Embracing Your Role in God’s Church

The Church is one body with many members and we all have a role to play. Today we are talking about embracing your role in God’s Church.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Links and Downloads

Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/embracing-your-role-in-gods-church/ or on our YouTube channel.

Introduction

We are continuing with our new year’s teachings of foundational truths and disciplines. Everyone wants to know what their purpose is and what role they are supposed to be fulfilling in any group they belong to. Today, we are looking into the Bible and learning about the truth that every person in the Church is a vital member of the whole body, each with a unique role to play and a job to do.

The Apostle Paul teaches about this topic in his first letter to the church in Corinth. Let’s begin by reading 1 Corinthians 12:12.

1 Corinthians 12:12

(12)  Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Let’s look at what we can learn from this passage of scripture today and apply it to our lives.

Unity in Diversity

In this passage, Paul illustrates the Church as the body of Christ. Just as our physical bodies have various parts with distinct functions, so does the body of Christ. We each have a head, a heart, and other internal organs all necessary to live. Each of these organs inside our bodies works together in harmony to sustain our life.

Each of these organs looks very different and they do very different things, yet they are all necessary for us to be alive. All of the organs inside our body, as different as they may be, work together for us to live. A brain or a heart cannot exist and function outside of the body. They each need the other along with other organs to live and thrive.

1 Corinthians 12:14-18 says:

1 Corinthians 12:14-18

(14)  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.  (15)  Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  (16)  And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  (18)  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

Speaking of the Church we must understand that each of us is one part of the Church. We each bring gifts, talents, and abilities that are somewhat unique. We are diverse in our gifts, talents, and abilities, but we are united in our shared faith and commitment to the Lord. We are one church and one body when we function together using our unique gifts, talents, and abilities.

God, in His infinite wisdom, has given each of us unique gifts and talents to serve the body of Christ and ultimately point people to Jesus. Just as the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” and the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you,” every member is indispensable. Whether your gift is teaching, serving, encouraging, or showing mercy, know that your role is crucial for the well-being of the entire body.

The Importance of Humility

It is essential to be humble and thankful for our roles in the Church. Our gifts are not for bringing attention or glory to ourselves. The gifts and talents we have been given are to bring glory to God and to build up His Church.

When you read how Jesus interacted with people in the gospels you see a humility unmatched in the world. He first humbled himself to be born into this world then walked among us teaching us, healing us, forgiving us, encouraging us, and refining us. Jesus had patience with each person he interacted with, even the religious leaders who ultimately plotted to have him killed.

The Apostle Peter was bold in his faith but humble knowing his role. He showed his humility when he was about to be executed many years later by the Romans by crucifixion. He begged them to crucify him upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Peter never forgot the lessons Jesus taught him and he fulfilled all Jesus asked him to do with grace and humility. We must humbly acknowledge that every member, regardless of their role, is equally valued and necessary.

The apostle is just as important as the evangelist and the teacher is just as important as the servant. The person who brings the teaching is just as important as the person who shares the teaching with someone else later in the week. The member who greets others with a warm smile and handshake or hug is just as important as the member who is watching over the children. Just as the body needs all its parts working correctly and in harmony, the Church needs all its members working correctly and in harmony with humility knowing that all are needed.

Romans 8:38-39 says:

Romans 8:38-39

(38)  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  (39)  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

One of the things we learn from this passage is that there is no one more or less important in the Body of Christ. We are all equally necessary and important in the Church; male or female, rich or poor, black or white. None of that matters. What matters is that we all embrace the role we have been given in God’s Church and carry out that role with the humility of Christ Jesus.

Encouragement and Support

As members of the body, we are called to encourage and support one another. Just as one part of the body may suffer, so do we share in the joys and sorrows of our fellow believers. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 says:

1 Corinthians 12:24-27

(24) … But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,  (25)  so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  (26)  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  (27)  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Let us be quick to offer a helping hand, a word of encouragement, and fervent prayers for one another. Whatever your specific role in the church is, we all must love and support one another. Every one of us will go through difficult times and every one of us will falter. We must be quick to lend a helping hand, encourage, and pray for others when this happens to them.

This is one of the most important things that we all must do as one Church. We must help one another. We have to celebrate together during wonderful times and encourage and support one another during difficult times.

When one member is sick, you may not have the gift of healing, but you may have the gift of hospitality and can bring them a meal. When one member finds themselves in trouble because of a mistake they made you may not be able to correct the mistake but you can encourage them and pray with them as they work through making amends for it.

The apostle John records Jesus giving a new command in John 13:34-35, which says:

John 13:34-35

(34)  "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  (35)  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

We must love and support one another. By this, the world will know we belong to the Lord and want to know Him too.

Conclusion

As you embrace your unique role within the body of Christ, do it with joy, dedication, and a heart full of love. The Lord has called us to be one church, each member contributing to the growth of the whole. We pray that you embrace your role in God’s Church with passion and purpose, knowing that in doing so, you are actively participating in God’s plan for His Church.

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