Jesus Will Protect His Body
Jesus is going to get a pure and spotless Bride, which is a Body of people that will reflect the glory of the Head. A body that shines like Jesus, who is the head.
The bridal paradigm of the end time church isn't about gender or romantic relationship, it is about legal position in a family. To choose Jesus is to choose to be part of God's royal family. Being married to Jesus means becoming true sons of the Father, and all that comes with that position of greatness: authority, wealth, influence, identity, eternal purpose.
Men and women are both the bride of Jesus and the sons of God...it isn't about gender, it is about legal standing and position. Jesus is going to get a bride who feels the same way He does about life in God's family:
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
If you want to live close to where Jesus lives forever, then you want to learn to walk closer and closer to the way Jesus walked on earth. The more you desire to act like a member of God's royal family and Jesus' co-heir, the more you will walk in that identity forever:
Romans 8:17-23 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
This is an exceedingly great inheritance...if you want it. BUT, you have to actually value it above what the world is trying to gain now. The world values greatness in a way that contradicts Jesus' values... the family values. Jesus' body will not operate in the same strength and logic the world does. This is important to understand.
Jesus values above all HUMILITY...which is recognizing the true strength of the Family. Humility is recognizing what you bring to the table and what God brings. I bring my willing desire, and the Father brings everything else.
Humility is the outward expression...in your words and choices...that you actually believe, and are willing to risk, that God the Father is an infinite well of love, wealth, and power that flows from the leader of the family, who has placed all the authority for the distribution of that infinite well of wealth, love and power on His son.
This turns upside down the way of greatness for the eternal kingdom. God doesn't trade power for loyalty like the world does. Unfortunately, even much of the church operates in this deception that loyalty and power are to be leveraged for growth to occur. No! This is a mark of satanic power structures that have to conserve every small scrap of influence wealth and power they have. Satanic power structures try to leverage physical power, wealth, and position to keep the order of that kingdom in line.
God's family works in the opposite spirit. God's family has the opposite reality, which is an infinite supply of every good and perfect thing. Living in that reality requires faith.
God distributes from a place of abundance and not lack. Therefore, God is simply looking for anyone that wants greatness forever, and then freely gives it to them.
It is really that simple...but not easy!
So the question should be: how do I demonstrate to God that I want all this influence, wealth, and power forever? The answer is simple: you make choices that demonstrate you believe this economy of abundance is really what creation is subject to, and that the world's value system is a lie. The most concise way to demonstrate this and grow in the reality of it is by living the Sermon on the Mount!
This is how Jesus lived, and He promised that doing and teaching the same lifestyle would make you great forever:
Matthew 5:18-19 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
To walk LIKE Jesus gives you more and more of Jesus' identity in you, which makes you more ready to carry that governmental authority, and all the benefits of it, forever:
I Corinthians 15:27-28 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him, ” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
The early church... I mean for the first year or so... they lived in this reality and started to experience that flow of wealth and power. You can read about this experience in Acts 1 through 5. In Acts 6 the entire thing started to fall apart, but for a minute, the truth about wealth and power of being agreement with Jesus about humility was flowing to the united church who were pure and spotless... for a minute. That is why lying to Peter = lying to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5:
Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
This family identity resting on the believers gave them authority similar to the measure Jesus experienced. There is actually MORE available to the end time Church who will take the first fruits of Acts 1 through 5 globally! BUT, to do the end time "Greater Things", you will still be expected to live in the Greater Way. That will take some real intentional desire on the part of those who will share in this glorious opportunity. It is the greatest time to be alive and filled with the Holy Spirit...but it is also the worst time to be alive and outside of the protection of the Spirit.
The unified desire of the Acts 5 Church to live the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle is what protected those first believers in the worst time, and in the most dangerous city, the church had seen.
Acts 1 through 5 aren't just describing the most powerful time in church history, those chapters are also describing the most persecuted time in church history. The persecution was limited to one city, but so was the Church! There was no safe place where the church could flourish at this moment in time. But God demonstrated the truth of their source of safety:
Acts 5:12-16 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
At this time, the Apostles were serving the people. That is why Peter was handling donations, and they were out on the streets taking care of the sick and needy. The greatest leaders were doing the most serving. They were concerned about how the poor got food and shelter, how the sick got healed...they were the ones doing the tedious labor of attending to the needs, all the while praying and teaching... they were LIKE Jesus, and the Father sent a like measure of authority upon them, which resulted in massive protection, and also growth.
By Acts 6, this all fell apart. The people became burdensome and complaining, and the leaders got tired of being "distracted" with the people, and just wanted the jobs they felt most "called to"...this broke down the entire manifestation of family authority that was protecting the entire community of believers.
As unpopular as it is to say, the choices the Church made in Acts 6 stripped the protection and power away that they enjoyed in Acts 5:
Acts 6:1-7 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The complaints of the people wore out the Apostles, and they looked for ways to move out of the pressure. They tired of "serving tables." So, they came up with a solution that 'stratified' leaders from servants. This flew in the face of what Jesus had taught them about greatness.
As noble as their solution sounded, as successful as it even appeared to be for a moment, this decision to "stratify" the leader/servant nature of the early church resulted in the massive authority of the spirit that was protecting a united church in Jerusalem being diminished severely. Great persecution immediately arose and scattered the church.
Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
The division of leaders/servants actually resulted in one of the worst leaders, Nicolas, being brought into more influence than he was ready for. This deacon introduced the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
This imposition of a worldly power structure broke down the authority and protection the Church had been enjoying when the greatest leaders were the greatest servants in Jerusalem. From that point on, the Church in Jerusalem went from being the most powerful to the most needy.
God desires an organic family of servant leaders, not a top-down pyramid of leaders and people. Yes, certain positions of authority have been appointed to the body of believers, but those positions should result in more hands on servitude, not less! Leaders in Jesus' Body should lead by example, not assigning less desirable work to less important people. Jesus' structure is an upside down pyramid, where the few greatest will try to find the lowest places to support the most people.
The pure and spotless Bride will get her identity in the family of God, not from the eyes of men. She will long to be like Jesus, who demonstrated true greatness forever is going deeper and deeper into servanthood now:
Mark 10:35-45 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus wants a body, not an organization that seems powerful in the world's logic. In a body, every member is a leader in their sphere, and every member is a servant to the other members. This is the only way the 7 divided churches of Revelation 2 and 3 will become the pure and spotless Bride of Revelation 19!
I Corinthians 12:12-31 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Jesus, teach us true greatness now, so we can live united, protected, and powerful lives as the end time persecution unfolds!
The bridal paradigm of the end time church isn't about gender or romantic relationship, it is about legal position in a family. To choose Jesus is to choose to be part of God's royal family. Being married to Jesus means becoming true sons of the Father, and all that comes with that position of greatness: authority, wealth, influence, identity, eternal purpose.
Men and women are both the bride of Jesus and the sons of God...it isn't about gender, it is about legal standing and position. Jesus is going to get a bride who feels the same way He does about life in God's family:
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
If you want to live close to where Jesus lives forever, then you want to learn to walk closer and closer to the way Jesus walked on earth. The more you desire to act like a member of God's royal family and Jesus' co-heir, the more you will walk in that identity forever:
Romans 8:17-23 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
This is an exceedingly great inheritance...if you want it. BUT, you have to actually value it above what the world is trying to gain now. The world values greatness in a way that contradicts Jesus' values... the family values. Jesus' body will not operate in the same strength and logic the world does. This is important to understand.
Jesus values above all HUMILITY...which is recognizing the true strength of the Family. Humility is recognizing what you bring to the table and what God brings. I bring my willing desire, and the Father brings everything else.
Humility is the outward expression...in your words and choices...that you actually believe, and are willing to risk, that God the Father is an infinite well of love, wealth, and power that flows from the leader of the family, who has placed all the authority for the distribution of that infinite well of wealth, love and power on His son.
This turns upside down the way of greatness for the eternal kingdom. God doesn't trade power for loyalty like the world does. Unfortunately, even much of the church operates in this deception that loyalty and power are to be leveraged for growth to occur. No! This is a mark of satanic power structures that have to conserve every small scrap of influence wealth and power they have. Satanic power structures try to leverage physical power, wealth, and position to keep the order of that kingdom in line.
God's family works in the opposite spirit. God's family has the opposite reality, which is an infinite supply of every good and perfect thing. Living in that reality requires faith.
God distributes from a place of abundance and not lack. Therefore, God is simply looking for anyone that wants greatness forever, and then freely gives it to them.
It is really that simple...but not easy!
So the question should be: how do I demonstrate to God that I want all this influence, wealth, and power forever? The answer is simple: you make choices that demonstrate you believe this economy of abundance is really what creation is subject to, and that the world's value system is a lie. The most concise way to demonstrate this and grow in the reality of it is by living the Sermon on the Mount!
This is how Jesus lived, and He promised that doing and teaching the same lifestyle would make you great forever:
Matthew 5:18-19 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
To walk LIKE Jesus gives you more and more of Jesus' identity in you, which makes you more ready to carry that governmental authority, and all the benefits of it, forever:
I Corinthians 15:27-28 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him, ” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
The early church... I mean for the first year or so... they lived in this reality and started to experience that flow of wealth and power. You can read about this experience in Acts 1 through 5. In Acts 6 the entire thing started to fall apart, but for a minute, the truth about wealth and power of being agreement with Jesus about humility was flowing to the united church who were pure and spotless... for a minute. That is why lying to Peter = lying to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5:
Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
This family identity resting on the believers gave them authority similar to the measure Jesus experienced. There is actually MORE available to the end time Church who will take the first fruits of Acts 1 through 5 globally! BUT, to do the end time "Greater Things", you will still be expected to live in the Greater Way. That will take some real intentional desire on the part of those who will share in this glorious opportunity. It is the greatest time to be alive and filled with the Holy Spirit...but it is also the worst time to be alive and outside of the protection of the Spirit.
The unified desire of the Acts 5 Church to live the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle is what protected those first believers in the worst time, and in the most dangerous city, the church had seen.
Acts 1 through 5 aren't just describing the most powerful time in church history, those chapters are also describing the most persecuted time in church history. The persecution was limited to one city, but so was the Church! There was no safe place where the church could flourish at this moment in time. But God demonstrated the truth of their source of safety:
Acts 5:12-16 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
At this time, the Apostles were serving the people. That is why Peter was handling donations, and they were out on the streets taking care of the sick and needy. The greatest leaders were doing the most serving. They were concerned about how the poor got food and shelter, how the sick got healed...they were the ones doing the tedious labor of attending to the needs, all the while praying and teaching... they were LIKE Jesus, and the Father sent a like measure of authority upon them, which resulted in massive protection, and also growth.
By Acts 6, this all fell apart. The people became burdensome and complaining, and the leaders got tired of being "distracted" with the people, and just wanted the jobs they felt most "called to"...this broke down the entire manifestation of family authority that was protecting the entire community of believers.
As unpopular as it is to say, the choices the Church made in Acts 6 stripped the protection and power away that they enjoyed in Acts 5:
Acts 6:1-7 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
The complaints of the people wore out the Apostles, and they looked for ways to move out of the pressure. They tired of "serving tables." So, they came up with a solution that 'stratified' leaders from servants. This flew in the face of what Jesus had taught them about greatness.
As noble as their solution sounded, as successful as it even appeared to be for a moment, this decision to "stratify" the leader/servant nature of the early church resulted in the massive authority of the spirit that was protecting a united church in Jerusalem being diminished severely. Great persecution immediately arose and scattered the church.
Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
The division of leaders/servants actually resulted in one of the worst leaders, Nicolas, being brought into more influence than he was ready for. This deacon introduced the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
This imposition of a worldly power structure broke down the authority and protection the Church had been enjoying when the greatest leaders were the greatest servants in Jerusalem. From that point on, the Church in Jerusalem went from being the most powerful to the most needy.
God desires an organic family of servant leaders, not a top-down pyramid of leaders and people. Yes, certain positions of authority have been appointed to the body of believers, but those positions should result in more hands on servitude, not less! Leaders in Jesus' Body should lead by example, not assigning less desirable work to less important people. Jesus' structure is an upside down pyramid, where the few greatest will try to find the lowest places to support the most people.
The pure and spotless Bride will get her identity in the family of God, not from the eyes of men. She will long to be like Jesus, who demonstrated true greatness forever is going deeper and deeper into servanthood now:
Mark 10:35-45 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus wants a body, not an organization that seems powerful in the world's logic. In a body, every member is a leader in their sphere, and every member is a servant to the other members. This is the only way the 7 divided churches of Revelation 2 and 3 will become the pure and spotless Bride of Revelation 19!
I Corinthians 12:12-31 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Jesus, teach us true greatness now, so we can live united, protected, and powerful lives as the end time persecution unfolds!
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