Page 16 - Demo

16Your Function Within The BodyThe church is a spiritual body. In fact, it is the Body of Christ with Him being the head. It is Jesus who guides, organizes, oversees and shepherds the body in order for us to be what He wants us to be and to do what He wants us to do. %u201cAnd God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.%u201d (Ephesians 1:22-23)%u201cIt was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.%u201d (Ephesians 4:1113)The church is compared to our physical body to help us understand its structure and diversity of parts or members, all of which are necessary for the church or body to perform its task, function or work in unity and harmony efficiently. This can only happen when every body part is performing its specialty. Now it is true that our bodies can continue to function without certain parts functioning or functioning ineffectively; i.e., lack of sight or hearing, a missing arm or leg, only one lung, etc. But it is also true that it performs more efficiently when all parts are present and functioning as designed. It must also be true that the spiritual body is much more effective if all its members perform their gift (function) in unity and harmony as God designed. Jesus organizes the church so that we may function properly. He organizes His body by giving a gift(s); i.e., assigning ministries or functions to each and every member. You are who you are in the body of Christ because Jesus decided what your part is tobe. Your assigned ministry is not your decision. Jesus is the one who decides. %u201cIt was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.%u201d (Ephesians 4:11-13) We just want to recognize and submit to Hisdecision.Jesus demands that all members be involved -100%. No one is unnecessary. None are unimportant. No one is excluded or excused. All members of the body of Christ have been given a gift or ministry. The work of the church can be roughly divided into three areas: Evangelism, Edification and Service. Through evangelism, the kingdom expands. Edification is for each Christian to grow to maturity and remain faithful. In service, we express God's character for God is love. We have active concern for others in their necessities. These three areas overlap greatly in practice.Gifts are not natural talents or developed skills. They are not personality types. Gifts are functions, ministries, services or roles. They are each one's specialized services. Remember that all Christians should be merciful, but some have the gift of showing mercy. That is their