Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-05-12

I 4
Christ. and members in particular.-I Cor.
1927
REFERENCE WATERFALL Kings s.:
liz; Neh. 3l-S2; 4:l5-23.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Helping One Another
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Team Work
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Cooperation or Competition.
This Scripture pictures the church,
the body of Christ, under the figure
of the human body. The topic Work
ing With Others" can only have ap-
plication to Christians working with
each other; for it is as members of
the body of Christ that this relation
ship and obligation are set forth. The
church 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-
ton. Many members are essential to
a body or organism. So it is with the
church. Each member has its own
gift and office. The proof of this one
ness is that by the sovereign act of the
Holy Spirit all believers are consti-
tuted one body ". 1877. multiplicity
of organisms does not make a body,
but multiplicity of members with
their separate functions. There is no
room for jealousy or discontentment
among them wv. Is, 16). 1t would be
| a fha fn in
of its lot and refuse to function as a
foot, as for one member of church
to envy the place of another. A deacon
who Is such by the appointment of
God should not complain that he is
not minister. The church needs its
foot-members, that Is, those who are
swift TO run on its errands; 1t needs
its eye-members, who are quick to
perceive opportunities for service; it
needs its ear-members, who are quick
to hear the call to duty; it needs its
tongue-members, who can speak forth
the message of truth; it needs its
hand-members to perform its many
deeds Of kindness. Each member of
the church has its place by the SOW
ereign will of God ". 18). If this
were realized there would be the most |
efficient cooperation among the men,
bers of the church. The pastor would |
faithfully do the work of a pastor; |
the minister, the work of a minister, |
the teacher, the work of a teacher, |
ETC.
II. The Mutual Dependence Of the
Members of the Body ". 2D.
They must cooperate for the life
and service of the body. AS the foot
cannot dispense with the head, the
eye with the hand, etc, so in the
church, even the most highly gifted
are dependent upon those of the lower
order. Self-conceit and pride are as
much out of place on the part of the
highest in ability as of the lowest. In
fact, a sober realization of this will do
away with selfish pride.
III. The Least Attractive Members
Are the Most Necessary wv. %, 23).
In the human body the heart is of
more vital Importance than the
tongue. So in the church prayer is of
much more Importance than the gift
of eloquence. Many examples could
be given of those who wrestled with
God in the closet, doing more for the
cause of Christ than those who shone
forth most cOnspicuously in the public
eye. The lungs are never seen or
could not utter a sound.
~. The Different Members Have
Been Adjusted by God wv. "a, 25).
SO perfectly has this been done that
f each performs its own function
here will be harmony in the body. All
,chism In the church is due to failure
# one member to perform its duty be-
'ause of envy of the position of an
'ther. BY considering Christ the head
md obeying Him all strife and divi-
ion in the church will be elimin-
ted.
v. Members Are sympatheticaiiy
related wv. 25-27).
One member should have the same
are for the other as for itself. The
We has the same concern for the foot
s it has for itself; so the most elo-
uent has the same solcitude for the
umblest member as for itself. This
, true because the suffering of the
ne Is the suffering of the other; the
onor OF the one is the honor of the
Their; the sorrow of the one is the
orrow of the other; the property of r.
ne one is the property of the other; I
ne shame and disgrace of the one is ~
he shame and disgrace Of the other. m
his is true because there is a COM 81
on life which is derived from and d,
rected by It's head, Jesus Christ M
Iph. 8 :23). RI