The Body Alive!

What Causes the Growth of the Body? “… we are to grow up into all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, …” being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16

Every member needs the body, and the body needs every member.

The Body Alive!

I. Grace “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Eph 4:7) “But to each one is given the manifestation (gift) of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Cor 12:7) “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us …” (Rom 12:5-6)

Grace-Gifts let each exercise them accordingly … 1) prophecy (according to the proportion of his faith) 2) service (in his serving) 3) teaches (in his teaching) 4) exhorts (in his exhortation) 5) gives (with liberality) 6) leader (with diligence) 7) mercy (with cheerfulness)

II. Spirit “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body … we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (I Cor 12:13) “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; …” (Eph 4:4) “So then you (plural) … being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Eph 2:21-22)

III. Love “… from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Eph 4:17) “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you still a more excellent way. ” (I Cor 12:31) “But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (I Cor 13:13) “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, …” (I Cor 14:1)

Sincere Love “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13

Sincere Love “Love must be sincere.” NIV “Let love be without hypocrisy.” NASB No verb in the Greek (it has been added in English) Better rendering is “The Love Sincere” It is a title for a series of genuine acts of love “Love that is sincere will be …” The Greek word for sincere is literally “not hypocritical” The word was applied to an actor who “played a part” Christians are to love sincerely, not “play-acting”

Sincere Love … 1) Abhors what is evil, clings to what is good. (v. 9)

Sincere Love … 2) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. (v. 10) Show family affection to one another in brotherly love. - HCSB “As a spiritual family, the church is to exhibit the intimacy and tenderness toward one another that mark the best earthly families.” Douglas Moo

Sincere Love … 3) Give preference to one another in honor. (v. 10) Outdo one another in showing honor. - ESV

Sincere Love … 4) Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (v. 11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord – NIV Fervor = “set on fire” “Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning as we do our work for God.” Phillips Version

Sincere Love … 5) Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer (v. 12)

Sincere Love … 6) Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality (v. 13)

Live in Harmony with One Another 1) Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not (v. 14) 2) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (v. 15) 3) Be of the same mind toward one another (v. 16) 4) Do not be haughty in mind (v. 16) 5) Associate with the lowly (v. 16) 6) Do not be wise in your own estimation (v. 16)

Overcome Evil with Good 1) Never pay back evil for evil to anyone (v. 17) 2) Respect what is right in the sight of all men (v. 17) 3) If possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (v. 18) 4) Never take your own revenge (v. 19) 5) Leave room for the wrath of God (v. 19) “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” 6) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 19)