Doing our part

Ps 133:1-3

1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. (NIV)

Eph 4:1-16

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ø  We are all called! We may all have different responsibilities, but we are still called.

Ø  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit

o   Unity is the putting together of individual parts or units.

o   All of has a part to play if we want to see the greatest things happen here in this church family

o   Are we involved in this process in this church?

Eccl 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

Ø  Responsibility : Eph.4:7..each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.. all of us have a part to play. What good is it if all the parts do not participate? We as a church must team up when we come together.

·         Leader 1/3

·         Helpers 1/3

·         Congregation 1/3

Ø  The Minister 1/3 to prepare God's people for works of service

We need to help people to participate in what happens. We can't do it on your own.

·         We expect the leader will come prepared, on time, anointed, prayer up etc..

Ø The helpers (helps ministry) 1/3 joined and held together by every supporting ligament

1. Recognize you carry the same anointing as the minister. You become a team with the minister and the congregation.

2. You will receive the same blessings too. Helpers, serving food, visiting (remember what Jesus said “when I was in need…)

3. The anointing will flow down the head - beard - body - to the floor.

4. Practical things

·         Pray for people before they come.

·         Pray over the seats,

·         Prepare to be a blessing (tissues, mints, information,)

·         Be watchful for any need.

·         Stay alert to the preacher.

·         Be in the spirit

·         Look official, if you are supposed to.

Ø The Congregation 1/3 grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work

1Cor.14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

·         Pray for this service before you come. Ask God how you can be a blessing today. Be spiritually prepared. A good athlete will warm up and stretch before he plays.

·         The people can create a vacuum that must be filled. They draw out of the minister what is on the inside of them. If the people show up with their motors already started and warmed up. We will get to higher speeds quickly.

·         Are you a wet log on the fire? Our attitudes will affect the service.

Ø  We have to have these attitudes in order to take our place and be a blessing. Eph.4:2

o   Completely humble (remember who you are without God)

o   Gentle (learning to accept what comes into your life as you are trusting God)

o   Patient (being able to wait in the midst of suffering)

o   Bearing one another in love (holding yourself up and thereby holding others up) word picture of us leaning against each other to stay up.

Ø  What you are excited about you show up on time for.

Ø   We can increase the anointing or reduce it.

o   Stay awake and attentive people are watching you.

o   Go to the bathroom before the service and don’t go just because YOU are bored.

o   Stay alert when we are ministering to people.

§  Don’t leave the service and stand in the hallway talking.

§  Don’t start conversations when there is ministry going on, be a partner pray.

o   Be ready to help if needed.

o   Be a faithful giver.