For the past few weeks, I have been sharing with you about the foundations of Christian living. You will all appreciate how a foundation is so important for any building. If the foundation is poor, will the building be safe to dwell in? It’s much the same way in the Christian life. We saw that in water-baptism, we become a part in the body of Christ; firstly the universal body of Christ, where we identify with all the saints everywhere in the world and secondly, the local expression of that body in Christ, which is the local church – the church near our dwelling place, where we become members. When we take part of the Holy Communion, we express that we are ‘one body’ in Jesus Christ-our head. We have a fellowship with one another, as in the family of God, walking as children of light. You see, God never intended us to be lone-rangers, roaming alone in this world without being spiritually alive in our relationship with one another.
This is my burden today to share about the great part we have as ‘members’ in the body of Christ. Communion with God is not just an upward relationship, but also establishing a relationship with our fellow members in the local church.
Do you think that the essential part is only drawing close to God? That you can do-worship, pray at home and draw close to God; sit in the comfort of your home and hear the word of God expounded by world-renowned speakers on TV? But, you know what? Our spiritual growth is also dependent on our relationship with fellow members in the body of Christ.
Going to church is not the same as having food in the hotel. Someday you may prefer Chinese from one hotel; then may be Punjabi dishes from another hotel; then again South-Indian or Goan food. But the fact is you are going to need home food on the regular basis. In a city like Mumbai, you may find more than 100 New Life Fellowships. But wherever you have joined as a member, be committed to find your growth. Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…”. The author of Hebrews exhorts us not to take lightly the sacred assembly as is the manner of some. Even in those times there were some who thought the gathering together was not that important.
1 Peter 5:6 says, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”. It is God who gives us growth; it is He who lifts us up. As we remain committed to a fellowship, we express our humility before God. If you look above, at the previous verse, it talks of submission. Verse 5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…” We have elders in the church we can listen, and submit ourselves. If you look at some verses below, v8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. What it means, if you put all these verses together, is that in submission there is safety; we are protected from the devil who seeks to devour. By humility and submission within the church, we guard ourselves; we calm ourselves and become vigilant. Otherwise, if you think you can do it alone, you roam around aimlessly and are vulnerable for attack. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God in the local church.
Ephesians 2:19 says, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” We are family in the local church – the household of God. Romans 12:5 says, “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” We are part of the same body formed of different members-having different functions roles, but nevertheless knit together as one body. In your function as individual members, the whole body finds growth. That is why it is important to understand, that we gather together not just to receive from God, but also give to one another as members of the same body. We are called to function as God’s representatives and God wants to use every one of us – whatever may be your gifting, talent or ability, in the growth of the local church that you are members of.
If a part of the body does not function, we say it is paralyzed, for example the left hand or the right. In a similar manner, every member has a function to fulfill in God's great plan for the local church growth. There are members in the body you may not even be aware of, because it is hidden; but nevertheless doing its function properly. For example, you may not bother to know anything about pancreas-a small member present in our bodies- till you have a diabetic problem. Then you come to know its important function of breaking down sugar molecules for nourishment of the entire body. In much the same way, whether small or great, each member has a vital role to play, vital function to perform, a vital responsibility to shoulder - for the growth of the local body of believers.
Today, I would like to share with 8 such responsibilities for members to fulfill in the purposes of God for the local church. If we read, receive and impart the word of God, it will surely make a difference in the congregation of believers, in the assembling together of the saints.
The responsibilities are
- Get to know each other
In 3 John verse 14, the last part of the verse says “…Greet the friends by name”. We have not come here to be alone and aloof in the way we conduct ourselves in the church. It is for each one of us to be friendly and know others by name. In this way, you can start knowing one another.
- Accept one another
Romans 15 talks about Paul's ministry to the Gentiles; where he talks extensively of accepting one another within the body of Christ. Verse 7 says, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God”. I remember a time, when I was in Thailand
Verse 5 and 6 encourages us to be like-minded in patience and comfort, and with one mouth glorify God. You see, when we know and accept one another, and continue a friendly relationship; there is also an opportunity to get hurt. But in the unity of relationship and in the pursuit of peace, we can learn to forgive one another. Eph. 4:32 says, “…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Yes, don’t show a cold shoulder when others seek reconciliation. Don’t feel vindicated when the other person is struggling in his/her growth. But be kind.
- Pray for one another
Ephesians 6:18 talks about praying always…with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. When you know the needs of others, you can come before our God and pray for one another.
- Encourage and exhort one another
Heb. 10:25 talks about exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching. When you’ve prayed for some person, you can counsel and encourage the person to be strong in the Lord for that Day is surely coming.
- Love one another
Jesus told His disciples, ‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35 )
- Care for one another
1 Corinthians 12:25 talks about caring for one another. In the body of Christ, as fellow members, you must look around for people in need and help them.
- Serve one another
1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”. Our gifting and talents are to be used to serve, to minister to one another.
- Restore one another
Galatians 6:1 talks about restoring a person, in a spirit of gentleness, into the fold of God, when the person has gone astray.
When we continue in these above responsibilities, there are benefits for the fellowship and for our own soul and spirit. These can be fourfold.
- Growth
Ephesians 4:16, talks about this. “…according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
- We know our God who is love
Ephesians 3:18, 19 says that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ…”
- We are protected
Jesus taught us that if any brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he would not, take along two or three brothers and reason with him-enable him to understand. You see, by this we are cared for and walk the straight path.
- We hear God's voice
1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God”. In our lonely time, we may cry out like the psalmist, ‘Why are you hiding yourself, O God?’ or ‘Why do stand far away?’ But, when we assemble together as one body in the local church, and as we are ministered to, we receive the word of God. We hear God speaking to us. We share with one another and receive God’s word and counsel from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not need any counsel from the world. Psalm 1 talks about the blessedness of the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. But, in the multitude of counselors, in the body of Christ, there is safety and victory.
Therefore, seek to build friendship. Seek for people to guide and counsel. Don’t be yoked with unbelievers but have room in your hearts for God's people. Speak it out to one another, confess and bear one another's burden.
It is vital to remain committed, to belong, to participate and to relate to one another. Utilize your talents and gifting for fulfillment of God's purposes in the body of Christ. And we will flourish, grow and will be protected and will hear God's voice.
Thank you, O God, for every brother and sister who have blessed us here, who have been a source of encouragement and strength for us in need. Help us to value one another and grow in the unity and love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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