I Am Called and Equipped (Kickoff Sunday)

Ephesians 4:11-16 speaks to God’s plans are for us. How many of us have wondered, “God what is your plan for my life?” Usually, when we ask that question, we want God to tell us specifically, which person we’re supposed to marry, what job will make us happy, where we ought to live, and what kind of car we should drive.”

God doesn’t give us specifics. He doesn’t give us liver shivers, skywriting, messages directly from him. Rather, he gives us generalities. Marry a Christian, do all your work as unto the Lord, as though you were serving Him and not your boss, live where you’re placed, and drive a Honda. That’s what Jesus drove. Didn’t you know that all the disciples were in one accord? Drive something that will get you from A-B, reliably.

God calls us, individually, to faith in him. That’s where our individuality ends. He then inserts us as members of his body, the church. That’s God’s way. The Holy Spirit brings people together. And he has brought all of us together, here, and online, or watching later. We are Christ’s body.

God brings all the right people—the right people from his perspective, so that we will grow and flourish. What does it take to make something grow? Remember way back earlier this year, during one of Josh’s video children’s messages, he had two plants? One was all dead and withered, the other was vibrant and alive. He talked about how gardening, getting things to grow takes care and attention. You need to work up the soil, you need to plant the seed, you need to provide it with fertilizer, water, heat and light. Then it will grow and thrive.

God brings us together so that we can grow. The church is like a garden, and the gardener works up the soil—the people—and that isn’t a very comfortable process, and he uses us to fertilize & prune, water, provide warmth & encouragement and the light of Christ. God causes the growth.

Now, how we bless those around us, depends upon our calling, and God’s equipping us. Some of us are wonderful to be around, like refreshing gallons of water. Some of us, are not so easy to be around, a kind of smelly and manure based fertilizer.

But God uses us all, to cause us to grow. And sometimes growth only comes through difficult times and seasons such as now.

So, as we prepare to commission our volunteers and leaders, we do so, in the confidence that God has called you and has equipped you to do the task before you. There are many, many examples from the scriptures where people are not necessarily naturally gifted as leaders, as teachers, as evangelists, as shepherds and prophets, and some who were, were not very faithful—Jonah comes to mind. But God used them all, he equipped them all to do their work.

The biggest role we play is showing up, rolling up our sleeves and getting to it. God takes care of the rest, he really does. So, elders and deacons, leaders and volunteers, staff, and congregant members. We are all working together for the same goal: to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

Let us work together, with, humility, trust, love, grace and patience, to do the work Jesus has called us to do: to be his witnesses, here in Maranatha, and in the world! Amen.