#1385. The church is Jesus’ body (12/11/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

In our last reflection, we considered the glorious truth that God has placed all things under Christ’s feet and is ruling over everything for the sake of the church - to build her up and fulfil His purposes through her. 

Today, from Ephesians 1:22-23, let’s explore why the church is described as ‘His body.’

You can listen to this devotional below

This image is rich with meaning. Paul doesn’t stop at declaring that Jesus is head over all for the church - he goes further: ‘which is his body…’ This is an extraordinary truth with several powerful implications.

1. We are alive in Christ.

The church is not a building - no matter how impressive! Nor is she merely a gathering of people who follow Jesus. At her core, the church is the body of Christ. This means that we are spiritually alive because Jesus’ life flows into us. We are united to Him. The same “incomparably great power” (v.19) that raised Christ from the dead has raised us and made us part of His body. The church is a living organism, empowered by Christ Himself through the Spirit.

2. We are under Jesus’ authority

If Christ is the head and we are His body, then we live under His direction and authority. Just as the physical body responds to the mind, we are to respond to Jesus’ will. This shapes how we live - calling us to holiness, obedience, and a life that pleases God.

3. The church continues Jesus’ ministry

As His body, the church is how Jesus continues His work in the world. It is through the church that the Great Commission is being fulfilled. It is through the church that His ministry of teaching, healing, and reconciling continues. We might wish Jesus would do the work for us - but this analogy reminds us that the church is vital to God’s mission. We are His hands and feet in the world.

4. The body has different parts that are also united

The image of the body reminds us that the church is made up of many different members, each with unique gifts, yet all joined together in unity. As Paul writes later in this letter:

And again in 1 Corinthians:

This diversity-in-unity is a beautiful strength of the church. Every believer has a role to play in building up the body and reaching the world.

Response

Do we truly understand what it means to be part of the body of Christ?Do we grasp the wonder of being united to Jesus - and to one another - through the Spirit?Are we living in prayerful submission to our Head, Jesus?Are we giving ourselves to serve Him in the church and in the world?

Let this profound truth stir us to worship, obedience, and love.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Note - Please be thinking and praying about who you might want to invite to our upcoming carol service (7th December) and to sign up for carol singing (30th November). To sign up, go to: https://forms.monday.com/forms/67541e198902721e4b04ee65cc95ae8a?r=use1

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 1:22-23, was:  The authority, life and power of Jesus.

Please read Ephesians 1:22-23 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• Over how much is Jesus reigning and how is this meant to affect our thinking, praying and acting? 

• What does it mean for Jesus to be ‘head over everything for the church’?

• Jesus is the head and the church is His body, how do we get connected to Jesus, the head?

• What does Jesus being our head mean for how we relate to Him?

• What does this image of head and body teach about unity?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

•  If we are joined to Christ, we will receive His power. How will this be seen in our service and witness?

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.