Here, the essential paradox of the NT Church (now a catholic or international church) is the paradox of "One but Many".

The Apostle sort of plays with these two apparently incongruous ideas and the image that illustrates the whole thing is that of a Body – ONE body with MANY parts or organs or limbs. So, what does that mean, practically speaking, to be so vitally connected to other people that we can be described as a body (same DNA) AND that we're both connected to one another and, at the same time, so different that one part seems to have no resemblance to another (as different as an eye and a toe!)? That's the question!

Let's look at: #1 Why We Need the Body Metaphor #2 How It All Works Out (a THREE-Part Answer)

Today, we transition INTO the practical section of the Letter, and I hope to show that distinctively Christian morals grow in the soil of MERCY. To focus on God's mercy, the theory, the doctrine or philosophy of God's Sovereign Grace WILL LEAD US into a new kind of practical living. To bypass reflecting on God's mercy and grace and go right to the ethics is impossible. You HAVE TO muse, to contemplate, to bathe in, soak in, to dream about, sing about, ruminate on, to relish and savor the way God applies grace and forgiveness and adoption to His children. The connection between Christian theory, ideas, doctrine, Christian thought AND Christian practice – that's the topic for today:

As we come round the corner into Gospel-morals, let's look at:

1. Musing on Mystery
2. Mercies to Morals
3. The Morals Mercy Makes

Sermon By: Rev. Dr Sansbury

Rev. Dr Sansbury is Prof. of Theology & Philosophy at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, FL