7/12/22

Our scripture this morning is ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-16.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

Paul writes of the spiritual gifts that are given to build up the church. He also speaks about our spiritual gifts in Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12-13. Paul is encouraging us to understand what we are called to do and the skills we must use together to spread God’s love to all people.

While each of us are given a gift, it is only when we join in sharing them that they are completely effective. Jesus brought together a ragtag group of people who were largely unskilled and showed them what was inside each of them to be able to carry on His ministry. We have the same gifts and the same responsibility to continue Christ’s work to bring all nations back into a relationship with God.

What gift has God given you and how do you use it to help build up the church? It is up to each of us to discover our gifts and put them into action for the good of God’s children. Ask Him to help you find ways to share your gift, that the Good News may be heard by everyone.

Loving Lord, You equip us and call us into service to share the blessing of Your love and mercy. Strengthen us in faith and send us to do Your will, bringing the light to a dark and needy world. Amen.

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