Whose Body? Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. What we see today is probably the second stanza of a hymn begun with last week's text. Jesus is Lord (firstborn) of creation. He was creater in the beginning of the things that we see around us, and things that we do not see. Jesus is Lord (firstborn) of the new creation. He is the beginning of the church, and the one in whom it finds its fullness as a body. Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. It is healthy to remind ourselves that the church is something new which the world had not seen before. It is (should be) different from any other human organization. Unfortunately this concept has been lost among some Christians. How do you think about your church? 1. What are some of the common misconceptions of what the church is / should be? A. Country club operated for the enjoyment and benefit of it's members. It exists purely for it's own purpose. B. A Collection of emotional misfits waiting for the first train to glory. C. Eager beaver fanatics running after every new doctrine, like the Colossians. D. An organization to be manipulated or controled for one's own purpose. 2. What is different about the church? ANS: Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church,... There are two parts of the human being. The head and the body. The head runs things. Without the head the body is dead. Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 3. Who is the head? ANS: Jesus is 4. What is the body (church)? ANS: We are. 5. If we are the body, who does the work of the church? ANS: The body does. 6. What question to we ask to determine what should be done in the church? ANS: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. NOTE: The question that we should ask in every decision of the church should be, "What does God's word say?" "Is this decision being made to please me, or us, or is it being made to please the head?" 7. What happens when one part of the body gets into trouble? Matthew 6:22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. 8. How does this body concept apply to local churches? Our local church is part of the world wide body of believers. When we function poorly, the world church is poorer for that misfunction. (Influence, tithes, prayers, etc) 9. Why is Jesus head of the body? ANS: Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 10. How many beginnings can you think of that apply to Jesus? --He was in the beginning of the universe. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. --He was in the beginning with God. --He was in the beginning of this world. Mark 10:6 "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' --He was in the beginning of the church. 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life; v.2...that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. --He was in the beginning of your salvation.2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 11. How does this come about? ANS: I Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Matthew 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 12. Who is the merchant in this parable? Us? Jesus? 13. Can we buy Jesus or our salvation? 14. Did Jesus buy us? 15. If Jesus bought us, then the pearl of great price is His _________. (church) The church was born from the wounds of Jesus. The "irritation" of our sin covered with the glory of God produces something beautiful. 16. We have seen that Jesus is the head, and the beginning of the church. What further illustration does Paul use to describe the position of Jesus? ANS: Colossians 1:18 ... The firstborn from the dead ... 17. How can we say that Jesus is firstborn from the dead when we have Moses and Lazarus who were raised from the dead? ANS: Jesus was resurrected from the second death. Any human being that was brought back to life was restored to the same life that he had before. Jesus went to death in human form, experienced separation from the Father, and was resurrected with a perfect body. 18. If we have received Christ, been born in the new creation, can we rightly use the excuse for sin by saying "I'm only human? ------------------------------------- King of kings yet born of Mary, As of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords in human nature, In the body and the blood. He will give to all the faithful, His own self for heavenly food. That is the difference that being a Christian makes. Christians have Christ himself dwelling in us. Christ as the head of our lives. And as we let the Holy Spirit bring the Lordship of Christ within us we are enabled to be more than we once were. Christ in you, the Hope of Glory. Is that your hope today? Father, I ask for you to be the head of our church, of each committee, of each meeting, of each person. We pray that through your Spirit we may find the unity and direction in you that we have been seeking for. Amen. Let it Be