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Ephesians 3:1-6; [Genesis 12:3]; I Corinthians 2:7-10; Ephesians 3:6-11; 1:19-23; 1:3; 2:19-22; John 4:23, 24; Colossians 1:18, 19, 27; John 1:19-23; Colossians 2:9, 10, 6, 7, 18, 19; 3:14, 2:19; Ephesians 4:15, 16; Hebrews 10:25; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-10; I Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:25-29; 2:1, 2; II Timothy 2:19-21

The great mystery is how the Body of Christ works together to keep everything in balance. We should be thankful to our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the gift ministries, which are designed to help us be perfected in our lives. When all the members of the One Body are functioning properly, we are light-bearers in this world. Unless believers understand the call of God and the uniqueness of each individual believer, they cannot see the One Body working by Divine design.

Ephesians 3:6 reveals the mystery in part when it speaks of the Gentiles being fellow heirs and of the same body as the nation of Israel. That promise was by God to Abraham. Although God had spoken of it throughout the times, there was not a deep understanding of it until it was revealed by way of spirit. Corinthians says if the devil had known what God was going to do when He raised Jesus from the dead, he would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Christ’s accomplishments allowed the spirit to come so that all who believed on Jesus Christ could have that same access to the Father. The power of God was no longer in just one man, but in every one who believed. Now the devil can only try to keep people ignorant of the truth. If Christians are ignorant of the truth regarding the gift of holy spirit, access to the Father and the uniqueness of every member of the Body of Christ, the Body cannot function the way God designed it.

The eternal purpose of God, our Father, is for a family. For a long time, people thought that family would be Israel, but God surprised everyone and revealed that the Gentiles were to be equally included in the blessings God wanted to pour out upon His people.

Christ is the head of the Church, which is his Body. Using the human body as an analogy, we note that within the central nervous system, every part is not attached to the head. Yet nerves are in every part of the body which lead back to the brain. Every believer has the gift of holy spirit ("Christ in you," "the comforter," "the spirit of Christ," the spirit of God") which gives us access to the Father and enables Jesus Christ as the head to communicate to every member of the Body. The new birth spirit is the link to Christ, the head, and to God, the Father. Colossians says as Christians we are "completely, completely, complete." We lack absolutely nothing. ALL the fullness of God is in Christ. Christ is in ALL who have accepted God’s plan of salvation.

Therefore, ALL believers are completely, completely, complete. Colossians warns us not to let anyone beguile us out of our reward. We are to hold the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands has nourishment and is knit together. The bands are literally tendons or ligaments that hold the physical members. The bond, as it says in Colossians 3:14, is love. Ephesians 4:15 and 16 says we are to speak the truth in love. These verses teach that the growth and edifying of the Body of Christ flow from God through Christ, the head, to the individual members as they interact with one another in love. The spiritual truth is we need each other. The contact of individual members ministers to the Body of Christ. The "edifying of itself in love" requires the connecting of the members. There are certain things each individual is adept at. Every one is unique and every one is needful. We are to have care and concern for each other.

We, as Christians, are to (1) stay connected to Christ the head and (2) serve in the Body of Christ. We interact by giving and also receiving from others in love. Everyone has something to give and can benefit from others.

We are all members in particular, fellow heirs, all having the same spiritual abilities in light of the gift of holy spirit, yet all having unique ways of serving. How beautiful it is when all believers hold Christ, the head, by way of the spirit, seeking him first and foremost for guidance and direction. Then with a heart of love, we interact and fellowship with other saints so the church can be edified. We can be so knit together in love that nothing can pull us apart. When our heart is, "here am I, send me," the Master will find good use for our lives and ministries.


#280 Members Of The One Body -- August 18, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 79:44 minutes
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"Members Of The One Body" - Rev. Steven A. Michels Ephesians 3:1-6; [Genesis 12:3]; I Corinthians 2:7-10; Ephesians 3:6-11; 1:19-23; 1:3; 2:19-22; John 4:23, 24; Colossians 1:18, 19, 27; John 1:19-23; Colossians 2:9, 10, 6, 7, 18, 19; 3:14, 2:19; Ephesians 4:15, 16; Hebrews 10:25; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-10; I Corinthians 12:28; Colossians 1:25-29; 2:1, 2; II Timothy 2:19-21 The great mystery is how the Body of Christ works together to keep everything in balance. We should be thankful to our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the gift ministries, which are designed to help us be perfected in our lives. When all the members of the One Body are functioning properly, we are light-bearers in this world. Unless believers understand the call of God and the uniqueness of each individual believer, they cannot see the One Body working by Divine design. Ephesians 3:6 reveals the mystery in part when it speaks of the Gentiles being fellow heirs and of the same body as the nation of Israel. That promise was by God to Abraham. Although God had spoken of it throughout the times, there was not a deep understanding of it until it was revealed by way of spirit. Corinthians says if the devil had known what God was going to do when He raised Jesus from the dead, he would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Christ’s accomplishments allowed the spirit to come so that all who believed on Jesus Christ could have that same access to the Father. The power of God was no longer in just one man, but in every one who believed. Now the devil can only try to keep people ignorant of the truth. If Christians are ignorant of the truth regarding the gift of holy spirit, access to the Father and the uniqueness of every member of the Body of Christ, the Body cannot function the way God designed it. The eternal purpose of God, our Father, is for a family. For a long time, people thought that family would be Israel, but God surprised everyone and revealed that the Gentiles were to be equally included in the blessings God wanted to pour out upon His people. Christ is the head of the Church, which is his Body. Using the human body as an analogy, we note that within the central nervous system, every part is not attached to the head. Yet nerves are in every part of the body which lead back to the brain. Every believer has the gift of holy spirit ("Christ in you," "the comforter," "the spirit of Christ," the spirit of God") which gives us access to the Father and enables Jesus Christ as the head to communicate to every member of the Body. The new birth spirit is the link to Christ, the head, and to God, the Father. Colossians says as Christians we are "completely, completely, complete." We lack absolutely nothing. ALL the fullness of God is in Christ. Christ is in ALL who have accepted God’s plan of salvation. Therefore, ALL believers are completely, completely, complete. Colossians warns us not to let anyone beguile us out of our reward. We are to hold the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands has nourishment and is knit together. The bands are literally tendons or ligaments that hold the physical members. The bond, as it says in Colossians 3:14, is love. Ephesians 4:15 and 16 says we are to speak the truth in love. These verses teach that the growth and edifying of the Body of Christ flow from God through Christ, the head, to the individual members as they interact with one another in love. The spiritual truth is we need each other. The contact of individual members ministers to the Body of Christ. The "edifying of itself in love" requires the connecting of the members. There are certain things each individual is adept at. Every one is unique and every one is needful. We are to have care and concern for each other. We, as Christians, are to (1) stay connected to Christ the head and (2) serve in the Body of Christ. We interact by giving and also receiving from others in love. Everyone has something to give and can benefit from others. We are all members in particular, fellow heirs, all having the same spiritual abilities in light of the gift of holy spirit, yet all having unique ways of serving. How beautiful it is when all believers hold Christ, the head, by way of the spirit, seeking him first and foremost for guidance and direction. Then with a heart of love, we interact and fellowship with other saints so the church can be edified. We can be so knit together in love that nothing can pull us apart. When our heart is, "here am I, send me," the Master will find good use for our lives and ministries.