Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 02, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE HEAD OF THE BODY
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-18
Text: Colossians 1:18
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Introduction: God’s people are compared to
1. A brotherhood
2. A bride
3. A building
4. A body
The overseer of the local church is the bishop, elder, or pastor. The “universal church,” the body of Christ has a HEAD – the Lord Jesus Christ.
I. JESUS COMMANDS THE BODY
Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
The HEAD, Jesus Christ, commands the body, in charge of its:
A. Decisions for it
1. HE decides what is hot, cold, good, bad, right, wrong, desirable, undesirable to the body
B. Demands upon it
1. Pick up (your burden)
2. Walk (go forward for Christ, go soul-winning)
3. Speak (the gospel, the word of God, praise, edification, and evangelism)
C. Direction of it
1. Education
2. Occupation
3. Marriage
4. Residence
5. Church membership
6. Service
II. JESUS CLEANS THE BODY
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
A. He wants a white, spotless, body
1. Pure
2. No filth of this world
3. Clean inside and outside
B. He washes it with the word of God (John 15:3)
1. Preaching
2. Reading
3. Memorizing (Ps. 119:9,11)
C. He wishes the body to wash itself (John 13:14)
1. Preaching
2. Reading and quoting to each other
3. Assembling together and exhorting one another (Hebrews 10:25; 3:13)
III. JESUS CARES FOR AND CHERISHES THE BODY
Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
A. He delights in the body – every member
B. He defends the body
C. He dishes up food for the body
D. He develops and strengthens the body
IV. JESUS CLAIMS THE BODY
Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
A. Before the Father
B. Before the foes (Satan)
C. Before the foreigners (lost people of this world)
1. This will happen PHYSICALLY at the RAPTURE!
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |