2001-09-07 - What Position Do You Play?

During a recent Atlanta Braves game, I watched the pitcher skillfully strike out a Los Angeles Dodger. But even if he were to pitch a no-hitter, the Braves could not win if the rest of the team did not do their jobs. Without the left-fielder batting in a run, or the shortstop and second base player executing double plays, the team could not succeed.

The same is true for the church.

I Corinthians 12:14-20 (NAS) For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,'' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,'' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.The pastor of a church can be a wise teacher, very learned, a skilled administrator, and a caring counselor. But if the members don't fulfill their roles, the church's work will not be done. Churches need members with the gifts of hospitality, to welcome and sit with visitors. They need members with the gift of encouragement, to give an ear to someone who is hurting, as the pastor only has hours in a day. They need people with the gift of service, to take up the offering, as well as people who are able to sing, to help the congregation learn new songs, and to provide worshipful anthems.

What is your role? Are you a coach? Do people naturally follow your leadership? Are you a utility player, who has the gift of service, performing jobs that are important but not glamorous? Are you a pitcher, like a peer leader in the choir etc.?

God gives each Christian at least one gift with which to serve in the church, in our homes and in our communities -- and He expects us to use them. He didn't give us gifts with the idea that they would lie dormant. In fact, God says that church members belong to each other, and we should use those gifts together.

Romans 12:5-6 (NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If you don't know what your gift(s) are, seek out the insights of a couple of mature Christians who know you well, or take a spiritual gifts test. If you want to fulfill God's plan for you, ignoring your gifts is not an option. I hope you will join me in praying that God will help you be aware of and use your gifts as He intends.

Jan

 cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
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