What Does the body of Christ Look Like? - Part 5 of 5

This is a continuation of the previous discussions about the body of Christ. Thus far we have reviewed 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18-25, and 26-27. Part 5 will summarize the description of the body of Christ.

My 3^rd “God moment” occurred one day as I was walking across campus where I work. I saw and heard what seemed like hundreds of birds in a grove of large trees. They were singing at the top of their lungs, each in the “language” for their type of bird. It was beautiful. Individually the birds communicated to each other in their own distinctive sound or “language”, but together, they made the most beautiful music.

I can only imagine that this is what Pentecost must have sounded like – the disciples speaking “with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. Acts 2:6 states that “when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language”. Just as birds speak their own language, we speak our own language. And I believe that God wants us to speak the truth to others in their “own language” so that they can begin to understand. As Acts 2:11 states “we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God”.

During the early morning hours, have you ever listened quietly when the birds 1^st begin to sing? First you hear 1, then 2, then 4 or 5, and as the sun begins to rise, we hear more and more. Have you ever thought about that? As the sun begins to rise in the east, more and more birds begin to sing as if the light from the east is fueling their message!

And don't the birds sing every day? Yes! Have you ever heard a bird that was singing a slow, sad song? NO! And neither should we sing a slow, sad song but rather give praise to our God! Together as the body of Christ, we should be fueled by the light from the east and give thanks for our God.

We also need to all be saying the same thing – the kingdom message. God wants us to share the message of truth individually, but I believe that He wants us to sing it in unison around the world. The volume of hundreds of birds together or hundreds of us could reach far into the community and the world.

1 Corinthians 1:10 states “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same things, and that there be no divisions amoung you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

In closing, I ask you again “What does the “body of Christ” look like?”

We are:

• a group who are distinct from others; covered in Christ & organized for God's purpose
• a union bound together by 1 source – our God
• working together – individually and as a unit – to spread the truth of the gospel
• giving a consistent message to the world

Ephesians 4:4-6 sums it up: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Because He now lives in each of us, we abide with him and He with us forever. We have become the body of Christ. Amen!

~ Rachel West

This message will be posted in 5 parts.  If you are interested in reading the message in its entirety, please click on this link to download https://hotfile.com/dl/161227098/18bebe5/Message_51_-_The_Body_of_Christ.pdf.html. If you experience any problems with this download, please leave a comment so that we may assist you.