Members One of Another
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesIntroduction:
A. The Scriptures Clearly Teach This:
1. Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (KJV)
2. Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (NASB)
B. Paul makes over 30 references to the church as a body, and illustrates clearly this is how we work together, and live as close as Christians are to live.
C. What is Paul trying to tell us?
1. What is Paul “not” trying to say: The Bible does not say “search for” and “try to discover” your own spiritual gifts. (The Bible no where teaches this….)
2. What Paul “is” saying: Let us look at in three ways!
DISCUSSION
I. No Individual Christian Can Function Effectively By Himself.
A. All members are builded together. Romans 12:5
B. We must have the right kind of love – The “God” type. Romans 12:9
C. As we members work together, look at what we do! Romans 12:11-15
D. How are we members described? Ephesians 2:21-22
II. No Member of Christ’s Body Should Feel He is More Important Than Another Member of Christ’s Body.
A. This is God’s way: 1 Corinthians 12:14, 27 We know how body members work together.
B. The body members are to be united! 1 Corinthians 12:15-17. That is the only way we can get done what needs to be done. (We know how our body members work.)
C. Paul said God did it the way it pleased him. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
D. Paul emphasizes this point: “All body members are equally important”! 1 Corinthians 12:22-26.
III. All Members of Christ’s Body Must Work Hard at Creating Unity in the Body of Christ.
A. Endeavoring…. Ephesians 4:3-6
B. Every member has been given grace according to the measure given us: Ephesians 4:7
C. We are taught how to talk as we are joined and compacted together, members, one of another. Ephesians 4:15-16
D. We are taught clearly how we are to be as members, one of another. Ephesians 4:22-24
CONCLUSION
A. Most of the biblical references to the (church) is recognizing them as a body, with the members working in close relationships.
1. I must realize I am a vital part of the local church, which is the body of which I am a member.
2. The only way a body can function effectively is realizing it in the Bible context of the local church (body) and I am an important member.
3. I cannot expect heaven unless I am an active, working member of the local church.
B. It is important to understand:
1. A local body of believers does not function automatically.
2. We must be grown-up, spiritually mature believers; and to be this, we must taught the truth.
3. Paul mentions over 30 times the body, and how it works together.
C. The local body must be keenly aware of the need for developing “spiritually mature” members.
1. We get to emphasizing “gifts” and miss the aim Paul has for us.
2. We emphasize “becoming spiritually mature” and this will lead us to the characteristics Christians must have: humility, sensitivity, unity – expressions of love.
D. Am I helping myself and others to become participating members of Christ’s body? Check yourself:
__I’m doing all I can to help other believers become mature in Christ–measured according to the qualities specified in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.1
__I look for as many opportunities as possible to encourage other mature Christians to participate in teaching the Scriptures, praying, helping others, counseling, etc.
__I realize that God can use other members of the body of Christ, even though they may not have had as much training as I have.
__I have a subtle sense of pride which keeps telling me I’m the only one capable of effectively ministering to other people.
__I have difficulty trusting other members of Christ body – either because I have not viewed other Christians properly, or I am threatened by the fact that they might be able to do things better than I can.
* Accentuate your strengths, eliminate your weaknesses!
* Specify goals, and people to get these progresses going!