TOPIC: A CHURCH WITHOUT FUNCTIONAL PARTS IS NOT A CHURCH.
Matt 16:18-19(KJV)18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Many may visit the house of God, but that doesn’t mean they are members of the church, as they have no active role or function within it.
Ps 84:10(KJV)10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Every true member of the body takes pride in their function and contribution to the body.
From Old Testament to the New Testament, the ministry of God has provided a functional part.
Araunah was willing to provide King David with materials to build the house of God .
2 Sam 24:22-25(KJV22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee.24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
Throughout history, God has always had people to depend on for His work .
For instance, when Moses was to build the Tabernacle, God directed him to the people who would assist in building the ark.
Ex 25:40(NIV) See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
Ex 31:1-6(KJV)And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
The ministry in Israel was composed of people with diverse roles, each serving a unique purpose.
What would you say your role is in the church you’ve joined? Are you just a member by name?
2 Tim 2:20-21(KJV)20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
No one was created to be a passive recipient; we are all members of one another.
Are you a member by mouth?
God sent His gifts to equip His people – motivational gifts, as outlined in
Rom 12:4-11(NLT)Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. 6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can-as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer. 9 Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
In the early church, responsibilities were distributed to those who were filled with the holy spirit .
Acts 6:1-4 (KJV)And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Sadly, today, many who claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit are simply floating along, with little to no commitment.
The Holy Spirit has been given to empower each member to fulfill their function.
If God intended for only one person to do the work, while everyone else simply sat idle, He would not have given the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Through the gifts of the Spirit, everyone understands their function and place, even in their physical job assignments.
1 Cor 12:4-15(KJV) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (CONTINUE)
Each person is part of this function. If you are not actively contributing, it’s time to examine yourself and your role in the body of Christ.
We are all human beings designed to function and improve in our spiritual walk.
Look at Barnabas, the son of consolation. What prevents you from being a Barnabas?
If you receive such vision or calling, is it wrong to act upon it?
Acts 4:36-37(KJV)36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
What of David’s mighty men, who risked their lives in pursuit of the vision.
2 Sam 23:15-17(NLT)15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 17 “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
What of Epaphroditus, who nearly died caring for the brethren. – Phil 2:25-30(NLT)25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
Where are the Mary Magdalenes who visited the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body? Mark 16:1-4(NLT)16 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
Where are the Marys who poured out an entire year’s wages on Jesus feet? John 12:1-8(NLT)Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
I have never seen a part of the body that doesn’t serve a functional role.
Problems abound in the church facing everyone and we pretend as if we are not seeing them, because we hide ourselves in our own needs,
All these people are members of the church. There were not plastic members.
Where are the Dorcases whose death brought mourning to all who knew her?Acts 9:36-41(KJV)36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Where are Joseph of Arimanthea who surrendered his own tomb to bury Jesus ?
John 19:38-42(NLT)38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Where are the Good Samaritans who, motivated by love for humanity, step in to help those in need?
Luke 10:33-35(TLB)33 “But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. 34 Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty-dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’
If you are in this church and have no specific function, you are like a dead organ, ready for surgical removal.
Judg 9:7-15(TLB)7 When Jotham heard about this, he stood at the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted across to the men of Shechem, “If you want God’s blessing, listen to me! 8 Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they asked the olive tree, 9 but it refused.”‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses God and man, just to wave to and fro over the other trees?’ it asked. 10 “Then they said to the fig tree, ‘You be our king!’ 11 “But the fig tree also refused. ‘Should I quit producing sweetness and fruit just to lift my head above all the other trees?’ it asked. 12 “Then they said to the grapevine, ‘You reign over us!’ 13 “But the grapevine replied, ‘Shall I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and man, just to be mightier than all the other trees?’ 14 “Then all the trees finally turned to the thorn bush. ‘You be our king!’ they explained. 15 “And the thorn bush replied, ‘If you really want me, come and humble yourselves beneath my shade! If you refuse, let fire flame forth from me and burn down the great cedars of Lebanon!’
