Each of us should be men and women under authority. In Matthew 8, Jesus commended the
centurion for his understanding of this truth. For one to have authority, one must be under authority. In other words, you can’t be a leader
unless you’re a follower. You may
say, “I don’t want to be a leader”!
Sorry, as a believer, it’s part of the job description. We already covered this! If you’re a part of the body of Christ
on the earth today, you’re a part of the disciple-making process. As a believer, you are a disciple, which means you’re an active learner and student of
the Word and follower of Jesus Christ.
As a disciple, you should be sitting at the feet, so to speak, of those
Jesus has set into the church to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11–12).
As a disciple, you should be personally striving to know Jesus Christ
more and more each day. One of the
tools the Lord has given the church to bring that to fruition is each other. We
need to be drawing from the wisdom of the more seasoned saints the Lord has
called each of us to serve alongside in the body.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend”
(Proverbs 27:17).
“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”
(Hebrews 10:24).
These relationships with more mature believers should never be a
substitute for being a part of a local church. They should be in addition to being an active, vibrant, committed member of a local fellowship,
where you hear the Word of the Lord taught by a pastor who is called of God and
anointed!
Unity doesn’t mean all have the same
functions. Each part of the Body
possesses something to add to the benefit of the whole. We see this inside a local fellowship
or church easy enough, but we should also see it church to church.
The truth is, if there are “other”
believers around you that don’t attend your fellowship, it doesn’t make them
any less a part of the Lord’s Body.
Just like others that are a part of your church, these are “IN” Christ. We need them like an arm needs an elbow
to be complete. Being “IN” Christ,
together, is absolutely the closest
union that can exist. To separate
Jesus Christ from you, or you from others in His Body is akin to separating you
from you.
How is this kind of UNITY possible? LIVE the Gospel! There is power for UNITY. The gospel of Christ, is the power of God
to salvation for everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)
Your ministry matters!
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FOR
PRAYER and INFO...
If you’re interested in material of
having me come teach this message in your church go to http://www.yourministrymatters.com/ and click on the
appropriate link.
If you are interested or know someone who is, (or should be), pass along
this link. It is a short 4 minute introduction about the Ministry Of
HELPERS in Scripture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8udUx7cnOQ&feature=player_embedded
When one truly understands the "chain-of-command" leadership becomes easy AND enjoyable, because the "heat" goes back up the line! And nobody wants to mouth back at the general! :-)
Posted by: Gary W Nibbelink | May 27, 2010 at 01:19 PM