The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-05-14

cSSOLDEN TEXT-Ye are the bodv y
1927. III parucuiar.-l Col
REFERENCE WATERFALL KINGS :
LIZ Neh. 3:l-32; i:l5-2S.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Helping One Anotbe,
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TopI,
Team Work. >ioN AoFl'
INC PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
o-operation or Competition.
This Scripture pictures tho CHURCH
tne body of Christ, under the figure
vi the human body. The topic "Work.
ing with Others" can only have an.
phcation TO Christians working wifi,
each other; for il is as members Of
the body of Christ that this relation.
snip and obligation are set forth. The
ehurcn Is an organism. not merely an
organization. AS such it is:
!. One Body wv. 12-2O).
AS a body it has many members
each with a definite ministry or func,
'ioh' Many members are essential IN
oody or organism. So it Is with tbc
church. Each member has frs own
eht ana ONCE. The proof of this one.
ness Is that by the sovereign act of the
hoiy spirit all believers are consti.
tuted one body ". 49,. A multiplicitv
OF organisms does not make bodv
Dut multiplicity of members with
their separate functions. There is no
room for jealousy or discontentment
among them wv. Is, 16). 1t would he
as reasonable for the foot to complain
Oh lts lot and refuse to function as a
loot, as for one member of n church
70 envy the place Of another. A deacon
VINO is such by the appointment of
uod should not complain that he is
NOT a minister. The church needs its
1oot-members, that is, those who are
SWIFT to run on its errands: IL needs
its eye-members, who are quick TO
perceive opportunities for service: II
needs It's ear-members, who are Quick
10 near the call to duty; ii needs its
who can speak forth |
the message of truth; 1t needs It's |
hahu-members to perform its many |
deeds OF kindness. Each member of |
the church has its place by the SOW.
ereign will of God ". 1S). If his
were realized there would be the most
cooperation among the mem.
Oers OF the church. The pastor would
do the work of a pastor:
inc minister, the work of a minister.
me teacher, the work of a teacher.
etc.
u. The Mutual Dependence Of the
MEMBERS OF the Body ". Ply.
They must cooperate for the life
IND service of the body. AS the foot
'annot dispense with the head. the
Eye with the hand, etc. so I'm the
'hurch, even the most highly gifted
ire dependent upon those of the lower
rider. Self-conceit and pride are as
much out of place on the part of the l
highest in ability as of the lowest. In ,
act, a sober realization of this will do
way with selfish pride.
III. The Least Attractive Members
ire the Most Necessary wv. %, 23).
- ~ human pouy tue neart is OF |
lore vital Importance than the
'ngue. So in the church prayer ia of
luch more Importance than the gift
eloquence. Many examples could
e given of those who wrestled with
cd In the closet, doing more for the
luse of Christ than those who shone
rth most conspicuously In the public
re. The lungs are never seen or
card, yet without them the tongue
'uld not utter sound.
Nv. The Different Members Have
Zen Adjusted by God wv. "a, 25).
So perfectly has this been done that
each performs its own function
ere will be harmony in the body. All
hism in the church is due to failure
one member to perform its duty be-
use OF envy of the position of an
her. BY considering Christ the read
d obeying Him all strife and diyi-
N in the church will be elimin.
I'd.
v. Members Are SympatheticaIIy
lated wv. 25-2O.
One member should have the same
e for the other as for itself. The
has the same concern for the foot
1t has for itself; so the most elo-
mt has the same solicitude for the
nblest member as for itself. This
true because the suffering of the I
} Is the suffering of the other; the
Tor of the one is the honor of the
err; the sorrow Of the one is the
row of the other; the property Of
one is the property of the other;
shame and disgrace Of the one is
shame and disgrace of the other
S is true because there is a com.
! life which is derived from and -
,cted by its head, Jesus Christ
Z.