We have all been given gifts by our Heavenly Father to benefit one another in the faith. I know, brothers and sisters, you are aware that there are many ministries that need help. The nursery, the tech booth, prison ministry, widows’ ministry, fundraising and so many more that desperately need help. Your pastor or pastors cannot and should not be doing it all!
As it is written in Acts 6:1-7 NIV
“[1] In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. [2] So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. [3] Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them [4] and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” [5] This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. [6] They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. [7] So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
So, how can we be those people? Some examples of people in the Bible gives us a glimpse of what our pastors and church need to serve one another and help show the love of Christ.
My brothers and sisters, as much as the church needs more Pauls, Peters and Johns, it really really needs more Stephens. It needs more Aarons and Miriams, it needs more Davids and Timothys. It needs more armor bearers and those willing to hold up the arms of the leaders who God has placed over you.
For example, Moses dealt with difficulty from the Israelites on their journey to the promised land. This is what the brothers and sisters of Moses failed to realize: their brother may have been in the limelight, but their roles were just as important. YOU are IMPORTANT! If they had focused on easing their brother's burden, the whole of Israel would have benefited and Moses may have not given into his fatigue and frustration leading him to strike the rock and forfeiting his entrance to the promised land.
Brothers and sisters in the faith, I know that you pray for your pastors, which is good. Don’t ever stop. But what if YOU are the answer to your prayers? What if you are the Stephens of your church family? Those of you who care for children for a living, are you using your gift for the Lord or just a paycheck? The fixers, the builders, the craftsmen, the sewers, the cooks, the cleaners, the investors and money gurus. What if the church is not growing because faith is not being put into action?
We like to say that we are striving to BE that church, but why aren't WE that church? In all my life, I have yet to see a church that operates in the full capacity of what is being described in Acts 2:42-47 NIV. I'm not saying it does not exist, in fact, you hear stories of our brothers and sisters across the world who live in this exact way. Under extreme persecution no less!
Is that what it's going to take for us to live by faith and not by sight? Having our lives on the line because of our faith? I should hope not.
Part of what is happening is our brothers and sisters in the faith have become too comfortable and too complacent in our faith.
It is written in Galatians 5:13 NIV:
“[13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
There is this idea that has infected the church that it is the pastor's job to grow the church. And, while, yes, that is true, if you claim to be a disciple of Christ, that responsibility also falls on you.
As it is written in Matthew 28:18-20 NIV:
“[18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I want to draw your attention to something when Jesus gave this command: none of the men were apostles yet. They were disciples. That means this command goes to everyone who believes in our Lord Jesus Christ, not just the pastor. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard, “Well, I can't contribute like that. I'm not a pastor.” I'm sorry but that is just a foolish way of thinking. A body is not a body if there is only one part.
As it is written in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 NIV, we represent different parts of the body. We are given our gifts from the Holy Spirit to help one another in the ways God has gifted us.
You all have been anointed by God to spread the good news and serve one another above yourself that all may benefit from talents that our most wonderful, all-seeing King has deposited into you.
My question is: when you stand before our Lord, will He say well done my good and faithful servant or begone from me you lazy and wicked servant! Believe it or not, the choice is yours.
To serve or not to serve, that is the question we are asked every day. Or, rather, will I choose Jesus, or will I choose myself?
As it is written in John 12:24-26 NIV:
[24] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Let us serve our Lord Jesus Christ as He serves us! Let us put our faith into action and serve one another. Let us live in obedience to the Lord that we may do His will here on earth as it is in Heaven!
May the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.
Blessings,
Rev Dakota Swinton
Some other verses to look at:
Acts 2:42-47 NIV
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 NIV
James 2:14-26 NIV
Matthew 25:14-30 NIV
Galatians 5:13-26 NIV