My place in the Bride of Christ

God has set us in His church, and He has a unique place for each one of us.

Hebrews 12:2

The one focus we have had, and will continue to have, is to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God doesn’t start something He isn’t going to finish. He knows the ends from the beginning. And His initiatives are inviolate and certain. He knows what He is doing. He is preparing the Bride of Christ, the church.

I want to talk about the church – you and me as part of the Bride of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12

Everything has been sorted. He is seated at the right hand of God. Christ, in a sense, is made up of the members of His body worldwide. We’re part of the worldwide church of God.

1 Corinthians 12:13-18

Everybody has their part to play in the church of Christ. It’s exciting to examine the blossoming of an individual as they realise their potential to fulfil their place in the body of Christ. It’s marvellous, because, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. He conquered death and the power of sin. The prime thing on His mind was that you would be set free to be part of the Bride of Christ, the church. And you have a unique place in the church.

We looked with the children yesterday at careers and education. But the long term thing is for you and me to be functioning members of the church, fulfilling what God wants us to do.

1 Corinthians 12:18

It’s His pleasure to get it right, to fulfil His purposes in your life. And it’s as it has pleased Him for you to fulfil the part God wants for you in the living church. I’m not talking about any specific task. Each of us has our own specific part to play. The point is that everyone is a part of the church, and each of us has a part to play. There is definitely a specific role for each of us to play as we go forward as part of the worldwide church. But it’s as it pleases Him, and I want each of us to find what it is He wants.

1 Corinthians 12:19-26

The emphasis in verse 18 is that all this happens as it pleases Him. The emphasis in verse 25 is that the members should have the same care one for another. So when it comes across my path that Claus is fighting cancer and is due to have another operation in the week is to gather together and help.
Prays for Claus.

There is no schism in the body, no division. Think of your own body. You’re not going to fight yourself.

1 Corinthians 12:26-29


Collectively the body of Christ. In particular, members. And each person here is of value in the kingdom of God because He thought of you and gave His life for you. That’s how valuable you are to Him. He didn’t just pronounce a blessing. He gave His whole life so you could become part of the Bride of Christ and a member in particular.

It’s a tremendous time we’re living in – God is building His church in His way in His time, and He knows what He’s doing. He loves you, and more will come here and be part of His church. We’re not the only church in the world – we’re part of His church worldwide.