Lesson 16 of 26 in a series of New Testament Vistas. This sermon was presented at Palm Desert Church of Christ on April 15, 2012, by Dale Wells.

3. Colossians 1:18 NIV
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so
that in everything he might have the supremacy.

4. Ephesians 1:20-23 NRSV
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised
him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in
the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority
and power and dominion, and above every name that is
named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.
And he has put all things under his feet and has made
him the head over all things for the church, which is his
body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

5. Christ is
head of
the church

6. Not a
democracy Christ is
head of
the church

7. We must
submit to
him
Not a
democracy Christ is
head of
the church

8. We must
Leadership’s
submit to
challenge
him
Not a
democracy Christ is
head of
the church

9. We must
Leadership’s
submit to
challenge
him
God’s vision
Not a
vs. Human
democracy Christ is desires
head of
the church

11. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one
Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or
free –and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

12. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV
14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of
many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a
hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that
reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear
should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to
the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part
of the body.

13. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the
sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear,
where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God
has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them,
just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one
part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are
many parts, but one body.

14. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV
21 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!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem
to be weaker are indispensable, 23 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, 24 while our presentable parts need
no special treatment.

15. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV
But God has combined the members of the body and
has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that
its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If
one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is
honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the
body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

16. Human body has
needs – walk, talk &
see
• Parts to meet needs
• Feet, mouth, eyes

17. Human body has
Body of Christ has
needs – walk, talk &
needs
see
• Parts to meet needs • Parts to meet needs
• Feet, mouth, eyes • You and me

18. 1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for the common good.

19. Romans 12:4-8 NIV
Just as each of us has one body with many
members, and these members do not all have the same
function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one
body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We
have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

20. Romans 12:4-8 NIV
If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in
proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if
it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let
him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of
others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let
him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do
it cheerfully.

21. Human body:
Healthy – parts
work as planned
Diseased – parts
fail to work

22. Human body: Christ’s body:
Healthy –
Healthy – parts
symphony, balance
work as planned
& harmony
Diseased – parts Diseased – parts do
fail to work not work

23. Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV84
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be
pastors and teachers, (12) to prepare God's people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up (13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ.

25. 1 John 3:1 NIV
How great is the love the Father has lavished on
us, that we should be called children of God! And that is
what we are! The reason the world does not know us is
that it did not know him.

26. Hebrews 12:7-8 NIV
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his
children. For what children are not disciplined by their
father? (8) If you are not disciplined--and everyone
undergoes discipline--then you are not legitimate, not
true sons and daughters at all.

27. Hebrews 10:24 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds.

28. Romans 8:5-6 NRSV
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds
on the things of the flesh, but those who live according
to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the
mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

29. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy–think about such things.

31. We are God’s Temple
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV84 Do you not know that
your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in
you, whom you have received from God? You are not
your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor
God with your body.
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV84 Don't you know that you
yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives
in you?

32. We worship in the presence of God

33. We are called to holiness