Many people go to a church feeling they are simply consumers. They go to church every Sunday and that’s it. But every part of the church is important. Imagine a house where everybody is doing their own chores and one person just sleeps all day. How would you feel about that person?
If you are part of a house, you are expected to do something. Acts 6:1-7 says, ”But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”“ When some members of the body are just consumers, some work is neglegted. There is an imbalance. Some people do too much while some people are not doing anything at all. In a church setting, there will always be complaints, but all roles are vital. And if the right roles are given to the right people, the church will flourish.
Nothing is wasted. (V.3)- Those who distribute food and those who teach the word of God have equal importance. Some neglect the small tasks but everything is important when running a church. Whether you are giving the main message for Sunday or filling up the message dispenser is not important. What is important is the state of your heart when you do your job, because the Bible says, whatever you do, do it with all your heart. God only sees your heart.
The enemy will give you lies to make you believe your job is not important. Some lies of the enemy are:
Someone else can do it.
I’m not important.
I will just add to the problem.
I’m not gifted.
If they need me, they will call me.
1 Peter 4:10-11 says, ”God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.“ The church needs all of its members in order to run and grow. Find out how you can be used where you are good at. The point where your passion and talents meet is your sweet spot. Get confirmation from the Lord and from other members of the church. Many people want to do something but do not do anything about it. If your sweet spot can also be your profession then what a blessing that is! God can use it to provide for you too.
1 Corinthians 12:17-20 says, ”If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.“ The church is your house and it is called th body of Christ; not because it is an entire organization but because it has many parts. And every part has different functions. If you all have different functions, make sure there is no envy among you. Being a jack of all trades and a master of none, chances are, you are not a specialist. God created you in a way that you would need others too.
1 Corinthians 3:5-7 says, ”After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.“ When the body works together, they can go farther.
Don’t stop. - Hebrews 10:24-25 says, ”Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Commitment means pursuing despite the obstacles and challenges. Once you say yes to your calling, do not stop when troubles come your way. It is not just your talent that you are giving away. It is also your oneness with the body of Christ. So if you see imperfection the church, do not be surprised. When you get hurt and offended, continue to do what you are doing. When you quit, it shows wrong motives for serving. Everytime you get discouraged, remember who you are doing it for. Treat every Sunday like it’s the last Sunday before the Lord comes.
Nobody gets left behind. - Matthew 5:14-16 says, ”“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.“ You have a tendency to be so content at church. Do not look at the mpty seats inside the church. Look out! There are so many more peole who do not know the Lord. If you can bring the people, then God will provide the bigger venue. You can meet anywhere! It is only one body anyway! Matthew 5:14-16 says, ”“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The church is a public corporation; it is open to all. The Bible says to all who believe in His name, He gave them the right to be called children of God. Heaven is a public corporation. Anybody who says they want to be a part of God’s family can. He is not making it very hard for you to join. It is actually very easy. All you have to do is to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Only the church makes it difficult for people to join.
When you light a lamp, you do not put in under a table. You will want to put in a lampstand so that everybody can benefit from the loght. Be the salt and light. If you check the heart of the Father in Luke 14:22-23, it says, ”“ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.“ The church is not exclusive. Everybody has to be included. Jesus also mentioned before He left that He must go to prepare a place for His apostles. What is His job in heaven? He is the construction worker. He is preparing all your rooms. The Father does not want even an empty chair at the banquet. Do you think He even wants an empty room? He wants to make sure that everybody is going to live in the rooms He has prepared. John 10:16 says, ”I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.“ There are many people who still do not know the Lord. If you can only become faithful messengers and workers, the other poeple will come and listen. Future curch planters may still be out there waiting for the word of God.
What happens when the church invites outsiders?
Changes their perception of Christians
Gives opportunity to share the gospel
Takes us out of our comfort zone
They help us reach people we can’t
It’s humbling
The church is your housewhere all members collaborate. Nothing is wasted, no one will stop and no one will get left behind.