The Functioning Body of Christ

Today’s passage begins with Paul telling us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, then compares the church to a body, with all the various parts working in harmony. Each part has unique abilities, and the body as a whole functions best when each part is actually performing their part.

The Great Bond of Christian Love

People love* 1 Corinthians 13, but we’re often less enthusiastic about actually living it. When we grasp this type of love, though, we will become the people God wants us to be; it will help us build up one another within the church, as well as reach out to others outside of it.

* Pun totally intended…

Unity in the Body of Christ

When the body of Christ is functioning as a body, there are certain characteristics that are present. Paul lists several of these, and as we look at them, we can get an idea of what a healthy church looks like, and the unity that is present there.

Then and Now

Taken all together, believers have a new identity; we are more than just a random assemblage of individuals. We should remember what we used to be, remember what we are now, and let both of those motivate us as we stay connected to others.

Friends of Faith

All three synoptic gospels record the story of the friends letting their paralyzed friend down through the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching, because they could not get to Him any other way. These friends’ actions got him to a place where he could experience a life-changing impact. What made these friends such good friends?

A True Friend

How many friends do you have? If you have a Facebook account, you may think of your number there, but that’s not really friendship. A true friend can be the difference between a great life and a miserable one. What makes a true friend? How can we be a true friend to others?

Koinonia: More Than "Just" Fellowship

If you look at how Christians are to interact with one another, you won’t get very far in your studies without encountering the Greek word koinonia. It is typically translated “fellowship,” and certainly that is an important part of it; however, it goes deeper than the typical understanding that one English word conveys.

A Place to Belong

The second tenet of our church motto is “Connecting People to One Another.” While some people hold that Christianity can be a private thing, but the Bible is clear that we can only flourish when we connect ourselves with others.

Lessons from the Rich Man

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a poor man (Lazarus). Through looking at the rich man’s tears, prayer, and concern for the lost, we see the urgency with which he would tell people about Jesus. The urgency should be no less for us.

2015 Easter Tenebrae

A Tenebrae service is a service of shadows; as the service progresses, more and more lights are extinguished, until the gathering is in darkness. When done on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, the service ends there, but on Easter, that’s the beginning of the celebration. In the pauses you hear in this recording, there were songs* sung; those had to be removed for copyright reasons. The effect will not be the same, but we pray that you will prayerfully reflect on the sacrifice Christ made through His death and crucifixion, and celebrate His victory over death with us.

* Songs

• “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” (in minor key)
• “At the Cross” with “The Deep, Deep Love of God”
• “Jesus Paid It All”
• “Amazing Love / You Are My King”
• “Amazing Grace” (instrumental - violin)
• “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
• “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord”
• “Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)”