August 19
Esther 4:1-7:10 | PS 26:1-12 | Prov 21:21-22 | 1 Cor 12:1-26
After a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and has attended our church for a while, if they want to serve, there is a series of classes offered called, "Called to Serve". In it one learns that we don't volunteer, we serve. Each of us with the Holy Spirit within us has been bestowed with certain gifts. These gifts are not ranked, and no one is pushed into areas of ministry which are more public or noticed. For the church to function, everyone is essential. Some will be recognized, others will fly below the level of detection. We saw what happened to our nation when those in power labeled certain positions and people essential vs non-essential. It was wrong then and it is wrong everywhere. If God has called you, then you are essential, vital to the health of the body of believers. God did not call you by accident. Never minimize how important you are in God's eyes based on the gifts that you have been given, or whether others notice or not. Ultimately, we serve God, and this is the calling that we need to be faithful to.
Consider how Paul explains this beautifully, using the illustration of the human body in 1 Corinthians 12:20-26, "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Our body is large and complex, yet consider how consumed we are when we have a toothache, infected toe or even a small area of the skin irritated by a mosquito bite. Seemingly minor areas, small when compared to the total, but so important when not functioning properly. Consider all of our internal organs, not even seen by the naked eye. When any are not functioning properly the whole is affected. So it is with us. The bride of Christ is a group which functions at its best when all its members are using those unique gifts given to each of us by God for His glory. We don't move forward for the recognition of others, but to one day hear from God, Himself, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). You were born for a purpose. See that purpose in God and we find life and fulfillment.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: