Growth Within The Body Of Christ

God's missional plan is the salvation and sanctification of the world (Eph. 1:9-10). This mission is best achieved when the Body of Christ operates as a fully functional ecosystem. Christ, is the head of the church, and believers are being fitted together with an expectation of a harmonious and interconnected togetherness. Ernest Best describes the way this spiritual ecosystem should function:

  "If one member fails to exercise his gift, that hinders both the growth of the whole and the individual growth of each member (no member can grow apart from the whole). The growth of each member is involved in the growth of the whole and the growth of the whole in the behavior of each member."[1]

The Goal Of Christianity

"Christianity in essence is concerned with the transformation of character and conduct

rather than with the reformation of societal structures. Its primary focus is on the individual ethics within the Christian community rather than on corporate ethics within society at large; on interpersonal relationships rather than on societal reformation through institutional change. The principal change sought is in the individual, and the secondary in society, through transformed individuals."

Murray J. Harris, Slave of Christ, (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1999), 67-8. 

Saving The Lost: Jesus Raises The Status Of An Accused Adulterer

 The Mission – Confronting Sin With An Aim To Elevate        (Jn. 4:16-18)

The stage is set for further revelation of Christ’s identity and mission. Keep in mind the betrothal theme, the reader will notice a shift in the story. With the awareness of  “Jesus’ identity

as the covenantal husband of Israel and the biblical typology of the well as the meeting place for a betrothal, we can understand the statement by Jesus, “Go call your husband?” (4:16) as the primary purpose of this encounter.”[1] Jesus’ aim here “is not so much to discuss ethics or the woman’s lifestyle as it is to show his revelatory knowledge, so that the woman would begin to recognize his identity.”[2]

Discouragement

 Don't Get Discouraged

Ever fell into the trap of asking (or even complaining to) God about the returns on your investment in His kingdom? One young man felt so good about his prospects that he was confident enough to say to Jesus “I’ve kept all the laws.” The disciples looking on saw a very disappointed young man walk away in response to Jesus’ answer. At this point, Peter quips “Well, we’ve left everything to follow you. What’s in it for us?” (Mat. 19:27; emphasis mine).

We just can’t help ourselves in not only comparing ourselves with others, but asking the same set of questions the original audience put to Jesus:

ü  “What will I (we) get for our labor? 19:27

ü  “Why don’t I get more for my effort? 20:11

ü  “How can this be fair?” 20:12

ü  Since I (we) have sacrificed so much, will I (we) receive more than him/her?” 20:21-22

Spirit-Filled Living: The Role of the Holy Spirit

 

Walking in the Flesh or Walking in the Spirit? - Romans 8

Key Verse: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (8:1)

What does it mean to be spirit-filled? How does one live life empowered by the Spirit(of God)? How does one become of-the-Spirit?

To understand the mind of Paul (the author), it is necessary to consider the context of Romans chapter 8:

The apostle Paul addressed this letter to “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (Rom. 1:7). By this time, the church was beginning to take form – meeting in Priscilla’s home (16:5) and elsewhere (use of “saints” instead of “church”; 1:7). The Jewish diaspora in Rome was still small in comparison to the Gentiles of Rome. Therefore, when Paul spoke, he used words directed to his audience (2:17;4:1;11:17-31;15:14-16. Paul had not yet reached Rome, neither Peter, and Rome was still his goal (15:20). So, how did the church in Rome get started? There were visitors from Rome in the crowd on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). No doubt the witness of the Spirit returned to Rome with these visitors. Migration patterns and the economic attractiveness of Rome made this city a magnet.