His Body in Action

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NLT)

This summer, we've been challenged by God to see His Body as being bigger than just Life Bridge Christian Church here in Valparaiso.  He's reminded us that His Church is living and active all over our city, county, state, country, and world.  He's stretched us to recognize His followers by their love, unity, and the fruit of their spirit.  He told us we will not be in His Kingdom simply by calling Him "Lord, Lord."

A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.' "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." (Matthew 7:17-27 NLT)

 Here are a few places I've seen His Body in action over the past week:

• A person who normally cleans our building had a family member get very ill.  Immediately, someone relieved her so she could go be with family.
• People applauded in support at the "tastes like chicken" object lesson in my sermon.
• All the connect cards were read through and prayer requests were lifted up before our Lord.  The people there encouraged one another in ministry.
• A new person walked in off the streets on Sunday to ask to borrow the phone.  His experience with the church is one where he feels like an outcast.  He was immediately welcomed into two different small groups this week.
• A new person joined our "stuff meeting" on Monday night to coordinate donating appliances for the kitchen area we are starting to build.
• Coordinators work together on a mind-boggling number of projects with a Spirit of unity, helpfulness, and love.
• The youth group continues to grow as friends invite friends.  Two teenagers helped clean out the workshop area, organize storage space, and freed up the space for the new kitchen area.
• One of our coordinators spent most of his "break" this week doing work at the building to serve the whole community.
• A need opened up for the Thursday night men's shelter.  One of the volunteers took it upon himself to start inviting friends to join in this ministry.
• My daughter received a note from a "stranger" from another church who felt "led" to support her through prayer, a note of encouragement, and seed money for college.
• My other daughter received help from several different people to get many steps closer to the college she believes God is calling her to attend.
• Two small groups I attended had heartfelt, Spirit-led discussions throughout the evening.
• A new women's bible study group is starting this Saturday.  (Women came back from a conference ready to strengthen their walk with God.)

I realize that I can only see the parts that are connected to me.  But my question is this.  Do you see God at work in the people connected to you as well?  His Body reaches far beyond me and the people directly connected to me this week.  He's right there with you as well.

Here's my last question.  Are you letting God work through you to bear fruit, build unity, and share His love?

All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT)