A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 7: F l esh i ng Out a Compe l l i ng Tes t imony : Di sc i p l i n i ng Our Di sc i p l i nes 317

C. The body of Christ

1. The body of Christ, functioning as members together, builds up itself into the measure of Christ’s own character, Eph. 4.11-13 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

2. Only as each member contributes to the life of the body according to their calling and gifts can we become what God wants us individually to become.

a. Many members, different functions, one goal: to build up the body, Rom. 12.4-6 – For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith. b. Gifts are apportioned by the Spirit for the common good, 1 Cor. 12.4-7 – Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. c. We are to minister to each other in sync with the gift that our Lord gave us through faith, 1 Pet. 4.10-11 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: [11] whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever