For the body does not consist of one member but of many. But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
--1 Corinthians 12:14,18
You have a job to do in the body of Christ. Every member is a minister. You don’t have to resign from your job for God to have a ministry for you.
And when we work together, cooperating in God’s church among God’s people, the impact is amazing.
Now, Nehemiah leaves a very sad commentary in Nehemiah chapter 3 when he talks about a group of people called the Tekoites. These people were farmers who helped repair the wall of Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 3:5, Nehemiah says, “And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.”
The nobles thought they were too good! They wouldn’t stoop down. They didn’t want to get their hands dirty. They thought they were above working on a wall, just shoving bricks around. So what did they do? They sat out while others worked!
It’s always been an amazing thing to me that some believers watch while others work. How some believers sit while others serve! To me, a non-serving Christian is a contradiction in terms.
Perhaps today, you’d admit that you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, watching while others get their hands dirty doing the work of the Lord. And who knows, maybe you have a list a mile long as to why you’re not involved in some kind of ministry in your church or elsewhere. Or maybe you don’t think there’s a place of ministry for you.
If so, I want to ask you to perform an experiment this week. I want you to call your church and ask them if they need help in any area of ministry. Whether it’s ushering, parking cars, working with children, or sweeping floors, just ask if there’s some place where they need help. If you do this, I can promise you that God will use you in a mighty way… a way you never thought possible!
In addition to that, I’m confident that God will bless your life as you make yourself available in service to Him.
4 comments:
Guys,
This is so important. I look back at the description of the orginal church in Acts as they formed a community and wonder what it would be like if we could have this type of commitment in a church. If any of you are not regularly involved in a church, I sincerely encourage you to reach out and find one and get plugged in.
Blessings,
cas
The Believers Form a Community
Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Great dialog, guys! Scripture says that "Christ came not to be served but to serve...". I am to model Christ. CAS issued a challenge for those of us who are not plugged into the local Body of christians. I would like to issue a challenge to those of us who are plugged in to make sure we are not simply attending or showing up for a Sunday Morning Service but to actually, mentally and physically HELP with something.
It's amazing how we men will go and sit 4 - 6 hours a week at a kids sports practice and complain about staying for 2 hours or 2.5 hours at church. ENGAGE!! and see how God works!
Nice followup Clark, BTW.
A call to action to get off the sideline and get in the game of saving lives for Christ.
-LT
Point taken. I have allowed my service to the doughnuts and coffee addictions of our body to suiffice, but need to do more.
Those who know me and see where I could serve, hold me accountable.
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