"Fellowship In the Body of Christ" by Zac Poonen (8 July 2012)
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that the Church is meant to be a unified 'body' connected inwardly to Christ, unlike a mere 'congregation' of people with shared interests. True unity and function within the body depend not just on spending time together, but on the perfect, internal connection to the Head (Christ). To be an effective member, one must possess both spiritual health (freedom from sin) and power.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is fellowship in the body of Christ?Believers who are born again are connected to Christ the head and held together so that every part supplies what is needed for the growth of the body in love.Ephesians 4:16
Congregation versus a bodyIsrael was a congregation with external unity, but the church is called a body where parts are connected inwardly through the head, much like human limbs.
Immersed into one body by the SpiritBy one Spirit, believers are baptized into one body, just as the 120 believers on the day of Pentecost were melted together like iron in a furnace.
Inward connection to the headThe parts of a human body work together effortlessly not because they hang around constantly, but because each is perfectly connected to the head.
Two things every member needs: health and powerJust like a physical hand, a believer needs freedom from sickness, which is sin, and spiritual power by the Holy Spirit to avoid being a paralyzed and useless member.
Maintaining spiritual health by confessing sinSin must be treated immediately like a thorn in the foot, confessing both external faults and inward attitudes to God rather than justifying ourselves like the Pharisees.
Keeping a blameless consciencePaul did his best to maintain always a blameless conscience before God and before men, which keeps a believer spiritually healthy.Acts 24:16
The importance of joints in the bodyJoints speak of fellowship; if joints are stiff or have arthritis, the body cannot function properly, mirroring believers or married couples who cannot get along.
The new commandment to love one anotherJesus gave a new commandment at the Last Supper to love one another as He loved us, which is how all men will know we are His disciples.
Early church fellowship in the temple and housesThe early church in Jerusalem gathered in the temple for preaching and met house to house in smaller groups to break bread and build deep relationships.Acts 2:46
The cross as a place to die to selfLoving others as Christ loved us means putting a cross between ourselves and others, dying to our own rights, will, and reputation.
Forgiveness and physical healingUnforgiveness can hinder prayers and physical healing, as seen when the speaker suffered nerve pain until he forgave a doctor who made a surgical mistake.
Living with spouses in an understanding wayHusbands must honor their wives as weaker vessels and fellow heirs of the grace of life, lest their prayers be hindered.1 Peter 3:7
The value of human beings at the crossLooking at Calvary shows the true value of every human being, leading us to stop despising the weak, poor, or unlearned.
Unity and the authority of gathered believersChrist reconciles diverse people into one body at the cross, and when two or three gather in unity, they have the authority in Christ's name to bind satanic activities and set people free.Ephesians 2:16
