The Body of Christ

This was the title of my sermon this past Sunday. I talked about the body of Christ as seen in the church. We discussed what it means to be the body of Christ. Each member is important. Each member has a place and a mission. I concluded the lesson with another concept of the body of Christ as seen in the Lord's Supper. We then took Communion.

As a preacher, you always wonder how your lessons are received. I don't know that it was necessarily anything I said, but as services were almost over, a police officer entered our services to inform us that one of our member's house was on fire. That family left immediately and the rest of the church prayed for the situation and the fire fighters that were on the scene.What was so amazing was the response of the body of Christ. Food was brought. Clothes were given. Every need of the family was attempted to be met. This family that had lost almost all of their earthly possessions got a blessing by seeing God's body do what they should do - minister. Not all could give money, food or even clothes, but all showed their love. According the the disciple whom Jesus loved, that is what a child of God does - loves one another.

I am proud of the body of Christ at our place. We have our issues, but when the time comes, we help. God bless our church and God bless this family that experienced this tragic fire. May God give the family a peace as they try to restore their lives and the body of Christ as we minister unto them.

Sid

Lipstick and God

Years ago a principal had a problem with some girls who were starting to use lipstick. When applying it in the bathroom they would blot their lips on the mirrors, leaving lip prints.
Before it got out of hand, he thought of a way to stop it. One day he gathered together all the girls who wore lipstick. He then took them into the bathroom and lectured about how
hard it was to clean the lipstick off the mirrors. The principle then asked the custodian, who was present, to demonstrate.
The custodian took a long handled brush, dipped it into the toilet and vigorously rubbed the lipstick off the mirror.
From that day forward, the mirrors stayed lipstick free.

Only when we see sin for what it is and how hard it was for God to get rid of (the cross) will we keep our lives clean. Remember what cleanses you - when you do you will live a holy life.

Sid

Anchors

A young naval student was being put through the paces by an old sea captain. "What would you do if a sudden storm sprang up on the starboard?"
"Throw out an anchor, sir."
"What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?"
"Throw out another anchor, sir."
"And if another terrific storm sprang up forward, what would you do?"
"Throw out another anchor."
“Hold on," said the Captain, "where are you getting all your anchors from?"
"From the same place you're getting your storms, sir."

Don’t you wish all of the storms of life were make-believe? Unfortunately, we are in a world for now where the storms are real. But with that God has given us an achor – Jesus. Hold on to him. Throw him in the deep waters of your despair and let Him achor your life. When you do – you will not only survive – God will be proud.

Sid

What Are You Selling?

Several years ago, a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "you better give the quarter back, it would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter." "Who would worry about this little amount of money? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare, they would never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep it."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change." The driver, with a smile replied, "Aren't you
the new preacher in town? I've been thinking about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday." When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on, and said, "O God," "I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

Our example, life and shadow may be the only the Bible that people ever read. May you cast a shadow on the world that shows them Jesus. What are you selling?

Sid