The Body of Christ

This Sunday I am beginning a series of messages about what it means to be a member of the body of Christ. It's one of the most insightful and challenging descriptions of our connection with Christ and one another. What a difference it would make if we applied the simple lessons we learn from the day to day functioning of human bodies. Every day my human body functions with both voluntary and involuntary movements. For example, until now I haven't really thought about my heartbeat...but it's been beating all day. I did think about walking to my car this morning and driving (some would argue about how much I think when I drive). The mindful movements such as my footsteps in a particular direction provide evidence of coordination and cooperation between my brain, nerves, muscles legs and feet. By now I hope you're thinking about the body of Christ. What are the mindful movements in the body of Christ? Movements that give evidence of coordination and cooperation? The Apostle Paul wrote about the body of Christ in several epistles (notably in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians). In Ephesians 4 Paul establishes the fact that Jesus is the "head" of the body of Christ. In another epistle Paul testifies of the importance of the members of body of Christ to have "the mind of Christ". Our testimony depends upon how our movement reflects whether are receiving direction from Jesus.