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Before beginning a project a good builder will make a blueprint to help him know what the end result is to look like. That will let him know steps needed to get there. God has done that for His Church in His Word.
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The following passages will show you God's Blueprint Design for the Church. Click on a reference to see what God says it will take to build His church.
- Ephesians 4:11-16
- God lays out His goals for the church and a plan for reaching those goals.
- 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
- God designed the church to function in a way that the needs of each member can be met.
- Romans 12:1-21
- God gives us the basis for body life. He then tells us how we will act if we live within His design.
A. God's Ultimate Goal for His Church
". . . until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God" (Eph. 4:13)
unity
". . . and become mature" (Eph. 4:13)
maturity
". . . attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:13)
Christ-likeness
". . . speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Eph. 4:15)
balance
B. God's Body Building Plan
"It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11)
Gifted leaders and teachers speak the truth in love(vs. 15).
"to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Eph. 4:12)
Gifted leaders and teachers speak the truth in love and are used of God to perfect and equip believers to carry out the work. Notice that leaders do not do all the work. They are equippers.
"From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Eph. 4:16)
It takes the proper working of each individual part in the body --saints equipped for service working together with everybody doing their part.
- an understanding of the priesthood of all believers versus a leader mentality
- being servant-oriented and interdependent versus self-centered and self-dependent
- working as a team versus a one-man show>
- seeing the body as an organism versus an organization
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Scroll down or click on one of the following links:
1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Romans 12:1-21
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A. Diversity of Parts
For the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? (1 Cor. 12:14-17)
God's Design: Build unity out of diversity. God never intended the body to conform and all become the same. He purposely made each member different with different functions to fill.
God's Intent: The result of our life together with all our differences is something better than if we isolated ourselves or associated with only those who are the same as us. Differences can lead to a better understanding of God and His ways. We can challenge and stimulate one another rather than judge and conflict with one another. We can learn from one another. Rather than question who is right, we must learn to ask how we can learn together what is right.
Think About It: If we could get to the point where we could say diversity is okay, we would eliminate competition and comparisons between various church bodies and also among individuals within a given body.
B. Deliberate Distribution of Parts
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Cor. 12:18-20)
God's Design: God put each part of the body where He wanted it, where He knew it would work best. God gives each local body the gifting needed to accomplish the work He wants it to do.
God's Intent: God so distributed spiritual gifts that each member has a special place or function to best contribute to the growth of the Body. When we fail to acknowledge this, we misuse and/or disuse people by not properly plugging them in.
Think About It: If we take seriously this stewardship God has given us, it will have major impact on strategic planning and recruitment efforts.
C. Dependency Among Parts
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" (1 Cor. 12:21)
God's Design: Parts of the body need each other to properly function in order to reach maximum effectiveness for the Lord. No one person has the edge on God's will. We need each other to be complete and to have a better understanding of God's character and ways.
God's Intent: There needs to be a mutual accountability and encouragement among members of the Body.
Think About It: In a self-centered, self-sufficient culture, where isolation and disconnectedness seem to be increasing, we need to seriously consider ways to build accountable, inter-dependent relationships among our members.
D. Dignity of All Parts is Delicately Defended
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Cor. 12:22-25)
God's Design: All parts of the body, although they have different functions, are of equal worth. Consequently, certain parts may need to be more protected, guarded, or dressed up than others.
God's Intent: We need to watch out for each other's worth in Christ, to guard each person's dignity. We need to be careful not to spiritually abuse certain members because they seem weaker or more vulnerable.
Think About It: Both the upfront people and the behind-the-scenes people need to be affirmed. It is easy to neglect certain members. We need to consider ways to genuinely show our appreciation to all.
E. Dynamic Dispatch System
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Cor. 12:26)
God's Design: When something happens to one part of the body, word should quickly travel to the other parts which will respond in empathy toward that part.
God's Intent: We need to communicate with one another in true fellowship, taking time for each other, being vulnerable, authentic, and open with one another.
Think About It: In a day and age of frenzied lifestyles, we need to determine what can be done to bring back the true fellowship needed in order for the Body to properly function.
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A. Basis for Body Life
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God --this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:1-2)
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Rom. 12:5)
1. a committed life to the Lord
2. a contrasted life to the world
3. a connected life to the Body of Christ
B. Behavior Fitting Body Life
... think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you ... we in the body of Christ form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach ... (Rom. 12:3-8)
1. a committed life: stewardship; accountability; interdependency
2. a contrasted life: no longer have an island mentality nor individualistic; understand that life doesn't revolve only around you and how wonderful you think you are
3. a connected life: part of a team
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Rom. 12:9)
1. a committed life: integrity
2. a contrasted life: no longer do what you have to in order to get where you want to be; do not use people or manipulate or deceive them
3. a connected life: relationships based on love and goodness
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Rom. 12:10-11)
1. a committed life: ministry-oriented
2. a contrasted life: not self-serving or self-indulgent; move from an inward to an outward focus
3. a connected life: community life of serving one another
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Rom. 12:12)
1. a committed life: steadfastness; commitment
2. a contrasted life: stop living simply for the moment; be willing to commit
3. a connected life: in it together for the long haul
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you ... Rejoice with those who rejoice.; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another ... be willing to associate with people of low position ... Do not repay anyone evil for evil. ... Do not take revenge ... On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:13-21)
1. a committed life: unconditional love and acceptance toward all men
2. a contrasted life: no longer give only if there is return; no longer love only those who are lovely or who would love you in return; no longer get back at those who offend you; no longer take matters into your own hands to secure justice
3. a connected life: unity and peace among the brethren
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