Given September 28, 2011
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). This letter written to the church at Corinth compared the church to a body and reminded the people that all of them had a part and the body wouldn’t work properly without all members doing their part. Research shows that in the typical American church, only about 20% are doing the work of the body. Eighty percent only attend services and don’t even give to support the ministry.
Think of it this way: What if, on a football team, only the center, quarterback, and one tackle did their job? They couldn’t score or, on defense, they couldn’t prevent the other team from scoring. Unthinkable right? Or, what if, on a baseball team, seven players just stood there in the field watching the game and listening to the announcer? You’d say, “What’s wrong with those players?” On both these teams, the players who ARE doing their part get worn out and frustrated because they can’t achieve the goals of the team. Theoretically, if, on that football team, every player did his part, the team would score every time. But they don’t because no one is perfect and they have opposition, the opposing team. They may need more work, training or practice. It also involves commitment and sacrifice. But they’re a team and they care about each other, feel for the one who gets hurt, and cheer when someone scores because it’s their team. Your church is just like that team!
I had a vision once that is relevant to this situation. There was a large wagon, like a farm wagon, at the front of my church. The wagon was packed with church members and our pastor had hold of the wagon tongue trying to move “the church” forward. It took great effort on his part but he was, inch by inch, moving us forward. Then, one of the church members, seeing what was happening, jumped out of the wagon and began helping the pastor pull. Then another, then another until there were several helping pull the load and the wagon was moving. However, there were still many who were content to just sit in the wagon and let the few pull them around. My question today is this: In your church body, are you in the wagon or are you helping pull? What is your part in the bodyof Christ where you attend? Ask God about it. Ask your pastor about it. Each of us have special gifts that God want to use in His body. there are great and wonderful things God want to accomplish through your church body but everyone has to do his or her part. If you’re not already doing so, make it a point to get out of the wagon and help pull! “As each individual part does its job, the body builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16).
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