If I ask you what the mission of the church is, what would be your answer? The church has many tasks, but the primary task of the church is to tell the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Everything else we do is merely an extension of that goal. The gospel we offer is far superior to any other worldly philosophy. It's never outdated and it never needs correction. It's always sufficient to meet the greatest needs of the people, which is, reconciliation with the creator.
Even though the message is always the same, there are many methods used to make it known. There is, of course, the spoken word. But music is also used to get the message out, along with printed material and electronic media. However, all those methods require the involvement of people in the church. It's every Christian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents and abilities to help get the Word out to the world.
Some Christians think that this role is given only to ministers, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front" ministry. But all of us have the responsibility to be involved in wherever we are able and in whatever opportunity God gives us. No everybody is called to be a minister or missionary, but we can all give, pray and tell others what the Lord has done for us.
When you are truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for you. Nobody is insignificant or unusable.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Although we are many, we drink of one Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Believers have two responsibilities. The first is to worship God, and the second is to work for His kingdom. Where and how we serve is based upon our unique talents, skills and calling. But the one place where we are all expected to give ourselves is the local church.
You have chosen, according to the will of God, to become part of a local group of believers. He placed you here because He knows that you are needed. 1 Cor. 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. You are significant to your home church.
The church is more than a community. It is an interdependent body with individual members who were created by God to function in communion with one another. We Christians, like the world at large, are a diverse group, and that means we often have to strive hard for unity. But our differences are actually something to be celebrated, because each person uniquely contributes to God's purpose. A church that is truly operating as a unit - with all its varied gifts, talents, personalities, and intellects focused toward kingdom goals - must be a beautiful sight before the Lord.
Christianity is not a spectator religion. We all have jobs to do. The body of Christ functions best when all members resolve to serve God and each other to the best of their ability. 1 Cor. 12:25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
In Tough Ministries
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
Believers have two responsibilities. The first is to worship God, and the second is to work for His kingdom. Where and how we serve is based upon our unique talents, skills and calling. But the one place where we are all expected to give ourselves is the local church.
You have chosen, according to the will of God, to become part of a local group of believers. He placed you here because He knows that you are needed. 1 Cor. 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. You are significant to your home church.
The church is more than a community. It is an interdependent body with individual members who were created by God to function in communion with one another. We Christians, like the world at large, are a diverse group, and that means we often have to strive hard for unity. But our differences are actually something to be celebrated, because each person uniquely contributes to God's purpose. A church that is truly operating as a unit - with all its varied gifts, talents, personalities, and intellects focused toward kingdom goals - must be a beautiful sight before the Lord.
Christianity is not a spectator religion. We all have jobs to do. The body of Christ functions best when all members resolve to serve God and each other to the best of their ability. 1 Cor. 12:25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
In Tough Ministries
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
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