#1525. Understand the body of Christ (27/5/26)
- Matt Beaney
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Stewardship series.
To understand how to use gifts, it’s really helpful to remember we are the body of Christ.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
‘For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.’ (Romans 12:3-8)
I’m sure that we’ve all heard about the cure for a terrible pain in our thumb; what’s the cure to the terrible pain in a thumb? Hit your toe with a hammer! Today, I want to talk about how we are the body of Christ and how a correct approach to this leads to our effectively stewarding our gifts - our time, talents and treasures.
1. We are the body of Christ
A great antidote to the poor understanding, use and pursuit of spiritual gifts is the truth that are the body of Christ. God wants us to view our church as ‘one body with many members’.
Too often we think of a church a an institution in which a few ministers, maybe we call them priests, do all the ministry and we attend their services. However, in the New Testament, the church is presented as the body of Christ in which each of us has an important part to play for its health and growth.
2. We have different gifts and functions in the body
We are told that ‘these members do not all have the same function’. This points to the variety of gifts that God has put in His church. Of course, some will play a more public role. Some will have more spiritual authority - a greater ‘measure of faith’. However, all have their gift and role according to God’s grace, and all or very important, and are not to be dismissed or unvalued.
3. We are united in Christ
Finally, we are told that:
‘So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.’
We are united in Christ. This is a true, spiritual unity. The Spirit who dwells in us unites us to Christ and to one another, and it’s the Spirit who empowers our gifts for service in the body of Christ.
Response
To understand how to use gifts, it’s really helpful to remember we are the body of Christ.
As His body, we understand the nature of the church as a ‘priesthood of all believers’ - everyone has an important part to play.
As His body, we understand that we have different gifts and functions according to God’s grace.
As His body, we understand that we are united to Christ and to one another.
Today, let’s grasp afresh our mysterious and our highly privileged position as the body of Christ - let’s be full of faith for what He wants to do through us.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
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:
Stewardship - A teaching series on how we are to use the good things that God gives to us.
Please read Romans 12:3-8 and discuss:
Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?
How would you define a spiritual gift and what they are for?
What are the ways that we can have poor ‘sober judgement’ and so can hinder the use of our gifts?
How do we find our gifts - Could one of you retell the oil illustration used by Lucy?
How would you like to grow in the use of your gifts?
Notice - If you are not already on a team, why not think about joining a serving team - this is the greatest way to find and grow in your gifts.
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Why will a church that pursues the use of spiritual gifts be effective at bringing the gospel to their community?
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.
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