Theme: “His Body – You’re Part of It

Text: Ephesians 4:1-16

 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

August 2, 2009

Today we direct our attention to the epistle lesson. More specifically to the phrase the body of Christ. This phrase is one that carries large bags with it. Out of it suitcases come ideas such as members connected to the body, salvation, freedom, following Christ our head and the blessings of being children of God. Today we're going to unpack those bags as directed by the rest of this piece of the letter to the Ephesians. We will find things that bless us and we'll find some things we may not want to hear. We will find things that require us to change our ways, things that require us to stand with the clear words of Scripture and not the messages of this world and its experts. Let's look closely at this phrase, "the body of Christ".

We are the body of Christ. What does this mean? Look at the words around this phrase. Let them tell us about it. It is living God's way. All believers in Christ are to strive to grow to maturity in Him. As a body, this is to attain unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. That all sounds like a tall order, but God Himself provides. You see, we are to do this by the Word of God. It or should I say He, is the source. Now what do I mean by that?

We have another word in this section with a very full suitcase. The word is "truth". We are to mature, to be as our head. That is, to grow up into Christ. Jesus said, "I am the truth" right, the way the truth and the life. Again, we are told that the word of God is the truth. So, Christ and the written word are inseparable, for Christ is the word. That was with God and was God and became flesh and dwelt among us. 

We mature by growing more and more into the ways and will of God. His Word, the Bible, is our guide and authority. As the body of Christ, the Bible guides and feeds us as we grow to live, think and talk Christ's way. 

To do that, the body of Christ must be guided by the Bible and not be carried away by the winds and waves of false doctrine. They are the thoughts and the ways of the world, not of Christ and not of His body. They are not the way to grow into Him. He teaches, blesses and grows through His word. The word his Holy Spirit inspired the one Spirit creating and growing the one faith in the one true God. The body of Christ is empowered by His spirit and lives by His word.

 As members of the body of Christ, we grow and help one another grow by building one another up. Encouragement, not complaints is the way of the body. If you are the kind that likes to complain, the kind who thinks complaints and negative comments are helpful, you need to know you are not growing and you are not helping the body grow. That's not the way of the Lord or His body. 

This is where the “what would Jesus do” thing comes in. As the body of Christ, we are to do what Jesus would do. That idea has gotten a lot of attention but is only part of what is going on with the body of Christ. The rest, the more important part is better described by W. H. J. D. -- what has Jesus done?

What Jesus has done is to establish a relationship with Him and His father. The body of Christ is to have and to share that relationship.

 More of what is in the "body of Christ" suitcase can be unpacked with the question "What does this give?" As the body of Christ we have been given a special relationship with each other. We are bonded. We are bound together in Christ. He has given us more in common than what separates us. Life together in Christ's body, life lived His way, is a blessing for us all.

 Think of the explanations to the Commandments in the small catechism. What a blessing to live in a world where the things prohibited there are not done and the things we're told to do are. A world where people their things and their relationships are all safe. The body of Christ is a safe place in this world, because it lives by the rules of the God who created this world. The body of Christ lives as God intends and it is a blessing for its members and those around it. All of this reflects the fact that the body of Christ has had its relationship with the Creator. Jesus has removed, what separates us from God; our sin. He has made us children of God. You see, as members of the body of the Son of God, we are children of God. Jesus has given us our salvation.

Jesus has made us heirs of heaven. As members of His body, what is His is ours. He has given us the keys to the kingdom. He has blessed us with life, eternal. The King of the universe has given us all that is of eternal value.

 The benefits are eternal, but they are also ours now. As the body of Christ, He has given us victory. Jesus has given us the victory over sin. He paid for our sins on the cross and the Father, pronounced them forgiven. He has given us victory over sins. That is, he has provided forgiveness for those we have committed, and he is the source of strength for us to resist temptation. In addition, Jesus victory extends to the devil himself. As a member of his body, Christ's victory over Satan gives us the power to resist the devil's traps and wilds.

 Being a member of the body of Christ gives us victory in spiritual warfare. No, not simply by claiming the title, being a member of the congregation, no. Victory comes by living in Christ, using his weapons the Scriptures and the sacraments. Christ is the victory. He and His Word are the defense against the deceits and craftiness of this world and the spiritual power of the evil one.

 So, you see this little term, "the body of Christ", carries with it a whole way of life. A way of living in this world, connected with Christ having provided life eternal. Jesus Christ is the one Lord. His is the one Spirit. Faith in Him as the one in the true God, who is over all and through all and in all. He is the God who is love. Growing as the body of Christ is to grow up in love. This is the guidance and the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.   

SDG