Body of Christ (The Church)

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Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 3:4-6 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 5:4-12  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 5:23,30,32 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Colossians 1:24-26 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful

Nowhere else in scripture is the BODY of Christ, the Church, mentioned. Not in the Old Testament. Not in the four Gospels. Not in Hebrews, James, John, Jude, Peter or Revelation.

Only in the Epistles written by Paul, to the Churches that he founded, is the Body of Christ mentioned.

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Bride of Christ

Many a sermon has been preached on this subject. Always pointing out that the Bride is the Church (Believers) and the Bridegroom is Christ. Now it is interesting that the term “Bride of Christ” is never used in the scripture. The word “BRIDE” is found in 5 verses in the New Testament, so let’s look at these:

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John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
If you put this verse back into context, it is John the Baptist answer to the Jews asking him if he were the Christ. It would appear that the Bridegroom he speaks of is Christ (Jesus whom he had baptized). But who is the Bride? So let’s look elsewhere the Bride and Bridegroom are mentioned. They are all in the Book of Revelation written by the Apostle John.
Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the brideshall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
The text (Chapter 18) appears to be speaking about events near or at the end of the seven years of Tribulation. The Bridegroom, Christ (established in John 3:29) is done speaking, and so is the Bride. But who or what is the Bride?  Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a brideadorned for her husband.
The text (Chapter 21) is at the end of the seven year Tribulation and the start of
Eternity. Of course the Husband is the Bridegroom: Christ. And the Bride, could it be the holy city, new Jerusalem?

Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
In the same text we find a further description of the Bride, she’s the Lamb’s wife. We find the answer to that in the following Text:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! In the last text where the Bride is mentioned in in Revelation 22:17.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Spirit mentioned is the Holy Spirit. 
See Luke 11:13, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, and 1 Thessalonians 4:8. The Holy Spirit is mentioned many or times in scripture, usually by Spirit.
Part of the Godhead; God, Son and Spirit.

In conclusion it would appear that the Bridegroom is Christ
and the Bride is the new Jerusalem, a city for the Jews which Christ will rule
from (a continuance of David’s throne). A fulfillment of God’s Covenant with
Abraham and all Jews.
ISAIAH 62  Jerusalem, the Bride

An interesting side note. It appears in Isaiah 54:5-6 that Israel is called the wife of God. Speaking to Israel the Lord says:
Isaiah 54:5-6  For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

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Sunday Sabbath

Sunday is not the Sabbath!
The Sabbath falls on the seventh day of the week – Saturday.
But what about the words of the Lord Jesus?
To Whom was HE speaking to? – JEWS
But what about the Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:3-17?
Let’s compare them to what the Lord had Paul write to the Church.

  1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
    1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
  2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. …
    Paul has much to write about idols, look at 1 Corinthians 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
  5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
  6. Thou shalt not kill.
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  8. Thou shalt not steal.
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
  10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

The Apostle Paul covers 6,7,8,9,10 in one verse:
Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The Apostle Paul NEVER mentions the Sabbath but does say: 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Sunday is not the Sabbath!
For more – See SABBATH

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Tis the Season

Christmas Season is here. Tis the Season to be Jolly! Good Will, Peace on Earth to all men!
For most of the people this peace, good will, time to be jolly comes STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE.

During two to three weeks during this season, hundreds of people will die, simply due to Drinking.
Thousands of others will be crippled, maimed, seriously injured.
WHY? Because someone thought the way to be happy was to get soused … drunk … blasted!

As many will visit family and friends during the holidays, many (most) will be offered a drink (alcohol).
Just to be sociable … many will accept it …. Just to be sociable …
Well, what does one little drink hurt?
Intoxicating drink is the devil’s best friend.
If you are a Christian, that one little drink will at best ruin your testimony for the Lord and bring reproach on His name. At worst it can turn you into an alcoholic … “Oh pooh” says you. I DEFY YOU to show me an acholic who never drank and all of them will say “it was just one little drink”.

Now, let’s see what the Bible says about drinking:
Wine, in the scripture was (if alcoholic) a natural fermentation ….
Alcohol, hard booze, wasn’t invented until 1790 (after Bible Printed)
The Bible records the sins of men, and drink is one of those sins:
It never condones Sin.

Deuteronomy 21:20 Punishable by death (under the Law)
Proverbs 20:21 Makes FOOLS of men
Proverbs 23:20-21 Rewards for drinking … Poverty
Proverbs 23:29-35 More results of drunkenness
Proverbs 31:4-5 Not for kings (righteous)
Proverbs 31:6-7 Only for those without hope

⇛ continue reading Tis the Season Part 2
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Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

Honoring God for His Gift 1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Making room for Him Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Singing His Praises Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Inquiring of Him Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Accepting His Gift Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cheerful giving 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Remembering the poor Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Sacrifice for others Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Thanks Giving 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Have a very, merry Christmas. Put Christ in your holiday.

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Consider Christmas

First observed in Rome, 354 A.D.
First observed in Jerusalem 385 A.D.
December 25th was chosen in Rome to coincide with the Pagan Holiday of Sun Worship so that Christians might perform their sacred rites undisturbed, while the Pagans celebrated their Holiday.
In 1647, the Puritans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Quakers so opposed Christmas that it was outlawed in North America.

CHRISTMAS … formed from the word’s Christ’s Mass.
Occurred in English Language as early as 1038.
ADVENT … the time of preparation, preceding the coming of the Lord.
EPIPHANY … the Festival in the Christian Church honoring the visit of the Magi.
Occurs on January 6th, the 12th day after Christmas.
NOEL … French word – A word shouted or sung as an expression of Joy.
Originally to honor the birth of Christ.
YULE … of pagan Teutonic Origin … the idea of noise or clamor accompanying some feast. In old English it’s used to denote the time of December, January.
CANDLEMAS … the feast celebrating the purification of the Virgin Mary.
Or the presentation of Christ in the Temple. It occurs on February 2nd.

The real reason for Christmas … The birth of the Saviour of the World.
The Old Testament is full of His coming. Consider:
Born of a Woman
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Seed of Abraham
Genesis 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
From the Tribe of Judah
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Heir to David’s Throne
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Time of His birth (fulness of Time)
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Place of His birth
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

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Be Thankful

What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?
Turkey, Big Meal, Family, Friends, Fun, Happiness, Pilgrims<
Thanks to God, What the Lord Jesus has done….

Pilgrims … They had many reasons for coming to the new world.
escape persecution, escape old debts, adventure, a new beginning …
Thanksgiving should remind us of a new beginning.
When you became a Christian, you got a new beginning.
All your sins Past, Present and Future were forgiven!
Consider this: We, Believers are Pilgrims, new creatures, a new life!
As pilgrims how should we live?
Let’s look at Hebrews 11:8-16 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Verse 8 OBEY Each individual mentioned in the faith chapter OBEYED God. Verse 11:6 The Key to happiness in this Life, that your Joy may be full. Words of Christ, John 15:10-14And if you don’t obey: Words of Christ, Luke 6:46-49
Verse 9 Dwelt in Tents, didn’t settle for this world… What’s the most important thing to you right now? Spouse, Children, Home, Car, Job, Health…?
Words of Christ, Matthew 10:37. The Lord should be first.
Words of the Apostle Paul to Believers, 1 Corinthians 6:14-19
Verse 10 Looked for a city Are you looking forward to Heaven?
Words of Christ, John 14:1-3. Or is your treasure here?
Words of Christ, Matthew 6:19-21. Be like Moses Hebrews 11:26
Verse 11-12 Faith Sara’s faith brought forth the nation of Israel.
Verse 13 Vision (Spiritual) How’s your vision?
They could see afar off, 20/20 spiritual vision FAITH.
Is your hope in HIM or today? Are you willing to suffer a little here to gain there? The scripture speaks over and over again about suffering …Peter…James…Paul…Confessing their Faith.
Words of Christ, Matthew 16:24
Verse 14 Looking to the future. Are you looking for Heaven?
Verse 15 Looking at what you were.
The danger of taking your eyes off of Christ. 2 Peter 2:20-22
Verse 16 Looking for a new Goal. Heaven, David wrote 1 Samuel 20:3 …there is but a step between me and death.
Only a breath, only a heart beat.

Relook at verse 13: These all died in faith
How’s your Faith? Wavering? Why not get right with God, TODAY!

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Fathers Day (3)

Fathers, instruct your Children
Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Proverbs 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
This even includes grand children:
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Results of love and proper training:
Proverbs 23:24-25 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Until a child is 21 be friendly BUT you are NOT their friend.
After 21 they become your friend, but still with fatherly advice.
Love them and discipline them in Love.

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