THE CHURCH THE BODY
COL. 1-:18
Thesis: Show necessity of being in body/church.
Introduction:
1. Lord was in a fleshly body. (John 1:14).
A. His work on earth was done in this body: His
teaching, His sacrifice for the sins of the world. (Heb.
10:5, 9-10).
B. Body was raised from the dead and in this body
Christ ascended to heaven. (Acts 1:9-1 1; I Cor. I 5).
2. Now church is His body on earth.
A. The "church" identifies the people through whom the
Lord works.
B. The church then functions as the body of Christ.
Body:
1. Christ Is Head of The Body. (Col. 1:18; Eph.1:22,23).
A. Controls by His Word. (Col. 3:16, 17; Note: Word
dwells; "do all in name of.
1. In matters of worship, life, and service/work the
church is under the authority of Christ. (Matt.
28:18-20).
2. The name "Lord" denotes a "Ruler'. (Col. 3:17;
note: "Lord").
B. No earthly headquarters. (Acts 15, not like earthly
headquarters today).
1. Denominational churches have earthly
headquarters.
2. There is no earthly headquarters for the church of
Christ because the "Head of the church' is in
heaven. (Col. 1:18; 3:1-2; note: "where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
C. Elders and bishops (overseers) in matters of
judgment and expediency. (I Peter 5:1-3).
11. Christ Is Savior of The Body. (Eph. 5:23).
A. He saves body because His "body" is:
1. People who are sanctified, i.e., set apart from an
evil world. (Eph. 5:25-27).
2. People who are cleansed. (Eph. 5:25-27).
3. People who have obeyed the gospel. (Acts 2:47,
40,38).
4. People who have received forgiveness of sins.
(Col. 1: 14).
B. He will save eternally the body because those who
make up His body continue to obey Him. (Heb. 5:8,9;
Phil. 2:12-16).
Ill. He Makes Everyone In His body Important. (I Cor.
12:13-26).
A. No inferior members. (I Cor. 12:15-17).
1. Some feel that because they lack money,
education, etc. they cannot be important
members of body.
2. Only 'inferior* member is one whose fawty
thinking leads him to this conclusion!
B. No. superior members. (I Cor. 12:21-24).
1. Elders are to oversee, but they are not superior.
2. Preachers are not superior.
C. Equality of members is the Lord's ideal. (I Cor. 12:25-
27).
1. God has a practical plan for the functioning of
Christ's body. (Eph. 4:14,15).
2. Every member is to do his/her part.
Conclusion:
1. The Holy Spirit leads men into body of Christ. (I Cor.
12:13).
A. He guides men by the word of God. (I Peter 1:22-23).
B. The church is cleansed because it is "washed with
water by the word. (Eph. 5:26).
2. The church at Corinth had:
A. Heard the gospel. (Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; 2:1-2).
B. They had obeyed that word. (Acts 18:8).
C. The Lord had put them into the body--the church.
(Acts 2:47).
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