Everyone's Involved

Everyone's Involved

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12  "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body.  So it is with the body of Christ.

You have a place to function in your local fellowship or church.  Every person has an important role to play in the body of Christ.  God has a specific purpose for you.  He has given you certain gifts to help you carry out that purpose.  Sometimes you may feel that you have nothing to offer God.  But God knows just what His plan and purpose is for your life.  We don't function alone but need each other.  We realize that it can be difficult to work with some people.  But there is one who unifies us and His name is Jesus.  See Ephesians 3:10-11 where it says, "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,  according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord ".  When the church functions as God intended it is a powerful witness to the world!

No gift of the Holy Spirit is more important than another.  We each have a special place in the body of Christ.  Someone may have the gift of hospitality and be able to cook very well.  Another person may be able to work well with their hands and fix things.  Another might teach.  There are many different gifts.  When we each use our gift as God intended, it is like a well oiled machine running smoothly.  We need each other.  Just as when you have coals that you are cooking over.  If one coal gets separated from the others it soon grow cold.  But when all the coals are together the heat last for a long time.  Let us not think that we can be a service to Christ all by ourselves.  We need each other.  Everyone in the body of Christ should be involved together.

Everyone Is Invited

Scripture Reading:  Philemon

Focus Verses: Philemon 10-12 "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,"

As we continue to learn about a Christian Community, is there anyone that should be excluded from becoming a part of God's family.  No.  When Christ died on the cross, His death covered the sins of everyone on the whole earth.  No one is beyond the reach of Christ love.  Sometimes we try to qualify people and say, "Oh, they would never become a Christian."

What is the purpose of Paul's writing of Philemon?  It was to get Philemon to accept Onesimus.  Onesimus name means "useful".  In verse 11 Paul talks of his usefulness to himself and Philemon.  I have heard my pastor say, "If God is calling you to join in this fellowship, then this church is incomplete without you."

Sometimes we may feel that we have an exclusive attitude with those in our Christian community.  If we have that attitude, then we are missing a piece of the body of Christ.  Think of some people in your community that need to feel the love of a fellowship or church.  How can you reach out to them this week?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

All Together

Scripture Reading:  Acts 2:40-47

Focus Verse: Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Sometimes when I preach in Kenya and I see many people accept Christ I wonder if they all knew what they were doing, and if they understand.  What kind of life do believers have after receiving Christ?  What should it look like to begin a Christian community.

As we continue our devotional study on "Christian community" let's observe a few things about the early church in Acts.  In this passage we see that about 3000 people were saved when Peter preached.  We see that right away these new believers were united with the other believers.  Verse 42 says they had fellowship with them, continued in the doctrine (teachings), they shared in the Lord's supper together, and they prayed together.

We see that these early believers shared what they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts.  Sometimes governments of some countries take taxes from those that earn money and then give to those that are in need.  Its a nice plan, but God says that it is the church's responsibility to help those in need, not just the government's.  When the outside world sees the church helping each other they will know something is different.  But so many times the outside world sees the church divided and not able to get along with each other.  This is damaging to our testimony.

A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ.  The early church's passion for worship and love for each other was contagious.  A church that is healthy and loving will grow in numbers.  What can you do today within your church that will attract others to Christ?  Who is in need that you can help?


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries