1.       This body is the tabernacle of our soul and spirit.

2.       This body is the machine that enables us to function in this world.

3.       This body is the mechanism through which we serve our God.

4.       This body enables us to engage in activities that bring us great joy.

5.       This body is the outer shell through which we have communication with all in the world.

 

B.      I sincerely believe that most people are like me.  Everyone loves, respects and appreciates every member of his/her body.  We do not want to give up one member of our body unless it is absolutely necessary.

1.       I will keep my vestigial organs.

2.       I will keep my little toe.

3.       I will keep every piece of skin on my body.

4.       I will keep my bones, my joints, my muscles, my ligaments, my veins, everything!

 

C.     Why are we so possessive about our body parts?  Because we believe that every member is important.  Our body needs the brain and heart and lungs.  And, the body needs its hair, teeth, and nails as well.

 

D.     These thoughts lead to the title of our lesson:  “The Body Needs You.”

 

I.                    THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST

 

A.     Now that our thoughts have been enticed with the concept of the body, it should be easy for us to transition to the idea that the church is the body of Christ.

 

B.      In numerous places, the church is called the body.

1.       Ephesians 1:22-23

 

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

 

2.       Colossians 1:18

 

And he is the head of the body the church…

 

3.       The church at Corinth

a.       Paul addressed the saints at Corinth as the “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2).

b.      In 1 Corinthians 12:27, he calls this same group of people “the body of Christ.”

 

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

C.     QUESTIONS:  How many bodies does each person have?  Hopefully, you answered that question as one.  In like manner, there is only one body of Christ.  Jesus is not a monster having many bodies.  He has one, and only one, body, the church (Eph. 4:4).

 

There is one body…

 

II.                 EACH CHRISTIAN IS A MEMBER OF THE LORD’S BODY

 

A.     In 1 Corinthians 12, this truth is affirmed several times.

1.       “For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Cor. 12:14).

2.       “But now are they many members, yet but one body” (1 Cor. 12:20).

3.       “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Cor. 12:27).

 

B.      These members are diverse as the members of our physical body. 

1.       In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes mention of “the foot” (v. 15), “the hand” (v. 15), “the ear” (v. 16), “the eye” (v. 16), the feeble parts of the body (v. 22), the parts of the body considered to be less honourable (v. 23), and our uncomely and comely parts (vs. 23-24).

2.       In Acts 11:22, Luke refers to “the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem.”

 

C.     In the church we have elders, deacons, preachers, evangelists, teachers (in all age groups and men/women), bountiful givers, caregivers, servants, cooks, encouragers, those given to prayer, those given to hospitality, those given to benevolence, etc.

 

III.              EVERY MEMBER IS NEEDED

 

A.     1 Corinthians 12:18

 

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 

1.       When we became Christians, God put us in the body exactly where He wanted us.

2.       This means that each one of us has a function to accomplish in the body.

3.       We should be asking ourselves:

a.       What part am I in the body of Christ?

b.      Am I functioning as a healthy member of the body?

c.       If I am not, why aren’t I?

 

B.      NOTE:  Paul teaches us that EVERY member is important (1 Cor. 12:22).

 

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

 

1.       Which member of your physical body do you count as being completely unimportant?

2.       Which member of your physical body do you want to quit working properly?

3.       Most would answer these questions as:  “None of them.  All of them are important.”

4.       Application:  The same is true in the spiritual body.  Every member is of vital importance in the work and service of Jesus Christ.

 

C.     If all are important, why aren’t all working as they should?

1.       Some are never given a chance to function in the body.

a.       They are said to be too young.

b.      They are not “polished” enough.

c.       They might make a mistake.

d.      Others rough shod over them to do the work.

2.       Some get caught up in sin and fail to function in the body.

3.       Some do not want to be used in the body.

4.       Some may have been hurt in times past and have just given up.

a.       They were severely criticized for their work.

b.      Someone attempted to sabotage their efforts.

c.       They were not supported as they should have been by leadership.

d.      They had something they enjoyed doing taken from them and given to another.

e.       They found that “church politics” is sometimes involved in works of the church.

5.       Some have grown discouraged for some reason and have quit functioning.

a.       They do not have many talents.

b.      They are shy and insecure.

c.       They have grown old and feeble.

d.      Their ideas have been shot down over the years.

6.       Some get caught up in the riches, cares, and pleasures of the world instead of using themselves a members of the body of Christ.

7.       Some act like they want to be active members, but always have excuses as to why they cannot at this time.

 

D.     When every member works and labors:

1.       There is unity.

2.       There is growth, spiritually and physically.

3.       There is peace.

4.       Ephesians 4:16

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

a.       The whole body

b.      Fitly joined together and compacted

c.       Every joint

d.      Effectual working

e.       The measure of every part

f.        Maketh increase of the body

g.      Edifying of itself in love

 

IV.              THE BODY HAS A HEAD

 

A.     The body of Christ has a Head.  That Head is none other than Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:15).

 

But speaketh the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

 

B.      The Head knows what is happening in the body.

1.       It knows which parts are functioning properly.

2.       It knows which parts are not functioning properly.

 

C.     Each part of the body must give an account to the Head. 

1.       The Head will access the problem and will take the necessary measures so the body will be strong and productive.

2.       Some of the measures that might have to be taken:

a.       Some parts will need a little help from other parts of the body.

b.      Some parts need nourishment or medication in order to strengthen them.

c.       Some parts need to be exercised more in order to become strong and useful.

d.      Some parts need radical surgery in order to function properly again.

e.       Some parts have wilted and died and need to be cut off from the body.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Are you a Christian?  If you answered, “Yes,” you are a member of Christ’s body?

 

B.      Are you functioning fully as a healthy member of the body of Christ?

 

C.     If not, please remember that the body needs you.  God set you in the body for a purpose. 

 

D.     Please do not make the mistake and think that the Head will not hold you accountable for how well you functioned in His body (Rom. 14:12).

 

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.