Sunday Service: 17/10/2021
Supporting Scripture: Romans 12 vs 4-8
Title of Message: Reach Out And Touch Someone
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
In our scripture today, Paul is encouraging us to use our God given talents to minister to one another.
What is Ministry
Ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith.
Ministry is about giving of ourselves and our time, talents, and resources to bless and help others.
Paul compares the Church to the human body. Through this comparison, he communicates the important truth of our need to accept our differences as individual members of the Body of Christ and to recognize these differences as vital to the proper functioning of the work of God.
The human body has about 206 bones and with all those different pieces, it is still one body. And each piece relies fully on the other. Think about the makeup of our church for a moment. We as a church are made up of many different parts as well. We are diverse because we have:
– different background – some grew up rich, some poor
– different professions – white collar, blue collar, etc…
– different personalities – introvert, extrovert
– different talents and abilities – music, teaching, mechanical
Yet despite this diversity we are one body and depend on each other to grow better and minister to each other and build the Kingdom of God.
A common thing I often hear is this, “I just don’t have any talent or skills that I could share.” God’s word disagrees with you. God has given each person a gift for ministry. Not only is it a gift, but it’s a gift uniquely crafted for you alone. (1 Corinthians 12:5-6a,11)
“There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but the same God who works all in all.”
There are as many ways to minister as there are people. The important thing is that we use our gifts to serve others. We were given these gifts to bring glory to God and draw people to Jesus…that is the Holy Spirit’s work within us. (1 Peter 4:11)
“Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him forever and ever.” (NLT)
Whatever your gifted by God to do, to is with all your heart and with all your strength to bring glory to God.
Our service towards one another is our demonstration of God’s love. It is the outward acknowledgement of God’s presence in our lives. Why should we get involved in ministry? Because that was the example Jesus set for us.
Jesus fed the hungry when He walked the earth. He evangelised His communities. He healed the sick. He calmed people’s fears. And we Should do the same. There are people around us who are fearful about what the future holds. Fear of death, fear of failure, fear of loneliness. As the hands and feet of Jesus, we have a responsibility of touching people’s lives to see the power and love of Jesus Christ.
What are some benefits of ministry? First, by meeting the physical need, we can touch the spiritual need. When we show compassion for others, they are much more open to hear what we have to say. Ministry is a natural doorway for personal evangelism. Secondly it makes us feel good and satisfied. Most importantly it allows Jesus to be seen in us. We have been chosen to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all men. If actions speak louder than words, then I guess our actions in ministry will show more of Jesus than anything we could ever say. (Matthew 25:35-36, 40)
“For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in, I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer Him saying Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed you or thirsty and gave you drink?
And the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you ‘inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.”
This passage also goes the opposite direction and talks about when we failed to do these things, we failed to do them for Jesus. Folks, we will be judged by how well we served.
There are two classes of people…spectators and participants. The Christian life was never meant to be a spectator sport. Unfortunately, too many of us are doing nothing more than sitting in the pews just watching. It’s time to get involved and get in the game.
People let begin to use our gifts, talents and abilities. Don’t hide them from the world. Let God be glorified in them daily. Meet needs as they are presented to you. Ask God for opportunities to minister and watch in amazement as your life becomes a life of empowerment in ministry. God bless you.