Living Church ...

Wednesday, June 3, 2015. We have a living God. And God has called all humans to believe in him. All who believe, who trust Jesus and follow him by heart, are filled with his holy spirit. They all build the church! That is the New Testament story, which we find in the biblical books and letters.

Gifts and Calling …

The biblical idea of the church is such of a living being. We, who believe in Jesus, are “the body of Christ”. We are part of the universal body of Christ, living today. It consists of all believers. You become a part of it by faith and only by faith - nothing else can bring you in. Nothing can separate you from him.

The church is a living being. It is us - equipped with the holy spirit. This spirit gives gifts and skills. It enables us to serve the Lord by what he has given to us and what he gives to us and establishes through us. We hear about spiritual gifts in the New Testament, gifts of leadership, evangelistic gifts, serving gifts and various miracles. All is given to help the church, to help humans, to be there for others and act in love.

What is your role, your particular part in the service. Today, we call our leaders “ministers” - that means “servants”. Their role is to serve by organizing things, by coordinating things. It is not power, but service, which is sought. And God is in the middle of it, when it comes to faith. He is there, and his spirit wants to equip us with helpful skills and abilities, which let the community flourish in trust and many good things!

Your Role, Your Service …

The apostle Paul writes about the spiritual gifts. Which gift is it that catches your eye, which attracts you? That is a fascinating question, since this gift might be your role and calling. Let us look into the letter which Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:

26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Cor 12, 26-31)

All these things have been active in Christian churches from the beginning. And they are practiced today, around the globe. Where ever you go, you find believers and you find them serving each other with the gifts which God has given them. Join the team, discover what God wants to do with you and through you. Talk to him! Join a church. Pray and then practice what is given to you! (RWEP) ... more texts