The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love. (Eph. 4:16)
Expanded Passage: Ephesians 4:16
Watching the body of Christ in action on Sunday mornings is a heart-warming sight. The greeters’ smiling faces and hearty handshakes make us feel welcome. As we gather in the sanctuary, we nod hello to one another. The praise and worship team leads us into God’s presence through song. As we are invited to give, we worship the Lord with our tithes and offerings. The pastor delivers the sermon, and the congregation listens and receives encouragement. It is easy to become so accustomed to these services that we miss their importance. On Sunday mornings, we get to observe the body of Christ in action: serving, singing, giving, praying, and feasting on God’s Word.
Corporate worship plugs us into the body of Christ and allows us to witness the amazing way it ministers both to God and to itself. The apostle Paul showed us a picture of how God made us to have a relationship with himself and others. When we engage in corporate worship, we place ourselves in the position to grow and be built up along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
God desires for us to interact as a body. Being in community is one of the ways God has chosen to foster our spiritual maturity. If you are not in fellowship with other believers, perhaps your local church offers Sunday school classes, small group meetings, or Bible studies.
Identify a way to interact with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lisa Riggs serves as associate professor of English and literature at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She enjoys visiting with family, writing poetry, and painting landscapes.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
