The Body of Christ
Introduciton. (Ephesians 1:15-22).
• The church is described as the
Christ’s body.
• What does that tell us about its
nature?
• What does that tell us about its
functioning?
I. We Represent Christ to the World.
A. The
apostles were “ambassadors of Christ” (Matt. 10:40; Luke 10:16; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).
B. There was
a special sense in which the apostles were “ambassadors” but all Christians are
to spread the “word of reconciliation” (1 John 4:16-17).
II. We Function as a Unit.
A. Christ is
the head and all the parts are joined together (Eph. 4:11-16).
B. All the
parts are dependent upon each other (1 Cor. 12:14-27).
C. All the
parts have their own special function (Rom. 12:4-8).
III. We Imitate Christ.
A. Christians
imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1).
B. We strive to
think like Christ (Phil 2:5-7).
C. We strive to
live like Christ (1 John 2:5-6).
IV. Christ Dwells in Us.
A. Christ dwells
in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:14-17).
B. We become a
“dwelling place for God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2:18-22).
V. We Are Crucified With Christ.
A. Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20).
B. We are buried with Him in
baptism (Rom. 6:1-8).