Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body, is the spiritual "Body Builder"!
Are you on His side?
According to Scripture: Local Public Churches are Part of the Body of Christ!
Matthew 16:18b GNV
"...upon this rock I will BUILD my Church: and the gates of hell shall not overcome it."
Acts 9:31 GNV
"Then had the CHURCHES rest through all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified [a word meaning "built up"], and walked in the fear of the Lord, and were multiplied by the comfort of the holy Ghost."
Revelation 22:16 GNV
"I Jesus have sent mine Angel, to testify unto you these things in the CHURCHES: I am the root and the generation of David, and the bright morning star."
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 GNV
"27 Now ye are the BODY of Christ, and members for your PART.
28 And God hath ordained some in the CHURCH: as first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers, then them that do miracles: after that, the gifts of healing, helpers, governors, diversity of tongues."
You can be a sprititual "BODY BUILDER" too, in Christ!
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
"So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church."
Just like natural body builders, SPIRITUAL Body Builders (Christians) need faithfulness, fellowship, and repetition of the same spiritual exercises each week, as well as a healthy diet of the Word of God! No body part will thrive or increase in strength if it separates or hides or runs away from the Body. It will shrivel and eventually die. Creation teaches us that. No one in their right mind would cut off their own finger or toe for fun. So why would we cut ourselves off from fellowship? Each member of the Body is meant to stay in fellowship with other LOCAL parts of the Body and to THRIVE! In order to stay in fellowship, one must stay humble, slay their own pride, and overlook those unimportant issues that your fleshly nature "thinks" are important. Keep Jesus the Head, and His Body in view. What you do to your brothers and sisters in the local church is how you are treating the Body of Christ. Let us BUILD one another with the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit and with love and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)
"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
Acts 2:46-47 (GNV)
"46 And they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread at home, did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and had favor with all the people: and the Lord added to the Church from day to day, such as should be saved."
Happy spiritual body building!
Blessings! Pastor Curtis
Sat Apr 1 2017 3:33PM EST
