If We Are the Body

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

“If We Are the Body” is the title of a song written and performed by a contemporary Christian group called Casting Crowns. This song touches my heart every time I hear it. "It challenges us all to be more Christ-like; to step outside the circles we are involved in and see the needs of others around us.

In the first verse the song talks about a girl who visits church. She is somehow different; maybe not as pretty, or not as popular, or not dressed as well as the other girls. The other girls at church notice her and point & laugh at her, making her feel unwelcome and out of place. The second verse is about another visitor to the church; a traveler who doesn’t look like the other church-goers. He gets judgmental glances from people and soon decides he’s better off not being there. After each verse the chorus asks,

If we are the Body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?

And if we are the Body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way.

When Jesus was on this earth, He showed us what was important. Through His example and his teachings we know how we should live and what our mission should be. The gospel that came through Christ should continue to come through his body, the church. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." What Christ did here on earth is now our mission because we are the body of Christ (I Peter 2:21, John 13:15). Jesus came to minister and to share the gospel. Now "we are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).

We are challenged many times in the New Testament to be the body of Christ.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 3:25

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

In the song, "If We Are the Body" part of the chorus says, “Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come. And we are the body of Christ."

Thank you Lord for the price you paid. And thank you for the opportunities you give me to become more like you. Forgive me when I follow my own selfish ways instead of choosing to do your will. May I share the message of your love by touching the lives of those who don't know. I want the grace that you have given me to make my heart sensitive toward the poor and hurting. Help me with my emotions and thoughts, as well as my decisions and actions to be a blessing to others.

Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephenville, Texas

Common People, Uncommon Calling

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:19-20

The first disciples called by Jesus were ordinary people. They were men with calloused hands and strong backs. They were men with real life experiences and human insecurities. They had no idea the significant purposes God had in store for their lives. In the first chapter of his book, Twelve Ordinary Men (Nelson Books, 2002), John MacArthur points out the Master shaped his disciples for greatness. These twelve men, commissioned as Jesus’ apostles, would speak and act with the same authority as the One who sent them. They would establish and lead the early Church; teaching, encouraging, equipping, and modeling Christ-like behavior. Although they were common men, theirs was an uncommon calling. The task they were called to was what made them important.

We share in God’s calling, just as the first disciples, and, likewise, are being prepared for an important mission. The Lord accepted us in our brokenness and is patiently strengthening us for works of service in His kingdom. The Creator of the universe desires for our inward fixation to be turned to outward compassion. How else will we effectively function as “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Calling others to the Father, on His behalf, is a tremendous privilege and responsibility.

In our weakness, God’s strength is revealed. It is possible for our talents and abilities and vision, limited as they may be, to accomplish tremendous victories for His cause. It is His power at work within us that makes us “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). God’s purposes are accomplished through us. Allow the Master to shape your life for greatness. Good fishing!

PRAYER:
Our Lord and Master, we confess our weaknesses and ask for Your strength. We apologize for our nearsighted perspective and desire Your eternal vision. Give us caring hearts and a willingness to serve on Your behalf, calling others to Your righteousness. Through Jesus, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

Let's Grab a Sweet Tea

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

“You are now a member of the church”.

“Welcome, we are so proud to have you as a member here”

“You will love this congregation; we are just one big family”

Have you ever heard these quotes at church? I have heard them, said them and had them spoken to me! That is typical “foyer talk” after a baptism or someone placing membership. A relationship begins to develop between a group of people that keeps encouraging and welcoming new members. A sort of country club, with no dues. Some may look around and wonder, just what exactly is this big group of people that wants to hug when they see each other and invite me over for lunch? Others may know and think….”Ahh, just what I have been looking for! Yes, that is the definition of a body of believers to me.”

I see the church as an extension of Jesus by the ears we listen with, the handshakes we give, the eyes we look into while we talk to one another, the smiles we pass along and the feet that carry us to fellowship with one another. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” (1 Cor. 12:12)

As a member of the Body, it is always encouraging to welcome a new person. It is amazing to watch how God designed us all with talents, that when united together can do amazing things.

I believe we as the body have an obligation to further the kingdom, while taking care of one another along the way. I must take care of all my fellow Christians so that our “body” will be working to the best of its ability. I count my blessings, daily, that my dearest friends are girls that I have met because of the body of believers that I worship with.

As we go through daily life and the struggles it presents, let’s try to remember to have one glass of sweet tea with someone else. Maybe we will extend the invitation to the new member, the visitor, the best friend, the older couple, or the college kid.

This southern girl believes that the foyer is one of the best places to extend an invitation for a glass of sweet tea!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being the common bond that binds our body together. Please allow us to strengthen one another and pray for one another. Let us extend our ears, hands, eyes, mouths and feet when we need to. Thank you for your Son.

In His Name I pray,

Amen.

Ashleigh Feuerbacher

Stephenville, Texas

The Smell of Gospel in our Clothes

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

An aroma is an odor. It can be as faint as a scent or as strong as an odor. We move in and out of aromas everyday. It’s one of the things we notice when we walk into a store, a home, or enter someone’s presence. It’s quite common to overhear someone say, “My, that’s a nice scent. What is that perfume or cologne called? Certain aromas are “part and parcel” of what goes on in certain businesses. Aromas get into our clothing simply because we lingered long enough in the presence of a strong aroma. Some aromas can be detected only in close proximity while others can be smelled a considerable distance away from what is causing the aroma.

Paul describes his ministry – and every believer’s life – as a fragrance of life and death. Strange language to say the least. But, it’s language that presents a picture of the gospel and of us as “carriers” of the gospel.

Teaching the gospel to people is compared to the fragrances that accompanied the triumphal procession when victorious armies returned home. To the victors the fragrances represented peace, joy and relaxation, but to the prisoners they were a prelude to death. Same aroma – different effects. Paul says,

“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

Ever thought about your life as the “aroma”…of Christ? Most people want to smell…good. No one wants to give off a foul odor. As people who have the scent of the gospel on us, we bring a message – a smell! – of both life and death. I think Paul’s words remind us that we can’t afford to travel “without a scent”. We should bring an aroma into the conversations and encounters we have with other people that is responsible to the gospel. We can listen for opportunities to present the gospel to people – both its opportunity and its ultimatum. And, this is a challenge for us today especially in our politically correct – don’t offend anybody – culture. Everything has to smell good. Values are neutral ideas. There is no ultimate storyline to which humanity should pay attention. Just stories. Just perspectives.

Paul’s words serve us well. To live as servants of the gospel means that we carry the aroma of the gospel in its completeness. Our message should present the incredible opportunity that is hope in Jesus while also laying before people the truth about our accountability to God. Later in 2 Corinthians Paul says,

”For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men…We urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:1).

What do you smell like?

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas