“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts… God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be….Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it.”

Just as our cells work interdependently to keep our physical bodies functioning, so each of us in the body at NPC has specialized work to do to keep NPC growing and functioning.

Cells Relate :

The 200 plus cells in our body are specialized yet share an identical structure of DNA. Likewise, every cell in Christ’s body bears His DNA – His life.

We are in community together because of Christ. Each one of us is specially equipped to function together in relationship with the others.

Cells Specialize :

Because our human body has cells that have specialized tasks our body functions as it was designed to. The body of Christ only functions ideally as each person discovers their specialized function and contributes to the body as God intends. Discovering our special function comes from a combination of our spiritual gifting, natural aptitudes, passions, personal style and experiences. Jesus uses us in the body as he has specially equipped us. If you have ever experienced that endorphin-like feeling as you served at NPC or out in the world, then you have experienced serving where and how Christ intends you to.

Cells Unite :

We are meant to share our individual strengths so that we each support the life of the others in the body. Love is the core DNA strand that we share in Christ. It is as we serve in love that God is glorified and the body is at its best.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 12:30-31

Adapted From Discipleship Journal^®, Issue 140 - Mar/Apr 2004
"Better Together: Why the Body of Christ Matters" [ISBN: 944] Published on 3/1/2004