Tag: church

Many Parts, Same Body

by Ms. Rita's Minute

1 Corinthians 12:21-25

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

The Bible refers to those who have truly believed on Jesus Christ as the Son of God and accepted his death and resurrection as atonement for our sins, as the Body of Christ and the Church. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:22-23). As such, one’s origin of birth, current residence, skin color, size, or economic status does not matter. Each believing individual is defined as the Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ consists of many members of local churches (those buildings used for gathering together to worship Christ among other things) in many places throughout the earth. Also included, are those who may not yet have a local church home, meet in homes, in person or over the Internet, but nevertheless, are believers.

In 1 Corinthians 12 where the Body of Christ is equated to a human body, this chapter speaks of the functions of various parts of the body and their necessity to one another.

It is no doubt common that some people may think they are not needed in the Body, or others, that they don’t need the Body. Yet there are many parts of the Body, and they are all important. Verse 24 tells us that while our presentable parts need no special treatment, God composed the Body, giving greater honor to the part that lacks it, that there wouldn’t be any division in the Body, but that the members would have the same care for one another.

As with a human body, some parts are more presentable to the public and don’t need special attention. While others, are kept clothed and covered, they are no less important to the body as a whole. These parts of the body are what some might consider “less honorable,” in that we don’t want them to be exposed or seen. They’re also parts we don’t want treated harshly or injured.

Yet, God gives greater honor to the parts which lack it, which may be seen as the weaker, less honorable, and unpresentable members of the Body, seeking the benefit of the whole body.

One might notice the Body’s different types of giftings or rich and poor persons of greater and lesser abilities. Nevertheless, they all have a role to fulfill.

There is room for variety in God’s great big, magnificent Body. Through prayer and various biblical resources of wisdom, we just need to know our gifts, find God’s best community fit for us, and remember to respect and honor one another despite our gifts or differences. As well we should appreciate our own unique abilities no matter how great or less they may appear to us.

We are not all the same, but we’ve been made a part of Christ’s Body, so we are family and should love and honor one another as we do Christ, the head. May God’s Holy Spirit, help us all in this endeavor.

Five Reasons to Plug into a Good Local Church

by Ms. Rita's Minute

Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Perhaps you’ve been told time and time again that you need to be plugged into a church. I know I have. It can be easy to visit a church but not participate in any of the groups or ministries it offers. Sometimes we may feel apprehensive about committing or even overwhelmed with the choices. However, over time these feelings usually wane.

However, there are perhaps many reasons for which it is a good move to be plugged into a local church. But I’ll take a minute or two to share five:

  1. Fellowship. Friendly associations, companionship, or comradeship inspire us to reach our goals in Christ. Just spending time with people of like-mindedness can cause the joy of God’s Holy Spirit to be experienced in us. Whether just communicating on a first-time basis, or reconnecting over time, we do good things for our well-being as we remove the focus from ourselves toward others.
  2. Accountability. Responsibility, commitment, and dedication to success in Christian living, whether relating to biological family, work colleagues, or fellow church family, all represent taking on the character traits of Jesus as his disciples. This power involves Christian management, leadership, and influence in our lives as well as an obligation of faithfulness, something we learn from God’s word and time spent with other believers at church.
  3. Prayer. The act of communing with God corporately; submitting our adoration, requests, and thanksgiving to him. An act of communication with our heavenly Father, where we speak and he speaks back to us through his Bible and his Spirit.
  4. Counsel. Wisdom, recommendations, advice, pointers, or enlightenment from knowledgeable Christian leaders on navigating various situations in our lives. These are times of sharing tools and principles we may not know from the Bible or the life experiences of our leaders.
  5. Kinship. Relationship bonding, togetherness, affinity, agreement, symmetry, connection, or community. This sounds like fellowship but can actually differ as fellowship can be less formal and with someone you don’t know at all. However, harmony comes with a binding or unity and growth with time spent with others. This is a key element in Christianity most often fostered in a local church relationship.

Of course, there are many local churches from which one may choose and they are normally open and delighted for your visit at any time services are offered. Praying, asking the Lord where He would have you visit, and asking Him to direct your affairs and relationships as He desires are good initial steps to take in selecting a church home. Asking a relative or friend for possible options is another way of finding a local church.

Remember, local churches often differ in style and mission and have great strengths and weaknesses, but have the same goal of making Christ and his gospel known. They may have ministries involving:

  1. Evangelism. Spreading the Christian message of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, forgiveness, and love.
  2. Discipleship. Reaching people to follow Christ.
  3. Humanitarian work. Helping people in need
  4. Education and training. Providing Christian instruction, coaching, and preparation.
  5. Church planting. Establishing new churches.

The local church consists of normal people with noticeable flaws and imperfections, aiming to become more Christ-like. Some churches you may visit and find they are not a good fit for you or your family, but don’t give up on your search. The Lord will show you His will for your church selection if you desire to know it and are patient in your search.

What are some other reasons you’ve found for joining a local church? Or, what do you appreciate about the local church?