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  I DON'T NEED YOU
  by Basilea Schlink
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Summary: The sermon highlights the necessity of love and unity in the
body of Christ, urging believers to embrace one another despite
differences.

Duration: 4:35 Topics: "Radio Show"
Scripture References: Matthew 6:33, Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:21

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DESCRIPTION
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In this meditation by Basilia Shlink, the apostle Paul's teachings on
the unity of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12 are explored. The
concept of unity is emphasized as Paul describes how Jesus is the head
of the body and believers are the different members. The importance of
not saying or thinking 'I don't need you' about others is highlighted,
as it hinders the unity of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is
presented as the one who can unite believers with those who are
difficult to get along with, if they ask for His love and guidance.

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CONTENT
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God lives and works today. We can see proof of his reality, especially
when we look at the body of Christ. It is made up of such different
kinds of people, and yet, like the members of a physical body, they are
all joined together and united in love.

However, what if this isn't the case? What if there are grievous
tensions among the believers and within the congregations? Listen to the
following meditation by Basilia Schlink called, I Don't Need You. In the
12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes about the unity
of the body of Christ. He paints a wonderful picture for us, describing
how Jesus is the head of the body, and we are the different members.

In a world so filled with hatred and opposition, isn't it tremendous
that there can be unity, such as Paul describes? What characterizes this
miraculous work of God, through which we can become one body in Christ?
The answer is in 1 Corinthians 12, 21. Paul explains that no part of the
body can say to the other part, I don't need you. How does this apply to
our lives? Do we say or think about someone else at home, at work, or in
our congregation, I don't need you? I'm really happier when you're not
around.

It's uncomfortable for me when you come to work. Furthermore, it's
humiliating to meet you because once you told me the truth and hurt my
feelings, or you did such and such to me. Whoever tolerates such
thoughts and touchiness in his heart is hindering, yes, destroying the
miraculous unity of the body of Christ.

When one person says or thinks about another, I don't need you, he is
demonstrating how highly he thinks of himself. The secret and beauty of
a body is that each member supplements the others, and they have all
grown and developed together. It is the Holy Spirit who has created the
body of Christ.

Why don't we trust Him to be able to unite us with those who are hard
for us to get along with? Let us ask Him, O Holy Ghost, I believe you,
that you will give me love, love that reaches out to others, and can
honestly say to the person who is difficult, I do need you. You are the
person whom I want to meet often. Yes, the Holy Spirit can accomplish
this when we ask Him for this love.

Dear Lord, let me become like you, bring love in me to birth, spending
my love upon others, the love that makes heaven on earth. Love that
would be self-denying, that seeks no hide or claim, giving or clinging
to nothing, less than by all brings Him shame. You've been listening to
a program written by Basilia Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.

If this program has been a help to you, we would be happy to send you a
free leaflet by the same author. Please write to God Lives and Works
Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. That's God
Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona,
85028-4099.

God bless you.

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Audio: https://sermonindex1.b-cdn.net/21/SID21373.mp3
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/basilea-schlink/i-dont-need-you/
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