Empowered Unity: The Church as Christ's Body
Summary
In Ephesians 1:22-23, Paul presents a profound vision of the church as the body of Christ, emphasizing the immense power of God at work within believers. This power, which raised Christ from the dead, is the same power that operates in us, enabling us to live the Christian life. The church is not merely an organization but a living, organic entity united with Christ in a vital and intimate manner. This union is not mechanical or superficial but deeply spiritual and indissoluble, signifying that we are not just loosely attached to Christ but are an integral part of His body.
The metaphor of the body illustrates that Christ is the head, the source, and center of life for the church. Just as the brain controls and energizes the body, Christ provides the life and power necessary for each member to fulfill their unique role. This unity is not achieved through external organization but through the Holy Spirit, who binds us together in a spiritual and organic unity. The fullness of Christ is in the church, and we, as members, partake in His divine nature, receiving the energy and strength needed to live out our faith.
Moreover, the church is described as the fullness of Christ, suggesting that in a mystical sense, we complete Him as the body completes the head. This understanding elevates our view of the church and our role within it, encouraging us to live in holiness and sanctification. The power of God in us is not passive; it requires our active participation. We are called to exercise the power within us, resisting sin and living out our salvation with fear and trembling. As we do so, we receive more power, growing stronger in our faith and becoming invincible in our spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is the body of Christ, united with Him in a vital and organic manner. This union is not superficial but deeply spiritual, signifying that we are an integral part of His body, receiving life and power from Him. [13:00]
- Christ is the head of the church, the source, and center of life for every believer. Our unity with Him is not achieved through external means but through the Holy Spirit, who binds us together in a spiritual and organic unity. [19:13]
- The fullness of Christ is in the church, and we, as members, partake in His divine nature. This understanding elevates our view of the church and encourages us to live in holiness and sanctification. [23:37]
- The power of God in us is not passive; it requires our active participation. We are called to exercise the power within us, resisting sin and living out our salvation with fear and trembling. [39:15]
- As we exercise the power within us, we receive more strength, growing stronger in our faith and becoming invincible in our spiritual journey. This process is akin to exercising a muscle, where increased use leads to increased strength. [42:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:22-23
[01:53] - The Exceeding Greatness of God's Power
[03:28] - Understanding the Power in Us
[05:14] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[09:35] - Different Metaphors for the Church
[12:07] - Our Union with Christ
[17:31] - Christ as the Head of the Church
[23:17] - The Fullness of Christ in the Church
[30:24] - The Church as Christ's Fullness
[34:15] - Our Unity with Christ
[38:12] - Abiding in Christ
[41:35] - Exercising Spiritual Power
[45:07] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:22-23
- John 15:5
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 1:22-23, what role does Christ play in relation to the church? How is this role described in the sermon? [17:31]
2. In the sermon, how is the metaphor of the body used to explain the relationship between Christ and the church? [13:00]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the power that is at work within believers? How is this power described? [02:08]
4. How does the sermon describe the unity of the church? What is the source of this unity? [22:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for the church to be the "fullness of Christ" as mentioned in Ephesians 1:23? How does this concept elevate our understanding of the church? [23:17]
2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between Christ as the head and believers as the body? What implications does this have for how believers should live? [19:13]
3. The sermon mentions that the power of God in us requires active participation. What might this look like in the life of a believer? [39:15]
4. How does the metaphor of the body help us understand the importance of each member's role within the church? [26:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal connection to Christ as the head of the church. How does this relationship influence your daily decisions and actions? [19:13]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for active participation in exercising God's power within us. What specific steps can you take this week to actively resist sin and live out your salvation? [39:15]
3. Consider the metaphor of the body and your unique role within the church. How can you better fulfill your role and contribute to the unity and growth of the church community? [26:07]
4. The sermon suggests that understanding our union with Christ can lead to greater holiness and sanctification. How can you deepen your understanding of this union to encourage personal spiritual growth? [33:39]
5. In what ways can you actively seek to experience the fullness of Christ in your life and in your interactions with others? [23:17]
6. The sermon compares the exercise of spiritual power to exercising a muscle. What spiritual "exercises" can you incorporate into your routine to strengthen your faith? [42:24]
7. How can you remind yourself of the power and energy available to you through your connection with Christ, especially during times of weakness or doubt? [28:41]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living, Organic Entity
The church is not just an organization; it is a living, organic entity united with Christ in a vital and intimate manner. This union is deeply spiritual and indissoluble, signifying that believers are not merely loosely attached to Christ but are an integral part of His body. The power of God, which raised Christ from the dead, is the same power that operates within believers, enabling them to live the Christian life. This understanding elevates the view of the church and encourages believers to recognize their role within it as part of a divine and powerful body. [13:00]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the life and growth of your church community, recognizing it as a living body of Christ?
Day 2: Christ as the Source and Center of Life
Christ is the head of the church, the source, and center of life for every believer. This unity with Him is not achieved through external means but through the Holy Spirit, who binds believers together in a spiritual and organic unity. Just as the brain controls and energizes the body, Christ provides the life and power necessary for each member to fulfill their unique role. This understanding calls believers to rely on Christ as their source of strength and guidance in their daily lives. [19:13]
Colossians 2:19 (ESV): "And not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your reliance on Christ as the source of your strength and guidance today?
Day 3: Partaking in the Divine Nature
The fullness of Christ is in the church, and believers, as members, partake in His divine nature. This understanding elevates the view of the church and encourages believers to live in holiness and sanctification. The church is described as the fullness of Christ, suggesting that in a mystical sense, believers complete Him as the body completes the head. This profound truth calls for a life of holiness, where believers actively participate in the divine nature and reflect Christ's character in their daily lives. [23:37]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live out your identity as a partaker of Christ's divine nature?
Day 4: Active Participation in God's Power
The power of God in believers is not passive; it requires active participation. Believers are called to exercise the power within them, resisting sin and living out their salvation with fear and trembling. As they do so, they receive more power, growing stronger in their faith and becoming invincible in their spiritual journey. This process is akin to exercising a muscle, where increased use leads to increased strength. [39:15]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can actively exercise God's power today, resisting sin and growing in faith?
Day 5: Growing Stronger in Faith
As believers exercise the power within them, they receive more strength, growing stronger in their faith and becoming invincible in their spiritual journey. This growth is a continuous process, much like exercising a muscle, where increased use leads to increased strength. Believers are encouraged to actively participate in their spiritual growth, recognizing that the power of God is at work within them, enabling them to overcome challenges and live victoriously. [42:24]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: How can you intentionally practice and strengthen your faith today, ensuring continuous spiritual growth and maturity?
Quotes
There is nothing he seems to say that is more important for us in this world than just to realize that we therefore have taken time to consider his own definition of the power, the measurement of the power, the standard by which he does assess the greatness of this power. [00:02:13]
The first is that we are joined to Christ, that we are united to Christ, and let me hurry to emphasize this: we are united and joined to Christ not in a mechanical manner, not in a loose manner, but in an organic manner, in a vital manner, in a most intimate manner. [00:12:44]
The whole point of course about the body is that the body is not a number of loose parts which are somehow or another just attached to one another. The whole secret of the body is that all the parts are really one, that they are an organic, essential, and vital unity. [00:13:17]
The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. You notice how he puts it and he says that God has put all things under his feet and gave him, Christ, to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. [00:17:57]
Christ is the head of the church, is the source and the center of the life of the church. Now come back again to this analogy of the body. The body is really the source and the center; everything in the body really derives its life and its being from the head. [00:18:57]
The life in every muscle and in every part is really conveyed to it by that nervous energy and power. Yes, but all the nerves ultimately can be traced back to the brain. The brain, which is in the head, is the center and the source and the control of the nervous energy of the whole of my body. [00:19:43]
The church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. What does that mean? Well, it means this: he fills the body with his life. Now you remember in many places in the scripture we are told that in the Lord Jesus Christ was all the fullness of the godhead bodily. [00:23:17]
The whole of my life is in every part, and that is the astounding thing that we are told about the Christian church and about ourselves as members of the Christian church. The church which is his body, the fullness of him, his fullness is in her. [00:24:32]
The energy and the power that is necessary is there. It's there by very definition. You can't be in him without its being there. You can't be joined to him without its flowing into you, so that all the energy and the strength and the sustenance that we each must have to fulfill our function is provided by him. [00:26:07]
The work that is of value, the work that lasts, is the work that he and he alone enables us to do. And the point of the picture is that the energy is there, it is always available. Without him we can do nothing; with him all things are possible. [00:28:00]
The two extreme schools are patently quite false and quite wrong. Those who think that they do everything alone in the Christian life are wrong, and those who say that you've got nothing to do but just look to Christ and wait for him to do it are equally wrong. [00:42:24]
Exercise the power that is in you as a Christian. The life of Christ is in you. Begin to use it and to exercise it. Make use of that muscle. Mortify sin, mortify your members, mortify these instruments that have been used by sin. Do all you can with all your might. [00:43:59]
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