By Elder James Groce, Pastor
SCRIPTURE TEXT: 1 COR. 12:12-31
INTRODUCTION:
A body has 4 main features: (1) Skeleton, (2) Internal Systems, (3) Muscles, (4) Flesh.
I. THE SKELETON
1. The Skeleton: Gives the body structure.
2. The Church must have a skeleton for structure.
3. Truths upon which the Church is built. They are unalterable and must not be compromised in any way.
(a.) High view of God: Must perceive itself as an institution for the glory of God alone.
(b.) The absolute authority of the Word of God. (Matt 4:4).
(c.) Sound Doctrine.
(d.) Personal Holiness. (2 Cor. 7:1).
(e.) Spiritual Authority. (Eph 1:22; 4:15).
II. THE INTERNAL SYSTEMS
1. A physical body has organs and fluids in it that keep the body alive and functioning.
2. The church must have flowing through it certain spiritual attitudes.
3. Spiritual Attitudes are the life of a Church!
4. Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
5. Not just an outward performance, but more importantly, an inward attitude is needed.
6. OBEDIENCE:.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
1 John 2:4-5 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
(a.) Lord: One who is the complete authority and master of your life.
7. HUMILITY: “Free from pride or vanity; modest. Lowly in station, condition, etc.; unpretentious. Respectful”
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 8. LOVE: Bibical love is not just an emotion it is a
SERVICE.
Mark 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
9. UNITY:
Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(a.) The spirit of unity is hated by hell and fought against strongly.
10. WILLINGNESS TO SERVE:
Psalms 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
11. JOY:
Psalms 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Psalms 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Acts 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
12. THANKFULNESS:
Luke 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Psalms 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
13. The overall attitude of the Church is a sum total of its members. (You must be careful to maintain a godly and reverant attitude.)
