The Church and the Churches

Exhortation and Liberality

Romans 12:8 What do you think of when someone mentions spiritual gifts? Many Christians immediately think of extraordinary phenomena such as speaking in tongues, healings, and miricles. Spiritual gifts include generous, joyful giving as well as the ability to speak the right words in the right situations. Exhortation and generous giving are often overlooked in the discussion of spiritual gifts. but they play a vital role in the building up of the body of Christ. Dr. Barnhouse explains more on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Church Leadership and Teaching

Romans 12:6-8 Alexander the Great was so named because of his extraordinary military and political leadership as he conquered and domiated much of the known world. Even today we tend to associate greatness with power, wealth, influence, and worldly success. But Jesus points us to a much different path to greatness in the spiritual life and in church leadership. Effective church leaders must lay aside personal ambition, self-serving agendas, and the desire to rule over others and serve others in love, humiility, and complete reliance upon the grace of God. Find out more on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Prophets, Deacons, Teachers

Romans 12:6-8 Members of a football team have different responsibilities according to the positions they play. The quarterback calls plays, passes the ball, and hands it off as the offensive line blocks the defenders. The tailback runs the ball whie the recievers run patterns and catch passes. Likewise, Dr. Barnhouse explains, the members of Christ's church have different roles and spiritual responsibilities which must be fulfilled if the church is to succeed in its global mission.

Diversity of Gifts

Romans 12:6 Children love to wake up on Christmas morning to see a diverse assortment of gifts under the tree ready to open and enjoy. It has pleased our heavenly Father to give us, His children, a diversity of spiritual gifts in order to build up and strengthen the body of Christ. What are these spiritual gifts and how can we learn to identify and exercise them for our mutual benefit and edification? Dr. Barnhouse explores this on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.

Members

Romans 12:4-5 Your stomach cannot pump blood throughout your body if your heart stops working. And if your eyes go blind, you cannot see with your toes. You cannot function properly unless every part of your body fulfills its unique and essential purpose. Believers are members of the Body of Christ and when we exercise our particular spiritual gifts, serve one another, and work together with unity of purpose, the church can function as a strong, healthy spiritual body. Dr. Barnhouse asks, "Are you helping the Body of Christ function properly by fulfilling your unique and vital role in His church?," on Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible.