The Importance of the Body of Christ, part 2

January 30, 2011

The Importance of the Body of Christ, part 2

Colossians 2:17-9

We are blessed by what we are a part of, but we have a responsibility.
All Christians are connected to the body; no “going rogue.” “We act as a body.”
A body is a living organism- something that is doing and producing; not just existing. Without purpose, we are like a boat tossed by the winds of chance.

You receive real substantial grace that works in your life. “soma tu Christu”- the body owned by Christ. Chaos can enter into the Body of Christ when it is disorganized and disenfranchised. Disconnection leads to discontentment.

Look back at Calvary to see how much He cares. He gave Himself up for us.
If the body does not share in the benefits, then there is no reason to stay connected.

There is real consequential distribution of wealth at work in the Body of Christ. This works from the top down. Blessings given back to us from God…30, 60, 100 fold.
We must be connected to the Body to activate this promise. God wants to share (with you) in the wealth and work of the Kingdom.

The Spirit drives us into the world, not away from it. After Jesus’ baptism, He was driven into the Wilderness to be tempted. We come here (to church) to get our mojo, and this drives us into the world. “Be in the world, but not of it!” ... because we exist beyond this world.

Verse 17- “of things to come” speaks of future focus.
We have a hope beyond this present condition.
God is able to move you

Verse 17- prepositional focus on the future
Maximize your Christianity, not just by having the hands of Christ, but also the eyes of Christ.
The eyes of Christ focused on Christ’s future…past the Cross to a secure crown
Get focused on coming out, not on your current circumstance.

Verse 17- vision has something to do with the way the body of Christ functi0ons.
We are to learn to discern between light and darkness. This requires a discernment of spirit and circumstance.

There are two ways to deal with spiritual silence

(1) Learn to focus on the future, not circumstance.
a. eg. Lot and Lot’s wife. Don’t look back
b. The children of Israelà look toward the Promised Land
c. Put our effort and energy into what is getting ready to happen
d. Too many of our eyes are focused on the “right now”
e. The devil can blind us with “right now” silence

(2) Isaiah 40:31, “They shall mount up…
a. Higher perspective gives good sight
b. Learn to get “on top” of your problems
c. The higher you can put yourself, the smaller the problem looks
d. Wings of Spirit to get above our circumstance, trials and tribulations
e. Learn to have “eagle eyes”
f. Look down on problems, rather than at them
g. We relate to the world from heavenly perspective and bring our gifts together for common goals and problems

In the corporate world, different areas or divisions of a company are connected by a common goal. They all stay focused on what they are called to do. Focus on your house, your division…
Fix your house so that you might serve as an example to others.

A good body is not disjointed, disconnected, distracted or disaffected.

“Big Bad Wolf”…huffing and puffing so that others are not focused on what they are not doing!

If you aren’t producing, are you really a part of the Body of Christ?

We need to do a better job of distinguishing “worship service” from “in His service”
We are His workmanship. He will strengthen me for the journey.

We are here to fulfill the Great Commission…
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:16-21- New International Version, ©2010)