March 18 "Our Church Family" Read: 1 Corth 12

Our Church Family

1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV) "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

You are not the Body of Christ on your own. You need others to express that. Together, not separated, we are his Body. A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation. The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God's family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. As a participating member you learn to care about others and share the experiences of others: If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.

1 Corinthians 12:26 (KJV) “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” Only in regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers can we learn real fellowship and experience the New Testament truth of being connected and dependent on each other.

(Ephesians 4:16) (KJV) “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.”

(Romans 12:4-5) (KJV) “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

(Colossians 2:19) (KJV) “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”

(1 Corinthians 12:25) (KJV) “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

Biblical fellowship is being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ. God expects us to give our lives for each other. Many Christians who know John 3:16 are unaware of (1 John 3:16) (KJV) “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This is the kind of sacrificial love God expects you to show other believers—a willingness to love them in the same way Jesus loves you.

Former President John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I think the same thing applies to us and the church. “Ask not what your church can do for you, ask what you can do for your church.” We need the church, but the needs church us. The church is a “city of refuge”. A place of healing, and place where we should express unconditional love for one another. I want to encourage each of you to support your church with your time, talent and tithes. God will richly bless you for this. When you get a chance read your church covenant, a powerful agreement between us and God and each other.

Be blessed in Jesus name!
Pastor Delmar James