The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1921-05-12
LESSON FOR NAY is



LESSON TEXT Cor. ia:4-aI.
GOLDEN TExT-Ye are the body OF
H.z7
REFERENCE WATERFALL Kings s.
Ia; Neh. s:1-S1: l:15-2s
JUNIOR TOPIc-HeIping One Another
INTERMEDIATE 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 Iap-
plication to Christians working with
each other; for 1t 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 II is:
l.. One e7y wv. iz-20).
As Jody 1t has many members,
each with a definite ministry or func-
ton. Many members are essential to
body or organism. SO 1t 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 ". 49,, 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). II would be
as reasonable for the foot to complain
Of its lot and refuse to function as
foot, as for one member of a church
to envy the place OF another. A deacon
who is such by the appointment Of
God should not complain that ne is
not minister, The church needs Its
foot-members. that Is, those who are
swift to run on Its errands; II needs
Its eye-members, who are quick to
perceive opportunities, for service; It
needs it's ear-members, who are quick
to hear the call to duty; II needs its
tongue-members. who can speak forth
the message OF truth; 1t needs It's
hand.Members to perform Its many
deeds Of kindness. Each member OF
the church has its place by the SOW
ereign will of God ". 49,. II this
were realized there would be the most
efficient cooperation among the mem
bers Of the church. The pastor would
faithfully do 1.-THE work Of a pastor ;
the minister, the work of minister.
the teacher, the work of a teacher,
etc.
u. 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 rs ofthe lowest. In
fact, sober realization of this win do
away with selfish pride.
~. 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 consplcuously IN the public
eye. The lungs are never seen Of
heard, yet without them the tongue
could not utter a sound. 4
| ~. The Different Members Havs
Been Adjusted by God tvv. "a. 25).
| So perfectly has this been done thai
II each performs It's own function
there will be harmony In the body. AL
schlsm In the church Is due to failure
Of one member to perform Its duty be
cause OF envy Of the position OF an
other. BY considering Christ the heas
and ebeylng Hlm~all strife and divi
sion in the church willie be ellmin
lted.
v. Members Are sympathstIeali,
Related wv. 25-27).
| One member should have the SAM
care for the other as for Itself TIL
eye has the same concern for the foo
as II has for itself; so the most elo
quent has the same sollcltude for tn
humblest member as for Itself. TIL
IL true because the suffering OF tn
one Is the suffering OF the other; tn
honor OF the one Is the honor OF tn
other; the sorrow OF the one IL IN
sorrow Of the other; the property Q
the one Is thes9Eoperty Of the other