Called To Work In the Church

 Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

If you are a believer in Christ, you belong to the Church.  Now, don’t be confused with the terminology.  I’m not talking about a structural building that believers attend throughout the week, I’m talking about the overall Church which consists of all those who have surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is an awesome body of people to belong to.  

In Scripture, that is the other term used to describe the Church, the body of Christ as mentioned in Romans 12.  We all have different gifts as mentioned in chapter 12 and really, when we take an honest look at each other, we can see that.  I’m amazed when I look at my friends and I see the amazing talents they have.  When I was a youth pastor back in the early 00’s, two of the youth would help their father in cutting the grass of the church.  Some may not look at this as a talent or a service to the church, but let me tell you it is, and it really did help the church body as a whole.  Our church property was beautiful to look at because of the marvelous job they did and not only that, but it was a safe place for the children of the church to play and enjoy.  God has gone on to use that young man in many more marvelous things like being a wonderful father of his own and continuing to use his talents in service to the same church.  I have a friend who creates lovely landscaping and flower designs.  She has offered her services from time to time for not only the church but other sacred events such as funerals, weddings, etc.  That talent can be and has been used to glorify God.  I have friends who are wonderful preachers who preach the Word of God.  I have friends who are musicians and sing beautifully and play beautifully for the Lord.  I have one older friend who does nothing but greets me with a smile every time he sees me and he is faithful to making everyone feel welcome no matter where they are at.  That is a talent and a gift to the Lord.

The main thing is, we have to make sure we are using these gifts in service to the Lord.  God equips us to share the gospel with others and we need to be faithful in doing that.

In order for us to be effective as a church, we must work together.  Look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Look at verse 12-14.  We really need a strong reminder of this verse in today’s world.  We are all one body.  Whether we be white, black, Native American, Oriental, Hispanic, Slav, Indian, etc., no matter what ethnicity you are, when you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you belong to the body and are equal in the body and as is emphasized in the following verses, have a very important role.  

You are NEEDED in the church!  I hear time and time again from friends saying how they can’t serve in the church because they are shy around people, can’t speak in front of others, or just don’t know what to do.  Deep down those are just excuses and insecurities that the enemy uses to keep us from being as effective as we can be.  Even Moses had his doubts when he argued with God saying he was slow to speak.  God still proved to Him that He could use the talents of Moses and God equipped Moses to accomplish the work.  God will equip you as well to accomplish His work in you.  The body functions best when everything is working together.  Hand and eye coordination, leg reflexes, cardiovascular stamina, muscular strength, etc.   We know when our bodies are healthy and we strive to strengthen every part of our body.  It is the same inside the church and you are a part of it.

Have you been working in the church or have you just been sitting on the sidelines?  Maybe you think that everything that could be done is already getting done.  Let me tell you friends, there is always work to do for the Lord and we do it because we love Him.

Matthew 9:37 says,

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

The harvest is plentiful!  There are so many out there right now who need to hear the love of Jesus.  Go out and tell someone that Jesus loves them today.  If you can’t verbally tell someone, show someone!  Make something for them, send them a message, drop off a gift, just let them know that Jesus loves them and share the gospel!