TOPIC: GOOD WORKS EDIFIES THE BODY OF CHRIST
TEXT: Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
Memory Verse: 1Corinthians 9:7 “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”
FOCUS:
This morning we will be looking at good works. Good works does not only bless the person you are giving it to alone but it edifies the body of Christ. The body of Christ consist of the whole church in the universe; all the denominations such as orthodox, pentecostal, etc. When you do good to one person, you have strengthened the body of Christ. That is why, when Jesus was giving one of His parable, He said: I was in prison but you didn’t visit me. And they asked, Lord, when were you in prison and we didn’t come? And He said inasmuch as you have done it to any of these, you have done it to me. What this means is that Jesus was equating one person to the body because He starts that statement as a singular statement – ‘I was in the prison’ but by the time He was concluding it, He had turned it to plural.
Each time you do good, you are not doing it to that person as an individual rather you are strengthening the body of Christ. No wonder, we need more people who will come out and strengthen the body. The body of Christ is the body Christ cherish. Jesus was speaking and He said; He is coming for a glorious Church, a Church without spots or wrinkle. Let’s extend good works to people not minding their race, tribe or differences; let’s get out of our shell and begin to reach out to those who not easily reached out to. Most people have a people of their own but we should extend goodness to all men who have blood flowing in them. Take for instance, the Samaritan, though the helpless man was a Jew, the good Samaritan took him to the hospital and paid the bills.
When last did you bless someone that is not related to you? When last did you bless someone incapacitated to say thank you? It is time to strengthen one another in good works. It is time to bless people. It is time to let people know that God is alive. God bless you. Amen.
LESSON:
Proverbs 11:25 “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
What does it mean to be liberal? To be generous; hospital. It strengthens the body of Christ; it makes the work of faith to be perfect; gives hope to the hopeless; strengthens the faith of the brethren; it makes people to feel or gave a sense of belonging; to feel loved and understand that they are loved by God. If you have ever been in need and someone decides to help, then you will know what it means to receive help from someone. I know what I’m saying. There are moments in the hospital when someone needs just a smile from another person and a word of affirmation telling him or her that ‘you will be fine.’
It says, the liberal soul shall be made fat. Your priority is not only in money, you are generous, you genuinely love and show people kindness; you’re not an hypocrite. You are someone who is interested in the kingdom; you are so conscious of God that you have lost taste with murmurings. May God keep on strengthening those who are edifying His body. He is coming for a glorious Church and everyone weak must be strengthened; everyone down must be lifted and everyone hopeless must receive hope. God does not want you and I to live in isolation rather, God wants us to live and be liberal to the brethren.
When God wants to reign, He reigns over the wicked and the righteous. He doesn’t separate it. You do not have to separate your own. Let God be the judge of all. Be a blessing to someone today. Edify the body, strengthen someone; love someone; smile to someone; give hope to somebody; let someone know that He is loved by God and by doing this, you are edifying the body of Christ. Amen.
PERSONAL CONFESSION: I believe that I am alive to be a blessing to humanity.
PRAYER FOCUS: Father help me to contribute positively to the society and the world at large in the name of Jesus Christ.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Desire to be a blessing so that you can be blessed.
Nothing proof your existence like living for good works.
Strengthen one another with good works. It edifies the body.