The Body Of Christ

As Christians, we are all members of the same Body ... the Body of Christ.  Jesus is the Head and we are the
members.  Have you ever noticed that when part of your body hurts, often you also feel hurt in another part as
well?  It's the same in the spirit realm.  When one member of the Body of Christ hurts, we all feel it.  That's
because we are ... our brother's keeper.

The church is referred to as the Bride of Christ.  Jesus is referred to as the Bridegroom.  In our marriages, God
has made the husband as the head of the wife.  It's the same with the church.  Christ is the Head of the church,
and we are members of the Body.  The church is also referred to as the family of God, and as such we are the
heirs to God's kingdom.

The church is divinely instituted.  Jesus built it.  He attended church regularly and His apostles were in the
temple continually as well.  The church is precious to God ... Jesus loves the church so very much that He
purchased it with His own blood.  Our affection should be set towards the church as well.

Jesus will some day (soon!) be coming back for His bride ... the church.  He shall descend with a shout, the
dead in Christ shall rise first, and then we who are alive will meet Him in the clouds.  And so it shall be forever!!
Church Participation

We were created to be relational.  God's two greatest
commandments to us were to love the Lord our God, and
love our neighbor as ourselves.  One of Satan's greatest
ploys is to separate us one from another.  He knows the
power of two or more standing together in unity, and he
does his best to try to destroy that power.  To become the
conqueror that God intends for us to be, we must know: a
cord of three strands is not easily broken (three strands:
you, me & God!); one can chase a thousand, but two can
chase ten thousand; when two agree as touching anything,
it shall be done.

We are commanded to assemble together.  In church we can
be filled and refreshed through praise & worship and the
teaching of the word of God.  We come together to be in the
presence of the Lord.  Where two or more are gathered in
His name, He is there in our midst.  And in the presence of
the Lord, His enemies cannot  stand!
Loving Each Other

We will be together for eternity.  Therefore, it's a good idea to begin learning how to love each other now,
while still here on earth.  The ability to love each other is not only a gift from God, but a skill to be developed
and honed.  There will be no denominations in Heaven ... no "door" that says "Baptists, this way" or
"Methodists, that way."  We will be together in Heaven ... all worshipping Jesus Christ for eternity.

There is no perfect church here because there are no perfect people here.  If you want your church to be
perfect (or even better!) start with yourself!  If you want a better pastor, pray for the one you already have!
When looking for a church body to belong to, be sure that the love of God is in practice and evident there.  
Be sure that Jesus Christ is Lord there.  Be sure that the teachings are from the Word of God ... the Bible.  
And then stick with it!  Realize that each member of that Body is different, with different rates of learning and
growth.  And God is causing them to grow, just as He is causing you to grow.  We each have different talents
and gifts, and each can be used in its own way to glorify the Kingdom.

However, there are certain basics which are without compromise.  Be sure your church teaches:

1.   God is a tri-part Being ... God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
2.   The Word of God ... the Holy Bible ... is the inherent word of God.  Every word of it was inspired by God the
Father, breathed into the hearts of men through His Holy Spirit, and those men wrote the words down.  
Therefore, the Word of God is infallible.  God is not a man that He could lie.  Therefore, every word of the
Bible is TRUTH.
3.   No man comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ.  He is our Savior.  There is no other way!
4.   Jesus was born of a virgin.
5.   Jesus shed His blood for the remission of our sins.
6.   Jesus died, was buried and three days later, was resurrected.
7.   Jesus ascended to Heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, ever making intercession
for us.
8.   Jesus is coming back to receive His bride ... US!
Be A Doer Of The Word, Not A Hearer Only

In being a hearer only, we deceive ourselves.  We are God's "hands." The work of the Kingdom is done by
God, through us!  We are each a necessary part of the Body, and very much needed.  Because of your
uniqueness, no one else can do what you do!

Find a local church and become an active and productive part of the Body of Christ.
Scripture References:

Ephesians 1: 22, 23; 5: 30                        I Corinthians 6: 15                        Revelation 9: 7
Matthew 9: 15; 25: 1 - 6                            John 1: 12                                      II Corinthians 6: 18
Romans 8: 17                                            Titus 3: 7                                        Hebrews 1: 14
Ephesians 3: 15 ; 5; 17 - 33                      Ephesians 2: 19 - 22                     Mathew 16: 18
Luke 4: 16; 24: 53                                      Acts 20: 28                                     I Chronicles 29: 3
Psalm 26: 8; 84: 10                                    I Thessalonians 4: 16, 17             Matthew 22: 36 - 40
Mark 12: 28 - 32                                        Ecclesiastes 4: 12                         Deuteronomy 32: 30
Matthew 18: 19, 20                                   Hebrews 10: 25                             James 1: 12
I Corinthians 3: 6
This marks the end of the
Walking Toward The Light
discipleship lessons. It is our prayer that
you will use these lessons for a lifetime
of learning and growth in the Lord.
Walking Toward The Light ... Lessons In Discipleship
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