Your Part Matters - P2

The church is made up of many parts and those parts aren’t just warm bodies doing some function. Each person has been given gifts and talents to serve the church. Paul lists many different gifting that each person processes for serving the church.

Most people can name famous quarterbacks. People like Joe Montana, Brett Favre, and Tom Brady are memorable names of the most important players in history. But most people can’t name the offensive line that snapped the ball to those favorite QB’s and protected them while they threw all those touchdowns. The offensive line in the front of the quarterback is crucial to the team’s success. You could have the greatest quarterback in the world, and if the offensive line is off or can’t protect him, he won’t be making any memorable plays. So, the next time you watch a football game, remember that those huge guys on the line make the plays that ultimately lead to championships.

One of the most overlooked characters in the Bible is Joseph of Arimathea. Who can tell me who that is?

Joseph was a rich man who had become a disciple of Jesus (). He went before Pontius Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus after his death. Joseph was also a prominent member of the Sanhedrin Council (). The tomb that Jesus was buried in was Joseph’s own personal tomb that the Bible says he cut himself. Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus in fine linen and spices for a proper burial ().

Why is Joseph so important? He didn’t perform any tremendous miracles. He wasn’t one of the famous disciples like Peter, James, or John. He was a prominent rich man who was a part of the establishment. He was a man of influence in his community. It’s easy to think of Jesus’ disciples as just simple fisherman, outcasts, and the least in society, but Joseph was a believer in Jesus too even though He was a rich man, and he served him faithfully.

What I want you to gleam from all of this, from Joseph of Aramathea, and from what Ben shared with us, and from what we talked about the other day with the muscles of the body all working together is that you have an important role here. Right here in this group. At Faith, at the Landing, you belong. You have a role to serve, whether it is one that is up front and center or one that is behind the scenes and supportive. God wants to use you. It doesn’t matter if you are big or small, rich or poor, God will use you. It doesn’t matter if you see yourself as a jock or as a weirdo or an outcast because God sees you as His beloved child whom He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for. So that you could have a relationship with him.

This week we have served Pastor May and Christ Lutheran Church well and faithfully. I hope you realize that God is using you right here. Right now. And you belong!