A One Another Decision
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4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
What is he saying here? What does the church have to do with the human body?
We have different body parts that do different things. Eyes see, ears hear, hands point, feet smell. No, noses smell, feet walk. In any case, there’s no single body part that can do everything. They need each other. The same is true with the church, which we call the “body of Christ.” Each of us is a body part in that body. We each do something, but no one does everything. Just like it took a team of three to put some paper in a trash can, so we get things done in the church by working together.
These 4 verses in Romans tell us that we all have a function in the church, and it is our job to practice that function. Remember verses 7 and 8:
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Are you a caring person? Do you like to help people in need? Do you see what needs to be done? Are you a good leader? Do you find yourself saying things that encourage others? For right now, don’t worry if your special talent is on this list in Romans or on any list. God has given you certain abilities. How can you use them?
I think sometimes we might be embarrassed to use our gifts because you feel like you might make a mistake, maybe you think that you might get picked on by someone else here at church. But the truth is that, there will be so many people at church, myself included, that will greatly appreciate what you do.
I appreciate Mr. Keith, Mr. Erik, Mrs. Sheila and Mrs. Stephanie because they teach classes here at church and I bet you guys do too.
I appreciate Mr. Frank because he sees what the church needs and he goes out and gets it.
I appreciate Mrs. Sheila, Mrs. Stephanie and Mrs. Christi because they sing with us.
I appreciate Mrs. Alice and Mr. Dan because they are always there to encourage me and make me laugh and boy the Lord knows I need people like that in my life.
I appreciate the boys that read every Sunday before church starts because God has given you the ability to read and to kick off the service by reading His Word and there is no better way to do it.
I think what happens so many times is that we caught up in ourselves and how we feel, that we put God’s Will in the back seat. What does that mean? Sometimes we don’t want to serve even if God is calling us, because we let our feelings get in the way.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
See, this is another long list of things we can do at church. But if we allow our own feelings to get in the way of what God has called you to do with other Christians you miss out on this but most importantly, everyone else misses out on it too.
See, we don’t serve in church or in the cottage or at school for ourselves, we don’t serve to make sure we feel good. We serve others for their sake. We serve other because they need it. There’s been so many times that I need help putting up tables and chairs and putting table cloths on the tables and who helps me? you guys do! why do I need help, because I’m an old man.
You guys remember when we put the operation Christmas child boxes together? We got a chance to get together and show other people from the other side of the world God’s love. Guys, that’s what it means to be the church. Our goal is to love God and love people. And there is no better way to do it, than to meet their needs.
My question for you today is:
What needs does your church have? What needs do the people around you have? and can you find a way to meet them?
I think we can. I also think that when we meet people’s needs and serve other, we are following in Jesus’ footsteps. How?
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Son of Man is Jesus, and Jesus came to serve and to meet people’s ultimate need. People needed someone to save them from their sin, I needed that, you needed that. And Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross made that possible. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead made salvation attainable. What does that mean, that when Jesus came back to life after paying for our sins, He proved that He was God, that He could defeat death, and if Jesus could defeat death than He can save you from an eternal separation from Him, and He can take away all of your sin and make you into the person He wants you to be.