C.A.C Sunday School Manuals For February 18, 2024: Topic – HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

PREVIEW

THEME: SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST

LESSON ONE

18th February, 2024

TOPIC: HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

MEMORY SCRIPTURE

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 (1 Corinthians 12:13).

COMMENT

I Corinthians 12:13

The church is composed of many types of people from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities. It is easy for these differences to divide people, as was the case in Corinth. But despite the differences, all believers have one thing in common-faith in Christ. On this essential truth the church finds unity. All believers are baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body of believers, the church. We don’t lose our individual identities, but we have an overriding oneness in Christ. When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us, and we are born into God’s family. “We all share the same Spirit” means that each of us has received the same Holy Spirit. As members of God’s family, we may have different interests and gifts, but we are united by the Spirit into one spiritual body.

The Holy Spirit is more than a force in the body of Christ. He is the Power Who birthed the Church and keeps sustaining it till eternity. Don’t joke with Him!

BRIEF COMMENT

Paul likens the Church to a human body with diverse, yet united all under Christ as the Head. This unity serves the purpose parts, of faith. Just as a leg relies on a hand, members of the body of Christ are interdependent, necessitating no racism, or division Baptised by the Spirit, we become one body, as a song beautifully expresses. The Church thrives through the Holy Spirit, fostering unity despite diversity, allowing each part to contribute to the collective gool May the Lord revive evive His Church. Amen.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS focuses on:

1. The body of Christ is the Church, strengthened, supervised and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

2. The Church draws strength, guidance and sustenance from the Holy Spirit, Who empowers her to fulfil God’s mission. This divine presence makes the Church a spiritually vibrant, unified entity, working to advance God’s Kingdom on earth.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-4; Rom. 8:9-17

Our AIM:

To revisit the impact of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ.

INTRODUCTION

TEXTUAL SOURCE: JOHN 14:16,25-26; 15:26; Астя 5:1-11; 6:1-7; 9:31: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:16; 12:13; EPHESIANS 3:7

Today’s lesson will be based on the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. The Church is the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the lifeline of the Church and that is why the Church isn’t an organisation but an organismal a living body. Through Christ, many Christians have been made, and it is one of the duties of the Holy Spirit to bond believers together as one body and unite them in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. May we have more understanding as we progress in this lesson. Amen

LESSON OUTLINE

I. OPERATES IN THE CHURCH CORPORATELY

II. OPERATES IN INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS

LESSON EXPOSITION

1. OPERATES IN THE CHURCH CORPORATELY (Acts 5:1-11; 6:1- 7;9:31; 1 Cor. 12:13)

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the LORD (Acts 9:31).

a) Men who were gathered in unity at Pentecost were transformed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). That marked the birth of the Church. The Church is Christ’s body, built by the Holy Spirit, and maintains her union with Christ, the Head.

COMMENT

1 Corinthians: 12:13

The church is composed of many types of people from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities. It is easy for these differences to divide people, as was the case in Corinth. But despite the differences, all believers have one thing in common-faith in Christ. On this essential truth the church finds unity. All believers are baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body of believers, the church. We don’t lose our individual identi- ties, but we have an overriding oneness in Christ. When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us, and we are born into God’s family. “We all share the same Spirit” means that each of us has received the same Holy Spirit. As members of God’s family, we may have different interests and gifts, but we are united by the Spirit into one spiritual body.

Acts 5:1ff In Acts 5:1-8:3 we see both internal and external problems facing the early church. Inside, the church had dishonesty (5:1- 11), greed (5:3), and administrative headaches (6:1-7). Outside, the church was being pressured by persecution. While church leaders were careful and sensitive in dealing with the internal problems, they could not do much to prevent the external pressures. But glory be to God that Holy Spirit is at work.

5:11 Some read the account of Ananias and Sapphira being struck down and accuse God of being harsh. “I thought God was supposed to be loving and forgiving. I thought all that wrath stuff was for Old Testament times.” With an emphasis on grace and mercy, it’s easy to overlook the equally important truth of God’s holiness. We must remember that God has not changed (Malachi 3:6). He still hates sin as much as he ever did. God’s judgment of Ananias and Sapphira produced shock and fear among the believers, making them realize how seriously God regards sin in the church.

6:1ff Another internal problem developed in the early church between the Hebrew-speaking Christians (probably local Jews who had been converted) and the Greek-speaking Christiansha (probably Jews from other lands who had been converted at Pentecost). The Greek-speaking Christians complained that their widows were being unfairly treated. This favoritism was probably not intentional but was more likely caused by the language barrier. To correct the situation, the apostles put seven respected Greek- speaking men in charge of the food distribution program. This solved the problem and allowed the apostles to keep their focus on teaching and preaching the Good News about Jesus.

6:2 “The Twelve” are the 11 original disciples plus Matthias, who had been chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (1:26).

6:2-4 As the early church increased in size, so did its needs. One great need was to organize the distribution of food to the poor. The apostles needed to focus on preaching, so they chose others to administer the food program. Each person has a vital part to play in the life of the Church. If you are in a position of leadership and find yourself overwhelmed by responsibilities, determine your God-given abilities and priorities and then find others to help. If you are not in leadership, you have gifts that can be used by God in various areas of the church’s ministry.

6:3 This administrative task was not taken lightly. Notice the se requirements for the men who were to handle the food program: They were to be well respected and full of the Holy Spirit and gated wisdom. People who carry heavy responsibilities and work closely with others should have these qualities. We must look for spiritually mature and wise men and women to lead our churches.

6:4 The apostles’ priorities were correct. The ministry of the Word should never be neglected because of administrative burdens. Pastors should not try, or be expected to try, to do everything. Instead, the work of the church should be spread out among its members.

6:6 Spiritual leadership is serious business and must not be taken lightly by the church or its leaders. In the early church, the chosen men were commissioned (by prayer and laying on of hands) by the apostles. Laying hands on someone, an ancient Jewish practice, was a way to set a person apart for special service (see Numbers 27:23; Deuteronomy 34:9). 6:7 Jesus had told the apostles that they were to witness first in Jerusalem (1:8). In a short time, their message had infiltrated the entire city and all levels of society. Even some Jewish priests were being converted, an obvious violation of the wishes of the high council that would endanger their position.

6:7 The word of God spread like ripples on a pond where, from a single center, each wave touches the next, spreading wider and farther. The Good News still spreads this way today. You don’t have to change the world single-handedly; it is enough just to be part of the wave, touching those around you, who in turn will touch others until all have felt the movement. Holy Spirit is ready to be at peace in our lives/ministry if we can allow Him.

Acts 9:31 the Church experience peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria in fear and stronger just because Holy Spirit was fully in operation.

Looking at our church today – are we still and truly experiencing the works of the Holy Spirit today?

Please note:

During the early church there was decency in their dresses; no one drinks alcoholic, there was holiness etc. Liers and deceitful act were dealt with instantly by Holy Spirit All this were achieved because of the spiritual lives of their leaders. But can we compare this with the current situation of our Church? Looking at our choir dresses, makeup and the worldly dresses of most of our instrumentalist all these are enough to know that if truly these ones are filled with the Holy Spirit they will not appear in this manner. Your inner look will definitely give birth to your physical look. leaders without Holy Spirit will fails and once a leader fails the Church will fails. The Church must be sanitize.

II. OPERATES IN INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS (Jn. 14:16,25-26; 15:26; 1 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 3:7)

…of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power (Eph. 3:7).

COMMENT

3:7 When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively. You are not an apostle, and you may not be an evangelist, but God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. And with the oppor- tunities he will provide the ability, courage, and power. Make yourself available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity presents itself. As you focus on the other person and his or her needs, God will communicate your caring attitude. Your words will be natural, loving, and compelling.

6:63ff The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life; without the work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot even see our need for new life (14:17). All spiritual renewal begins and ends with God. He reveals truth to us, lives within us, and then enables us to respond to that truth.

8:11 The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The Spirit is within us now by faith, and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever. Read Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

8:26ff As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. With God helping you pray, you don’t need to be afraid to come before him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you “in harmony with God’s own will.” Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.

3:7 When Paul became a servant of the gospel, God gave him the ability to share the gospel of Christ effectively. You are not an apostle, and you may not be an evangelist, but God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. And with the oppor- tunities he will provide the ability, courage, and power. Make yourself available to God as his servant whenever an opportunity presents itself. As you focus on the other person and his or her needs, God will communicate your caring attitude. Your words will be natural, loving, and compelling.

6:15-17 This teaching about sexual immorality and prostitutes was especially important for the Corinthian church because the temple of the love goddess Aphrodite was in Corinth. This temple employed more than a thousand prostitutes as priestesses, and sex was part of the worship ritual. Paul clearly stated that tians are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if it is acceptable and popular in our culture. We are to use our body and entire life to glorify God.

God need our cooperation

Acts 21:13, 14 Paul knew he would be imprisoned in Jerusalem. Although his friends pleaded with him to not go there, he knew that he had to because God wanted him to. No one enjoys pain, but a faithful disciple wants above all else to please God. Our desire to please God should overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we really want to do God’s will, we must accept all that comes with it-even the pain. Then we can say with Paul’s companions, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Rom. 1:15 Paul was eager to preach the gospel. Is our Christian service done in a spirit of eagerness? Or do we serve out of habit, a feeling of obligation, or perhaps even with a feeling of reluctant duty (much like a child who has to take a bath)? When we fully understand what Christ has done for us and what he offers to others, we will be motivated to share the Good News. Ask God to rekindle that fresh eager attitude that wants to obey him and to tell others about Christ.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 As he neared the end of his life, Paul could confidently say that he had been faithful to his call. Thus, he faced death calmly, knowing that he would be rewarded by Christ. Is your life prepar- ing you for death? Do you share Paul’s confident expectation of meeting Christ? The good news is that the heavenly reward is not just for giants of the faith like Paul, but for all who are eagerly looking forward to Christ’s second coming. Paul gave these words to encourage Timothy and us, so that no matter how difficult the fight seems, we can keep fighting. When we are with Jesus Christ, we will discover that it was all worth it.

John 14:15, 16 Jesus was soon going to leave the disciples, but he would remain with them. How could this be? The Advocate- the Spirit of God himself-would come after Jesus was gone to care for and guide the disciples. The regenerating power of the Spirit came on the disciples just before Jesus’ ascension (20:22), and the Spirit was poured out on all the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2), shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us and all believers, helping us live as God wants and building Christ’s church on earth. By faith we can appropriate the Spirit’s power each day.

14:16 The word translated “Advocate” combines the ideas of comfort and counsel. The word could also be translated Com- forter, Encourager, or Counselor. The Holy Spirit is a powerful person on our side, working for and with us.

14:26 Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them. This prom- ise ensures the validity of the New Testament. The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives. We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-14). The Holy Spirit can help us in the same way. As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it.

If all leaders in most of our churches cooperate submit and obey Holy Spirit the Church will experience great spiritual growth for kingdom expansion but it’s a pity that we rate churches today by their weekly, monthly and yearly income

Majority of those we baptised still return to their old life. Be in the Church does not stop most of members from associating with worldly lifestyle. Leaders want money, fame and prosperities/wealth more than Holy Spirit.

The primary purpose of Holy Spirit in our lives is to help us to serve others, bringing unbelievers to the family of Christ and if we humble ourselves enough we will receive great reward. But most of leaders prefer reward before service! This is total failure.

When the Church started the leaders does not create a special title for themselves like emblem. They don’t want to be recognized differently like majority of our leaders do today. for example – a.k.a Omobaorun, olorunojiji, abami wolii, baba abiyamo etc. Title does not determine service or office. When will cooperate with Holy Spirit we will humble ourselves enough and forget title and the spirit of “self” “I” in everything we do or think.

May God help us

LESSONS DERIVED

1. The Church is Christ’s body that He keeps alive and going by His Spirit.

2. No one becomes a Christian but by the Holy Spirit’s work. The Church is Christ’s body made up of genuine Spirit-filled Christians.

QUESTIONS

1. What would a Church be without the Holy Spirit?

2. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the individual believer’s life

May this lesson revive all our leaders and the entire church of God in Jesus name. Amen

Please make your contribution and you can ask questions.

Thank you and God bless you