NINE ILLUSTRATIONS OF LIFE WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

These illustrations give understanding about our position, privileges, and responsibilities in the Body of Christ. Think about the implications of each of these illustrations that apply to our relationship with God ... with other believers ... and with lost people.

1. Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head of the Body, Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18. No other member is the Head ... only Jesus is. Each believer is an important part of the Body, Romans 12:4-5, Ephesians 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. There are many different parts of the body. All parts are not identical... each part must do its own job. There is no place for individualism or favoritism. Our goal is growth in love until the Body reaches full stature matching the Head, Ephesians 4:11-16.

2. Family of God. God is our father, Matthew 6:9, 23:9, 2 Corinthians 6:18. We are His children, Galatians 3:26, 1 John 3:1-2. Jesus is our first-born brother, Hebrews 1:6, 2:17. First-born is a position of authority in the family ... it does not imply that Jesus did not exist before Bethlehem. He was born there as the God-man. He was born as our first-born brother. However, He always existed. In addition, we are fellow-heirs with Him, Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:7. We have fellowship with the Father, Jesus, and each other, 1 John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Matthew 23:8. We are part of the wonderful family of God.

3. Bride of Christ. Jesus is the bridegroom, John 3:29, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 5:34. We are the bride, betrothed to Christ, being prepared for the wedding, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-33. This illustration is one of anticipation. We are waiting for our Bridegroom's return ... anticipating the marriage supper of the Lamb, Revelation 19:7-9.

4. House of God. We are being built to be His dwelling place. God is the builder of His house, Hebrews 3:2-6. Christ is the cornerstone ... and the apostles and prophets are the foundation, Ephesians 2:19-22. We are the living stones used to build His house, 1 Peter 2:4-5. The house of God is not made of bricks and sticks ... it is being built of flesh and blood. "You also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:22. "But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house, whose house we are.” Hebrews 3:6.

5. Temple of God. Israel had a temple. We are a temple. Jesus is our High Priest, Hebrews 3:1, 4:14-15, 5:5-6, 9:11-12. We are individual priests representing ourselves directly to God. As priests in His Temple, we should offer six sacrifices. Sacrifice #1 is our bodies as living sacrifices ... holy and acceptable to God, Romans 12:1. Sacrifice #2 is our praise ... our grateful acknowledgement of God for who He is, Hebrews 13:15.

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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.