ARE YOU PLAYING YOUR ROLE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST?

(22-01-2006, 14-06-2009)

"Are you playing your role in the body of Christ?"

This question is directed to you, the reader, especially if you are a Christian (a member of the body of Christ). 1Corinthians 12:12-27 shows us how we, as the body of Christ need to cooperate with one another and work in harmony as members of the same body. 1Corinthians 12:5 "There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving.

(New Living Translation)

Have a mind to work.

Nehemiah 4:6 "…, for the people had a mind to work." (King James Version). Do you have a mind to work? I mean working without anybody pushing you. Having a mind like that of Jesus whose delight was to do the will of the Father and to finish His work. (John 4:34)
Let's learn from the book of Nehemiah how to work.
It is easy to analyse, scrutinise and talk about the problems in the world or in the church. But we need people who are like Nehemiah who take action to solve the problem. Did you know that people who are committed to church do not have time to criticize or gossip?
Nehemiah 1:1-4 Nehemiah asked about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. After he heard the answer, he did something about the problem. There are people who ask just to satisfy their minds but do not help. But Nehemiah was a true servant of the Lord. He had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 3:1-32 shows that different groups of people built different portions of the same job. We are all different and have different talents, roles and responsibilities. Nobody is useless. That's why none of us is a copy of somebody. You are unique and special. Everybody has his/her part to play in the body.
Opposition will come.
Doing the Lord's work does not mean you will go unchallenged. Opposition will come to try and stop you from fulfilling what God has called you to do. Expect opposition and challenges as you do the Lord's work.
Nehemiah 4:1-6 Sanballat and Tobiah were used by the enemy as source of discouragement, but people continued to work because they had a mind to work. When the enemy tries to discourage you, take courage. Nehemiah 4:12-23 When the adversary came, some were ready to fight while others were building. Even those building had one hand on the work and another hand on a weapon. As we work hard for the Lord, we should also engage in spiritual warfare.
Nehemiah 6:16 As we succeed with tasks that look impossible, our enemy will know that the work had been done with the help of our God.
Here at Jesus The Saviour Church we have a slogan for 2006. Nehemiah 4:6 "We have a mind to work."
FAITH COMES BY HEARING 26-02-2006
All of us have different needs to be met by the Lord. Faith is that hand that receives from the Lord. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. If you want to have faith, expose yourself to hearing the word. Hear the word as you speak it; hear the word as it is preached.

Feed on the word

Matthew 12:34-35 Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What have you stored in your heart? Job 23:12 I have esteemed the word of his mouth more than my necessary food. Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found and I did eat them. John 6:63 The word of God is spirit and it is life.
Luke 10:38-42 Only one thing is needful – the word. In every situation you need the word. Psalms 119:11 I hid God's word in my heart.


THE LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER 12-03-2006, 13-01-2008
Prayer is not an emergency measure to get God's attention. Prayer is a lifestyle. Isaiah 56:7, Matthew 21:13 "My house shall be called the house of prayer." My body is the temple of the Lord. It is the house of prayer. Prayer is communication with God. It is fellowship between you and your heavenly Father. Sacrifices of praise are done in my body. My offerings are acceptable unto God. Genesis 4:3-4 God is not desperate of offerings. Non-quality offerings can be rejected by God.
1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing Luke 18:1 Men aught always to pray and not to faint.
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Your prayers bring results.
Lord, teach us how to pray:

1. We ask the Father in the name of Jesus.

John 16:23-24

2. Believe that you receive when you pray.

Mark 11:24 1John 5:14-15

3. Ask in line with the word.

(Do not ask with wrong motives)

James 4:3

4. When you stand praying, forgive. Mark 11:25