The Church is the Body of Jesus Christ
This blog post is Part 14 of a series entitled, "Orthodoxy" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: April 16, 2023
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Answer this question: What is the Church to me?
Amazing Grace? A great start to the week? A special time with family? A much-needed reprieve from the busy? A time of being refreshed?
To each one here who has a history with the Church, whether it be many years ago growing up in your hometown church, or maybe this is your first time in Church. We each have memories and thoughts and expectations and stories and emotions and life-changing moments that have happened because of, the Church.
Today, we discuss - - Foundational Principle #12: The Church is the body of Jesus Christ. And my hope for us each is that, as we study today, you are able to find gratitude in this God-ordained institution that, in some way, has shaped us all - - the Church!
What are my earliest memories of the Church?
As I reminisce about my earliest memories of the Church, I recall: RA’s and Bible drills. Sunday afternoon potlucks. Revivals that went on for days. Getting baptized the same Sunday morning as my older brother and my father.
I remember: Going to Burger King after youth group on Wednesday nights. The time the band Truth came to our church, and I was convinced I wanted to sing for a living!
I really remember the time like it was yesterday when our Worship Pastor called me into his office and gave me a brochure that said, “Belmont University!”
What are your earliest memories of Church?
Mostly all of us have memories of Church. Obviously, some of us have more memories than others.
As I thought about my church experiences growing up in Arkansas, I too had this thought this week: We have such a beautiful and historic building here. Our campus is undergoing renovations and soon, this room will have new floors, and state-of-the-art sound system and lighting system, and updated seating.
We have renovated the Library, the Social Hall, and The Annex where our First Students meet and worship. All of our Life Group rooms have been renovated. We have plans this summer to update the parking lot and steeple.
We have done so very much to meticulously honor and protect the legacy and character of one of Nashville’s oldest churches and of the oldest church building in Donelson. We should be so very proud of this building we have in which to worship each week.
But consider… What if we did not have this beautiful building at 2526 Lebanon Pike at which to worship? Or, what if we did not have a building at all at which to worship? What if meeting corporately as a church was outlawed? What if we had to meet privately in secrecy as a Church? Would Church still be appealing to you? Would you make an effort to go; to support the Church? What if attending such a church meant that your very life and the life of your family were at risk… Risk of persecution? Risk of imprisonment? Risk of death?
I ask you to consider this morning:
Is Church worth the risk?
Well, to adequately answer this question, we need to answer a few more questions. So, this morning, I want to pose three questions to you as we consider the risk involved in what truly makes the Church an essential Orthodoxy for our lives!
Three Questions about the Church:
1. Who is the Church? 2. What is the Church called to do? 3. How is the Church to carry out her call?
Who is the Church?
I will spend the majority of our time on this first question this morning. I will then make brief comments about questions 2 and 3.
1. The church is the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the body, the Church.
Church without Jesus is nothing more than a collective group of people completely wasting their time.
Imagine... imagine a body without a head. An adult brain weighs about 3 pounds. While the brain represents just 2% of a person's total body weight, it accounts for a majority of the body's energy used each day. The brain is a very complex organ. It controls and coordinates everything about the body from the movement of your fingers to your heart rate. The brain also plays a crucial role in how you control and process your emotions.
It is a myth that humans only use 10% of our brains. We actually use all of it. You’re even using more than 10% when you sleep. On an average day, the brain produces 70,000 thoughts, while nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 250 miles per hour! There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain. (For reference, the distance around the world at the equator is 24,900 miles.) The brain is the head, literally, of the body. And without it... the body could not and would not function!
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23
He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. 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. Colossians 1:17-18
Collectively, as the body of the Church, we are to grow and develop as the matured body of Jesus Christ:
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16
2. The church is the community of Jesus Christ.
As His followers, we are the earthly community of Jesus Christ. As a community of Christ followers, everything we do, we are to do as a reflection of Him.
Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth: ...I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1b
Everything I do, I am to do as a reflection of Jesus Christ.
If it is not a reflection of Jesus Christ, I am not to do it... period.
If we each strive for such personal holiness in our lives, we then corporately reflect the nature of Jesus Christ as the Church. Guys, this is it! This is and this should be our goal as followers of Christ!
Imagine the incessant amount of bickering and in-feuding and complaining and gossiping and stirring and drama and silliness and selfishness that so many church-folk have instigated and initiated through all of the years of the Church.
This is so very sad in and of itself, when you too consider such bickering and in-feuding and complaining and gossiping and stirring and drama and silliness and selfishness as you also consider:
Ephesians 5:25 which states: ...just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
The 2 words in this passage “gave” and “up” both mean:
gave; up / Greek/ paradidomi = deliver to prison; allow to be betrayed; delivered to death
Jesus gave Himself up, allowed Himself to be betrayed, and as if He were “delivered to prison” for the Church.
Having done nothing wrong, Jesus was given over and “delivered to death” for us.
How humbling is this Church? Let’s pause and let’s think about this statement momentarily:
Christ gave Himself up for us, the Church… even though He knew there would be bickering and in-feuding and complaining and gossiping and stirring and drama and silliness and selfishness in the Church!
God exalted His Son to the highest place, to the highest position of authority, for the redemptive plan of saving me and of establishing the Church.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23
And because of this, we are to be a community of loyal Christ-followers.
Any idea what the Greek word “church” means?
Church /Greek/ ekklesia = called out ones
So when the early followers of Christ, heard this word, they NEVER associated this word with a denomination or a location or a building or a tradition or a comfort or a “Well, this is the way we’ve always done things” mantra!
No! Instead, the early Christians understood it to mean that they have been “called out” to live a life of complete surrender and faith and devotion within the community of followers of Jesus Christ. To live with such devotion means that, also:
3. The Church is the persecuted manifestation of Jesus Christ.
As the Church, the “called out ones,” we are to understand that a life “called out” also means: ... a life marked. ... a life hated. ... a life persecuted. Paul wrote the church in Corinth to encourage them with this reality:
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
And then, Paul too wrote to encourage Timothy, a pastor in the early Church:
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12
Jesus even spoke into this when He said in Matthew 5:10-12: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
And, right before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus said this to His followers who would soon help launch the New Testament Church:
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. John 15:18-21
This is who the Church is... Now... before moving to the next question, let me take a few moments to clearly articulate who the Church, specifically this church, Donelson First, is not.
The Church is not a camo opp.
Used to when you see someone wearing camo, whether it be a shirt, pants, a backpack, or any gear at all, you pretty much could guess that person was serving or did serve our country as one of our finest in the military or as police officers.
Look at what the United States Army has to say about the use of camouflage:
The main objective of military camouflage is to mask location, identity, and movement. The United States Army / goarmy.com
One thing we know about the use of camouflage, specifically in the military – it helps our troops blend in; to not be seen; possibly, even be ignored.
Long before I was called to serve at Donelson First, my friends who worked at churches in a variety of roles would tell me about the “20/80 Rule!” The “20/80 Rule” is: 20% of the church members do 80% of the serving! So, I just naturally assumed that once joining the DF team here, I would encounter the same. But I have not! I would say we are the exact opposite here. We are a church who serves and serves well! Because you understand, as Paul said to the church in Corinth:
I, as member of the body of Jesus Christ, am a necessary part of serving the Church. And if I do not serve, the Church suffers. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The Church is not self-supportive.
Supporting the Church isn’t merely about a need. Supporting the Church is, above all, a reflection of my heart… ... and my decision to either obey or disobey God’s Word.
From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze. Exodus 35:5
But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; 6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. Deuteronomy 12:5-6
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
Look at what God said through the prophet Malachi: Malachi 3:8-12
I would say this... not out of judgment nor out of a back-sided attempt to guilt anyone. I simply say this out of an understanding that God expects we do exactly this:
If I am not financially supporting the Church... I am not trusting God, I am placing trust in my money, I am selfish, a lover of money, and I am stealing from God.
Additionally...
The Church is not a “one-day-a-week ministry.”
Look at what the book of Acts has to say about the ministry of the New Testament Church:
Acts 2:42-47
Let me ask: How many of you want to grow in your walk with the Lord? How many of you want to see people added to our fellowship? How many of you want to help those in need? How many of you want to enjoy the community of other Christ-followers?
Then, if this is what you want, should we not do what Scripture says will give us this?
How does the Church change the world? We do so by doing as the New Testament Church did:
1. Devote myself to the teaching of the Word. 2. Fellowship with one another. 3. Break bread together. 4. Pray. 5. Financially support ministries that help those in need.
And look at when the early Church did all of these things: Acts 2:46
Does this passage say, The Church did these things ONLY on Sunday?” No!
Everyday! Every day they were together, breaking bread, fellowshipping, and enjoying the company of one another with “glad and sincere hearts!”
At Donelson First, we want to continue creatively thinking of ways to “give to anyone who has a need (Acts 2:45)” in our community.
Our pursuit should be to follow the pattern given to us in Scripture. If we follow the call of the New Testament Church, the end result will be “...the Lord adding to our number.” Acts 2:47b
Here is one more:
The Church is not perfect.
The first church in Jerusalem was full of people from all walks of life. But one commonality of all of these people – they know Jesus or knew someone who knew Jesus!
Some of these people knew Jesus during the time of His earthly ministry. Some of these people watched as He was crucified. Some of these people saw Him alive after He rose. Other people from the early Church, at a minimum, knew others who knew Jesus, saw Him crucified, or saw Him alive after His resurrection.
These people lived during an extremely unique time. Whether they knew Jesus or knew of Jesus, these pioneer Christians were devoted to the Church and to one another.
Again, Acts 2 details the character and excitement, and workings of the early church! These churchgoers loved one another. They were joyous. They were unified. They were sincere. They enjoyed being with one another. How exciting! Invigorating! Refreshing! Yet, they too were... imperfect.
How long do you think it took these early Christians to begin fighting and feuding? Well... not very long:
Acts 6:1
Now, their point was legitimate. And the end result was the launch of the first serving body of the Church - - a deacon body. However, we see that these early believers, even though many actually knew or closely knew of the risen Savior, complained.
The Bible confirms many times that there were tremendous disputes and dysfunctions within the early Church. There was:
Immorality: 1 Corinthians 5
Legal issues: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Idolatry: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Church Meeting crazy: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
False teachings: Galatians 1:6-10
Laziness: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
Divisiveness: Titus 3:9-11
Why is there division in the Church? People. We, as people, are imperfect.
If I am imperfect... Donelson First just might be the church for me!
Question #2:
What is the Church called to do?
As the body of Jesus Christ, the Church functions in two ways:
1. The Church is a community of Christ-followers universally. 2. The Church is a community of Christ-followers locally.
How amazing and wonderful and complex and beautiful and humbling it is to know that people right now all around the world are uniting as The Church for one common purpose:
Called-out ones as a community of Christ followers to bring God glory, to worship Him, to study His truths, and to equip one another for the call upon us all to “go!”
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
The Church is not a specific building nor a specific denomination nor in a specific location. Instead, we are the Church. And, as the Church, we gather in the community here in Music City as His local followers.
To do what? What is our call? Well, we could let any number of passages define the “to do” for us. I take you to this one. Here is our call as the Church, both universally and locally:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
1. The Call of the Church = to spur
Spur /Greek/ eis = movement toward a purpose or goal
2. The Call of the Church = to meet
Meet /Greek/ = consistent time
3. The Call of the Church = to encourage
Encourage /Greek/ parakaleo = pleading with through comfort
The local Church meets together to spur one another on, pleading, and offering comfort, to…
… know, grow, and go proclaim the Orthodoxy of God’s Word.
Lastly, to specifically put hands in feet to this…
Question #3
How is the Church to carry out her call?
The Church consists of every single person who has, is, and one day will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body - whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13
We who have received Jesus Christ as Lord, now have the Holy Spirit living in and among us. We are the Church, and we each have a call on our lives to be used by God for His glory. Fortunately, God’s Word gives us a roadmap for doing exactly this! 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Manifestation /Greek/ phanerosis = to set forth plainly
Of course, we can carry out this call in so very many ways. What is important to note is this:
If as a Christ-follower I choose not to be used to fulfill the “service” for which I am created, I am not merely forfeiting the use of the gifts given to me by the manifestation of the Spirit. I too am crippling the Church... and she will suffer.
Do you think such a statement is too harsh? Read on...
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
This passage fully speaks for itself!
I bring us full circle this morning with a return to the question: Is Church worth the risk?
I say emphatically, “Yes!”
It’s risky to set aside my pride. It’s risky to be vulnerable with others. It’s risky to volunteer my time. It’s risky to love without any guarantee of being loved in return. It’s risky to admit I am flawed.
It’s too worth it. It’s worth it to place others before myself. It’s worth it to care for the needs of one less fortunate than me. It’s worth it to give away what I have to help one who has not. It’s worth it to love… even if it cost me everything. It’s worth it to give my all, die to self, and to do unto others as I would have them to do unto me.
Jesus did this for you. Jesus did this for me. And… Jesus did this for the Church.
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.