The New Testament vision —- for the Church is the people. We are the Temple of God, the intersection of heaven and earth — where God’s presence dwells. We are the Priesthood of God, the new creation who live in this “In-between” space, who function together as one unified whole, to point people to the cross of Jesus for repentance and salvation, in order to prepare the world for its telos —- the end of this age and the fullness of the new creation and age to come.

MP:: God’s mission on earth is to save.  His vehicle is the Church.  Therefore, it's necessary that each individual member of the Church  serves the larger body with the gifts God has given them to provide the world with a full picture of Jesus’ kingdom.

Humility (Vs. 3)

Unity (Vs. 4-5)

Participation (Vs. 6-8)

“The church itself is not made up of natural "friends." It is made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort. Christians come together, not because they form a natural collocation, but because they have been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance. In the light of this common allegiance, in light of the fact that they have all been loved by Jesus himself, they commit themselves to doing what he says—and he commands them to love one another. In this light, they are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.” – DA Carson