The Body of Christ
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on the ChurchDate written: November 5, 1994
Scripture ref: Ephesians 4:1-6
SUBJECT: Church
TITLE: The Body of Christ
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study the, the identity, the unity, and the terms of entrance into the body of Christ.
OBJECTIVE: Everyone should be able to: 1) state the identity of the body and cite at least one scripture to support the statement; 2) explain the proper working relationship between the members of the body; and 3) explain how to get into the body of Christ.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
2. About the Text:
1) Paul is discussing unity.
2) He says Christian unity is based upon seven fundamental unities.
3) These are: (list them)
4) Notice that the one body is first.
5) There is one body (explain)
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O.
DISCUSSION: The body of Christ has a unique . . .
I. Identity
1. The body is the church
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: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
2. The body is the bride of Christ
1) Ephesians 5:22-32 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
3. In the body is in Christ.
1) Romans 12: 4, 5 “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.”
2) Ephesians 3:6 ” That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
4. The members are together the body–this leads us into the unity of the body.
II. Unity
1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 has a lot to say about the unity of the body (read in text)
1) Paul’s main point is about how Corinth was divided because of their wrongful use of miracles.
2) He stresses in verse 11 that this could not be because of the H.S. because the H.S. is united.
3) His point is that although the body is composed of many members, there is still one body because it is. . .
a. United in Christ (12)
b. United in Baptism (13)
c. United in the Holy Spirit (13)
d. United because of our unique inadequacies and talents (14-19) i.e. like the pieces of a puzzle.
e. United in the Father’s design (20-24)
f. United in concern (25-26)
g. United in identity (27)
2. Ephesians 4:1-17 is another great passage which describes the unity of the body.
1) Paul is stressing unity (3)
2) There is unity in doctrine (4-6)–the seven great “ones” of Ephesians4:4-6
3) There is a unity of purpose (7-16)–This purpose is the building up of the body of Christ.
a. Each has his own unique purpose (11)
b. These unique purposes work toward a single purpose (12)–building up body.
c. This single purpose was working toward a greater purpose (13-14)–unity of the faith.
d. This greater purpose in turn worked toward a grand purpose (15, 16)–the building up of the body in love.
3. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
III. Initiation
1. We noticed as part of our identity that if we are in the body then we are in Christ.
1) Romans 12: 4, 5 “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.”
2) Ephesians 3:6 “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
2. We now notice that if we are in Christ–in his body–we have access to certain special blessings.
1) 2 Corinthians5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2) Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
3) We note a few:
a. Redemption (Romans 3:24)
b. No condemnation (Romans 8:1)
c. Love (Romans 8:39)
d. The one body (Romans 12:5)
e. The church and sanctification (1 Corinthians1:2)
f. Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption (1 Corinthians1:30)
g. Life (1 Corinthians15:22)
h. Triumph (2 Corinthians2:14)
i. Liberty (Gal.2:4)
j. Unity (Gal.3:28)
k. Reconciliation (Ephesians2:13)
l. Promise of life (2 Timothy1:1)
4) All spiritual blessings are in Christ
3. How do we get in Christ?
1) We must find the way into the Christ
2) Romans 10:10 believing and confessing are “unto” salvation.
3) Repentance is “unto” life
4) Only baptism is “into” the Christ
a. Galatians 3:
b. 1 Corinthians12:13
c. Romans 6:
CONCLUSION:
1. Let us be concerned about the body of Christ
1) Its identity
2) Its unity
3) Its initiation
2. Invitation