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Many Members in One Body

Text: Romans 12
12 July 2015

WE ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST

1. A new concept.

A profound concept.
We are united as one in Christ.

WE ARE MANY MEMBERS

1. We are many members in one body who are different.

2. We are different because we have different functions to play in the body of Christ   (Romans 12:4)

3. We are given different gifts to fulfil our different functions.

4. There are appointed roles for us to fulfil (e.g. teachers, deacons).

5. There are other roles we can fulfil regardless of our appointment   (Romans 12:8):

a) We can exhort each other
b) We can give
c) We can lead
d) We can show mercy

6. For the gifts that we have been given to us, let us use them well   (Romans 12:6)

WE ARE INDIVIDUALLY MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER

1. Although we are individually different, we are still members of one another.

2. Individuality is not to be emphasised at the expense of Christ.

OUR PRACTICE AS MEMBERS OF ONE BODY

1. It is not easy to be one.

2. But we can learn to love with a genuine heart   (Romans 12:9)

3. We can be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love   (Romans 12:10)

4. We can in honour, give preference to each other   (Romans 12:10)

5. We can think humbly towards each other   (Romans 12:16)

THE CHALLENGE TO BE A GOOD MEMBER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

1. We present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God   (Romans 12:1)

2. In old Israel, sacrifices were made to God and they had to be in good order.

3. In the same way, we are to present ourselves holy and acceptable to God.

a) We are to cleanse our hearts from evil feelings
b) We are cleanse our minds from evil thoughts

4. We do this by the mercies of God.

a) We respond in this way because God is merciful to us.
b) We were disobedient once but God has shown us mercy.

DWELLING ON THE MERCIES OF GOD

1. It is by the mercies of God that we have been given everything we need to succeed as a church.

2. It is in the mercies of God that we are given gifts to support the church.