A person, who I love dearly, had conversation with me this week about going to church. She didn’t think it was all that big a deal about not attending church. She figured that as long as she believes Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she is fine. The problem with that kind of thinking is it based on our own perception of life and as long as we are in our own way of thinking we are never going to be enlightened and see how God can use us as a member of his body.
Ever see a foot or hand all by itself? Some of you may have on a battlefield or a real bad car accident. A hand and foot cannot function without the rest of the body. To be a part of Christ’s body you have to be a participant in Christ’s body. Just as blood flows all throughout the body; a person must be ministered to and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, which flows through the gathering of believers.
I used to spend hours in front of my parents fireplace on cold wet Puget Sound days. In front of the fire I would do homework, eat, and watch television. The logs would become this bright hot orange lava color and occasionally an amber would pop out of the fire and land on the black slate hearth. Where it’s glowing beauty would fade and become as cold and dark as the hearth itself.
If an individual chooses not to gather with their church, they can become like a amber that has popped out of a hot fireplace.
Our own perception of life can make us blind to our Christian calling within the church. Consider the words of Jesus to the Laodicea Church. “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! ‘You say, I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and power and blind and naked. I advice you to buy gold from me- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal as friends. I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:15-22
Roles are very important in the body of Christ. We may think the church only consists of a Pastor, Sunday school teachers, and a congregation but if you believe that then your robbing yourself of the role God has for you.
The body of Christ is a city on a hill (Matt. 5:14) and just like a city it needs people for God appointed roles to fill so it can be growing and healthy.
Romans 13:4-8 says: “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with the Christ’s body. We are all parts of one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have the faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
1 Corinthians 12:28-13 says: “Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ. First are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who can get other to work together, those who speak in unknown languages. Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages? No! And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts.”
Ephesians: 4:9-13 says: “He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Abram called out 318 trained men in his household and went in pursuit of those who took his nephew Lot and their possessions - they recovered everything the Kedorlaomer army took from them.
Abraham took trained men, men who knew their individual roles and took them seriously. It takes people filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to stand against, battle and get back what the enemy has taken from the church family – not just physical but spiritual needs. It takes people disciplined in the faith to stand against what is evil and provide assistance when needed.
Jesus said in Matthew 18:18 “I tell you this: Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven.”
If man does nothing to stop evil, heaven can do nothing about it. If man stands against what is evil then heaven will bound it but if no man does his role that God intended than the church that supports a community will fall apart. What is your role in your church?
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