Theology On Tap- Episode 306: The Body of Christ- Wrap Up + Metaphors

Theology On Tap

Bible Verses Used in the episode:

James 2:18 Another person might say, “You have faith, but I do good things.” Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do.

Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news…. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

When we gather, we gather around His Truth. That truth is stated in clear, absolute statements.

Jesus IS risen

Sins ARE forgiven

Baptism NOW saves us

This IS my body and blood

There is NOW NO condemnation for those who believe.

We observe that he feeds His Body using ordinary familiar objects – Word, Water, Bread, Wine

In a world with all kinds of uncertainty, these absolutes statements attached to ordinary things are comforting and nourishing.

But when we go things get a little trickier.

We are commanded to do good works and care for those in need and yet, “the poor will always be with us.”

We desire to build relationships in our community, to pray and work for prosperity in our world, but we shouldn’t promise our community that we can bring earthly utopia. We’ll never get there, but we can and should strive to make improvements. That takes work and energy and wisdom, so we return to His truths regularly - for renewed strength.

But even as we do this work we find that God uses ordinary, familiar things. We talked about vocations – the idea that God gives to His people

- ordinary work

- prepared in advance by God

- to be done by ordinary people to the best of their ability

in order to bless their neighbors. Facilitating the great commandment and the great commission

Body of Christ – perhaps not a metaphor that resonates well with people.

Are there other metaphors?

Wild Olive branches grafted in

Family

Brothers and sisters

God’s children

Bride and Groom

What metaphor speaks to you?

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