Young People's Group

A Fully Functioning Church

by Mitchell Tan
June 24, 2020

A HEALTHY BODY OF CHRIST

Ministry is never just about catering to just a few individuals. It is having the whole Church in mind. Christ is the Head of the body and we make up all its different parts. We are inextricably connected to Him and He brings us all together as a whole body.

“From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body, for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:16

The focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ and from Him, the entire body can work together as a cohesive entity. The whole body can be healthy and strong.

1. FITTED WELL TOGETHER

“Joined” in Greek has the idea of being fitted together. “Knit” has the idea of being held together. The church is like a body that is made up of different parts that are joined and knit together. As bones, muscles, organs are fitted well together by ligaments and sinews, even so, we are joined together as one body. Nobody needs to feel left out. All of us belong to the body of Christ.

2. FUNCTIONING DIFFERENTLY TOGETHER

We are joined together when every part of the body of Christ does its share. Each joint of the human body is meant to supply that which would benefit the whole body. Each part of the body has a different part to play. In the same way, when we all have a different part to play in Church and we serve well together, we become a fully functioning Church.

3. FULFILLING OUR FUNCTION FAITHFULLY

Just as every part of the body when working well will contribute to the overall health of the body, we too can do our part in contributing to the health of the church. According to whatever grace gift the Lord has given to us and after being equipped by the servants of God, we can effectively contribute to the church when we do our share faithfully. We can be a blessing to the church. Ultimately, it is Christ who is the One who nourishes the Church and keeps it together (Colossians 2:19) through each part of the body fulfilling their function consistently.

4. FURTHERING GROWTH IN THE WHOLE BODY

When the whole church is fitted well together and every part does its share, it will grow spiritually. It can bring about growth to the whole body and can continue to build itself further. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to edify each other according to needs and to impart grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). Ultimately, it is God who brings about the increase (Colossians 2:19).

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Let’s thank God that Bethany is a fully functioning Church. All of us can play our part in it. Bethany will be resuming our morning worship services very soon. And the Church needs to be cleaned up. Let’s seek to fulfill our part in making our beloved Bethany in tiptop condition once again for His glory. Our focus must be on the Lord Jesus as we serve. If we have not found our place in Bethany, let’s seek to find one where we can be fitted in. Let’s seek to fulfill our part well in love.

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