The Body of Christ
A Sermon on Romans 12:3-5
Originally preached Jan. 21, 1966
Scripture
3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4For as we have …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 12:3–5 titled “The Body of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches the principle that everything is of grace. This principle ought to cause one to think soberly, not more highly. Consider the nature and parts of the human body and see this applied towards one’s position in the Christian church. A body has an organic unity that is vital. No one can put themselves into the body of Christ; only the Lord can add to the church. There is great variety and unity in the body. There is a different function for each member and this must not be forgotten. Christians must not envy one another for the positions each is granted. Some parts are not spoke of, but are essential to the working of the whole of the body. If one thinks of their gifts as independent, they should remember that their gifts are not for themselves but that they are a part of the whole and serve the whole. All are subservient to the head and they don't decide what they want to do but Christ does. The listener is encouraged to be ready to obey His every command and be at His service, standing amazed that they have any place in this body at all.
Sermon Breakdown
- The church is an organic unity, not just a collection of independent parts. There is a living connection between all parts.
- The unity of the church comes from its development out of one original cell. All parts come from and remain connected to the whole.
- No one can add themselves to the church. Only God can add to the church.
- There is a great variety in the parts of the church, just as in the human body. Not all parts are the same.
- The different parts of the church have different functions, just as the parts of the human body.
- Every part of the church is important and essential to the whole. There are no unimportant parts.
- No part of the church is independent. All parts depend on each other and the head, Jesus Christ.
- Each part of the church contributes to the whole. The whole church acts together, with each part playing its role.
- Every part of the church must be subject to and subordinate to Jesus Christ, the head. Parts do not act independently.
- Failure or trouble in any part of the church affects the whole church. There is no such thing as an unimportant church member.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.