CHAPTER FOUR

THE SERVICE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Scripture Reading: Rom. 12:1, 5; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 2:36; 2 Cor. 4:5a; Acts 13:2; 1:8; Matt. 28:18-19; Acts 4:31b; 1 Cor. 2:4; Acts 6:10; 11:18; Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11; John 21:15-17; 1 Cor. 14:1, 3-5, 12, 24, 31; Eph. 4:16; 1 Pet. 2:2; Col. 1:28-29

OUTLINE

1. Being the service of the New Testament priesthood of the gospel-1 Pet. 2:5, 9:
   1. Being centered on the preaching of the gospel to save sinners and offer them as sacrifices to God-Rom. 15:16.
   2. The goal being to build up the Body of Christ-Eph. 4:11-12.
2. Taking Christ as the Lord-Acts 2:36; 2 Cor. 4:5a; Acts 13:2:
   1. According to Christ’s heart’s desire.
   2. For Christ’s purpose.
3. Taking the Holy Spirit as power and authority-Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-19:
   1. Preaching the Word of God by the power of the Spirit-Acts 4:31b; 1 Cor. 2:4; Acts 6:10.
   2. Dispensing life by the Spirit-Acts 11:18.
4. Taking the Body as the means-Rom. 12:5:
   1. Every member participating in service-Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11.
   2. Being the corporate service of the Body in the coordination of the Body-Rom. 12:5:
      1. Preaching the gospel to save sinners-Rom. 15:16.
      2. Feeding the Lord’s lambs and shepherding the Lord’s flock-John 21:15-17.
      3. Perfecting the saints to build up the Body of Christ-Eph. 4:11-12.
      4. Prophesying, speaking for the Lord, to build up the church-1 Cor. 14:1, 3-5, 12, 24, 31.
   3. The Body building itself up through every joint of the supply and through every functioning member-Eph. 4:16.
5. The three steps of offering by the priests of the gospel in the Body:
   1. Leading sinners to salvation and offering them as sacrifices to God-1 Pet. 2:9b, 5b; Rom. 15:16.
   2. Nourishing the believers so that they may grow up and present themselves as living sacrifices to God-1 Pet. 2:2; Rom. 12:1.
   3. Laboring and struggling in all wisdom to present every one of the saints full grown in Christ-Col. 1:28-29.