Pastor Ralph Posted May 30, 2003 Report Share Posted May 30, 2003 Q6. (Ephesians 5:28-30) In what sense should we love the Church because it is our own body? Because we are part of it? What will that kind of love produce in our actions? Why do we need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright? Exposition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Miller Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 To Nurture; with a Tender Heart... a whole lot of Respect and Love. This made me think of the Word Preserve. I have never Depised the church since it is made up of All who Believe on the Name of Jesus. I have issues regarding those who Fail to Preserve the Body as the Word has spoken to preserve it... that I believe will be dealt with at the coming of Christ. I like to think that One would put aside the Fleshly Differences and rely upon the Pureness of God and His Word to carry out His Will... so instead of arguing a point... I choose to rely on Him and His Word and that means to Love as He Chooses to Love... this is not always as easy as it is said. This is a daily maintenance of asking Him to show me how to love ... and when I had to stop doing something for someone that I thought was out of Love, He revealed to me I was actually hindering them. Understanding is something the whole body is need of today. Actions really do speak louder than words... but the Word has to produce the fruit within us in order for our Actions to made manifest. Even as one who is Disorderly all the time: we should treat them as we would want or desire to be treated... we pray that in time one would also come to the Knowledge of Jesus and hope for that change to manifest in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darleen Nelson Posted June 3, 2003 Report Share Posted June 3, 2003 We as members of the church are one in body with Jesus Christ. The church also is holy because of her union with Christ. We must love with the agape love of Jesus and when we do this we will walk, act, talk, as Jesus did. We cannot achieve this level of love on our own but must love through Jesus in order to love in this way. We must see people as Jesus did and love them as they are. Only than can we be His representatives on earth. If we see the church as Jesus does we will see her as a glorious church and act like she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emy Oliveros Posted June 4, 2003 Report Share Posted June 4, 2003 We love the Church because it is our own body. Since it is our own body, we will love it for no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the Church. We love the Church because we are a part of it, too. That kind of love will produce great transformations in our ways, renewed and enlightened mind or thinking, and breakthroughs in life. We need to repent if we despised the Church but I must say that I always have a deep reverence to the Church which is the Body of Christ. I always look forward to see what God can do to His body in the power of the Holy Spirit through the submission and obedience of all the believers. I love the Church because this is where the family of God is, and she is the bride waiting for the return of her groom. God bless you Pastor Ralph for all the things that you are doing for the brethren all over the world. My our richly supply all your needs and your ways in Jesus name! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 We are one body and one spirit with Christ. The fact that the church is holy because she is united with Christ should shape our thinking in regards to our own congregations and the universal church. The church can't be satisfied with self-absorbed traditions that keeps the church of Jesus from becoming all that she can be. The church needs to become in fact and in deed the visible representation of Christ on earth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Listener Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 Q6aThe sense in which we should love the Church because it is our body is by carefully protecting and cherishing it as Christ does. And we are one in Him Q6bYes, becuse we are part of Christ's Body. Q6cThis kind of love will produce a profound action by reshaping our thinking about our own congregations and the Church Universal and bring about the Unity God has ordained. Q6dWe need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright because we are Christ's -- His glorious Bride and we are visible representatives of Jesus Christ on earth. The glory of the Lord needs to be manifested by the Church to the world. After all we were created for His Glory -- a Glory not to be hid but to be visible -- a light that shines upon a hill. What we do or do not do affects the Body because we are ONE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 Pastor Ralph thank you for this study. I am going to write about a weekend missions trip to NYC. You may think this is not about the body of Christ. But I will try to tell you why I think it is all about the body. We lead teams from our city to New York City, for a weekend mission to the homeless. Friday night we are on the streets praying for and ministering to the homeless people. Saturday we help a church or Para church organization some where in the city . Saturday night is again on the streets. Sunday we attend a Church and return home. I have meet homeless that when I ask if I could pray for them they say let me first pray for you . They praise and thank God for sending us to minister to them. One Saturday we were at a drug and alcohol treatment house. We did a service and bible study with this group of men. At one point in the service everyone in the room was standing with there arms raised praising God and the tears were running done everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 We should love the church for it is Christ body and it is our body we are the bride. Despise which means to look down on in contempt-a lack of respect, to hate, see as worthless, to scorn. I do not despise the church, but I do feel I need to repent for I do not quite understand some things in the church and I pray that I will be enlightened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 The body is not just are little group that we meet with on Sunday. The body of Christ is all believers. I know we all say we are brother and sisters in Christ.Is this just lip service? Or do you ask it out in your daily walk. Have you hugged a homeless person and thank God for there service to the body. Have you ever had a Spanish-speaking grandmother say Santos Gloria because you gave her soup and bread for her family? If we just stay in our little group we can become narrow minded and judgmental. I suggest you visit other Churches worship with them. Help other Churches with there Outreach or programs you will be blessed and you will be acting Christ like. God bless you all Ron THANKS RON Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambschild Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 "Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the Church," a command given for a husbands towards their wives .Since we are the bride of Christ which is the Church then we must guard that bride which is the body of believers .In order to accomplish this, we must love each other as Christ loves us .We must be so unitied in love and faith,so bonded in love and faith that as one suffers the whole body suffers and if we all part take of that suffering ,then that love bond will see victory over any abstacles that befalls the body. The Church is the body of Christ and we must guard that body by our faith and love for one another ,and the gates of hell cannot and will not prevail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebChats Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 (Ephesians 5:28-30) In what sense should we love the Church because it is our own body? Our bodies need nourishment and we must cherish them .. We can use this same sense, for the church. Because we are part of it? We take care of our bodies because they are part of us .. We should see the church in the same way. What will that kind of love produce in our actions? It will produce a sense of moral responsibility where the church is concerned. Why do we need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright? I do not think most despise the church, I know I do not. I do despise the false doctrines and the reputation the church has received in this day and age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Miller Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 Dear Buffalo... I like to read all of what others have posted... you may want to re-read what is in Pastor's Exposition... I also know that the Body is made up of ALL who Believe in Jesus... no matter where the meeting of Fellowship takes place. Pastor's Exposition did not Limited the Body to be of One Group. These questions are to Help us to Think and Help us to Discern and learn. What you have posted is Correct: regarding getting out there and being in fellowship without limiting yourself to One Group. Love in Christ, Sunshine (honestly, I have never met the Pastor... but the expo did not refer to limitations) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Williams Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 We should love the church as we love ourselves. We care for our bodies, we nourish them and give them the necessities of life. We do all we can to bring no harm to our bodies. In the same matter we should care for the church. We should anticipate it needS, doing our part to make it all it can be. We should see and love the church as Jesus does. WE ARE ONE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sangra Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 In what sense should we love the Church because it is our own body? When we understand this fact, we realise that it is our responsibility to feed and care for the Church as we do our own bodies. It is not someone else's responsibility - it is ours. We can no longer justify not becoming involved in some way. What will that kind of love produce? We cannot justify friction within our own community nor between our Church traditions, because if we hurt another part of the Body, we also harm ourselves. Why do we need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright? We want what Christ, the Head, wants for his glorious, resplendent Church - perfection. We will achieve this by allowing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - in other words, the Spirit of Christ to live in us, work through us and touch everyone we come in contact with. Thank you very much, Pastor Ralph for leading us through this study and thanks also to the others who have shared their insights with me. I have learned a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaunita Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 We are "one body", with "many parts"; Once we come to realize this, it's not so hard to love...with Christ-like patience and actions. Like any other family, we'll find there are members we may not "click" with...Remember "Uncle Harry"? (we've all got one in the family!!) he drives everyone crazy at family reunions with his same old jokes, same old stories..same ole "same ole"....Guess what? He's still family, and I bet if someone outside the family talked about him, you wouldn't like it one bit! Well that's the way we are...family; We may disappoint each other at times, we may even "drive each other crazy on occasion, but we still love each other! The love Jesus has placed in each and every one of us, for His body (our "family") is eternal; Eternal...that's a loooong time, to know, that we will be together! On a personal note, let me say how much I have enjoyed this study, and the new friends, in Christ, I've made. I'm sorry to see it come to an end. May God Bless, and Keep You All! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Does anyone know when the next Bible study is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaunita Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Julie...I haven't received any word of a new study, yet...so I've decided to go back, to one earlier (I didn't get to do) So I already signed-up for the one on "Gideon"....If there is a new one, I'd like to know also!! anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Stanley Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 We should love the church because it is our own body.We as the church are one body in Christ Jesus.We should realize the church is our own flesh and we become one.We are family! The mystery,a sacred secret revealed,is that Christian marriage parallels the union that exists spiritually between Christ and His Bride,"The Church". We are the Church.We should love the church just as Jesus Christ Loved us.He loved us so much he suffered and gave his life for us,So the Church can exist.It was only through his love and death the church was born.He bore all the sins of the world,cleansed us and gave us life.We can come into a new life.We can enter into a new birth"The Church" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbwalya Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 We sould love the Church as our own body by taking care of the interests of the Church at heart. That kind of love will produce sacrificial and self-giving actions in our services to the Church. We need to repent because we have not pursued Christ's vision for the Church instead we have pursued our own small visions. In addition, we have not love with the same sacrificial and self-giving love that we ought to have. Thanks Pastor Ralph for the Bible study which has openned my eyes to a number of things you raised. Thanks also for your encouragement to keep me going on with the study. Looking forward to the next one. Greetings to all the saints who love the Lord out of pure hearts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergerjones Posted June 10, 2003 Report Share Posted June 10, 2003 We should love the Christ's Church because it is our own body. We will nurture all members as we would ourselves wish to be nurtured. We must be the best disciples for Christ we can be in order that all will believe. We are not to judge those around us and when we find ourselves doing so, we must pray for ourselves for forgiveness and act in positive ways, not condemning others. We are to be living examples of God's love. Love never fails. It is more effective than many words of rebuke or chastisement advice. We will lay down our lives for each other as Christ did for us. We will help those who need us. We will love and nurture all those around us, ministering to each other as we can. We will work to keep a positive attitude, one filled with love, Christ's lovel We need to repent of despising the church - both the church at large and our own individual church. If we cannot forgive our fellow Christians and love them as they are there is no hope. How can we even think of loving and forgiving others? We MUST love our church and work to bring it back to life in Jesus Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjcollin Posted June 10, 2003 Report Share Posted June 10, 2003 Q6. (Ephesians 5:28-30) In what sense should we love the Church because it is our own body? Because we are part of it? What will that kind of love produce in our actions? Why do we need to repent of despising the Church and begin to love her aright? Exposition The eye, the hand, the foot, and the ear all serve very different functions in the body, but they should all love each other and work together because they are all parts of the same body. This kind of love will produce actions of giving up of ourselves for each other and feeding and careing for each other. We need to repent because we have been in sin and we need to start to do right actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeallen Posted June 23, 2003 Report Share Posted June 23, 2003 We should love the church because it is our own body and we don't want to do anything to harm this body. We need to continue feeding this body with the word of God daily. We need to make sure that anything we do to harm this body we have to repent to God and ask his forgiveness everyday. If we continue to repent, it will become a big part of our life. We want this body to be replenished with nourishing food to continue on our journey, so we will be ambassadors of Christ preaching and teaching the sound doctrine for everyone to become a part of this body, and living the way the Lord wants us to live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 I cannot accept that the Church is our own body. It is the Body of Christ by definition. We are members of the Body of Christ as we are born again of the Spirit of God. We , as that Body, are the Bride of Christ and Christ loves that Body. Our love is towards the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Bride as depicted in Song of Songs. I might despise the human institution but that is not the true Church of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 We should take care of our Church as our body. That also means that we do not spend time running down the members or faults of our Church, but pray and believe that we are on our way to being that beautiful, glorrious Church. We need to treat her better - I need to - and especially repent of seeing her as a Church without power. The true Church has power, and is being prepared for her Groom. We need to believe that and think, act and pray accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heatherdills Posted December 27, 2003 Report Share Posted December 27, 2003 We should love the Church because it is our own body in that each member has a purpose, the church has a purpose, and it provdes for us as God provides for us. That kind of love will produce in our actions love, empathy, kindness, unity and faith. We need to repent of despsing the Curch and begin to love her aright because despising the Church is despsing God. We cannot love God and hate His house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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